Traffic from Airport

Question

I am scheduled to arrive at 4:16 for my trip in April and I wanted to plan a dinner reservation for 6pm at house without a key or hua tree but i am not sure if that is feasible due to traffic...

is it bad around that time?

Answer

Good question. Short answer: yes — traffic from the Honolulu airport around 4:16 PM can be heavy, and planning a 6 PM dinner in Waikīkī (or nearby) is *risky*. Here’s a detailed breakdown and some advice.

What the Traffic Looks Like Around That Time

Oʻahu experiences a weekday *afternoon/early evening peak*, with many commuters heading into or through Waikīkī and downtown.
According to a trip-planning PDF, many freeway segments during daytime operate at very low speeds — parts of the H-1 in particular may average ~20 mph during peak.
A traffic-time estimate from airport to Waikīkī under typical conditions is about 25 minutes.
However, “peak hour” data suggests that between ~3:00 PM and 6:30 PM, trips from Waikīkī to other areas can take *1 hour or more*.
Reddit locals note that the most significant slowdowns in the late afternoon happen on H-1 heading into Waikīkī, especially from the Kalihi exit.

What Travelers on Forums Are Saying (Including Your Exact Scenario)

On a TripAdvisor thread, someone in your exact shoes (arriving at ~4:16 PM, dinner at 6 PM) said, “cutting it far too close … traffic at that time of day is heavy.”
Other commenters point out that even without checked luggage, the risk isn’t just traffic — there could be delays exiting the airport, parking, or navigating to your restaurant.

My Assessment — Is 6 PM Dinner Realistic?

Yes — it's *possible*, but there’s a decent chance things go sideways if anything takes longer than expected (luggage, ride pickup, traffic). Given the likely delays and the relatively tight window, it would not be a “stress-free” guarantee.

My Recommendations

Move the Reservation Later (if you can): If the restaurant has an opening later in the evening (7 PM or later), that would give you a buffer in case of delays.
Pre-book Your Ride: Arrange an Uber, Lyft, or private car ahead. That way, once you land and collect bags, you’re not hunting for a ride — you just hop in and go.
Consider Lunch Instead: If you’re open to it, having dinner on another night and doing a late lunch on arrival-day might be safer and more relaxing.
Have a Backup Plan: In case traffic is bad or your ride gets delayed, pick a couple of alternate nearby restaurants where you could make a last-minute reservation or walk in.

Bottom line: Your plan could work — but it's tight. Traffic around 4–5 PM heading into Waikīkī can be rough, and even a small delay could make your 6 PM reservation stressful. If you can shift things, that would make for a smoother evening.

Traffic from Airport

More Honolulu Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions