Transport Services
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.
For convenience, use an Octopus Card electronic stored-value card that is accepted
on most public transport.
MTR
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.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful throughout Hong Kong apart from remote areas, and can be
hailed on the street (except restricted areas) or summoned by phone. All are
metered, relatively cheap, air-conditioned and clean.
There are three colours of taxi to indicate their areas of service, but all
serve the airport :
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 only on Lantau Island.
Useful Info
All taxis can go to and from the Hong Kong International Airport as well as
the Hong Kong Disneyland. Taxis are easily hailed in the street, although they
cannot pick up or drop off passengers in restricted areas. You might also opt
for the taxi-queue at a hotel or taxi stand.
- Passengers are required by law to wear a seat belt when available, whether
sitting in the front or rear.
- All taxis are regulated and taxi drivers are required to display their Taxi
Driver Identity card on the dashboard.
- Taxi fare information is listed on the inside of the taxi.
- Refer to the meter for the exact charge.
- Always ask for a receipt. This helps you track down lost items or the taxi
driver.
- If you can't read the price, the taxi number or the fine print on the receipt,
ask for a hand-written version.
When you encounter any problems with the taxi service, such as possible overcharging,
take down the taxi driver's name and licence plate number as shown on the Taxi
Driver Identity card on the cab's dashboard. Contact the number below to lodge
your complaint.
For the latest taxi fares and other additional charges as well as the detailed
area of service for respective types of taxis, please visit the Transport
Department's website.
Buses and Minibuses
Buses : Buses in Hong Kong are plentiful and comfortable, and most are
air-conditioned. Especially popular are the double-deckers that offer great
views of the surrounding city.
Bus routes 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. New Lantao Bus operates on Lantau
Island and Long Win Bus provides bus services to north Lantau and the airport
from the New Territories. Final destinations are prominently displayed in English
and Chinese on the front of the bus.
Fares are based on distance travelled. Exact change is required. Octopus cards
are accepted.
Minibuses : Minibuses are small passenger buses that carry about 16 people.
Green minibuses operate on specific routes at fixed prices. Exact payment is
required when getting on. Octopus cards are accepted. 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.
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. Passengers are required by law to wear seat belts
where available.
Ferries
Ferries: With its coastal location and many outlying islands, Hong Kong
operates regular ferry routes connecting Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the Outlying
Islands, as well as Macau and neighbouring cities in Mainland China.
Star Ferry : Most notable of all ferries 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.
Outlying Islands Service : Ferries operating from the Central Ferry Piers
on Hong Kong Island provide service to the main outlying islands of Peng Chau,
Cheung Chau, Lamma and Lantau, including Discovery Bay. Two types of ferries
operate on most routes: standard ferries and the slightly more expensive fast
ferries.
Trams
Take a step back in time and explore the bustling north corridor of Hong Kong
Island aboard one of the city's historic trams. These double-decker streetcars
have been travelling through Hong Kong's busiest thoroughfares since 1904 and
continue to be a great way to get around.
Sit next to the window on the upper deck to get the best views. Neighbourhoods
along the way include some of Hong Kong's most colourful: Western district,
Wan Chai, Happy Valley, Causeway Bay and North Point. Trams run from early morning
until midnight.
The flat fare is HK$2 and exact change is required. You enter at the back of
the tram and pay the exact fare when alighting at the front. Octopus cards are
accepted.
Peak Tram
There's no better way to reach the scenic Victoria Peak, Hong Kong's number
one tourist attraction, than by taking the equally spellbinding Peak Tram. Opened
in 1888 for the exclusive use of the British Governor and Peak residents, this
historic service remains to this day the steepest funicular railway in the world.
The journey takes only eight minutes, offering passengers an unfolding canvas
of stunning views over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Victoria Harbour as the
tram ascends.
The Peak Tram operates from 7am to midnight, departing within 10 to 15-minute
intervals from the Lower Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road in Central. By day
or night, the ride is equally thrilling. Fares can be paid with exact change
or an Octopus card.
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