Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa Transportation Information

The question was asked how to get between Honolulu International Airport (HNL) and Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa at Ko olina. It's about 21 miles between HNL and Aulani. Here is the information that I have as of today, August 21, 2010.

I was talking to the folks at the Disney Vacation Club sales kiosk at Ala Moana shopping center. As of now, there is no plan for a Disney Magical Express option for guests. Will there be one in the future? They don't know at this point.

Taking the public bus called The Bus is not an option as they don't go into the Ko Olina resort area. First, you'd have to walk quite a bit to get to a stop on Nimitz Highway for a single bus ride or you'll have to do transfers. At Ko Olina, they stop on Farrington Highway near the Waimanalo Gulch landfill entrance and then you have to cross a busy highway and walk in 1/2 a mile to the resort. Part of the walk in has no walk way. Plus they don't allow big luggage on the bus. I have not heard any plans at this time for The Bus to create or change a route to go into Ko Olina and Aulani. Please don't even attempt this option. The inconvenience and safety are not worth the hassle and risk.

If you take a shuttle service like Reliable Shuttle (808)-924-9292 locally or 888-924-9292 toll free, it would be $31 per person with one bag one way between the two points.

If you take a cab like The Cab (808-422-2222) or Charley's Taxi (808-233-3333) then it is about $75 and $60 or more dollars respectively one way and if there is traffic, well you know how that works!

If you really want to visit other spots on the island, you will need a rent-a-car (RAC). I was told that they will have a RAC counter on property, but no one has been named yet. I'm thinking Alamo as 1) they are the offical RAC for other properties and 2) the name sort of looks Hawaiian.

Driving from HNL to Aulani is very easy as the airport connects to the H1 freeway west or as we say the H1 Ewa bound. The airport RAC locations just follow the signs to H1 West. If you use the off site RAC locations, take Nimitz Highway west and follow the signs to the H1 West. Take H1 West where you'll take the exit marked Ko Olina after about 19-17 miles depending if you got on at the airport or had to take Nimity Hwy. The exit goes up and over the H1 and brings you to a security check point on Aliinui Dr. Once past that, you will go over the Hawaii Railway railroad tracks, past the entrance to Paradise Cove Luau, the Campbell Estate office and then to the intersection with Olani Street a little over a quarter of a mile from the security check point. The speed limit is 25 MPH and they have a radar sign to let you know your speed. Just after Olani from the artist renderings that I've seen will be the porte-cochere entrance to Aulani. With NO traffic on the H1 figure about 30-45 minutes, with traffic, especially rush hour, it may take an hour or more.

Getting out may be a little more difficult as you'll have to get around a median in front on the resort. I haven't seen where they will have the exit for the resort. If they exit you on Kamoana Place, then turn left at the intersection of Kamoana Pl and Aliinui Dr. If you are put onto Allinui Dr you'll need to go to the break in the median at Kamoana Pl and make a U-turn. But, once on Allinui Dr heading back to the security check point, it's a breeze to get back on the H1 going west or east (Diamond Head) bound.

Hope that gives you some more information. Please note all this information is not from Disney and is subject to change.

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