Getting There From Waikīkī
You can reach Diamond Head from Waikīkī without a car by walking, by bus, by taxi or rideshare drop-off, or on a tour or trolley. Every option still needs a $5 per person entry reservation for non-residents, booked online in advance, but no parking reservation. Walk-in and drop-off visitors enter on foot through the Kahala Tunnel and can stay until they finish, as long as they are out by 6 p.m.
Without a Car at a Glance
Walking In
The Hawaii State Parks brochure map shows the route from Waikīkī along Diamond Head Road to the entrance road on the inland side of the crater, between Makapuʻu Avenue and 18th Avenue. From there you walk up the entrance road and through the Kahala Tunnel to the crater floor and the trailhead. Book an entry ticket for the time you expect to arrive, and allow for the walk in each direction on top of the 1.5 to 2 hours the agency suggests for the hike.
Bring more water than you think. The walk in is in full sun, and so is the trail.
By Bus
The agency's map marks a bus stop on Diamond Head Road near 18th Avenue, close to the entrance. Kapiʻolani Community College, at 4303 Diamond Head Rd, lists TheBus routes 3, 22 and 58. Check current routes and times with TheBus at thebus.org before you go; this guide does not track bus schedules.
Taxi or Rideshare Drop-Off
Drop-off visitors need an entry ticket but not a parking reservation. Plan your ride back before you start the hike.
Trolleys, Shuttles and Tours
Commercial tour, shuttle and trolley passengers also need reservations, which the operator books through the state's portal for licensed carriers. Ask whether park entry is included in your ticket. See tours.
Entry Windows for Walk-Ins
When the reservation system launched in 2022, the agency described one-hour entry windows for walk-in and drop-off visitors, compared with two-hour slots for parking. The current rule on the reservation site is simple: arrive within the first 30 minutes of your slot. Walk-ins and drop-offs may leave whenever they finish, but must exit through the tunnel by 6 p.m.
Combine It With
- The KCC Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, at Kapiʻolani Community College on Diamond Head Road.
- Kapiʻolani Park at the Waikīkī end of Diamond Head, the city's 200-acre park.
- The coast-side lookouts and Diamond Head Beach Park below the lighthouse.
Getting There From Waikīkī FAQ
Can you walk to Diamond Head from Waikiki?
Yes. The agency's map shows the route from Waikīkī along Diamond Head Road to the entrance, then through the Kahala Tunnel. You still need a $5 entry reservation if you are not a Hawaii resident.
What bus goes to Diamond Head?
TheBus serves Diamond Head Road, and the agency's map marks a stop near 18th Avenue by the entrance. Kapiʻolani Community College on Diamond Head Road lists routes 3, 22 and 58. Check thebus.org for current service.
Do I need a parking reservation if I take an Uber to Diamond Head?
No. Drop-off visitors need only an entry ticket, $5 per person for non-residents.
How late can I stay if I walk in?
Walk-in and drop-off visitors can leave whenever they finish, but everyone must be out through the tunnel by 6 p.m.