The USS Arizona Memorial is free, but it needs a reservation. Then 7 paid options, from a $10 audio tour to $200 tours. We scored every one on the same four questions we use for every sight.
The visitor center, museums and grounds are free. No bags allowed (paid lockers at the entrance). Arizona reservations: recreation.gov.
Explore Pearl Harbor
What each part is, and which tickets get you there.
👆 Tap a part to explore
Simplified map, not to scale. Dotted line: the Arizona boat; dashed: the Ford Island shuttle.
You picked
USS Arizona Memorial
The white memorial over the sunken battleship, reached by Navy boat.
It rests above the remains of the USS Arizona and commemorates the 1,177 crewmen who died aboard. nps.gov
The 45-minute program includes a safety orientation, the boat ride, time on the memorial and the return. Boats hold 145 people. nps.gov
Polarized sunglasses help you see the sunken hull from the memorial, says Go Visit Hawaii. govisithawaii.com
In 2025 the Navy removed WWII-era salvage platforms attached to the wreck. Booking 8 weeks ahead was paused during the work and reopened for visits from 1 November 2025. nps.gov
Lives up to its fame 5/5. The memorial sits over the sunken battleship and the 1,177 crew who died aboard. Go Visit Hawaii calls the visit 'a very emotional experience'. govisithawaii.com
Value for money 5/5. Free apart from the $1 booking fee and $7 parking. home.nps.gov
Can’t get it elsewhere 5/5. It is the resting place of the USS Arizona's 1,177 crewmen. Nothing else stands in for it. nps.gov
Easy to do 3/5. Timed and simple once booked, but slots go fast, release at 3 pm HST, cannot be changed or refunded, and you must arrive an hour early. nps.gov
2
USS Arizona Memorial, standby
freeWorth it80 Reality⏱ hours of waiting, not guaranteed
Gets you into
✓ Visitor center
Not included
– Battleship Missouri– Aviation Museum– USS Bowfin– Audio tour
Depends on the option
~ USS Arizona boat
👍 Best forFlexible visitors who missed the release and will spend the wait in the free museums.
👎 Skip ifYou have a fixed schedule, kids who won't wait, or you visit in summer, spring break or holidays.
Can’t get it elsewhere 5/5. Same memorial over the sunken USS Arizona. nps.gov
Easy to do 1/5. The park's 2021 tips page says only about 8-10% of visitors get standby seats, after 1-3 hours, and the current page says standby may not run at peak times. nps.gov
3
USS Bowfin / Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
$25.99Worth it70 Reality⏱ ~1.5-2 h, walk-up
Gets you into
✓ Visitor center✓ USS Bowfin
Not included
– USS Arizona boat– Battleship Missouri– Aviation Museum– Audio tour
👍 Best forVisitors with an hour to fill near the visitor center, and older kids.
👎 Skip ifYou are claustrophobic, use a wheelchair, or have kids under 4.
Self-guided tour of the WWII submarine USS Bowfin, three galleries on submarine warfare, outdoor exhibits and a memorial to more than 3,500 submariners lost in the war. Free audio guide included. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Lives up to its fame 4/5. UponArriving calls it 'a really cool experience', especially if you have never been inside a submarine. uponarriving.com
Value for money 4/5. $25.99 for 1.5-2 hours with a free audio guide, the cheapest paid site. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Can’t get it elsewhere 3/5. A real WWII submarine, but less tied to 7 December than the Arizona or the Missouri. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Easy to do 4/5. The only site you can walk to from the visitor center, no shuttle. But under-4s can't board and the sub is not wheelchair accessible. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
4
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
$29.99–$49.99Worth it70 Reality⏱ ~2 h + shuttle
Gets you into
✓ Visitor center✓ Aviation Museum
Not included
– USS Arizona boat– Battleship Missouri– USS Bowfin– Audio tour
👍 Best forFamilies, aviation fans, and a cool indoor break on a hot day.
👎 Skip ifYou only have time for one paid site and care most about the 1941-1945 story told on ships.
Full details and sources
Price
$29.99 adult, $17.99 child (4-12), 3 and under free. Upgrades: Guided Hangar Tour $10.99, Tower View $10, Guided Tower Tour $20, flight simulator $10.99-$21.99. pearlharboraviationmuseum.org
Lives up to its fame 4/5. Hawaii Travel with Kids says it was her kids' favourite: air-conditioned, with a flight simulator and a restaurant. hawaiitravelwithkids.com
General admission to the Battleship Missouri, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, the visitor center multimedia tour and one VR experience. It does not include the USS Arizona Memorial reservation. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Booking
Pearl Harbor Historic Sites shop or Recreation.gov, up to 56 days ahead. Valid one day or two consecutive days, each site once. Refund until midnight two days before, less the $1 fee. recreation.gov
Time
Most visitors need 6 to 8 hours for all sites. ussmissouri.org
Why Reality is 70
Lives up to its fame 4/5. Covers every paid site in one ticket, and two days if you want them. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Value for money 4/5. Bought singly, Missouri ($44.99), Bowfin ($25.99), Aviation ($29.99) and the media pack ($20.99) come to $121.96, so the Passport saves about $22 if you use everything. The three paid sites alone come to $100.97, so you need all three to come out ahead. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Easy to do 3/5. A long day with an extra hour of shuttle time, and you still book the Arizona separately. ussmissouri.org
6
Battleship Missouri Memorial
$44.99–$76.99Worth it if…69 Reality⏱ ~2 h + shuttle
Gets you into
✓ Visitor center✓ Battleship Missouri
Not included
– USS Arizona boat– Aviation Museum– USS Bowfin– Audio tour
👍 Best forAnyone adding one paid site who wants the end of the story after the Arizona.
👎 Skip ifYou arrive after about 2 pm, or only have half a day.
Full details and sources
Price
General admission $44.99 adult (13+), $19.99 child (4-12). Upgrades: Captain's Tour (45 min) or Chief Engineer's Tour (60 min) $32 each on top, ages 10+. ussmissouri.org
Includes
A 35-minute guided tour (English, Japanese, Korean or Chinese) plus self-guided time on the ship. No reservation needed for the guided tour. ussmissouri.org
Booking
Online or at the visitor center. Daily 8 am-4 pm, last admission 3 pm. Reached only by the free shuttle from the visitor center. ussmissouri.org
Time
1.5 to 5 hours on board, plus about 30 minutes each way on the shuttle. ussmissouri.org
Why Reality is 69
Lives up to its fame 4/5. You stand on the deck where Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender on 2 September 1945. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Value for money 3/5. At $44.99 it is the priciest single ticket, but a guided tour is included. ussmissouri.org
Can’t get it elsewhere 5/5. Where World War II ended. Pairs with the Arizona, where the US war began. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Easy to do 3/5. Needs the Ford Island shuttle (about 30 min each way), ID may be checked, and last admission is 3 pm. ussmissouri.org
7
Tours from Waikiki (resellers and tour operators)
$54–$204Worth it if…55 Reality⏱ 5-11 h, fixed pickup
Gets you into
✓ Visitor center
Depends on the option
~ USS Arizona boat~ Battleship Missouri~ Aviation Museum~ USS Bowfin~ Audio tour
👍 Best forVisitors without a car, cruise passengers, and anyone who missed the 8-week release.
👎 Skip ifYou have a car and can book Recreation.gov yourself.
Full details and sources
Price
About $54 to $204 per adult before tax on Tripster's listings, from E Noa's Salute to Pearl Harbor tour to an all-sites tour with lunch. tripster.com
Includes
Usually Waikiki hotel pickup and return, a guide or driver, and the visitor center. Some add the Missouri, all four sites, lunch or a Honolulu city tour. Some promise Arizona entry; others, like Pearl Harbor Tours' 6-hour Arizona & Missouri tour ($157), say Arizona tickets are 'NOT GUARANTEED'. expedia.com
Booking
Through the operator or sites such as Viator, Expedia or Tripster. Check each listing's refund terms; AAA's listing for one Arizona & Missouri tour gives a full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours ahead. aaa.com
Time
About 5 to 11 hours depending on the tour; most Waikiki pickups are between 6:45 am and 9:45 am, says Blue Hawaiian (which sells these tours). bluehawaiianconcierge.com
Why Reality is 55
Lives up to its fame 3/5. Transport and narration are handled, but schedules are fixed and the Arizona boat is not always guaranteed. aaa.com
Value for money 3/5. $54-$204 versus $1 + $7 parking on your own; Hawaii Travel with Kids says two Uber rides cost about $65 round trip, so a basic tour is fair if you have no car. hawaiitravelwithkids.com
Can’t get it elsewhere 3/5. Same sites as going alone. tripster.com
Easy to do 4/5. Pickup and tickets are sorted for you; early starts and group pace are the trade-off. hawaiitravelwithkids.com
8
Visitor center audio tour (and VR)
$10–$20.99Worth it if…50 Reality⏱ ~1-2 h self-guided
Gets you into
✓ Visitor center✓ Audio tour
Not included
– USS Arizona boat– Battleship Missouri– Aviation Museum– USS Bowfin
👍 Best forHistory buffs who want more than the gallery labels, or anyone waiting on standby.
👎 Skip ifYou are short on time or happy with the free galleries and film.
Full details and sources
Price
Official Arizona media pack (unlimited multimedia tour + one VR experience): $20.99 adult, $16.99 child. Resellers list shorter audio-only versions from $10. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Includes
A self-guided multimedia tour of the museums, the memorial and the Path of Attack shoreline. It does not include the boat ticket to the USS Arizona Memorial. tripster.com
Booking
Online in advance or on site on the day, subject to availability. nps.gov
Time
Go City says 'up to 2 hours' with 28 stops, narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis (the same page also calls it a 60-minute tour). gocity.com
Why Reality is 50
Lives up to its fame 3/5. TravelPulse (2019) says the audio tour explains sites that have no signs. The galleries and film are already free. travelpulse.com
Value for money 3/5. $20.99 for audio plus VR, on top of free galleries. Fair if you want depth, not essential. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Can’t get it elsewhere 2/5. Covers the same free galleries, film and grounds you can see without it. nps.gov
Easy to do 4/5. Buy on the day at the booth; no timed slot. nps.gov
9
Go City Oahu pass
$219Skip it44 Reality⏱ multi-day pass
Gets you into
✓ Visitor center✓ Battleship Missouri✓ Aviation Museum✓ Audio tour
Not included
– USS Arizona boat
Official page doesn’t say
? USS Bowfin
👍 Best forVisitors already planning a packed multi-attraction week on Oahu.
👎 Skip ifPearl Harbor is your main sight; the official Passport is far cheaper.
Full details and sources
Price
All-Inclusive Pass from $219 (Explorer from $169, Essentials from $119). gocity.com
Includes
Go City lists the Aviation Museum and the Battleship Missouri (general admission with guided tour) as included in the All-Inclusive Pass. The USS Arizona narrated audio tour is on the All-Inclusive, Explorer and Essentials passes. gocity.com
Booking
Bought from Go City; some attractions need advance booking through its app. The NPS says Go Oahu cards are not valid for National Park Service programs, so you still book the Arizona on Recreation.gov. nps.gov
Time
Same as the sites themselves; Go City sells 2-day itineraries mixing Pearl Harbor with other Oahu attractions. gocity.com
Why Reality is 44
Lives up to its fame 3/5. Gets you into the Missouri and the Aviation Museum, but not the Arizona program. nps.gov
Value for money 2/5. From $219, it only beats the $99.99 Passport if you also use several other Oahu attractions. gocity.com
Can’t get it elsewhere 3/5. Same sites as the official tickets. gocity.com
Easy to do 3/5. One pass for many attractions, but you plan bookings in the app and still need a separate Arizona reservation. headout.com
The rules that catch people out
🎟️Booking the Arizona7
The USS Arizona Memorial boat program is free but needs a reservation on Recreation.gov. Recreation.gov charges a $1 non-refundable fee per ticket. The park itself collects no fees and cannot refund. nps.gov
Reservations are released daily at 3 pm HST in two windows: 8 weeks (56 days) ahead and 24 hours ahead. You can book up to 10 tickets per day. nps.gov
Same-day free tickets are no longer handed out at the visitor center. Without a reservation, standby is the only same-day route. recreation.gov
Reservations are final. They cannot be changed, transferred, resold or refunded. To change the time you must make a new booking. nps.gov
No reservation? Join standby at the tablets in front of the Audio Tour booth. You get a text with your standby number and a second text when to line up. On busy days it can take several hours, and standby may not run at peak times such as spring break, summer, Thanksgiving and winter break. nps.gov
The park's 'Plan Like a Park Ranger' page (last updated 2021) says 1,800 reservations are available per day and only about 8-10% of visitors get standby seats, after waits of 1-3 hours. nps.gov
Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be resold. Tour companies may not book regular public tickets (only under a Commercial Use Authorization), and the system is monitored. nps.gov
🎒On the day10
Boats leave every 15 minutes, 8 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 3:30 pm. Each boat holds 145 people. nps.gov
Arrive at least 1 hour early for security. Check in at the Ticket Validation Desk 10 minutes before your ticket time; the time on the ticket is when the boat leaves, and late arrivals may lose their seats to standby. Bring the QR code from your confirmation email. nps.gov
Programs run daily, weather permitting. Boat trips may be cancelled or changed for boat mechanical problems, high winds, other safety concerns or at the Navy's discretion. recreation.gov
No bags. Bags that offer concealment, such as purses, backpacks and camera bags, are banned unless no bigger than 1.25 x 2.25 x 5.5 inches. Wallets and clutches up to that size and clear bags are allowed. Paid bag storage near the entrance, run by the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, takes all sizes including luggage. nps.gov
Paid storage lockers near the visitor center entrance cost $7 (small) or $10 (large), and space is limited at peak hours. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Parking is $7 per day, paid on the day by scanning the QR code on the lot signs (pay.gov). It cannot be paid in advance. nps.gov
Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times. Military in uniform need Class B or better. recreation.gov
The memorial is the final resting place of over 900 sailors and Marines; the park says talking or texting on your phone on the memorial is not appropriate (NPS tips page, last updated 2021). nps.gov
There are no restrooms at the USS Arizona Memorial; use the ones in the visitor center before you board. recreation.gov
Everyone in the party needs an Arizona ticket, including infants. Strollers go only as far as the theater pre-boarding area, so bring a baby carrier. nps.gov
🕘Hours and access3
Entry to the memorial, visitor center, museums and grounds is free. You need no ticket to walk in. home.nps.gov
The visitor center is open daily 7 am to 5 pm. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. home.nps.gov
The visitor center, museums, USS Arizona Memorial and grounds are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are not lent or rented, except in emergencies. nps.gov
⛴️Ford Island and passes3
Battleship Missouri and the Aviation Museum are on Ford Island, an active military base. Without base access you reach them only on the free shuttle from the visitor center. Valid ID may be requested on Ford Island and the shuttle; foreign visitors must carry passports. pearlharboraviationmuseum.org
The Passport to Pearl Harbor ($99.99 adult, $49.99 child 4-12) covers the Missouri, the Submarine Museum, the Aviation Museum, the audio tour and one VR experience over one or two days. It does not include the USS Arizona Memorial reservation. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Go Oahu cards are not valid for National Park Service programs. nps.gov
Resellers, tours and touts
⚠️Before you buy from anyone else8
The Arizona boat ticket itself is free; the only official charge is Recreation.gov's $1 fee. Anything more is a tour, an audio guide or a markup. nps.gov
Tour companies may not book regular public Arizona tickets. They use a separate 'Authorized Commercial Users' allocation, and the NPS can cancel bookings that break commercial-use rules. recreation.gov
Not every tour holds an Arizona slot. Pearl Harbor Tours' $157 Arizona & Missouri tour says Arizona tickets are 'NOT GUARANTEED' and depend on availability. expedia.com
Some operators advertise 'guaranteed' Arizona admission, but Blue Hawaiian (itself a tour seller) notes that can mean a reserved ticket or the standby line, the Navy can cap or suspend boats, and standby placement is not refunded. bluehawaiianconcierge.com
Some 'Arizona tickets' sold online are just the audio tour. Tripster's $10 'Official USS Arizona Narrated Tour' says it 'DOES NOT include the boat tickets'. tripster.com
Ticket abuse has happened before: in 2013 free walk-up Arizona tickets were diverted to tour companies and resold, and eTurboNews (2014) reported one tourist paying $89 for free tickets. Walk-up tickets no longer exist. eturbonews.com
Some guides that recommend tours are paid: HawaiiGuide discloses affiliate links and a sponsored tour partner. hawaii-guide.com
A shuttle is not a tour. Hawaii Travel with Kids warns that round-trip shuttles ($25-30 per person) are transport only; check what is included and the return time. hawaiitravelwithkids.com
Questions people ask
Is Pearl Harbor worth it?
Yes, for almost everyone. The free Arizona program is the core and costs $1. HawaiiGuide says the challenge is not whether it is worth seeing but getting the Arizona reservation. Paid add-ons are optional. hawaii-guide.com
Are Pearl Harbor tickets free?
Entry and the USS Arizona Memorial program are free. Recreation.gov charges $1 per Arizona ticket, and parking is $7. The Missouri, Bowfin and Aviation Museum charge their own admission. nps.gov
How far ahead should I book the USS Arizona Memorial?
Book the moment it opens: 8 weeks (56 days) ahead at 3 pm HST on Recreation.gov. A second batch is released at 3 pm HST the day before. nps.gov
What if Arizona tickets are sold out?
Try the 3 pm HST day-before release, then standby on the day. The park's 2021 tips page says only about 8-10% get standby seats, after 1-3 hours. A tour that holds commercial slots is the paid fallback, but check it says the Arizona is included. nps.gov
How long should I allow?
About 3-4 hours for the Arizona and visitor center, 6-8 hours with the paid sites. hawaii-guide.com
Can I bring a bag?
No. Only wallet-size clutches and clear bags are allowed. Storage near the entrance costs $7 small or $10 large. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Missouri, Bowfin or Aviation Museum: which is worth it?
The Missouri, where Japan surrendered, completes the Arizona story. Hawaii Travel with Kids' top extra pick with young kids is the Aviation Museum (air-conditioned, flight simulator, cafe). She found the Bowfin cramped, and under-4s cannot board it. hawaiitravelwithkids.com
Should I take a tour from Waikiki or go on my own?
With a car, drive and pay $7 to park. Without one, TheBus (W Line or Route 42, $3.25, about an hour) is cheapest; Uber is about $30-35 each way; a tour ($54-$204) handles transport and sometimes tickets. hawaiitravelwithkids.com
What should I wear?
The NPS advises comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, and asks for appropriate dress at the memorial. Recreation.gov adds that shoes and shirts are required, and the Passport page says swimsuits are not acceptable. nps.gov
Is Pearl Harbor OK for kids?
All ages are welcome, but infants need an Arizona ticket too and strollers stop at the theater. Hawaii Travel with Kids suggests waiting if your kids are very young and you will be back on Oahu; otherwise do the Arizona plus one other site. hawaiitravelwithkids.com
What we couldn’t confirm15 details
Arizona release window: the NPS, Recreation.gov and Pearl Harbor Historic Sites now all say 8 weeks (56 days) and 24 hours ahead at 3 pm HST. Beat of Hawaii (July 2025) reported advance booking cut to 24 hours only 'until further notice' during the platform removal; the NPS restored 8-week booking for visits from 1 November 2025. beatofhawaii.com
Same-day walk-ins: the NPS news release of September 2025 said same-day walk-in tours would return once boat operations were safe, but the current NPS programs page and Recreation.gov say same-day in-person tickets are discontinued. Standby (virtual list) is the same-day route. nps.gov
Bag size: the NPS safety page says 1.25 x 2.25 x 5.5 inches; the NPS FAQ page says 1.5 x 2.25 x 5.5 inches. nps.gov
Infants: the NPS FAQ says everyone needs an Arizona ticket including infants; Recreation.gov says 'including infants over age 1'. recreation.gov
Missouri price: ussmissouri.org and the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites ticket page say $44.99 adult / $19.99 child. The PHHS /plan page's price table looks scrambled ($44.99/$19.99 under the Submarine Museum, $29.99/$17.99 under the Missouri), Go City lists $39.99, and Hawaii Travel with Kids (2026) gave $37.99 online. We use $44.99. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Missouri upgrade tours: ussmissouri.org lists the Captain's and Chief Engineer's Tours at $32, but the same page's tour sections also say '$44.99 adults, $19.99 children ages 10-12'. PHHS lists $32. We use $32. ussmissouri.org
Bag storage price: the NPS pages say only 'a small fee' / a fee per bag. $7/$10 comes from Pearl Harbor Historic Sites and Go Visit Hawaii; TravelPulse (2019) said $5. home.nps.gov
Standalone audio tour price: the official PHHS ticket page only shows the $20.99 media pack (audio + VR). Tripster lists audio from $10, Go City says 'up to $15', Tiqets lists 30-, 60- and 70-minute versions without a single price, and TravelPulse (2019) said $7.50. We did not read a current official audio-only price. gocity.com
Go City: its Oahu page shows the All-Inclusive Pass from $219 and lists the Bowfin among its attractions, but does not say which pass covers it. Forever Karen (2022, updated November 2025) gave 2-day $239 and 7-day $529 and said the Bowfin was in her pass. Bowfin inclusion today is unconfirmed. foreverkaren.com
Waikiki tour 'guarantees': Tripster's listings mostly show the Arizona as included but none says guaranteed; Blue Hawaiian Concierge names tours with 'guaranteed' admission that may be via standby. Check each listing's fine print. bluehawaiianconcierge.com
Ford Island Bus Tour schedule (Mon/Wed/Fri 3:15-4:45 pm) is from the NPS tour page, last updated October 2025; we did not confirm it against current Recreation.gov availability. nps.gov
Hours differ by site: visitor center and Bowfin 7 am-5 pm, Missouri 8 am-4 pm (last entry 3 pm), Aviation Museum 9 am-5 pm. PHHS gives shuttle hours as 8 am-5 pm, but the Missouri says the last shuttle back leaves the ship at 4:05 pm. ussmissouri.org
We found nothing official on how the 7 December 2026 (85th anniversary) commemoration will affect public access or Arizona bookings that week. home.nps.gov
We could not open the official Pearl Harbor Historic Sites webstore (tickets.pearlharborhistoricsites.org); its prices come from the PHHS /tickets page and the partner sites' own ticket pages. pearlharborhistoricsites.org
Arizona dock: Blue Hawaiian (a tour seller) says boat capacity is much reduced while the memorial dock is under repair. Neither the NPS nor Recreation.gov pages we read mention dock repairs. bluehawaiianconcierge.com
