Getting Around Hong Kong

Hong Kong is geographically compact and boasts one of the world's most efficient, safe, affordable and frequent public transport systems. Whether by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram, you can get around easily and catch wonderful glimpses of the city along the way.

Mass-Transit Railway [MTR] The underground MTR is fast, clean, efficient and inexpensive. Fares range from HK$4 to HK$26 and can be paid with single-journey tickets or travel passes like the Octopus card. Look for signs pointing to nearby MTR station entrances. The MTR is great for getting to Hong Kong's attractions as well as a host of shopping and dining outlets.
The MTR has six lines:
• Airport Express: running between the Hong Kong International Airport and Central;
• Island Line: running between Sheung Wan and Chai Wan;
• Tsuen Wan Line: running between Central and Tsuen Wan;
• Kwun Tong Line: running between Yau Ma Tei and Tiu Keng Ling;
• Tseung Kwan O Line: running between North Point and Po Lam; and
• the Tung Chung Line: running between Central and Tung Chung.

For more information, please visit www.mtr.com.hk

Airport Express The quickest connection between Hong Kong International Airport and Central district is the Airport Express railway, operated by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation. It departs every 12 minutes from the airport and reaches Central in about 23 minutes with stops in Kowloon and Tsing Yi. You can travel via the MTR to districts throughout Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. A free Airport Express Shuttle Bus service takes Airport Express passengers to and from major hotels, transportation interchanges and the Hong Kong and Kowloon stations.

Octopus Cards -- The Easy Way to Travel Most public transport requires exact change and that's why we recommend that you get an Octopus card. This electronic stored-value card is just like money and is accepted on most public transport including buses, minibuses, trains, ferries, the Peak Tram, and some taxis. It's even accepted at convenience stores and fast food restaurants. To pay a fare, simply place the Octopus card on the reader located next to the fare box and the fare gets deducted electronically. A new Octopus card includes a refundable HK$50 deposit. Any leftover money is also refunded when you return the card. Ask for it at the Airport Express Customer Service Counters on Level 5 of the Hong Kong International Airport, and the cards are also available at most public transport customer service centres.

Taxis Often the best choice for short distances, taxis are ubiquitous in major areas and fares are comparatively low. Flag fall is HK$15 in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island, lower in the New Territories and Lantau Island. Many drivers speak some English, but it is wise to have your destination written in Chinese characters. Only Hong Kong dollars are accepted. Taxis come in different colours to indicate their area of service: Red taxis operate in most of Hong Kong, except for Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island; Green taxis serve the rural areas of the New Territories; and Blue taxis operate on Lantau Island. All taxis can go to and from the Hong Kong International Airport.

Buses & Minibuses
Buses
Bus routes, with double-decker and single-level buses, cover almost all of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Kowloon Motor Bus, New World First Bus and Citybus operate routes to cover Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Meanwhile, New Lantao Bus operates on Lantau Island and Long Win Bus provides bus services to north Lantau and the airport. 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.
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.

Ferries A plethora of ferries ply the waters of Hong Kong connecting Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the Outlying Islands, Macau and Mainland China.
Star Ferries
Most notable of all is the humble but legendary "Star" Ferry service between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island from piers in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom in Kowloon and Central and Wan Chai on the Island. It offers a memorable and scenic boat trip across one of the most-photographed harbours in the world for just HK$2.2 to $5.3 for the upper deck, depending on the route.
Website : Star Ferry
Outlying Island Service
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.
Macau and Mainland China
For travellers wishing to sail further afield, there are also fast ferries to and from Macau and destinations along the coast of Mainland China. This service is provided from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Kowloon-Canton Railway [KCR] Service Areas: KCR East Rail: Lo Wo (Border to China), northern New Territories, Sha Tin and Kowloon (Hung Hom Station) KCR West Rail: Western New Territories, Kowloon (Shum Shui Po) Light Rail: North-west New Territories (Between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long) Guangdong Line: China's Guangdong to Kowloon (Hung Hom Station) Shanghai Line: China's Shanghai to Kowloon (Hung Hom Station) Beijing Line: China's Beijing to Kowloon (Hung Hom Station) Servicing Hours: Different for each lines, mainly 05:30 to next morning 00:30 daily for East and West Rail KCR is the main railway operator servicing the New Territories, and between China and Hong Kong.

Trams 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.

Peak Tram Victoria Peak offers the most amazing vistas of Hong Kong. Getting there can be equally spectacular. A quick and dramatic way to Hong Kong Island's highest point, the historic funicular Peak Tram is simply not to be missed. In operation since 1888, this popular cable railway climbs 373 metres (1,224 feet) in only eight minutes. The fare is HK$20 one way or HK$30 return. Please get on the peak tram at the Peak Tram Station on Garden Road, Central. Octopus cards are accepted.