Hong Kong Transportation Guide

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

World's Best Airport

Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok Airport) is consistently rated among the world's best airports. Located on Lantau Island, it serves over 70 million passengers annually with flights to more than 220 destinations worldwide, making it one of Asia's premier aviation hubs.

International Connections

The airport offers direct flights to major cities globally including:

Asia: Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok, Manila, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing
Europe: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zurich, Madrid, Rome
North America: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto
Australia/NZ: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland
Middle East: Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi

Airport Facilities

Free WiFi throughout the airport
24-hour restaurants and shops
Lounges (Plaza Premium, airline lounges)
IMAX cinema and entertainment
Airport hotels (Regal Airport Hotel, etc.)

From Airport to City Center

Airport Express (AEL)

Cost: HK$115 (Hong Kong Station), HK$105 (Kowloon Station)
Duration: 24 minutes to Hong Kong Station, 21 minutes to Kowloon
Schedule: 5:50 AM - 12:48 AM (every 10-12 minutes)
Benefits: Fastest, most convenient, free in-town check-in service
Octopus Card: Accepted, or buy single journey ticket

Public Bus (Cityflyer)

Cost: HK$33-48 (depending on destination)
Duration: 40-70 minutes (depending on traffic)
Routes: A11 (North Point), A21 (Hung Hom), A22 (Lam Tin)
Schedule: 24 hours (some routes)
Benefits: Budget-friendly, scenic route, Octopus Card accepted

Taxi

Cost: HK$250-350 to Central/TST (plus tolls HK$40-75)
Duration: 30-45 minutes (depending on traffic and destination)
Types: Red (urban), Green (New Territories only)
Payment: Cash or Octopus (some taxis accept cards)
Note: Tunnel/bridge tolls paid by passenger

Hotel Shuttle & Limousine

Hotel Shuttles: Free from major hotels (pre-book)
Private Car: HK$400-600 (pre-booked)
Advantages: Door-to-door, luggage assistance
Booking: Arrange through hotel concierge or Klook

MTR - Mass Transit Railway

World-Class Metro System

The MTR is Hong Kong's backbone of public transportation - one of the world's most efficient, clean, and reliable metro systems with 99.9% on-time performance. It serves over 5 million passengers daily across 10 lines covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories, and Lantau Island.

Main MTR Lines

Island Line: Kennedy Town ↔ Chai Wan (Hong Kong Island east-west)
Tsuen Wan Line: Central ↔ Tsuen Wan (HK Island to West Kowloon)
Kwun Tong Line: Whampoa ↔ Tiu Keng Leng (East Kowloon)
Tung Chung Line: Hong Kong ↔ Tung Chung (to Airport, Disneyland)
East Rail Line: Admiralty ↔ Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau (to mainland border)
West Rail Line: Hung Hom ↔ Tuen Mun (Northwest NT)

Fares & Octopus Card

Fares: HK$5-26 (distance-based)
Octopus Card: Rechargeable smart card (essential!)
Purchase: MTR stations, 7-Eleven, airport (HK$150 incl. HK$50 deposit)
Benefits: 5-15% discount vs. single tickets, works on buses/ferries/trams

Getting Around Hong Kong

🚋 Tram (Ding-Ding)

Cost: HK$3.00 flat fare (pay when exiting)
Routes: Hong Kong Island only (Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan)
Schedule: 5:30 AM - 12:30 AM daily
Speed: Slow but scenic, upper deck best views
Tips: Iconic experience, board at rear, exit at front

🚢 Star Ferry

Cost: HK$3.40-4.20 (depending on deck and route)
Main Route: Central ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui (10 minutes)
Schedule: 6:30 AM - 11:30 PM daily
Experience: Iconic harbour crossing, stunning skyline views
Tips: Upper deck costs more but worth it for views

🚌 Buses

Cost: HK$4.50-48.00 (distance-based)
Operators: KMB, Citybus, New World First Bus
Payment: Exact change or Octopus Card (no change given)
Tips: Sit on upper deck for views, ring bell before your stop
Routes: Extensive network covering all areas

🚐 Minibus (Public Light Bus)

Green Minibus: Fixed routes/fares (HK$3-30), Octopus accepted
Red Minibus: Flexible routes, cash only, tell driver where to stop
Capacity: 16-19 passengers
Tips: Can be confusing for tourists, ask locals for help

🚕 Taxis

Red Taxi: Urban areas (HK, Kowloon) - flag fall HK$27
Green Taxi: New Territories - flag fall HK$23.50
Blue Taxi: Lantau Island - flag fall HK$22
Payment: Cash or Octopus, some accept cards
Tips: Honest meters, may not speak English, show address in Chinese

🚞 Peak Tram

Cost: HK$62 one-way, HK$88 return (includes Sky Terrace)
Route: Central (Garden Road) to Victoria Peak
Duration: 10 minutes (steep funicular railway)
Schedule: 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM daily
Tips: Stand on right side for best views, buy combo ticket online

Octopus Card - Your Essential Travel Companion

What is Octopus Card?

The Octopus Card is Hong Kong's rechargeable contactless smart card used for public transportation and retail payments. Introduced in 1997, it's now used by over 95% of Hong Kong's population aged 15-65, making it one of the world's most successful smart card systems.

Where to Use Octopus

All Public Transport: MTR, buses, trams, ferries, minibuses, Peak Tram
Convenience Stores: 7-Eleven, Circle K, VanGo
Supermarkets: ParknShop, Wellcome, Taste
Restaurants: McDonald's, Starbucks, Maxim's, cafes
Vending Machines: Drinks, snacks, lockers
Parking Meters: Street parking payments

Card Types & Prices

Adult On-Loan Card: HK$150 (HK$50 deposit + HK$100 stored value)
Tourist Card: HK$39-350 (various packages, no refund but souvenir)
Child/Elder: Discounted fares (HK$70 deposit + value)

Where to Buy

MTR Customer Service Centers
Airport arrivals hall
7-Eleven stores
Circle K convenience stores

How to Use

Tap on sensor when entering/exiting MTR
Tap once on buses, trams, ferries (when boarding)
Beep indicates successful payment
Display shows remaining balance
Reload at Add Value Machines or stores

Refund Process

Return at MTR Customer Service Centers
Get back deposit + remaining balance
HK$11 handling fee if card held less than 3 months
No refund for Tourist Octopus (keep as souvenir)

Other Transportation Options

🚗 Ride-Hailing Apps

Uber: Available but limited and expensive
HKTaxi: Official taxi booking app (recommended)
Payment: Cash, credit card, mobile payments
Cost: Usually more expensive than regular taxis

🚲 Cycling

Bike Sharing: Gobee.bike (when available)
Rentals: HK$50-150 per day
Best Areas: New Territories cycling tracks, Lantau Island
Not Recommended: Busy urban areas (narrow roads, heavy traffic)

🛵 Car Rental

Cost: HK$400-1,200 per day
Not Recommended: Expensive parking, excellent public transport
Requirements: International driving license
Useful for: Day trips to rural New Territories

Travel to Macau & Mainland China

🚢 Ferry to Macau

Operators: TurboJet, Cotai Water Jet
Duration: 55-65 minutes
Cost: HK$171-300 (depends on class and time)
Terminals: Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal (Sheung Wan), China Ferry Terminal (TST)
Schedule: 24 hours (every 15-30 minutes)
Tips: Book in advance during holidays, bring passport

🌉 Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge

Shuttle Bus: HK$58-73 to Macau/Zhuhai
Duration: 40 minutes to Macau, 45 minutes to Zhuhai
Departure: Hong Kong Port (near airport)
Schedule: 24 hours
Note: World's longest sea-crossing bridge (55km)

🚄 High-Speed Rail to Mainland

Station: West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station
To Guangzhou: 47 minutes, HK$260
To Shenzhen: 14-19 minutes, HK$86
To Beijing: 8.5 hours, HK$1,239
To Shanghai: 8 hours, HK$1,159
Tips: Book tickets online, bring passport, immigration at West Kowloon

🚇 MTR to Shenzhen

Route: East Rail Line to Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau
Duration: 50-60 minutes from Central to border
Cost: HK$45-50 (MTR fare only)
Border Crossing: Walk across, clear Hong Kong exit + China entry
Tips: Avoid rush hours, bring passport, China visa required

Essential Transportation Apps

Navigation & Planning Apps

MTR Mobile: Official MTR app - route planning, fares, real-time updates
Citymapper: Best all-in-one navigation for Hong Kong
Google Maps: Excellent in HK, real-time transit info
Moovit: Public transport planner with live arrivals

Taxi & Ride Apps

HKTaxi: Official taxi booking app (government-approved)
Uber: Available but limited coverage
Call4Van: Van/minibus rental service

Ferry & Cross-Border Apps

TurboJet / Cotai Jet: Ferry booking to Macau
MTR High Speed Rail: Book mainland China trains
12306.cn: China Railway official booking

Payment & Card Apps

Octopus App: Check balance, reload card, transaction history
AlipayHK / WeChat Pay HK: Mobile payments for transport and shops
Apple Pay / Google Pay: Works with some transport (limited)

Helpful Features

Real-time arrival information
Route optimization (fastest/cheapest)
Offline maps available
Multi-language support (English/Chinese)
Accessibility options

Essential Transportation Tips

                Pro Tips for Navigating Hong Kong
                Get Octopus Card Immediately: Single most important item for getting around
Stand on Right: Escalator etiquette - stand right, walk left
No Food/Drink on MTR: HK$2,000 fine strictly enforced
Rush Hours: 7:30-9:30 AM and 5:30-7:30 PM - very crowded
Air Conditioning: Bring light jacket for MTR (very cold AC)
Last Train: Around 12:30 AM - 1:00 AM (varies by line)

            

MTR Etiquette

Let passengers exit before boarding
Stand behind yellow line on platforms
Priority seats for elderly, pregnant, disabled
Keep voices down, use headphones
No eating or drinking (strict rule)
No large luggage during rush hour if possible

Taxi Tips

All taxis use meters (honest system)
Red taxis cannot enter green/blue zones
Cross-harbour tunnel tolls: HK$20-75 (passenger pays)
Airport tunnel toll: HK$40-75
Have address in Chinese characters ready
Tipping not required (but appreciated)

Money-Saving Tips

MTR Day Pass: Unlimited travel (HK$65-100 depending on zones)
Avoid taxis during rush hour (expensive + slow)
Walk when possible - Hong Kong is compact
Use trams for scenic east-west travel (cheapest option)
Buy Airport Express online for discount
Octopus Auto Add Value saves time

Getting to Major Areas

🏔️ Victoria Peak

Peak Tram: From Garden Road, Central (10 min, HK$62-88)
Bus 15: From Exchange Square, Central (40 min, HK$9.80)
Taxi: From Central (15 min, HK$80-120)
Minibus 1: From IFC (25 min, HK$10)

🎡 Ocean Park

MTR + Bus: Admiralty Station → 629 bus (direct)
Ocean Park Express: Direct bus from Admiralty (HK$10.60)
Duration: 20-25 minutes from Admiralty
Operating Hours: From 9:00 AM

🏰 Hong Kong Disneyland

MTR Disneyland Resort Line: From Sunny Bay Station
Duration: 40 minutes from Central
Cost: HK$25-30 from Central
Themed Train: Disney-decorated trains and station

🗿 Ngong Ping (Big Buddha)

Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car: From Tung Chung (25 min, HK$235 return)
MTR: Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung Station
Bus 23: From Tung Chung to Ngong Ping (HK$17.20, slower)
Total from Central: About 1 hour