Five days is how many days you need to visit Oahu. With a minimum of five days on Oahu, you will have time to visit the south and north shores, see the best beaches, go to a luau, and do worthwhile activities and sights around Oahu.
People Also Ask
If you're wondering whether 7 days is too long to stay in Oahu, I can say from first hand experience that it's not- in my opinion, it's actually the perfect amount of time to see some of the best highlights the island has to offer.
How long does it take to drive around Oahu? The Oahu circle drive can take you 4-6 hours, but that depends on which route you take and if you don't stop much. From Waikiki, Honolulu to the North Shore and back, is a full day but not overwhelming, give yourself 8 hours.
In fact, Oahu is the best Hawaiian island to be without a car. While other islands, like Kauai, would be almost impossible to navigate without a car, Oahu is well connected by public transportation and ride share. Plus, most of Honolulu's main sites are close together.
You should plan to spend around $333 per day on your vacation in Oahu, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $52 on meals for one day and $21 on local transportation.
If you're only hanging out in or close to Honolulu or staying at your resort the entire time, you can get by just fine without a rental car, given the island's solid public transit options and availability of rideshare drivers, taxis, and guided tours.
But, there are important differences between Maui and Oahu vacations. If you're looking for a typical Hawaiian tourist vacation, Oahu offers Waikiki Beach, historical memorials and modern culture. Meanwhile, travelers should head to Maui to enjoy outdoorsy adventures, from snorkeling to hiking volcanic peaks.
Many visitors enjoy taking bus tours to conveniently explore the Islands. For most islands you can also get around by shuttle, taxi, ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft, or public transportation.
April thru June and mid-August thru mid-September are Hawaii's low seasons, and airfares are lower then. No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.
The best time to visit Oahu is from mid-April to early June or between September and mid-December. During these shoulder seasons, attractions are less crowded, festivals are plentiful and airfare and room rates are at their lowest.
December (except for the first week), January and February are the busiest months, when prices for airfare and accommodations are at their highest. In particular, the last two weeks of December and the first week of January are prime times for travel, and hotels and flights are often booked to capacity.
Both are lovely but it really depends on what you like to do on vacation. Many consider Maui to be the prettiest island. There is a world class golf course in Kapalua. Oahu is the most developed island - there is a downtown area along with history (visiting Pearl Harbor).
Hawaii is a stunning location with plenty of fun things to do, no matter which island you visit. If you're in the market for a beachy, relaxing vacation, you may want to head to Maui. Otherwise, consider Honolulu for its abundance of hotels, things to do and plentiful flight connections to other U.S. cities.
Fly to Maui from Oahu for a day to explore the Road to Hana! Before you begin your journey, have light and tasty continental breakfast featuring fresh fruit, pastries, coffee, tea, and juice.
Urban Honolulu is very much a walkable city. It's a little over six miles from the iconic Diamond Head State Monument to the heart of Downtown, a flat south-to-north stretch with several straight-line routes along Ala Moana Boulevard, King Street, and Beretania Street.