How to Get to Disney's Aulani Resort from the Airport
If you are looking for one of the best ways to get to Disney's Aulani Resort from the airport, we've got you covered. Here is everything you need to know about the Hele Hele Shuttle.
Getting to Aulani from the Airport
A visit to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, is truly the type of vacation that dreams are made of. If you plan to head to Aulani immediately after your flight to Hawaii, you will need a way to get there from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu (HNL).
There are numerous options for your journey to Aulani. These include renting a car or utilizing ride share services such as Uber or Lyft. You could also take a form of public bus service simply known as TheBus.
And, there are plenty of private services you can arrange as well. But if you want to start your vacation off right, one of the best things you can do is book the Hele Hele Shuttle.
What is The Hele Hele Shuttle
Hele Hele Shuttle service is a shared shuttle service between Aulani Resort and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. You can also arrange to use the service to book private tours around Oahu if you wish.
However, for the purpose of this review, the focus is primarily on the airport transfer services. I (Kate) booked the service for my family's vacation to Aualni, and was pleasantly surprised that not only was it efficient, but it set the perfect tone for our entire stay.
The magical experience was due in part to our driver, Derek (or Coco). He gave us lessons in Hawaiian culture and pointed out all of the sites between the airport and our hotel. He also provided us with so many helpful tips for enjoying the island and saving a little money, too.
It made the transfer completely enjoyable. In fact, it was so fun that we requested him for our ride back to the airport, too. I imagine that all drivers strive to make the start of a Disney vacation a bit magical, but he went above and beyond.
How Much is the Hele Hele Shuttle
The Hele Hele Shuttle is relatively reasonable. Rates are $25 per person and $10 per child 2 and under each way.
The Shuttle is $25 per person or $10 per person under 2 years old each way.
You can also book it through Aulani as part of your Aulani package if you wish (this is what I did). Or you can book on your own, but you must wait for confirmation to ensure you have a seat (and it does sell out).
Hele Hele Airport Arrivals
You must book your ride and call to provide your correct flight details at least 48 hours before your arrival. Your shuttle pick-up time is based on your arrival time for your flight.
Once you arrive, you should head to baggage claim to pick up any bags that you have checked. After that, simply head to the designated area for shuttle pickup.
I am not sure if this always happens, but when we arrived, there was an attendant waiting near baggage claim with a sign that said Aulani. She had our name on a list, loaded our luggage onto a cart for us, and escorted us to our shuttle.
We boarded the shuttle and waited for the other family assigned to ride with us before we took off on our journey. It took about 30 minutes (but it can take an hour with traffic).
Hotel Departures
When the sad day comes to leave Aulani, you can at least enjoy a nice ride to the airport. You will schedule your ride and submit the flight information at least 48 hours prior to departure.
The desk in the lobby handled the call to schedule the departure of my family. The recommendation is to depart 3 hours prior to your flight. The shuttle departs on the quarter hour (7:15, 8:15, etc).
Luggage Allowances
The Hele Hele Shuttle is a shared shuttle, and that includes luggage space. Each guest has an allowance.
According to the website, you are limited to one suitcase and one hand-carry. No surfboards, oversized items, or golf bags are allowed.
My family actually went over this limit by one bag in a lapse of thought. Thankfully, the attendant said not to worry about it. But it is a good thing to keep in mind. Be better than me.
Does the Shuttle Accommodate Car Seats
The Hele Hele shuttle came equipped with carseats. In fact, the driver let our little one strap her doll in for the ride since there were no children in need of a car seat assigned to our shuttle.
It is also my understanding that if you are booking for a child under the age of 2, you can put in a note about car seat types at the time of booking.
Is the Shuttle Wheelchair Accessible
Guests using wheelchairs or crutches must be able to transfer to the shuttle on their own. There is also no wheelchair lift, etc. The shuttle service website also notes that drivers are not trained or licensed to carry guests into a vehicle.
Instead, if you have such needs, the company recommends booking a certified ADA transportation service.
Final Thoughts
The Hele Hele shuttle is an easy and enjoyable way to travel between the airport and Aulani.
It is not the least expensive way to get to Aulani. But, for my family, it was certainly a great value considering how much we enjoyed the ride.
Have you ever been to Aulani? How did you get there from the airport, and would you recommend it to others? Let us know. And, feel free to share this story with your friends and family to help them plan their dream trip to Hawaii.
