Quick answer: Honolulu’s pass is Go City Oahu, in three tiers: Essentials (3 picks from 10, from ~$119), Explorer (3–7 choices from 39, from ~$169, 30 days) and All-Inclusive (2–7 days within 14 calendar days, from ~$219, 41 items including luaus and the Polynesian Cultural Center). Oahu’s big tickets are expensive — the Polynesian Cultural Center (~$90–140), Kualoa Ranch experiences (~$50–150), luaus (~$130–200), snorkel and catamaran sails (~$80–150), Pearl Harbor tours with transport (~$60–100) — while the beaches, the Arizona Memorial itself, Diamond Head ($5 + $10 parking, timed) and the North Shore drive cost almost nothing. A 3-day All-Inclusive pays off comfortably for a luau plus the Polynesian Cultural Center plus a sail; the Explorer pays at three $70+ items; anyone whose Oahu is beaches and one Pearl Harbor visit should buy nothing.
Honolulu Passes at a Glance
| Pass | Price (2026) | Validity | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go City Oahu Essentials | from ~$119 (3 picks from 10) | 30 days | Diamond Head shuttle & hike, Waimea Valley, Pearl Harbor & Hawaii history tour, Makani catamaran sail, Waikiki turtle-canyon snorkel cruise | Three mid-price activities over a week |
| Go City Oahu Explorer | from ~$169 (3 choices) up to 7, from 39 items | 30 days from first use | Polynesian Cultural Center (admission), Kualoa Secret Island beach day, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor tours, snorkel and sailing cruises, Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, Dole Plantation, surf lessons, Honolulu Zoo and Aquarium | Longer stays with 3–5 big targets |
| Go City Oahu All-Inclusive | from ~$219 (2 days); 3, 4, 5, 7-day options | Chosen days within 14 calendar days | 41 items: the Explorer list plus luaus (Sea Life Park, Aloha Tower), Polynesian Cultural Center packages and Kualoa Ranch tours | Fast-paced trips stacking one big and one small item per day |
| Individual tickets | Polynesian Cultural Center ~$90–140; luau ~$130–200; Kualoa Ranch tours ~$50–150; catamaran/snorkel ~$80–150; Pearl Harbor tour with transport ~$60–100; Diamond Head $5 + parking; Iolani Palace ~$30; Bishop Museum ~$35 | — | Book the Arizona Memorial boat (free, $1 fee) and Diamond Head slots weeks ahead | Beach-first trips with one or two activities |
Prices checked September 2026; Go City discounts multi-day passes often and the luau and Polynesian Cultural Center inclusions are specific packages (standard admission or the entry-level luau seat, not premium). Two reservations matter regardless of pass: the USS Arizona Memorial boat program (free, $1 booking, released 8 weeks and 1 day ahead) and Diamond Head’s timed entry for non-residents.
Top-Rated Honolulu Tours & Skip-the-Line Tickets
Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal
From $18 Check Availability
What the Main Attractions Cost — and Whether the Pass Covers Them
| Attraction | Adult ticket (2026, approx.) | In the pass? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| USS Arizona Memorial (boat program) | Free ($1 reservation) | — (pass covers guided transport tours, not the memorial) | Book at recreation.gov 8 weeks ahead; standby line at 7 am |
| Pearl Harbor tour with transport from Waikiki | ~$60–100 | Essentials, Explorer, All-Inclusive | Includes the historic sites; the Missouri and Aviation Museum are extra or bundled |
| Polynesian Cultural Center (admission) | ~$90–140 depending on package | Explorer, All-Inclusive | A full afternoon and evening; luau packages cost more |
| Luau (Sea Life Park, Aloha Tower, Paradise Cove) | ~$130–200 | All-Inclusive (selected luaus) | Standard seating in the pass version |
| Kualoa Ranch (movie sites, ATV, Secret Island) | ~$50–150 per experience | Selected experiences on Explorer/All-Inclusive | Reserve early; sells out |
| Diamond Head hike | $5 per person + $10 parking (non-residents, timed) | Shuttle tours on the pass | Go at 6 am; the shuttle is the pass value, not the entry |
| Catamaran sail / turtle snorkel cruise | ~$80–150 | All tiers | Afternoon sails from Waikiki beach |
| Waimea Valley | ~$25 | All tiers | Waterfall swim; North Shore |
| Iolani Palace / Bishop Museum | ~$30 / ~$35 | Explorer, All-Inclusive | The two best indoor tickets |
| Dole Plantation (train, maze) | ~$15–25 per item | Explorer, All-Inclusive | Cheap; low pass value |
| Honolulu Zoo / Waikiki Aquarium | ~$21 / ~$12 | Explorer, All-Inclusive | Children |
| Beaches, North Shore drive, Lanikai Pillbox, Manoa Falls | Free (parking fees) | — | The best of Oahu is free |
Oahu’s tickets come in two sizes: $100–200 evening and cultural experiences (luaus, the Polynesian Cultural Center) and $60–150 activities (sails, Kualoa, Pearl Harbor tours), then a long free tail. The All-Inclusive works because it can swallow one $130+ item per day; the Explorer works because three $80+ picks beat its price; the Essentials rarely pays because its list is the cheaper items.
The Break-Even Maths
| Itinerary | Individual tickets | Pass | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive 3-day: luau + Polynesian Cultural Center + catamaran sail + Pearl Harbor tour + Waimea Valley | ~$430–500 | 3-day ~$300–330 | Pass wins by $100–170 |
| All-Inclusive 2-day: Polynesian Cultural Center + Kualoa Secret Island + a sail | ~$260–320 | 2-day ~$219 | Pass wins by $40–100 |
| Explorer 3: Polynesian Cultural Center + Kualoa Secret Island + snorkel cruise | ~$260–320 | Explorer 3 ~$169 | Pass wins by $90–150 |
| Essentials 3: Diamond Head shuttle + Waimea Valley + Pearl Harbor tour | ~$130–170 | Essentials ~$119 | Marginal win of $10–50 |
| Beach week with Pearl Harbor on your own | $1 + bus fare | Any pass | No pass |
Oahu is one of Go City’s stronger destinations because the inclusions are expensive: the Explorer 3-choice is an easy win if the Polynesian Cultural Center and a Kualoa or sailing day are on your list, and the All-Inclusive pays from about one big item plus one small item per day. The Essentials tier is the one to be careful with.
| Tour | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal | $18 | ★ 3.8 (1,593 reviews) |
| Diamond Head Hiking Tour with Tickets and Shuttle Included | $35 | ★ 4.8 (1,007 reviews) |
| Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal | $18 | ★ 4.3 (653 reviews) |
| Airport Shuttle Round Trip Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal | $35 | ★ 3.9 (595 reviews) |
| Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial Tour | $51 | ★ 4.3 (346 reviews) |
| Diamond Head Hiking Tour with Ticket and Reservation Inclusion | $50 | ★ 4.7 (178 reviews) |
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Explorer if you have a week, want the Polynesian Cultural Center, a Kualoa experience and a sail, and prefer to decide day by day. Buy the 3-day All-Inclusive if you also want a luau and a guided Pearl Harbor tour and are happy to keep those days busy — families and first-timers usually get the most from it. Essentials only suits a short trip with the three cheaper picks.
Who Should Skip It
Skip all tiers if your Oahu is beaches, the North Shore drive, Lanikai and a self-guided Pearl Harbor visit — that is a $1 reservation plus bus fares. Skip the All-Inclusive if you would rather book a premium luau (Paradise Cove front seats, or a Kualoa ATV) that the pass does not cover, and skip any pass if the Polynesian Cultural Center is not on your list.
How to Get the Most Out of It
Reserve the Arizona Memorial boat program the moment the window opens (8 weeks and 1 day ahead), then build the pass days around it. Put the Polynesian Cultural Center on its own afternoon-and-evening (it is on the North Shore), Kualoa in the morning of another day with Waimea Valley after, and the sail on a Waikiki afternoon. Reserve luaus and Kualoa in the Go City app immediately on activation — both sell out.
Guided Alternatives
A small-group North Shore and Kualoa day, a Pearl Harbor tour with the USS Missouri, and a Diamond Head sunrise hike with transport are the three most-booked Oahu experiences on Viator; see private vs small-group tours in Honolulu for the format choice. For passes and tickets in general, see best sites for attraction tickets and timed-entry tickets explained. Everything else Honolulu: our Honolulu tours hub, what tours cost in Honolulu, 48 hours in Honolulu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Honolulu or Oahu city pass?
Yes — Go City Oahu, sold as Essentials (from ~$119), Explorer (3–7 choices from ~$169) and All-Inclusive (2–7 days from ~$219). There is no municipal pass.
Does the Go City Oahu pass include Pearl Harbor?
It includes guided Pearl Harbor tours with transport from Waikiki. The USS Arizona Memorial boat program itself is free and must be reserved separately on recreation.gov.
Is the Go City Oahu pass worth it?
Yes for activity-heavy trips: the Explorer pays if the Polynesian Cultural Center, a Kualoa experience and a sail are on your list; the All-Inclusive pays with a luau added. For a beach-first trip, skip it.
Is a luau included in the Oahu pass?
Standard seating at selected luaus (Sea Life Park, Aloha Tower) is on the All-Inclusive tier only; premium luaus and premium seating are not covered.
How much is Diamond Head in 2026?
$5 per non-resident plus $10 parking, with timed entry reservations required; the pass covers shuttle tours to it, not the entry itself.
Kratos Review is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on 28 September 2026 and can change.
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