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TheBus

Do you need to rent a car on Oahu?

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      If you are planning a trip to Oahu and can't quite make the budget stretch far enough, consider bypassing the rental car. The reason is Oahu has a fantastic public transportation system called TheBus. TheBus was named America's Best Transit System in 2000-2001 by the American Public Transit System, and I believe this is the fourth time it has received that award. It really is a marvel of transportation. You can tour the entire island for only a few dollars, or you could buy a monthly pass or a 4 day pass.

TheBus stops at practically every tourist attraction on the island, and another comes along every 10 minutes. Basically, it's a good deal for budget-minded travellers. It will work best for people staying in Waikiki or Honolulu since these are the central hubs - but a visitor staying practically anywhere on Oahu can take advantage of TheBus. A

You can't bring any luggage on TheBus so you wouldn't be able to take it from the airport to your hotel but you could take a honolulu airport shuttle to any hotel in Waikiki, if your hotel doesn't provide its own shuttle, for only $8. You also could take a taxi. Don't worry about checking these links now. When you get to the airport, just pick up a courtesy phone at baggage claim for a shuttle or go out to the taxi flagger for a taxi

Another good strategy if you didn't want to rent a car for your entire stay would be to utilize the above services, and then rent the car for a day or two for a specific trip, say to the north shore.

On one of my first trips to Oahu, when I was about 22 and had never used any sort of public transportation before, I made a very easy trip from Schofield Barracks to Waikiki just by walking to a bus stop and getting on, grabbing a route map from the stop. I switched busses once in Wahiawa and just stayed on till it stopped. It felt quite comfortable and safe, and if a farm girl from Illinois can do it, anyone can.

Lol, it's 2009 and I haven't been a farm girl from Illinois for 19 years. Reading that last line strikes me funny, cuz that's not me anymore :) -- Lisa
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