Travelers can now reach Hawaii’s most popular airport by train for the first time

In what seems like a perfect paradise, there are still problems everywhere, no matter how pristine and spotless a destination seems.

In Honolulu, traffic can be a real headache. It’s definitely a city where you wouldn’t want to test TikTok’s “airport theory.”

As such, today marks a historic day for a 14-year project now open at Hawaii’s most popular airport.

Locals and travelers alike can now reach (and depart) Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) by train for the first time ever to avoid the hassle of often busy roads.

As seasoned travelers here at Travel Off Path, there’s nothing we love more than hopping off a plane and running into the city.

But feedback on Honolulu’s newest addition has been mixed, especially since the train will do just that not stop at the city’s most sought-after beach.

Honolulu welcomes 4 new train stations, including the airport

Before someone loses his/her Hello to me, yes, you could travel by train in Honolulu before today…

…just not to the airport.

Today marks the opening of the second leg of Honolulu’s Skyline transit system, meaning 4 new stations are now available, including HNL.

Those 4 new stops are:

• Makalapa/Pearl Harbor-Hickam Station
• Lelepaua Station (the airport) ✈️
• Āhua/Lagoon Drive Station
• Kahauiki/Kalihi Transit Center Station

As you’ve noticed, Hawaii isn’t shy with their syllables. The good news is that there will be crew members there to help you if you’re not sure where to go.

If only they were so helpful in Iceland with their Middle-earth clues…

“Yes, just take the bus to Hallgrímskirkja”…Okay, friend….

While some locals are fretting about the new launch (and whether it was worth the long wait), what’s most impressive and well thought out is the extension of Lelepaua Station, which is built into the airport complex itself, so you can actually step off the plane and hit the ground Travel Off Path style!

The new train skips Waikiki

Look, we love a good Chinatown when we see one, but no one is flying across the ocean to slurp delicious spicy noodles and sip green tea.

Travelers visit Hawaii for a variety of reasons, but it all comes down to nature in one form or another, and there may be no better spot in town than world-famous Waikiki Beach.

Local experts from the Beat of Hawaii I make a valid point: if such a Herculean task of connecting the airport by rail is going to take well over a decade, why not fine-tune the details to get travelers where they really want to go?

Besides the airport’s own station, the only other notable stop is the Kahauiki/Kalihi Transit Center Station, a popular bus transfer hub.

Have they missed the point? Ultimately, time will tell.

Although there is one aspect that hits the nail on the head, and one aspect that all tourists will appreciate it, given the state’s notoriously high prices.

$3 per rail is better than headache-inducing traffic and double-digit Uber fares

Sorry, Hawaiians. It’s selfishly nice to know that I’m not the only one as a Californian paying almost $5 a gallon for gas.

Honolulu currently averages $4.14 per gallon, so you know what that means: expensive Ubers.

Despite criticism of the lack of beach access, The Beat of Hawaii also mentioned one benefit: savings.

By their own estimate, taxis and rides in heavy traffic can cost up to $50 from the airport to Waikiki.

The next best option is a shared shuttle for about half the price.

Now travelers have the choice of paying for one $3 one way or $7.50 unlimited day pass on the same HOLO card used for Honolulu’s public buses.

The problem is that the closest stop is Middle Street, about five miles from Waikiki, where the most beautiful beaches and prized luxury hotels like The Royal Hawaiian And Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort are located.

Chances are you don’t want to lug your bags that far, so you’ll probably have to order an Uber or rent a car (usually very expensive) anyway.

Test the new train for free

If you are in Honolulu October 19-20you can test this milestone for free to see if it’s worth the hype, or if the long-awaited project is turned upside down.

There’s certainly an argument for both sides, and the simple fact that you can avoid traffic on this new train is definitely a plus no matter how you look at it.

The city is offering a few days off so that tourists (and even locals) can learn how to properly transfer between train and bus from the new stations.

The only problem is that you still need a HOLO card.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.