City in Hawaii, United States
Honolulu for solo travelers
Is Honolulu good for solo travel?
Waikiki beaches, surf lessons, hikes and Hawaiian food on Oahu, with real city amenities. Easy and safe for solo trips; very expensive, car-dependent outside Waikiki and busy in winter.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks in Waikiki bars, avoid empty beaches and trails after dark, and use rideshare late. |
How to meet people in Honolulu
Surf lessons and beginner groups in Waikiki, hostels near Kuhio Avenue, hiking groups at Diamond Head, outrigger paddling clubs and food-tour meetups.
Good things to do alone
- Hike Diamond Head at sunrise
- Take a beginner surf lesson in Waikiki
- Eat poke and shave ice at local shops
- Visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial
- Snorkel at Hanauma Bay or Shark's Cove
Where to stay in Honolulu
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Waikiki | Beaches, surf lessons and easy transit; busy and touristy |
| Ala Moana / Kaka'ako | Malls, cafés, murals and walkable evenings |
| Kailua | Calm beaches and local feel, 30 min from Waikiki |
| Downtown Honolulu / Chinatown | Food, bars and local life |
| North Shore (Haleiwa) | Big-wave surfing and a slow beach town |
Solo travel across United States
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nashville | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Austin | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Los Angeles | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Francisco | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Honolulu | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Washington, D.C. | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Chicago | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Boston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| New Orleans | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Diego | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Seattle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Key West | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Denver | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Philadelphia | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Portland | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Atlanta | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Charleston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Savannah | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kauai | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Big Island | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Sedona | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Orlando | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Maui | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Antonio | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Scottsdale | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Honolulu good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Waikiki beaches, surf lessons, hikes and Hawaiian food on Oahu, with real city amenities.
How do you meet people in Honolulu?
Surf lessons and beginner groups in Waikiki, hostels near Kuhio Avenue, hiking groups at Diamond Head, outrigger paddling clubs and food-tour meetups. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Honolulu?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Honolulu safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks in Waikiki bars, avoid empty beaches and trails after dark, and use rideshare late.
More about Honolulu
Going to Honolulu solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Honolulu meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- TheBus and Skyline (Oahu Transit Services / Honolulu DTS)
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
- Hawaii Tourism Authority (Go Hawaii)
- Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.