The Hawaiian Railway is a tourist train in Hawaii that gives off a sense of nostalgic charm.
It is a railway once owned by a sugarcane plantation that operated until 1947 after the war.
Today, run by volunteers as a tourist train, it operates on a schedule of one run on Wednesdays and two runs each on Saturdays and Sundays, for a total of five runs per week.
The route starts in a place called Ewa on Oahu and goes to Electric Beach, where the power plant is located.
The trains in Hawaii are colorful in red and green, but their slightly faded colors give them a retro, nostalgic atmosphere that is quite appealing.
The route offers pleasant scenery and is a spot where you can feel the history of Hawaii, so be sure to enjoy the West Coast atmosphere of Oahu from the train while feeling the Hawaiian breeze!
Departure times for the Hawaiian Railway
The train departure times are: Wednesdays at 1:00 PM; Saturdays at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM; Sundays at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
Unfortunately, reservations cannot be made in advance, so buy your ticket at the station on the day of your visit—arrive a little early.
Ticket sales begin at 11:30, so head to the ticket office first after you arrive in the parking lot.
The first run on any of the days is usually not crowded, but please note that the second runs on Saturdays and Sundays tend to be busy.
We recommend buying tickets early and then taking a walk around the station to kill time before departure.
There are souvenirs and a small train museum at the ticket office, so you might enjoy taking a quick look there.
Near the ticket office you can also view a model railway museum and the repair shops.
Hawaiian Railway route
The tourist train has no windows, giving it a very open, Hawaiian feel.
Oahu’s West Coast is generally sunny, so you don’t need to worry too much about the weather.
For safety, do not stand while the train is moving; always remain seated.
True to Hawaiian hospitality, people wave to the train as it passes by.
There are no crossing gates, so staff stop cars at road crossings as needed.
The total run is about 90 minutes, with a one-way trip of 45 minutes on the single track. From the start at Ewa to Electric Beach on the West Coast, a guide provides various commentary in English.
On the return trip, seats are switched between the ocean side (makai) and the mountain side (mauka) so you can enjoy different views without getting bored.
Enjoy many Hawaiian sights from industrial areas to Ko Olina and the coastline.
Basic information about the Hawaiian Railway
| Name | Hawaiian Railway |
| Address | 91-1001 Renton Rd, Ewa Beach, HI 96706 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Wednesdays) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Saturdays & Sundays) |
| Admission | Adult (ages 13–61): $18 Senior (62+): $13 Child (ages 2–12): $13 Infant (under 2): Free Note: There is no admission fee if you do not ride the train. |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday |
| Duration | About 2 hours |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| URL | Official website |
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