World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Hong Kong has one of the most efficient and diverse public transport systems in the world, incorporating an underground railway, light urban railways, buses, minibuses, boats, ferries and trams. However, the diversity of operators prevents full integration and it is not possible, for example, to transfer from train to minibus on the same ticket, although the Octopus Card is very widely accepted.

The Mass Transit Railway – MTR (tel: 2881 8888; fax: 2795 9991 website: www.mtrcorp.com) has five underground metro lines including two cross-harbour lines, as well as the Airport Express link. It is more expensive than the ferry but quicker, particularly for those travelling further into Kowloon than Tsim Sha Tsui. The MTR runs daily 0555-2435. The only other railway line is the Kowloon-Canton Railway – KCR (see Getting There By Rail), which has 13 stations within Hong Kong. Fares are metered by the number of stations, with only limited zoning. The cheapest fare (for one to two stations) is KH$4 (concessions available).

Bus routes run throughout the territory, with cross-harbour routes via the tunnel. These, however, are often very crowded. Exact change is required for those passengers not in possession of an Octopus Card. Air-conditioned coaches operate along certain Hong Kong and Kowloon routes. Citybus (tel: 2873 0818; fax: 2857 6179; website: www.citybus.com.hk) and New World First Bus (tel: 2136 8888; fax: 2136 2136; website: www.nwfb.com.hk) are the two licensed operators for bus services on Hong Kong Island. Kowloon Motor Bus (tel: 2745 4466; website: www.kmb.com.hk) operates on Kowloon Side. Buses operate daily from around 0600-2430. A night bus service runs all night. Bus fare is generally around HK$5.

Minibuses operate on fixed routes. These pick up passengers who flag them down like taxis and stop on request (the procedure is for passengers to stand up and yell) except at regular bus stops and other restricted areas. Payment is almost invariably by cash and drivers are not compelled to move without a full load, so they often loiter at traffic lights, waiting to pick up more passengers. Fares vary by distance and are usually incomprehensible to non-locals; most are around HK$5-7 – some minibuses now accept Octopus Card payment. Minibuses run daily from around 0600-2430 and a night service operates on specific routes – between Central in Hong Kong and Mongkok or between eastern Hong Kong Island and Kennedy Town in the west.

Trams are only available on Hong Kong Island. They are frequent and cheap, with a standard fare of HK$2 for the entire journey – temporary visitors are unlikely to encounter the far more advanced supertrams in suburban Kowloon. The Peak Tram, on the Island, is a funicular tramway to the upper terminus on Victoria Peak (see Key Attractions).

The Star Ferry (tel: 2367 7065; fax: 2118 6028; e-mail: sf@starferry.com.hk; website: www.starferry.com.hk) ride across Hong Kong harbour is a tourist ‘must do’, as well as the cheapest way to make the crossing at HK$1.70, or HK$2.20 for the upper deck. Star Ferry terminals are in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. Services operate daily 0630-2330. Other ferry services also connect with the outlying islands of the territory and other destinations.

An MTR Tourist Ticket, valid for a full day of unlimited rides, is available at a cost of HK$50. The price of the pass includes a map and souvenir ticket. A three-day Hong Kong Transport Pass is also available for HK$220 for one Airport Express single journey and three days of unlimited MTR rides, or HK$300 for two Airport Express journeys and three days of MTR rides. Both can be upgraded for an additional HK$20 for use on all buses, trams and other public transport services. The price includes a refundable deposit of HK$50; the value of unused travel can be refunded at the end of usage.

However, for visitors staying for a week or more, it is worth getting the Octopus Card (tel: 2266 2266; website: www.octopuscards.com) – a smart card that automatically deducts the cost of the journey when it is placed on a sensor. The card costs HK$150, which includes a refundable deposit of HK$50. Any other credit remaining is also refunded when the card is handed in. At present, the card may be used on MTR services, as well as on the Kowloon-Canton Railway, major bus routes, some minibuses and some ferries. Plans are underway to extend its use to other routes and means of transport, as Hong Kong’s transport system becomes more and more integrated. It can already be used in convenience stores and branches of Starbucks to pay for goods (acting like a debit card). The MTR Tourist Ticket and Octopus Cards are available for purchase at the ticket kiosk of any MTR station.

Taxis
Taxis are plentiful in Hong Kong and Kowloon and are extremely cheap – most journeys cost less than HK$20. Minimum fare is HK$15 in central Hong Kong (less in the New Territories). There are taxi ranks in busy locations but taxis can be flagged down anywhere on the street. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, green ones serve the New Territories and blue ones Lantau Island. Taxis with a rectangular red plaque on their dashboard are generally cross-harbour taxis. Some journeys incur an extra toll, such as trips through the cross-harbour tunnel (HK$20-HK$50, depending on which tunnel is used). Charges are also sometimes added when carrying luggage. It is common for passengers to round up the fare to the nearest Dollar, although this is not mandatory.

Many drivers speak a little English but visitors would be advised to carry a map or have their destination written in Chinese characters. It is also wise for passengers to ask if the taxi is a Hong Kong or Kowloon taxi when boarding, especially late at night – drivers are happiest sticking to their own side of the water.

Limousines
Intercontinental Hire Cars (tel: 2336 6111) and Oriental Travel Service Ltd (tel: 2865 2618; fax: 2865 2984; website: www.orientaltravel.com.hk/tours/limousine.htm) both provide chauffeur-driven limousine services with prices starting from around HK$280 per hour.

Driving in the City
Driving in Hong Kong is best left to professionals. With one of the best public transport systems in the world and ubiquitous taxis, there is no need for visitors to risk going behind the wheel. Rates on cars are strong deterrents, with a 100% vehicle import tax and petrol tax, as well as hefty insurance and vehicle registration fees. This does, however, make second-hand cars surprisingly cheap, even once the price of shipping one home has been factored in. The Ferraris, Maseratis and other premium vehicles lined up in Central in the evenings, show that cars are expensive toys in Hong Kong.

Major car parks in Central are at the Parking Building, Murray Road, and the Airport Express Terminal, Man Cheung Road. In Causeway Bay, the World Trade Centre, near the Excelsior Hotel is the main parking point, while in Kowloon, parking can be found at the Lippo Sun Plaza, Kowloon Park Drive in Tsim Sha Tsui. Parking prices are approximately HK$22 per hour, with a minimum stay of two hours in many locations.

Car Hire
It is wise for one not to be in charge of a rented vehicle in Hong Kong’s vertiginous streets, as the average HK$5,000 refundable deposit on hire cars testifies. Car hire companies usually require drivers to be over 25 years. A valid driving licence from the country of residence or an International Driving Permit is required, as well as minimum third-party insurance. Hire rates for a standard saloon car start from about HK$1,000 per day. Major operators include Avis (tel: 2890 6988; website: www.avis.com) and Hertz (tel: 2525 1313; website: www.hertz.com).

Bicycle Hire
It might be consoling to know that if one chooses to cycle in central Hong Kong, the traffic will kill one long before the appalling air quality does. In any event, the Hong Kong authorities actually prohibit bicycle riding in Central. Nevertheless, there are places for visitors to enjoy cycling – out on the islands or in the New Territories.

Bicycles are available for hire from Hop Cheong Bicycle Shop (tel: 2896 0816) and Siu Kee Bicycle (tel: 2981 1384) in Cheung Chau. The New Territories offer bicycle hire at Tai Po KCR station, where there are numerous small stalls located directly outside. For a standard bicycle, hire prices average HK$50 a day.