Today we are sharing our experience riding the Waikiki Trolley Blue Line, one of the easiest ways to enjoy scenic views along the eastern side of Oahu without renting a car.
We bought a one-day Blue Line ticket in advance and spent the day enjoying dramatic coastal scenery, a stop at Halona Blowhole, and a relaxing meal back in Waikiki at Island Vintage Coffee.
For travelers who want to see more of Oahu while keeping walking and transportation relatively simple, this route can be a very convenient option.
Check current Waikiki Trolley ticket options and prices below.
Check Waikiki Trolley Tickets on Klook
Waikiki Trolley Blue Line: A Scenic Route Along East Oahu
The Blue Line, now also described as the Ocean View Line, is one of Waikiki Trolley's scenic routes.
During our trip, we boarded near the Duke Kahanamoku statue area and headed toward the eastern coastline.
Check the latest Waikiki Trolley Ocean View Line information
The route passes some of Oahu's best-known scenery, including views around Diamond Head and the dramatic coastline along Kalanianaole Highway.
Depending on the current route and stops, it is also useful for travelers interested in areas such as Koko Marina, Kahala and the neighborhoods east of Waikiki.
The trolley had wooden bench-style seats that felt more substantial than we expected.
Because the vehicle is open-air, the wind can be surprisingly strong once it starts moving.
On our day, our hair was flying everywhere, but that was part of the fun!
We passed beautiful palm trees and lush green scenery.
And then there was the ocean.
The combination of the open-air trolley, sea breeze and wide coastal views gave the ride a sense of freedom that would have been harder to experience inside a taxi or rental car.
During our trip, we paid about $35 per adult for the one-day ticket and felt it offered good value for such a scenic sightseeing experience.
Ticket prices can change, so check the latest price before booking.
Even with a roof overhead, the Hawaiian sun can still be strong, so sunscreen is recommended.
Stopping at Halona Blowhole
One of the most memorable parts of the route was our stop near Halona Blowhole.
When waves hit the lava-rock coastline, seawater can shoot upward through openings in the rock.
Seeing it in person felt much more dramatic than looking at photographs.
The sound of the waves, strong wind and ocean spray made this a very physical experience of Hawaii's landscape.
We took plenty of photos despite the strong wind.
A selfie stick can be useful if you want photos together without asking someone else.
What About Restroom Breaks?
The Blue Line takes around 110 minutes for one full loop on the current schedule, so restroom planning is worth thinking about.
During our trip, one member of our group needed a restroom break and spoke to the guide.
The trolley made an extra stop near the Waikiki Aquarium so he could use the restroom.
The guide then cheerfully announced to the passengers that they were stopping because “the Japanese guest needs to use the bathroom,” which made everyone laugh.
We cannot guarantee that unscheduled stops are always possible, but we appreciated how friendly and flexible the staff were during our ride.
For travelers who prefer not to worry about restroom access, it is still best to use the restroom before boarding.
Tip: Change Sides for Different Views
One simple tip made the ride even more enjoyable: change sides when you have the chance.
Different parts of the loop offer different views of the ocean and mountains, so moving to the opposite side later in the ride can give you a new perspective.
We enjoyed both the coastal views and the mountain scenery around Koko Head.
Because routes, stop patterns and operating conditions can change, we recommend checking the current map before deciding where to sit or where to get off.
Check current Waikiki Trolley ticket options below.
Check Waikiki Trolley Tickets on Klook
Back in Waikiki: Açaí Bowls at Island Vintage Coffee
After enjoying the scenic trolley ride, we returned to Waikiki and stopped at Island Vintage Coffee.
Its Waikiki location is inside the Royal Hawaiian Center, making it easy to visit while exploring the center of Waikiki.
We ordered two açaí bowls and one poke bowl.
Açaí bowls are something we almost always eat when we visit Hawaii.
The açaí at Island Vintage Coffee had a soft, smooth texture rather than being frozen solid like a sorbet.
It was topped with plenty of fruit and crunchy granola.
The poke bowl was also generous, with ahi tuna and avocado, plus seaweed salad on the side.
Hawaii Prices Can Add Up Quickly
Our two açaí bowls and one poke bowl came to around ¥12,000 including tip at the exchange rate during our trip.
That reminded us just how expensive dining in Waikiki can be.
Because we had kept our sightseeing transportation relatively simple with the trolley, we did not mind spending more on one of our favorite Hawaii meals.
For us, travel budgeting works best when we choose where to save and where to spend.
A small bird even wandered around near our outdoor table, adding to the relaxed Hawaii atmosphere.
For wildlife and cleanliness, however, it is better not to feed wild birds.
Is the Waikiki Trolley Blue Line Good for Travelers Over 60?
For us, the answer was yes.
The biggest advantage is that you can enjoy a large amount of scenery while spending much of the time seated.
That can make it easier for travelers who want to explore beyond central Waikiki without planning a rental car or doing a lot of walking.
What We Liked
- Beautiful East Oahu coastal scenery
- Open-air views you cannot get from an ordinary bus
- A chance to see Halona Blowhole
- Relatively little walking compared with sightseeing independently
- Easy to combine with lunch or shopping in Waikiki
If you want an easy sightseeing day from Waikiki, the Blue Line is a fun way to see more of Oahu while keeping the day fairly relaxed.
Check current Waikiki Trolley ticket options and prices below.
