Public Transport Guide

Mass-Transit Railway (MTR)

A fast, clean, efficient and inexpensive MTR underground. Fares range from HK$4 to HK$26. This 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 excellent for getting to Hong Kong's attractions as well as a host of shopping and dining outlets. Hong Kong MTR website (http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/intro.html)

The MTR has six lines: (Click here for map)

- 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.

The MTR connects with the KCR East Rail at Kowloon Tong Station (Kwun Tong Line) and with the KCR West Rail at Mei Foo Station (Tusen Wan Line) and Nam Cheong Station (Tung Chung Line)

The MTR offers visitors a Tourist MTR 1-Day Pass that costs HK$50, allowing unlimited travel on the MTR for 24 hours, but not the Airport Express. If you are intending to stay longer, visitors can get the Airport Express Tourist Octopus 3-Day Pass that costs HK$220 or HK$300, allowing one or two trips on the Airport Express and can be used like a standard Octopus card on MTR for three days.

Alternatively, you can obtain an Octopus card for HK$150 (includes a refundable $50 deposit) which can be topped up at any MTR station and designated retail outlets.

Taxis

Taxis are ubiquitous in major areas and fares are comparatively low and are Often the best choice for short distances. The flag fall is HK$15 in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island, lower in the New Territories and Lantau Island.

Most of the drivers speak some English, but it is wise to have your destination written in Chinese characters. Only Hong Kong dollars are accepted.

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.

Although taxis cannot pick up or drop off passengers in restricted areas (marked with double yellow lines), taxis are easily hailed in the street. During peak periods, you might opt for a hotel taxi-queue. Click here for fares

Buses and Minibuses

Bus (single and double decks) routes cover almost all of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. The following operate routes to cover Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories: Kowloon Motor Bus, New World First Bus and Citybus

The New Lantao Bus operates on Lantau Island and Long Win Bus provides bus services to north Lantau and the airport.

On the front of the bus the final destinations are prominently displayed in English and Chinese. The fares are low usually ranging from HK$1.20 to HK$45, and are based on distance travelled. The exact change is required and Octopus cards are accepted.

These 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. Bascially you 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.

The fares for minibuses are a little higher than regular buses and are usually in the HK$2 to HK$22.50 range. Minibuses are sometimes faster than regular buses. The minibuses Will not 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

Ferries ply the waters of Hong Kong connecting Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the Outlying Islands, Macau and Mainland China.

There are two types of ferries operate on most routes: standard ferries and the slightly more expensive fast ferries. The following ferries operates 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: New World First Ferry Services Ltd, The Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Ltd, and Discovery Bay Transportation Services Ltd

Most famous 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. The boat trip offers a memorable and scenic experience to one of the most-photographed harbours in the world. The fares are just HK$2.2 to $5.3 for the upper deck, depending on the route.

There are also fast ferries to and from Macau and destinations along the coast of Mainland China. The service is provided from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Trains

The KCR provides commuter train service from Kowloon through the New Territories to the boundary with Mainland China as well as long-distance intercity rail transport into Mainland China. The KCR operates three domestic passenger rail services: East Rail, West Rail and Light Rail.

Domestic line - operates between Hung Hom in Kowloon and terminates at Lo Wu in the New Territories at the boundary with Mainland China. Covers a distance of 34 kilometres with 13 stations including a Racecourse Station which is only open on race days. Connects with the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) at Kowloon Tong Station. Details of train fares and operating hours

Links Sham Shui Po in western Kowloon with Tuen Mun in the northwest New Territories. Route covers 30.5 kilometres with nine stations and includes two interchanges with the MTR (the Nam Cheong Station connects with the Tung Chung Line and the Mei Foo Station connects with the Tsuen Wan Line); and four interchanges with the KCR Light Rail system (at the Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Siu Hong and Tuen Mun stations). Details of train fares and operating hours

An enhanced streetcar system that provides transit service in and between the New Territories towns of Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. Covers 36.15 kilometres and includes 68 stops. This an open-fare system and does not use payment turnstiles. Octopus cards must place their card over the fare box at the Light Rail stop before getting on the streetcar. When they getting off the streetcar, place the card over the fare box again to deduct the fare. Alternatively, fare tickets can be purchased from machines located at each stop. Passenger services assistants inspect train tickets and Octopus cards along the route and at the stops. If transferring to the West Rail, commuters can travel for free on the Light Rail. Details of train fares and operating hours.

The KCR operates three intercity train services into Mainland China with a Beijing line, a Shanghai line and a Guangdong line. The tickets for intercity trains are available at the Intercity Passenger Services Centre in the Hung Hom KRC East Rail Station and ticket booths in the Mong Kok, Kowloon Tong and Sha Tin KCR East Rail stations. Details of train fares and operating hours.

Trams

Along an east-west path across north Hong Kong Island you will find trams that shake, rattle and roll. This is the same tracks they have travelled since 1904. It is 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. Octopus cards are accepted.