Hong Kong Public Transport

Hong Kong buses

The cheapest transport in Hong Kong is a bus. The network of bus routes is extensive. Covering most all areas of Hong Kong, except the remote islands. It is the main public transport. For trips to the south side of Hong Kong Island. Where Osean Park, Repulse Bay and Stanley Market located. (MTR runs on the north side of the island). There are two types of buses running on city routes:

• 2-floor buses. Both floors equipped with seating. Luggage must left on the 1st floor on special shelves. If you worried about the safety of your luggage. You can watch it on the TV screen on the 2nd floor. Standing travel only allowed on the 1st floor.
• Minibuses. A minibus for up to 19 people. Green – regular flights, red – irregular. Standing travel prohibited. If there is no seating available the bus follows non-stop. And stops on demand.

On the windshield of the buses there is a light board with the route number. The starting and ending stops. And often specifying information indicated in brackets. The name of the place, residential area or any sight, past which he passes or stops.

Route numbers are alpha numeric. Three-digit routes are more expensive. N – means night route. MTR buses run from some metro stations to residential areas.

The fare depends on the distance. The carrier company, the comfort of the bus. (air-conditioned is more expensive by a third). On average, it is 3-5 HK $ within one district of the city. If you need to move from one area of ​​the city to another. Bypassing bridges and tunnels, the cost can rise to 10-15 HK $.

Fare payment methods:

• Octopus card (applied to the reader at the entrance).
• Cash from the driver. Change not handed over, so you need to have small cash. Money put in the cashier at the entrance to the bus.

In red minibuses, fare is paid in cash only.

Disembarkation from the bus made through the central door. If the bus has only one door, keep to the left. At small stops, buses stop only at the request of the passenger. This means that at stops you need to raise your hand, as when stopping a taxi. And to get off the bus, you need to press a special button in advance.

At the stops there are rotating information. Stands with bus timetables and fares. For convenience. There are yellow markings with bus numbers on the pavement surfaces of the stops. As a rule, stops equipped with canopies and benches. In large residential areas and shopping malls, stops are underground.

It is convenient to use the route planner Hkemobility.gov to get around the city. Your task is only to enter the starting and ending points of the route.

Hong Kong Metro

MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is the most popular public transport in Hong Kong. It connects Hong Kong Island. Kowloon Peninsula. New Territories. And Lantau Island. MTR has 10 lines with more than 80 stations. The MTR sign is a red circle with a white Chinese character.

Hong Kong’s metro schedule is as follows: trains run every 2-4 minutes from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. The trains are modern and quiet, the stations are light and clean. Adapted for people with limited needs. Every station has a toilet. It is forbidden to eat and drink in the subway. The platforms separated from the train by a glass wall with sliding doors. Doors open after the train stops.

The fare starts at 3.20 HK$ and depends on the length of the route. For example: Mong Kok – Causeway Bay is $14.5 for an adult and 6.5 HK$ for a child, with an Octopus card of $12.7 for an adult and $6.3 for a child.

For information on MTR, MTR and Aeroexpress fares, visit Mtr.com.hk.

Fare payment methods:

• Payment by Octopus card. When entering the metro, put the card to the reader. The balance on the card displayed. When leaving, attach the card again to pay for the fare.
• Buy a single ride ticket from the MTR machine at the metro station. The machine accepts both cash and bank cards. When you buy a ticket, a subway map appears on the screen. And you just need to touch the destination station. The ticket entitles you to one trip on the day of purchase. The cost depends on the distance of the trip. There are two types of single-trip tickets – adult and concession. Discount tickets are available. For children aged 3-11 and seniors aged 65 and over.
• Buy a Tourist Day Pass. This ticket type designed exactly for tourists and entitles. One day of unlimited travel on MTR trains. Light Rail and MTR Bus (excluding Airport Express. East Class Line First Class and travel to / from Lo Wu or Lok Ma station Chow). The cost of such a ticket is 65 HK $ (for adults) and 30 HK $ (for children). Tickets can purchase. From Airport Express Customer Service Centers and MTR Stations. (except Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Racecourses and High Speed ​​Train Service Centers). Or online through the MTR website. The ticket is valid for 1 month from the date of issue. But it can only used for one day.
• The AETP (Airport Express Travel Pass) designed specially for tourists. Entitles you to 1 or 2 Aeroexpress rides. And any 3 consecutive days of unlimited travel. On the metro and light rail. The ticket is valid 72 hours after the first use. After these 3 days, it can top up and used as a regular Octopus Card. For travel by any type of transport.

Hong Kong tram

The tram is the cheapest and oldest form of transport in Hong Kong. Operating since 1904. The rolling stock of Hong Kong trams represented by 2-storey carriages. Made in the style of the 30s of the last century. They are a local attraction. There are no numbers on the trams. Only a sign with the name of the destination. Locals call it “ding-ding”. Because of the sound that the tram uses to notify of its approach.

There are only 7 routes and all of them go through the city center. (Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and the Causeway Bay shopping area). You can not only get to the place you need. But also take a sightseeing tour of the city. The speed of the tram allows it – about 40 km / h. There is no air conditioning in the tram, but the windows are open.

The longest route runs along the north coast of Hong Kong Island. From Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan in the east and lasts 80 minutes.

Fare payment methods:

1. Octopus card.
2. Cash (prepare the exact amount).

Funicular in Hong Kong

1- The first cable car. With the help of a cable car. You can see Hong Kong from its highest point – Victoria Peak. Locals call it “Peak.” It is worth climbing the Peak twice. In the daytime and in the evening. You will enjoy what you saw. In Hong Kong more than 250 skyscrapers from 150 m high! The Peak tram is one of Hong Kong’s main attractions. Funicular lifts tourists to Victoria Peak for 7 minutes. The movement interval is 10 to 15 minutes.

One-way/round trip cost: 37 HK $ / 52 HK $ for an adult. For children aged 3 to 11 and pensioners over 65 – 14 HK $ / 23 HK $

Payment methods:

• Map of Octopus
• Buy a ticket in cash, you need to prepare the exact amount.
• You can buy a ticket in advance on the official website of the Thepeak.com.hk

2- The second funicular is the 360 Ngong Ping cable car. It takes tourists to the Buddha Statue. Travel time 25 minutes Long 5.7 km. Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekends.

Details are available on the English version. Of the cable car site 360 Ngong, Np360.com.hk.

One-way/round-trip ticket price:

• Standard cabin – 160/235 HK $ (adults) and 75/110 HK $ (children 2 to 11 years old)
• The transparent-bottomed cabin is 215/315 HK $ (adult) and 135/190 HK $ (children 2 to 11 years old).

Hong Kong Water Transport

For locals. Ferries are the fastest way to travel between the island and the mainland. It the only mode of transport to the remote islands of Lamma Island. Cheung Chau Island. Or Peng Chau Island.
For tourists. Ferries are a great time to see Hong Kong from the Bay. Move from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon Peninsula. And stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.
The Star Ferry runs on this popular destination. There are two routes:

Tsim Sha Tsui – Central
Opening hours: 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Traffic interval: 6-12 minutes.
Cost of the trip: for adults 2.2 (2.7) HK $ (Mon.-spot) and 3.1 HK $(Sat., S., Sundays); for children 3 to 12 years old, 1.5 to 6 HK $(Mon.-spot) and 2.1 to HK $(Sat., S., etc.)

Tsim Sha Tsui – Wan Chai
Opening hours: 7:20 a.m. to 10:50 p.m. Traffic interval: 8-20 minutes.
Travel cost: adults $2.7 (Monday to Friday) and 3.7 HK $ (Saturday, Sunday and holidays); for children aged 3 to 12, HK$1.6 (Monday to Friday) and 2.2 HK $ (Saturday, Sunday and holidays).

Hong Kong Taxi

Hong Kong has three types of taxis and three types of fares:

• Red taxis – for trips around the city (Hong Kong Island and Kowloon). The fare starts at 24 HK$ and covers the first two kilometers. After that, every 200 m or every 1 min. waiting will cost 1.7 HK$. Once the amount exceeds HK$83.5, the tariff is reduced to HK$1.2 per 200 m or 1 min.
• Green Taxi – Serves the New Territories. The fare starts at 20.5 HK$ and covers the first two kilometers. After that, every 200 m or every 1 min. waiting will cost 1.5 HK$. Once the amount exceeds 65.5 HK$, the tariff is reduced to 1.2 HK$ per 200 m or 1 min. expectation.
• Blue Taxi – serves the island of Lantau. The fare starts at 19 HK$ and covers the first two kilometers. After that, every 200 m or every 1 min. waiting will cost 1.5 HK$. Once the amount exceeds 154 HK$, the tariff is reduced to HK$1.4 per 200 m or 1 min.

For all types of taxis, the fare for one piece of luggage is 6 HK$.

Where to buy public transport tickets in Hong Kong

At every stop of public transport and metro stations. There is information about the fare for passing routes. The fare depends on the distance. The carrier company and the comfort of the transport.

There are three ways to pay for your trip:

• One-way ticket. Purchased at any Passenger Service Center. (MTR Customer Service Centers at Metro Station. Airport Express Passenger Service Center. Light Rail, KMB or Airport Ground Transport Center). Ticket office or ticket machine;
• Payment in cash from the bus or tram driver. The exact amount required, since change not issued.
• Payment by Octopus Card.

A system of double turnstiles operates in the metro, trains and Aeroexpress. You put your Octopus Card. Or repurchased ticket to the reader at the turnstile. At the entrance and exit. Therefore, the ticket must kept until the end of the trip.

On buses and ferries. The Octopus Card. Or repurchased ticket must be attached to the card reader at the entrance. And in trams at the exit.

Octopus Card

Octopus Card : If you are in Hong Kong for more than one day. The first thing to do is buy the Octopus Card. At the airport. At the Customer Service Airport Express counters in the Arrivals Hall. Or at the MTR counter. This is a plastic card that can used. To pay for travel on all types of transport. Including a taxi (if it has a special reader). And even pay for small purchases in some stores. (7-Eleven or Circle K). Pharmacies, museums, cinemas, fast food, parking lots, etc. There are frequent promotions and Octopus Card holders can get. A 50% discount on their return trip during the same day.

An adult card costs HK $150 (HK $100 is the amount you can spend and an HK$50 deposit). When you return the card, you will refund the unused balance. And the deposit minus 9 HK $. Card for children from 3 to 11 years old and people over 65 years old – 70 HK $. (of which 50 HK $ is a deposit). The card can topped up at points of sale. (MTR, Airport Express. Light Rail, KMB Customer Service Centers or the Airport Ground Transport Center). At a special machine or at any 7-Eleven store.