Frequently Asked Questions About Pearl Harbor

If you would like your Pearl Harbor trip to include a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial, you will have to secure tickets. This can be done in two ways:

The first is to reserve them on your own through the National Park Service’s website. However, reservations begin two months in advance of the date you want. Next, you will have to secure a way to Pearl Harbor. If you only plan to rent a car for the day to get to Pearl Harbor, it does not make sense for several reasons. When picking up a car in Waikiki, it takes an average of an hour to get your vehicle due to the long rental check-in lines. Also, since the pandemic, the prices of rental cars have almost tripled in price. Another important thing to consider is that there is limited parking at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, and the lots quickly fill up in the mornings, especially on holidays and peak summer periods.

There are many advantages to purchasing a Pearl Harbor Tour. First and foremost, the tour you book will include a ticket to get out to the USS Arizona Memorial and you won’t have to worry about reserving it on your own. Many of the tours that we sell on our website are reasonably priced. We offer a number of discounted small group tours on our website. Another advantage is that you do not have to worry about transportation to or parking at Pearl Harbor. In addition, most tour guides are so entertaining, knowledgeable, and fun that you will guarantee a great time and have an opportunity to meet other visitors on your tour.

To help you plan your visit to Pearl Harbor, please review the following graphs:

From Waikiki to Pearl Harbor (From Kahala Resort, add 30 minutes R/T traveling time)

R/T

Roundtrip

Drive

 R/T Parking & Walking to VC USS Arizona Memorial includes Museums Shopping and Picture Taking  

USS Bowfin

Submarine

 Battleship Missouri with Trans Aviation Museum with Trans  

Time to Allocate
60 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 0 0 4                     hours
60 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 0 0 5       hours
60 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 120 minutes 0 6

hours
60 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 0 120 minutes 6

hours
60 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 120 minutes 0 7        hours
60 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 0 120 minutes 7        hours
60 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 120 minutes 120 minutes   8

hours
60 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 120 minutes 120 minutes 9

hours

From Ko Olina Resorts to Pearl Harbor

 

R/T

Roundtrip

Drive

 R/T Parking & Walking to VC  

USS Arizona Memorial

 Shopping and Picture Taking  

USS Bowfin

Submarine

 Battleship Missouri with Trans Aviation Museum with Trans  

 

Time to Allocate
90 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 0 0 4.5

hours
90 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 0 0 5.5

hours
90 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 120 minutes 0 6.5

hours
90 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 0 120 minutes 6.5

hours
90 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 120 minutes 0 7. 5                hours
90 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 0 120 minutes 7. 5                hours
90 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 120 minutes 120 minutes 8.5      hours
90 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 120 minutes 120 minutes 9.5

hours

From North Shore Resorts to Pearl Harbor

 

R/T

Roundtrip

Drive

 R/T Parking & Walking to VC  

USS Arizona Memorial

 Shopping and Picture Taking  

USS Bowfin

Submarine

 Battleship Missouri with Trans Aviation Museum with Trans  

 

Time to Allocate
120 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 0 0 5        hours
120 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 0 0 6        hours
120

minutes

 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 120 minutes 7

hours
120 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 0 120 minutes 7

hours
120 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 120 minutes 0 8       hours
120 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 0 120 minutes 8                  hours
120 minutes 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 0 120 minutes 120 minutes 9        hours
120

minutes

 30 minutes 120 minutes 30 minutes 60

minutes

 120 minutes 120 minutes 10

hours

Note- Tours can be done in a shorter time if you rush your visit to each destination

If you want to save money, you should definitely plan to bring your snacks and lunch to Pearl Harbor. Place your sandwiches and snacks in a clear plastic bag and show them to the National Park Ranger upon entering the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. In addition, bottled water is allowed through security.

If you plan to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, please be advised that no food or drink is allowed in the theaters, on the Navy Shuttle, or on the Memorial. To avoid scolding by a Ranger or Sailor, purchase a Pearl Harbor Historic Sites tote bag from the USS Arizona Memorial Museum store and store your food items there. (About $5.00)

There are two food outlets within the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, but both are expensive. The first is the Blind Vendor Stand which is adjacent to the USS Arizona Memorial Museum Store; they offer snacks, sandwiches, sodas, and coffee. Also, in the courtyard of the USS Bowfin, they sell hot dogs, nachos, and cups of soup that are also pricey.

If you did not bring lunch, the best, most reasonable-priced food is at Restaurant 604, about one block- North of the Visitor Center parking lot. The Pearl Harbor employees and military personnel go to this oceanside restaurant for lunch. This location also has great cocktails and dinner. Reservations are recommended.

Road to War Museum

  • USS Arizona Battleship Display
  • On the floor in front of the Model of IMS Akagi is an outline of the actual size of the Japanese Torpedo used to sink the US ships anchored on Battleship row.
  • Japanese Expansion- Events leading to WWII
  • President Roosevelt’s letter to the Japanese Emperor appealed for peace on the eve of the Dec 7th.

Attack Museum

  • The number one thing to do, if you have very little time, is to visit the Attack Movie Theater- which plays every 15 minutes, a Five-Star, $1 million documentary called “Battlefield Oahu.”
  • President’s Roosevelt final notes and speech he gave on Dec 8th to the US Congress and the American public, declaring war on Japan- This display is located when you exit the Attack Museum Theater.
  • Sadako Sasaki Crane Display-This display is located behind the USS Arizona Memorial display.

There is a $5.00 per bag fee and a $10 fee for luggage and large boxes. This baggage storage area is bonded, has good security, and is open from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. To save money, consider combining your bags instead of checking them separately. Also, if you need to retrieve an item later in the day, this luggage building does have a window on the Visitor Center side of the building, so you do not need to leave the secured area. If for some reason, you forgot to get your bag, come back the next day, or call 808-423-1341, There is usually a long line to store your bags. If you have a Pearl Harbor Tour, we strongly recommend that you do not bring any bags with you as the delay may cause you to miss your tour of Arizona Memorial ticket time.

Yes, this tour is so fascinating. Here you will learn the history of undersea warfare and learn about the USS Bowfin Submarine, one of the most decorated submarines of WWII, sinking 44 ships on nine war patrols. The USS Bowfin Submarine consists of two 30-minute tours. First, you tour the Submarine Museum and then the USS Bowfin; both come with self-guided audio tours.

You will have a more meaningful experience if you allocate time to tour the two museums before going to the USS Arizona Memorial. Each Museum takes about 30 minutes, and the displays and movies are world-class.

The National Park Service ticket counter handles lost and found items, phone 808-422-3399.

Yes, for two reasons. First, there is so much to do and see at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites; second, you can stand by at the Theaters to take the USS Arizona Memorial tour; there are no-shows, especially in the afternoons.

Sunday mornings are traditionally the slowest period for the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Also, later afternoons are an excellent time to come to Pearl Harbor if you want to avoid crowds.

Yes, go to the Theater entrance and tell the Ranger you want to stand by for the USS Arizona Memorial program. Most no-shows occur in the afternoon period from 1:30 pm.

There are no wheelchairs for rent or loan at Pearl Harbor.

Within the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, is a Shuttle that goes to Ford Island. The ride is included with the ticket for the USS Missouri battleship or Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

The National Park Service provides two separate and large men’s and women’s restrooms. One is located to the right of the entrance to the Visitor Center. The other is located past the bookstore by the snack bar. There is an additional set of restrooms by the USS Bowfin submarine.

By far, the best place to eat is at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum restaurant called Laniakea Café.

The USS Arizona Memorial may be canceled with strong winds or lightning. If it is raining, the tour will operate; I suggest you get a plastic poncho at the USS Arizona Memorial Museum Store for $2.50 each or bring an umbrella. The other three Pearl Harbor Historic Sites will operate if it’s raining.

Definitely at the USS Arizona Memorial Museum store for three reasons:

  • The National Park Service Historian approves every item to get the souvenir historically correct
  • You will not find these items anywhere else, and thus, makes great gifts
  • Proceeds after expense goes to the restoration and upkeep of the USS Arizona Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

  • Pearl Harbor-From Fishpond to Warships by Allan Seiden
  • Pearl Harbor by Ernest Arroyo

There are three exclusive jeweler lines offered at the USS Arizona Memorial Museum Store:

  • “Tree of Life “gold or silver pendants, earrings, bracelets. and rings
  • “Pearl Harbor Shark Goddess” gold and silver pendants and rings
  • “Pearl Harbor Peace Cranes” gold and silver pendants and earrings

The USS Arizona Memorial Museum Store has a separate counter that only sells coins and medallions to visitors. The most popular coins are the silver anniversary editions displaying the USS Arizona Memorial.

Yes, it’s the best day of the year to go:

  • The Dec 7th ceremony is always excellent, and the sound system is so good that you can hear the speakers anywhere in the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
  • Each of the Pearl Harbor Historic Site partners has public Dec 7th events
  • There is always a beautiful remembrance ceremony at the USS Oklahoma Memorial
  • Because tour buses cannot come to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center in the morning period, it is one of the slowest days of the year, and you do not have to fight a lot of crowds.

Yes, this is the last battleship built by the US, with nine 16-inch guns and a combat history that includes WWII, Korean War, and the Gulf Persian War. Best known for being the location in World War II of the Japanese surrender to the US and Allies.

A tour you and your family will never forget.

Yes. However, you will have to get the shuttle to Ford Island. The shuttle is included with the ticket for the USS Missouri battleship or Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. The USS Oklahoma Memorial is directly in front of the entrance to the USS Missouri battleship and consists of 429 seven-foot high, white standards, each with the sailor’s name and rank. When visiting this Memorial, you cannot help but get emotional seeing the hundreds upon hundreds of white bars, each representing a lost American from the Dec 7th attackth attack.

Yes, it’s the only Aviation Museum in the US located on a WWII battle site, and the Japanese bullet holes are still visible in its second aircraft hangar. At the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, you will discover the largest military aviation museum in the Pacific that features two giant hangars of WWII Japanese planes and US military aircraft & helicopters spanning from WWII to the Gulf Wars.

If you have never been to Pearl Harbor before, have an interest in WWII, and can allocate a full day at Pearl Harbor; you will not regret purchasing the “Passport to Pearl Harbor” tour that includes a visit to:

  • Arizona Memorial Audio Tour
  • Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center
  • USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park
  • Transportation to Fort Island
  • USS Missouri Battleship
  • USS Oklahoma Memorial
  • Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

Sorry, the ticket out to the Arizona Memorial is not included. It can be reserved on the National Park Service website or you could purchase one of our discounted Pearl Harbor Tours. The Pearl Harbor Tour #7 Complete Pearl Harbor Experience and a short Honolulu City tour, includes the Arizona Memorial ticket as well as tickets to the 3 other Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.

The majority of the visitors visit two of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites destinations:

  • USS Arizona Memorial only – 35%
  • Two of the Pearl Harbor Historic Site destinations- 40%
  • Three of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites-5%
  • All Pearl Harbor destinations – 20%

You can bring your wallet and ID, phone, cameras, medicine, keys, jacket, umbrella, bottled water, or anything else that fits in your pockets. You can also take in food and diapers in clear plastic bags. Wheelchairs and baby strollers are allowable, but nothing can be in their pockets.

  • Front desk and lost & found 808-442.3399
  • Security 808-428-6911

The best most convenient way is to book a Pearl Harbor Tour. Our tours include the Arizona Memorial ticket, transportation, and arrangement. They are the most convenient way to go to Pearl Harbor. Alternatively, you could reserve a ticket on the National Park Service website.

Parking is limited in the morning rush hours, especially during holidays, Christmas/New Year, and summertime.

To see the USS Oklahoma Memorial, pay $3.00 at the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites desk in the courtyard of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Alternatively, the transportation to Ford Island is included with the tickets for the USS Missouri or Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

In the Attack Museum, go to the Battlefield Oahu theater and view the National Park Service’s $1 million 12-minute documentary movie on the attack of Pearl Harbor.

The only place where wheelchairs are not permitted is on the USS Bowfin Submarine. At the USS Missouri, there is an elevator to the main deck, but the other desks and the tours within the ship are not conducive for wheelchairs.

Pearl Harbor is a vast lagoon harbor stretching through many waterways. From the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, the US Navy allows you to see a portion of the harbor; if you look Northwest, you barely notice the Navy’s mothball fleet of transports and tankers. The US Navy’s active destroyers, tankers, and submarines are hidden in other Pearl Harbor outlets, not visible to the public.

Pearl Harbor Visitor Center 7 am to 5 pm
Baggage Storage 6:30 am to 5:30 pm
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park 7 am to 5 pm
USS Arizona Memorial Tours 8 am to 3 pm
National Park Service Ticket Counter 7 am to 4 pm
Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center 8 am to 4 pm
USS Arizona Memorial Museum Store 7 am to 5 pm
Fort Island Bus Depot 8 am to 5 pm
Battleship Missouri 8 am to 4 pm
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum 9 am to 5 pm

National Park Service- Superintendent 808-422-6146
National Park Service- Front Desk Counter                808-422-3399
National Park Service- Commercial Services 808-422-6145
National Park Service- Education Dept 808-422-3311
National Park Service- Security Dept 808-422-3321
National Park Service- Pearl Harbor Historian 808-422-3310
National Park Service- Lost & Found Dept 808-422-3399
USS Arizona Memorial Museum Store 808-954-8759
Baggage Storage Building 808-423-1341
Audio Tour Desk 808-954-8720
Pacific Historic Park- Corporate Office 808-954-8778
Pacific Historic Park-CEO 808-954-8760
Pacific Historic Park-DOS 808-954-8767
Pacific Historic Park- Orders and US Flags 1-800-866-331-1941
Pearl Harbor Historic Sites- President 808-423-1341
USS Missouri 808-455-1600
USS Missouri – COO 808-455-1600 ex 226
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum 808-441-1000
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum- CEO 808-441-1017
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park 808-423-1341
Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Counter 808-453-0686

Call the National Park Service Education Department; tickets for kids and adults are free; call 808-422-3311.

There are four great places for Family Photos

  • Tree of Life 40-foot Statute
  • Crossroad sign outside the Attack Museum
  • USS Arizona’s 2000-pound anchor
  • Lone Sailor Statue, which is behind the ticket counters

Yes, it’s just $4.95 per visitor, and the money goes to support the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the restoration of the USS Arizona Memorial. The virtual tour comes with easy-to-use equipment and staff instructions; the three VR Tours include:

1. Witness the Dec 7th Attack on Battleship Row
2. Walk the Decks of the USS Arizona Before the Attack
3. Explore the USS Arizona Memorial

Yes, it is hosted by Jamie Lee Curtis, the National Park Service Historian, and over a dozen Pearl Harbor Survivors; it’s only $7.50 per person, and the proceeds go to assist the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the restoration of the USS Arizona Memorial.

There is a way to maximize your time on the USS Arizona Memorial. When entering the theater, there are two doors (Waikiki side of the building) that you will exit upon completion of the film to board your Navy shuttle; try to sit right next to one of these doors. This will allow you to be the first on the boat; then, we recommend you sit next to the on-ramp or the off-ramp of the boat (the Waikiki side is the best); this will allow you to be the first to get off at the USS Arizona Memorial.

Regarding dress code and behavior, the National Park Service has gotten more lenient in the past few years. However, there are a few things to be aware of that would be frowned upon by the National Park Service:

Please feel free to dress casually on your tour, but swimsuits, inappropriate wear, and slippers are not showing respect for the destination.
Please, no loud laughing or yelling on the Memorial; the National Park Ranger will give you only one warning and immediately escort you off the Memorial.
No spitting off the Memorial or eating.
No calling or accepting phone calls while on the Memorial.
No throwing any items into the water except for individual flowers. (Flower lei are not allowed)

Unfortunately, unless you have a car and a valid military id, the public cannot visit the USS Utah Memorial. Located on the western side of Fort Island, the Memorial is in front of Navy housing and thus is restricted for civilians.

No tickets are required for infants as long as the infant sits on the parent’s lap in the theater and on the boat shuttle.

Best-selling souvenir items are postcards, Pearl Harbor mugs, books, and tote bags. For gifts, get your loved one a USS Arizona Memorial t-shirt or cap.

Black Tears refers to the oil still leaking from the sunken Battleship Arizona after more than 80 years. About a quart of oil slowly rises to the water’s surface daily and can easily be seen by its visitors.

Yes, you can throw separate flowers off the USS Arizona Memorial, but please don’t throw any flower leis.

Yes! Just before you get to the USS Bowfin is the Waterfront Submarine Memorial. Here stand 52 metal markers with the names of 3,600 U.S. submariners who gave their lives during WWII. Each plaque is for a different submarine lost in battle; view the crew’s names and learn of their war patrols.
Although the submarines were a small US military unit, they gave the greatest sacrifice in terms of loss of life — one in every five sailors, out of around 18,000 submariners who went into battle, never returned to port.

The busiest time is from opening to noon; the afternoon periods are much less crowded, and these same periods apply to the Pearl Harbor Site partners.
Pearl Harbor interesting and fun facts
Frequently asked questions about Pearl Harbor