Pearl Harbor and Ford Island Attractions

Question

We are going to be visiting Hawaii next year for the first time. I am considering purchasing the Pearl Harbor passport for my family. I undestand their is a shuttle from Pearl that takes you to the Missouri and the aviation museum. My assumption is that shuttle is not the "ford island bus tour" right? The only way to see the USS Utah memorial is with the bus tour correct? Does the shuttle stop at both the Missouri and the aviation museum? So once we are done with the Missouri we can just get back on the bus to take us to the aviation museum.

Answer

When visiting Pearl Harbor and Ford Island, you are correct that there are different transportation options, so it's great you're getting familiar with how things work before your trip!

Here’s a breakdown of the transportation and tours:

Pearl Harbor Passport: The Pearl Harbor Passport is a great way to see the main attractions, including the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Missouri, Aviation Museum, and the USS Bowfin Submarine. It provides access to all these sites, but does not include the Ford Island bus tour to the USS Utah Memorial.
The Shuttle vs. The Ford Island Bus Tour:
- The shuttle that takes you from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to the USS Missouri and the Aviation Museum is separate from the "Ford Island Bus Tour." This shuttle is included in the Pearl Harbor Passport and runs frequently between the main visitor center and those two sites.
- The "Ford Island Bus Tour" is a separate, guided tour that takes you to the USS Utah Memorial and other historic sites on Ford Island, including the USS Oklahoma Memorial. This tour is required to visit the USS Utah Memorial, as it is located on Ford Island, which is not directly accessible without the bus tour.
Does the Shuttle Stop at Both the Missouri and the Aviation Museum? Yes! The shuttle included with your Pearl Harbor Passport will take you from the main Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to the USS Missouri and the Aviation Museum. After you finish at the USS Missouri, you can take the shuttle back to the Aviation Museum and vice versa.

So to clarify:

If you’re interested in visiting the USS Utah Memorial, you will need to take the Ford Island Bus Tour, as the shuttle does not go there.
If your main goal is to see the USS Missouri and Aviation Museum, then the shuttle will be sufficient to get you between those locations.

The Pearl Harbor Passport offers great value, and the shuttle system is very convenient. The Ford Island Bus Tour, while additional, provides a unique opportunity to see the USS Utah Memorial and other important sites on Ford Island. Make sure to plan your time accordingly, as it may take a few hours to explore the USS Missouri, Aviation Museum, and other areas at Pearl Harbor.