Waikiki Trolley - Honolulu, Hawaii - Sightseeing and Transportation Combined

Independently operated by the E Noa Corporation, the Waikiki Trolley has been taking visitors to Honolulu's top tourist attractions since 1986. Over the years, Waikiki Trolleys have conveyed more than eight million passengers.

Electric trolleys first took to the streets of Honolulu in the early 1900s, but were phased out by the city in favor of buses. Privately owned Waikiki Trolleys are motorized, open-air reproductions of San Francisco's cable cars, featuring authentic brass detail and wood trim. Each car can seat up to 34 passengers.

The company began its tours with just two trolleys serving the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium and Ala Moana Center. It has grown to comprise a fleet of more than 50 vehicles, covering four key routes.

The Red Line is the trolley's "Historic Honolulu Sightseeing Tour.'' Complete with narration of Hawaii's past, it stops at the most popular destinations in Waikiki befre moving on to the Bishop Museum, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Aloha Tower Marketplace and Chinatown. Red Line trolleys depart every hour; the route takes two hours to complete.

The Blue Line takes guests on the "Scenic Honolulu Sightseeing Tour.'' Traveling the coastline of East Oahu, it goes as far as Sea Life Park, with stops at the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Diamond Head, Makapu'u Point and Hanauma Bay. Blue Line trolleys depart every 55 minutes; the route takes two hours and 45 minutes to complete.

The Pink Line is also known as the "Ala Moana - Waikiki Shopping Shuttle.'' It departs every ten minutes between the two great shopping areas and offers special one-way fares priced at $2 per person. The route takes one hour to complete, and it can be quite crowded on return trips as passengers carry their shopping bags onto the trolley.

The Yellow Line is called the "Local Honolulu Shopping Shuttle.'' From Ala Moana Center, it makes a circuit of places where local residents like to shop, including Ward Centers, Ward Warehouse and Farmers' Market, the Sports Authority, Don Quijote, and Ross Dress for Less. Yellow Line trolleys depart every 40 minutes; the route takes 40 minutes to complete. Transfers are available between the Yellow Line and the Red and Pink lines, too.

With one-day or four-day passes, passengers receive unlimited boarding and re-boarding privileges on all of the routes. They may hop on and off at any of the stops. What's more, the four-day passes need not be used on consecutive days; they are valid for any four days within a one-week period.

One-day tickets cost $30 for adults, $20 for seniors, $17 for military personnel, and $16 for children. If purchased online, four-day adult tickets cost just $43 each versus $52 at retail. Discounted children's four-day tickets are also available.

One special feature appreciated by tourists is the free Waikiki Trolley Map Guide that can be picked up on any tour route. It features coupons and discounts at many of Honolulu's most popular stops, such as Bishop Museum, the SWAT Gun Club, KoAloha Ukulele and even Cinnabon. Note, however, that eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited on board the trolleys.