MTR Map Top

MTR Map Top

Light Rail system is operated in the North-western part of New Terrorities, runs from Tuen Mun ferry pier and Yuen Long, with total of 68 stops.

via four Light Rail interchanges:

A special stored-value smart card, known as an Octopus card, can be purchased and value topped up in any station or Seven eleven (a deposit is required initially which is refunded when card is surrendered).

An Octopus card allows you to travel on all MTR, Star Ferry, buses, Light Rail, Peak Tram, Tram, mini buses, ferries to some islands etc. It also can be used in some shops such as Seven Eleven, Maxim Cake shop etc. The balance shows on the screen at destination exit gate.

NOTE: No refund on the surplus value in the OCTOPUS Card, why not keep it until you visit Hong Kong next.

Air-conditioned MTR operates from 6:00am to 1:00am, carries more than two million people every day on all lines. Ticket is in the form of magnetic cards acquired from ticket office or via electronic machine with correct coins inserted, price varies according to the distance of the journey.

symbol of MTR

Train takes 30 minutes from Hung Hom Terminal in Kowloon through New Territories to Lo Wu, the border with China, Shen Zhen.

Double-decker trams have run along the fixed track in Hong Kong Island since 1904. 

The track is 16 km in length, from Kennedy Town in the west, through Sheung Wan (Central), Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, North Point, Quarry Bay and end in Shau Kei Wan in the east, with branch line to Happy Valley. 

The destination sign is located in front or rear of the tram, when the tram goes toward west; the sign shows Kennedy Town, Whitty Street or Central Market, for the eastern tram, it shows Causeway Bay, North Point, Sai Wan Ho or Shau Kei Wan. The sign on the Branch line trams running from west or East, shows Happy Valley, branch off from Causeway Bay.

The flat rate fare is about USD0.30 for any distance, pay on exit; entrance is at the rear, and the upper deck definitely offers a better view.

This is one of the best ways to observe and absorb the local life-style with the tram slowly rattling along the track.

Operate from 6am to midnight, and some special routes overnight, offer a clean, convenient, comfortable and cheap form of air-conditioned travel, covering all parts of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories. Be sure to ask the bus driver for your required destination before boarding. Buses also run to selected destinations in China.

For over a century, Star Ferry has conveyed passengers across Victoria Harbor in eight minutes between Central (Hong Kong Island) and Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon). Upper deck cost about USD0.40 for one way. Operates from 6:30am to 11:30pm.

Other Routes:

a) Wan Chai (Hong Kong Island) to Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon).

Red color taxis operate on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, green in the New Territories and the blue on Lantau Island. 

Metered taxi can carry four to five people, a basic fare to start for the first two km., followed by USD0.22 for each additional 1/5 km. An extra amount will be added for journey through one of the three harbor tunnels.

It is often difficult to get a taxi during rush hours, public holidays, rainy days, Sundays and even around 4:00pm each day (when the day and night shift taxi drivers change shifts).

NOTE: Taxis are not permitted to pick up or put down passengers in special zones in many main roads.

This is an alternate mode of transport running on many routes in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Fares and the final destinations are both shown at the front; shout out "lok chair" (get off) before your destination, pay as you get on or off either by offering the correct change or by an Octopus card.

It is better for you to know or be familiar with the system as well as the area first before you use this mode of transport. It is quite an experience!

This has been in operation since 1888. It runs daily from 7am to 12 midnight starting from Garden Road via five stations to Victoria Peak with total length of 552m. 

A shuttle bus No.15C, conveys people to the Garden Road Terminal from the Star Ferry Pier (Hong Kong).

Operates in north-western part of New Territories, runs between Tuen Mun ferry pier and Yuen Long, through rapidly growing new towns, covers about 36.16 kilometres route length with a total of 68 stops. (Dec. 2003)

FYI:- One must validate Octopus card at Entrance Processor (Red-color), validate again at the arrival stop's Exit Processor (Green-color).

Entrance Processor

Exit Processor

MTR Map Top

Outlying Islands Ferries run from Central, Pier No. 6 to Mui Wo, Pier No. 4 to Lam-ma Island, Pier No. 5 to Cheung Chau Island etc.

For schedules and further information:

Visit: hkkf.com.hk or nwff.com.hk (see map)

Three service providers, "City Bus" , "Long Win" and "DB Transit", cover most areas with routes; "A", "E", "N", "S" and "DB", frequent service operates 24 hours, fares from USD2.30 to USD7.00 one way. Ticket and the route information can be obtained at the Arrival Hall for the City Bus counter or use the "OCTOPUS Card".

This is a dedicated airport high speed rail line, operating at 10 minute intervals from 5:50am to 1:15am from Hong Kong Station (Central) via two interchanges; Kowloon Station and Tsing Yi Station; total journey is about 24 minutes. Fares from USD8.

A check-in service is available at Hong Kong or Kowloon stations.

Taxi stands are located at the North side of the Ground Transportation Center.

Red taxis for the urban areas such as Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

Green taxis for New Territories.

Blue taxis for Lantau Island.

NOTE: Extra amount will be added for using Lantau Island Link as well as for journeys going through one of the three harbor tunnels.

Shopping

Hong Kong as a whole is just like a gigantic shopping mall under one roof, you could find different interesting products at every corner of the streets; boutiques, brand-name products, street stalls selling different varieties of knick-knacks, factory outlets, jewellery shops, arts & crafts, the latest gadgets, electronic goods, 48 hours tailoring etc etc etc.

If you prefer to do your shopping indoors, as opposed to making your purchases in the outdoor markets, there are many large shopping malls in the Central area of the Island and in Kowloon. These tend to be the more up-market or tourist shops and therefore the more expensive. However, to find an abundance of shops at more reasonable prices, take the Island line for a short ride to 10.Tai Koo (Island Line). On exiting you will find yourself in one of several large adjoining shopping plazas (one of which has an open ice skating rink) where the locals go to shop.

Take the MTR (Island Line) back to 5.Causeway Bay and exit into Times Square (one of the busier areas of Hong Kong) where there is a multitude of hotels, shops (including a branch of the famous Lane Crawford), plazas, restaurants and other places of interest.

The temptation of "come and get me" is so powerful that it is difficult to resist not saying "good buy" and "good-bye" to our money.

MTR Map Top

Food-lover's paradise is the renowned name for Hong Kong as the international cuisine center; you could definitely dine on a different cuisine three times a day, seven days a week and continue for years without repeating.

Variety of authentic mouth-watering cuisine in different styles such as Cantonese, dim-sum, Shang Hai, Sze Chuan, Chiu Chau, Peking, Malaysian, Singaporean, Indonesian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Vegetarian, Thai, Korean, Indian, Kosher etc, are all located within easy reach; this is without mentioning the entire western gourmet cuisine that is also served; French bistros, English pubs, America bars, German beer kellers to Australian pubs are also well established in this part of the world.

Old-style tea-shop in Stanley Street

Famous Roast Goose Restaurant in
Wellington street

Prices vary from USD10.00 for a bed in hostel dormitory to USD1,000 for a room at a five star hotel; most of the budget accommodation is based in Kowloon.

You could reserve your hotel room at the airport especially if arriving late at night to take advantage of a good deal instead of going directly to a hotel.

As in most popular tourist areas around the world, there are many nimble fingered gents (ladies and even children) who will be only too pleased to relieve you of your handbag or wallet. The best advice is to keep your valuables in a place not easily accessed by a pickpockets, try not carry more money than you need for small purchases, snacks and travel. Practically all outlets accept major credit cards which, if stolen, can be cancelled and replaced.

Visa is not required for most countries, except if you want to travel on to China. (see our Business section).

For visiting Macau, visa will be granted upon arrival.