Travel Guide Hong Kong Public
Transportation and Getting Around
Use our Travel Guide Hong Kong to learn how to get around the territory. Hong Kong public modes of travel via bus, ferry or train are efficient, relatively inexpensive and user-friendly. The system covers extension areas of Hong Kong with signs in English and Chinese.
Octopus Cards
Make use of the Octopus Card, an electronic fare card that is accepted by almost all public transport, and at many restaurants and stores. It's easy and convenient to use, saves time and eliminates need for small change.
Add money to the card when you need to, and any unspent value in On-Loan Octopus is refundable along with the HK$50 deposit (minus HK$7 handling fee for cards returned within three months). You can also opt for a non-returnable Sold Octopus. For more details, please call +852 2266 2222.
Hong Kong MTR - Mass Transit Railway
The Mass Transit Railway or MTR (dei tit in cantonese which means "underground railway) is the primary mode of mass public transportation in Hong Kong. It is the biggest rapid transit railway system in Hong Kong.
Getting around Hong Kong and visiting the city's fantastic attractions couldn't be easier with the quick and efficient MTR rail system that covers all major districts in the territory, and includes stops at the boundary with Mainland China (Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau).
The MTR consists of ten lines: Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O, Tung Chung, West Rail, East Rail, Ma On Shan and Disneyland Resort, as well as an Airport Express. In addition, The MTR operates a Light Rail system running between Yuen Long and Tuen Mun in the New Territories, plus an inter-city train service into Mainland China.
The old KCR has been merged with the MTR. This is the train line that goes north into the New Territories and ultimately stops at Lo Wu Border. With the merger came ther renaming of the former Mong Kok station into "Mong Kok East", and "Kowloon" station into "Hung Hom" station.
Aboard the Tram Ride Across the Island
See the city from the top deck of a rattling, clanking old 'ding-ding' (as Hongkongers call them). The ride is an unequalled bargain at just $2. Trams run frequently, so if the first one is too crowded, just wait for the next to ensure you get that all-important front seat upstairs.
The operator Hong Kong Tramways is one of the three tramways in the world that have regular operation of double-decker trams (the others being Blackpool, England and Alexandria, Egypt), and is the only system that runs exclusively on double-deckers.
Trams shake, rattle and roll along an east-west path across north Hong Kong Island and follow the same tracks they have travelled since 1904. Much more than just a cheap and convenient way of getting around town, the upper decks of these trams offer magnificent views as they weave through busy city districts. Trams run from early morning until midnight. The flat fare is HK$2 (HK$1 for seniors aged 65 or above and children under 12) and exact change is required. You can get on at the back of the tram and pay the exact fare when you're alighting at the front. Octopus cards are accepted.
Sailing Out on Junk Trips
Sailing on Junk trips is an affordable and pleasurable to enjoy the breeze and Hong Kong views from the sun deck. A typical junk can comfortably fit up to 30 people. That's why its a popular way in Hong Kong to get all friends and colleagues to have a great day out.
So you must grab any chance you can to go on a junk trip while in Hong Kong. It's an extremely enjoyable and popular way to spend an afternoon. Junks are traditional style of wooden boats that can be hired and make a perfect venue for party. No marine skills to master or you can drop your anchor and swim to a remote beach.
Up the Peak Tram
The Peak Tower is leisure and shopping complex located near the summit of Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island. It also houses the upper terminal of the Peak Tram. The owner of Hong Kong's famous Peninsula Hotel along with many other properties owns both the Peak Tower and the Peak Tram.
Getting there is an unforgettable trip. There's nothing in the world like the Peak Tram. Pulled by steel cables, the tram climbs 373 metres (about 1,200 feet). It's so steep that the buildings you pass look like they're leaning at a 45°angle! Whether you're going up or coming down, you'll love this trip.
Light rail
The MTR Light Rail, also known Light Rail Transit (LRT), used to be one of the four systems of the MTR (formerly KCR) network in Hong Kong. It serves the northwestern New Territories, within and between Tuen Mun District and Yuen Long District.
The railway line was operated by Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) prior to the MTR-KCR merger and has since been taken over by MTR Corporation on 2 December 2007 after the merger completed.
The Light Rail is the only public transport system in Hong Kong to have fare zones. These fare zones apply only to passengers purchasing single-ride tickets from ticketing machines at LRT stops. Since the introduction of Octopus cards, however, passengers have a choice of ticketing options. Website
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful throughout Hong Kong apart from remote areas, and can be hailed on the street (except on roads with double yellow lines) or summoned by phone. All are metered, relatively cheap, air-conditioned and clean. Taxis are easily hailed in the street, although they cannot pick up or drop off passengers in restricted areas marked with double yellow lines. At peak periods, you might opt for a hotel taxi-queue. All taxis can go to and from the Hong Kong International Airport. Taxis come in different colours to indicate their area of service:
- Red taxis operate in most of Hong Kong plus Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island
- Green taxis serve the rural areas of the New Territories
- Blue taxis operate on Lantau Island
Buses
Bus routes, with double-decker and single-level buses, cover almost all of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Final destinations are prominently displayed in English and Chinese on the front of the bus. Fares are low, usually ranging from HK$1.20 to HK$45, and are based on distance travelled. Exact change is required. Octopus cards are accepted.
Kowloon Motor Bus, New World First Bus and Citybus operate routes to cover Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. New Lantao Bus operates on Lantau Island and Long Win Bus provides bus services to north Lantau and the airport.
Red and Green Minibuses
Minibuses are small passenger buses that carry about 16 people. Red minibuses operate on routes that are not always fixed and passengers can get on and off anywhere along the route except where special prohibitions apply. Pay as you alight. The driver can provide change for small notes. Green minibuses operate on specific routes at fixed prices. Exact payment is required when getting on, octopus cards are accepted.
Fares for minibuses are a little higher than regular buses, usually in the HK$2 to HK$22.50 range, but minibuses are sometimes faster. Once filled, minibuses won’t stop until someone asks to get off. Please note that minibuses are best suited for people who can speak some Cantonese and who are familiar with Hong Kong.
Star Ferry Harbour Ride
Central Hong Kong has been linked to Kowloon by the Star Ferry for over a hundred years. The green and white, or heavily branded, tub-shaped ferries are a familiar sight around Hong Kong and, as such, a symbol of the city. The Star Ferry was once the only way to reach the mainland from Hong Kong Island. Its route is now duplicated by road and rail tunnels, but remains the best way to cross Victoria Harbour, and it is a steal at just $2.20 for crossing to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Star Ferry decks give one of the best available views, day or night, of the waterfronts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon – not to mention the plethora of ocean traffic surging through the shipping lanes. The boats themselves are cast-iron veterans to delight schoolboys of all ages. The Star ferry pier is located near the General Post Office. A few Hong Kong's last remaining rickshaw pullers hang around for photo opportunities.
Outlying Island Ferry Services
Ferries operating from the Central Ferry Piersin Central provide service to the main outlying island of Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Lamma Island and Lantau Island including Discovery Bay. Two types of ferries operate on most routes: standard ferries and the slightly more expensive fast ferries.
- New World First Ferry Services Ltd
Tel: +852 2131 8181
Fax: +852 2131 8877
Website: http://www.nwff.com.hk/ - Discovery Bay Transportation Services Ltd
Tel: +852 2987 7351
Fax: +852 2987 5246
Website: http://www.hkri.com/ - The Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Ltd
Tel: +852 2815 6063
Fax: +852 2815 6263
Website: http://www.hkkf.com.hk/
Although this Hong Kong website have made every effort to be accurate, we can make no warranty or guarantee as to the correctness of all Travel Guide Hong Kong information listed here. You can be sure that schedules and policies do change. One way to be sure is to call or book ahead. In a similar manner, we do not guarantee the claims made by our sponsors and advertisers. Caveat emptor!
