The Hawaiian Railway is a sightseeing train in Hawaii that makes you feel somewhat nostalgic.
It is a route of the Oahu Railway and Land Company (OR&L) that once ran on Oahu, mainly used for transporting sugarcane, and operated until 1947!
Currently, it is operated as a sightseeing train by volunteers on a schedule of five runs in total: one on Wednesday, and two each on Saturday and Sunday.
The route starts from a place called Ewa on Oahu and goes to Electric Beach, where the thermal power plant is located.
Trains in Hawaii are colorful in red and green, but their faded colors create a retro and nostalgic atmosphere, making them perfect for photos.
The scenery along the route is beautiful, and it is a spot where you can also feel the history of Hawaii, so please enjoy the atmosphere of the west coast of Oahu on the train while feeling the Hawaiian breeze!
Departure Times for the Hawaiian Railway
The train departure times are 1:00 PM on Wednesday, 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Saturday, and 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Sunday.
Except for some special seats on Sunday, advance reservations are not possible, so please arrive a little early on the day to purchase tickets at the station!
Ticket sales start at 11:30 AM, so once you arrive at the parking lot, head to the ticket office first.
The first run is relatively uncrowded on all days, but please note that the second run on Saturday and Sunday gets crowded.
Therefore, it is recommended to buy your tickets early and then take a walk around the station to pass the time.
There is a small souvenir corner at the ticket office, so you might want to take a look there!
Near the ticket office, you can also visit a model railway museum and a repair shop.
Route of the Hawaiian Railway
The sightseeing train has no windows, offering a very open feeling that is typical of Hawaii.
The west coast of Oahu is generally a sunny place, so you don’t need to worry too much about the weather.
It is dangerous to stand while the train is moving, so please make sure to stay seated.
In a true Hawaiian fashion, everyone waves at the train as it passes by!
There are no crossing gates, so the staff stops the cars every time the train crosses a road where cars pass by. Haha.
The round trip takes about 90 minutes in total, with 45 minutes each way since it is a single track. From the starting point in Ewa to Electric Beach (thermal power plant) on the west coast, the guide will tell you various stories (in English only).
When turning back, passengers swap seats between the ocean side (makai side) and the mountain side (mauka side), so you can enjoy the scenery without ever getting bored!
Please enjoy plenty of Hawaiian scenery, from the industrial area to Ko Olina and along the coast.
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 (Wednesday) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Saturday, Sunday) |
| Admission | Adults (ages 13-61): $18 Seniors (ages 62+): $13 Children (ages 2-12): $13 Infants (ages 2 and under): Free * Admission is free if you do not board the train. |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday |
| Duration | About 2 hours or more |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Parking | Available (Free) |
| Website | Official Website |
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