Ultimate Guide for Hong Kong Transportation: Tram, Bus, MTR, Taxi & Ferry

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Introduction to Transportation in Hong Kong

Although Hong Kong is a relatively small city, there are still a lot of tourist attractions scattered in different districts, and sometimes it is necessary to take a designated means of transportation to go from the city center to some of the attractions located in the Mid-levels and some of the attractions located in the countryside.

For example, take a full-day trip in Hong Kong as an example. If you set out to the top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, you must take the Peak Tram. If you want to enjoy the night view of Victoria in the center of Victoria Harbor, you must take the Star Ferry. In addition, there is also the Ngong Ping 360 cable car on Lantau Island, which allows you to enjoy the countryside scenery of Hong Kong, and the double-decker tram on Hong Kong Island to enjoy the city scenery, etc. Every time you take a different mode of transportation, you can experience a completely different itinerary. Although Hong Kong is not a very big city in terms of city area, it will be more convenient to have adequate transportation planning before departure.

On the other hand, as long as you go to lively urban areas such as Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok, you will find that there are many transportation options for you. If you want to set off from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central, you can choose different means of transportation such as the MTR, bus, ferry, minibus, taxi, etc. to get to the same destination. It all depends on whether you want to reach your destination quickly or slowly during the ride. Take your time and enjoy the street scenes of Hong Kong.

So among the different modes of transportation, which mode of transportation should be chosen to suit this trip?

For those of you who come to Hong Kong for the first time, I believe you may not be familiar with the characteristics of every means of transportation in Hong Kong. So today’s article will share our experience of taking different modes of transportation while living in Hong Kong, and introduce you to the characteristics of each mode of transportation in Hong Kong. Then according to the location of different attractions, we will recommend some suitable means of transportation for you to match different itineraries, so that you can get a unique Hong Kong travel experience!

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Types of transportation in Hong Kong

What are the common means of transportation in Hong Kong?

If you come to Hong Kong for the first time, I believe you will know that Hong Kong has subways, taxis, double-decker buses, and double-decker trams. However, in addition to these main means of transportation, Hong Kong actually also has minibuses, ferries, and other different types of auxiliary means of transportation, covering 99% of Hong Kong's attractions, allowing you to go to every corner of Hong Kong. Different means of transportation have different charges, route maps, and things to pay attention to during the ride.

If you don’t know much about the means of transportation in Hong Kong, you can first understand the characteristics of each means of transportation, and then start planning your itinerary during your trip to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Railway: Hong Kong MTR

Hong Kong MTR is the busiest means of transportation in Hong Kong with the largest number of passengers every day. It is also the most convenient means of transportation to most of Hong Kong’s attractions.

There are almost 10 routes in the entire Hong Kong MTR series, covering most urban areas, residential areas and popular tourist areas in Hong Kong. If you only plan to visit some popular tourist attractions this time, such as Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Victoria Peak, Disneyland, Ocean Park, Monster Mansion and other attractions, you only need to take the time to get to know 5 of the routes, such as Airport Express, East Coast The Chung Line (and the Disney extension), the Island Line (and the South Island Line), the Tsuen Wan Line, and the Kwun Tong Line are quite sufficient.

As for the other MTR routes connecting the New Territories, it’s up to you to take the time to understand them next time you plan a trip to the suburbs of Hong Kong.

Why are these 5 major MTR routes important? Because it includes the Airport Express connecting Hong Kong Airport to the city center, and the Tung Chung Line connecting Hong Kong Disneyland and Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car. In addition, there are also the Island Line, Kwun Tong Line, and Tsuen Wan Line that take you to different urban attractions and shopping malls in Hong Kong. Basically, you can reach the entrance of most attractions by taking the Hong Kong MTR. Moreover, there are a large number of shops and convenience stores in every subway station, making it equally convenient whether you want to take a train or go shopping!

Hong Kong underground railway map — Hong Kong MTR route map. (Click on image to enlarge)

Hong Kong MTR is just like the subway in other countries. You only need to buy a ticket at the station ticket vending machine, or use an Octopus card to ride. However, between the two payment methods, we would recommend using the Octopus card to pay the fare. In addition to the extra discounts for using the Octopus card, more importantly, you don’t have to spend time queuing to buy tickets. You can also pay with cash at most restaurants and convenience stores in Hong Kong, which is very convenient.

In addition, Hong Kong MTR is also the longest-running means of transportation in Hong Kong. It operates from 06:00 on the top to 01:00 late at night. On average, a train will arrive in about 3 to 5 minutes. If you don’t want to spend time researching the various means of transportation in Hong Kong, you can buy an Octopus and take the Hong Kong MTR, which can take you to any Hong Kong attractions at any time. It is definitely the most convenient means of transportation.

Free Travel in Hong Kong - Subway — Hong Kong MTR covers most of the tourist attractions in Hong Kong. (Click on image to enlarge)

Hong Kong urban transportation: double-decker bus

If you pay close attention, you will find that most of the buses operating in the urban areas of Hong Kong are double-decker buses and there are a lot of choices of routes, and many of them allow you to go to some attractions that cannot be directly accessed by the MTR in Hong Kong.

The biggest difference between Hong Kong buses and Hong Kong MTR is that the stops of most bus routes are very close to each other, sometimes even at the entrances of some popular tourist attractions. For example, if you take the MTR to the Central MTR Station, you will need to walk for 5 minutes after getting off the bus to reach the entrance. However, if you take a designated bus route, you can reach the entrance of the Central Complex directly, which is definitely more convenient and cheaper than taking the MTR.

At present, three bus companies in Hong Kong are operating different bus routes at the same time.

CityBus, a common bus on Hong Kong Island, has a yellow body color.
Kowloon Motor Buses are usually found in Kowloon and the New Territories.
The New Lantao Bus, which operates in the Lantau area, normally connects different attractions on Lantau Island with single-deck buses.

Each bus company has its own bus routes, which are usually indicated by numbers and letters. In addition, since each bus company can only operate within a designated area, and each bus company has its own mobile app, you don't have to worry about boarding a bus on a different route and being taken to a completely unknown place.

If you have never traveled by bus in Hong Kong, you should pay attention to the direction of bus stops in Hong Kong. For example, it is customary for buses in Hong Kong to board at the front gate and alight at the center gate. It is very convenient to have an Octopus card to pay for the bus fare before you board the bus. Of course, you can also use cash to pay the fare. One thing to note is that there is no Octopus card reloading service on buses in Hong Kong. Therefore, it is always recommended to have an Octopus card with enough credit on it before you leave Hong Kong.

In addition, you can consider taking some bus routes that are suitable for Hong Kong city sightseeing tours, so that you can appreciate Hong Kong's buildings and cityscape from a different perspective.

For example, if you take a bus trip on the Kowloon Peninsula, you can take Bus No. 1 from Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, which passes by Nathan Road, Jordan MTR Station, Yau Ma Tei MTR Station, Mong Kok MTR Station, and Prince Edward MTR Station, and you can experience the most bustling areas of the entire Kowloon Peninsula in a single bus trip.

As for the Hong Kong Island bus trip, you can also choose to take Bus No. 15 from the Central MTR Station to the Peak Terminal. This bus route will pass by Wan Chai MTR station and Wan Chai Mid-Levels, giving you a one-off view of the streets of downtown Hong Kong Island and the Victoria Harbour as the bus gently ascends to the Peak.

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S1 bus from Tung Chung to Hong Kong Airport — The buses that usually operate in Hong Kong are usually double-decker buses. (Click on image to enlarge)

Transportation on Hong Kong Island: Double-decker tram

The Hong Kong Island Tram, or "Ting Ting" as it is often called, is one of the few double-decker trams in the world that is still in operation, and it is also the cheapest form of transportation in Hong Kong. If you're not in a hurry, you can always reserve about 60 minutes to take the tram from Causeway Bay to Sheung Wan, where you can take your time to enjoy the different parts of Hong Kong Island.

Compared to the MTR and buses in Hong Kong, the speed of Hong Kong Island Tram is very slow, and it is certainly not a qualified mode of transportation in today's Hong Kong, which pursues efficiency. However, if you change your mind to ride the Hong Kong Island Tram, you will find the interesting part of this transportation.

Hong Kong Attractions-Hong Kong Tram Panoramic Tour — A sightseeing tram that specializes in guided tours. (Click on the image to learn more)

Features of Hong Kong trams

Where else in the world are double-deck trams still in existence, and in open car design?

I am afraid that they can only be found in Hong Kong. Even in Japan, which is famous for its railroads in Asia, the streetcars in major cities such as Tokyo, Sapporo and Hiroshima are all single-decked and sealed with air-conditioning. If you want to enjoy the natural breezes and experience the changes in environment, smells and sounds from one part of the city to another, you must take the time to ride the Hong Kong Island Tram.

In addition, it is very convenient and cheap to take the tram on Hong Kong Island. You only need to wait for about 5 minutes for a tram to arrive at the tram stop, and the fare for a single trip is not more than HK$$5, which is very suitable for transportation by metro.

For example, if you are traveling from Central to Sheung Wan Seafood Street or from Wan Chai to Causeway Bay, apart from spending 15 minutes to walk there, you can also arrange to take a tram to go there, and on the way, you can enjoy another angle of Hong Kong's street view from the upper deck of the tram.

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Hong Kong tram riding information: Hong Kong tram route map, tram sightseeing itinerary recommended by local Hong Kong people

Hong Kong Tram Hong Kong Traffic — Double-decker trams and double-decker buses are common means of transportation in Hong Kong. (Click to enlarge the picture)

Hong Kong tram route map

Since the routes of the Hong Kong Island Tram are designed to connect the east of Hong Kong Island to the west of Hong Kong Island in a straight line, it is easier to understand than the routes of Hong Kong MTR and buses. You don’t have to worry about taking the wrong route to something you don’t know at all. The place.

It is very easy to recognize the direction of Hong Kong's trams, as there are only two routes, the Eastbound (E direction) and Westbound (W direction), which are clearly marked at the tram stops.

In addition, the trams on these two routes go to the Kennedy Town Station in Sai Wan in the Western District of Hong Kong Island, and the Shau Kei Wan Terminus in Shau Kei Wan in the Eastern District of Hong Kong Island. Even if you forget to get off the tram at all, you can still take the Hong Kong MTR to get back to your destination quickly.

Hong Kong Travel and Transportation Recommendations"Westbound Tram Route Map — Hong Kong Tram Route Map: Station locations of eastbound line (direction E) and westbound line (direction W) (click to enlarge the image)

Hong Kong Tram Route Map: Station locations of eastbound line (direction E) and westbound line (direction W) (click to enlarge the image)

Once you have decided which direction you want to take the Hong Kong tram, you need to choose a tram that can take you to your destination. Especially during peak hours, sometimes you will encounter several trams heading to different terminals entering the tram station at the same time.

For example, if you want to go from Causeway Bay to Central, you must take a tram that runs on the Westbound Line (W direction) and passes through station 70W. If you want to go from Causeway Bay to Lin Heung House in Sheung Wan, you must take a tram that passes through station 80W. If this is your first time to take the Hong Kong Tram, just pay attention to the direction of travel of each tram and the number of each tram stop, and you will be able to reach your destination smoothly.

However, if you also want to know the driving directions of different trams quickly like local Hong Kong people, you can actually useGoogle Map Mobile Appto aid navigation and view this articleHong Kong Tram Ride Guide. In this way, you can clearly know which tram you should take and how to judge which station is the best to get off.

Before taking the Hong Kong tram, you should pay attention to the boarding process of Hong Kong tram, which uses the back door to get on the bus, get off the front door and pay the fare. You can pay the fare with cash or Octopus card. However, Hong Kong trams, like buses, do not provide renewal services or Octopus card value-added services in the carriages, so you must prepare an Octopus card with sufficient balance before taking the bus.

The fastest transportation in Hong Kong: minibus

A minibus operating in Hong Kong is a mode of transportation with a seating capacity of not more than 20 seats that operates exclusively in areas that are not directly accessible by MTR or buses in Hong Kong.

The most common minibus routes, such as Minibus 40M connecting "Causeway Bay - Repulse Bay, Stanley", Minibus 1 connecting "Central - The Peak", and so on. Taking a minibus to these districts is more efficient than taking a bus, and you can arrive at your destination earlier to start your sightseeing.

At present, there are two types of minibuses operating in Hong Kong, namely the "Red Van" with a red roof and the "Green Van" with a green roof.

The major difference between the two types of minibuses is that the Green Van operates on a fixed route and offers fixed fares and service frequency, while the Red Van adjusts its route and frequency according to market demand. Therefore, it has been said that the Green Van in Hong Kong is more like a smaller version of a single-deck bus, while the Red Van is like a multi-passenger taxi.

If it's your first time to take a minibus in Hong Kong, make sure you read the route map of the minibus and find out where you are going to get off the minibus.

The best thing to do is to tell the driver which attraction you want to go to before you leave, so that the driver will know which destination you want to go to and stop the car for you automatically. Otherwise, you will have to yell "Ng goi yau lok" in Cantonese before you reach your destination, and the driver will stop the car for you only if he hears you in time.

Should you plan to take a minibus during your trip to Hong Kong? For you who are traveling to Hong Kong for the first time, we don’t recommend that you take a minibus in Hong Kong.

You need to be very familiar with different minibus routes. Not only do you need to know exactly where you want to get off, but you also need to communicate with the driver in Cantonese, and you need to know the "double yellow line zone" where getting off the minibus is prohibited.

For those of you who mainly travel for sightseeing, it is undoubtedly a challenge that may disrupt your itinerary. However, for travelers who wish to experience Hong Kong culture in depth, taking a minibus and getting off at the designated destination like a normal Hong Konger is one of the best ways to experience authentic Hong Kong culture.

Hong Kong free travel means of transportation - minibus - bus — A common green minibus in Hong Kong. (Click on image to enlarge)

Point-to-point transportation in Hong Kong: Taxi

If you are not used to shouting "Ng goi yau lok" in a minibus, you can also consider taking a taxi instead of a minibus to go to places that are not directly accessible by Hong Kong's MTR and buses.

Hong Kong's cabs are characterized by higher fares, but at the same time offer customized trips.

You can take a cab to any place in Hong Kong, whether it's to the Hong Kong Airport, the Peak, Disneyland, or those attractions located in the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island are equally convenient.

Taxis operating in Hong Kong are generally operated by individuals and are divided into three different colors. Each color of taxi represents a different operating area and has different charges.

Red cabs, for example, operate mainly throughout the urban areas of Hong Kong. Basically, only red cabs are available in the Kowloon Peninsula and on Hong Kong Island. As for green cabs, they only operate in the New Territories, and blue cabs are only available on Lantau Island. If you are only planning to go to some sightseeing spots in the urban area, just remember that "Hong Kong cabs are red cabs" will suffice.

In terms of fares, Hong Kong cabs, like cabs in other cities, charge according to distance, plus tunnel tolls, baggage fees, and so on.

Generally speaking, the fare for short distance journeys such as Central - Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui - Mong Kok is around HK$$60 - HK$$80. For journeys that need to go through the Cross Harbour Tunnel, such as Tsim Sha Tsui - Central, the toll is around HK$$120. For journeys further away, it is not uncommon for the toll to exceed HK$$200.

Of course, if you are going to travel from your hotel to the Hong Kong Airport, Hong Kong Disneyland and some other places far away from the city center, the fare required will be further increased.

One-way cab fare sometimes exceeds HK$$350, which is more suitable for those who don't want to spend too much time on transferring or for those who are traveling with many people at the same time.

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Hong Kong Free Travel Means of Transportation-Taxi-Taxi — Red taxis operating in urban areas of Hong Kong. (Click on image to enlarge)

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Summarize

In Hong Kong, a city that is not very large but very busy, it is not easy to plan a perfect transportation plan for everyone. Mainly because everyone wants to visit different attractions, and everyone wants to have different experiences.

For this reason, we have tried our best to introduce the characteristics of different modes of transportation in this article so that you can choose according to your own needs.Hong Kong itinerary planningTo arrange a most suitable transportation plan.

On the other hand, this website also has some sharing articles about Hong Kong itineraries, attractions, hotels, etc., all of which are placed inHong Kong Travel Information Classification. If you are planning to travel to Hong Kong, I believe you can find more useful information there!

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