Hong Kong boasts one of the world’s most efficient public transport systems and it is also highly profitable, operating underground rail service as well as being an active property developer, creating skyscrapers and shopping malls above their stations.
Buses travel throughout the city, serving many major hotels. Fares vary based on distance and can be paid with Octopus cards or cash. Hong Kong transit after your Cathay Pacific flight is easy to deal with if you know the following.
Airport Express
MTR Airport Express trains provide the fastest way from Hong Kong International Airport into Central, taking only 24 minutes. They also serve AsiaWorld-Expo which is nearby – you can purchase tickets either at their station counters or directly at AsiaWorld-Expo itself! Mobile passes allow passengers to bypass lines at train gates.
Make use of free shuttle buses from the airport to reach your hotel from different parts of the city and most major hotels, but be sure to double-check schedule and route before boarding – this option might not suit if traveling with young children, luggage or limited timeframes – taxi services would likely be more suitable.
Airport Express shuttle bus provides convenient transport at affordable rates to major destinations across Hong Kong. Booking this service online is quick and simple. To take advantage of it, show proof of eligibility to Airport Express staff such as your ticket (Single Journey, Same Day Return, Round Trip or Airport Express Travel Pass), airline boarding pass/boarding pass card/airline ticket /boarding pass number; Airport Staff Octopus card or event tickets from AsiaWorld-Expo or similar events before boarding.
If you’re traveling on a tight budget, purchasing an Octopus Card at the airport might be worthwhile. Not only can this card be used on buses and trains throughout the city; you can even use it to pay for meals! There are multiple locations within each airport that sell Octopus Cards – some even provide add-on services like SIMs and Airport Express tickets!
Buses
Hong Kong’s bus system is truly remarkable. You can catch one from nearly any destination on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon and many buses run all day and night on various routes, providing inexpensive yet convenient public transit solutions. Octopus cards – smartcards that work across public transit modes as well as restaurants and convenience stores – allow users to easily pay with Octopus cards when taking public transit rides or making purchases – simply by placing it over their reader on board.
Hong Kong buses are small, air-conditioned double-decker vehicles with seating for 19 passengers. Operated by various companies and limited stops for some express routes. Their bright red and silver livery is decorated with skyscraper outlines on the lower deck as well as “Heartbeat of the City.” Some buses even provide USB ports or free Wi-Fi connectivity.
If you’re traveling long distances, an all-day ticket covering most of the island and Kowloon for only HK$13 offers ample coverage; discounts are also available for students and seniors. Buses offer great transportation alternatives when taking shorter journeys in mountainous New Territories or Lantau Island locations.
Tram lines in Hong Kong have long been regarded as an ancient and traditional means of transportation, stretching for eight miles along an east-west route from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan (with an optional detour to Happy Valley). Trams feature double-decker narrow cars equipped with wooden bench seating that travel at slower than car speeds – they accept Octopus cards but exact change must be paid for any fare purchases on these routes.
Green minibuses follow predetermined routes and charge a fixed fare based on distance; payment must be made upon boarding, with Octopus cards accepted and small bills changed upon boarding. Red minibuses offer more flexible fare systems that vary according to how often passengers stop; these buses often feature electronic buttons installed so passengers can tell drivers when they wish to stop; they’re often known as public light buses.
Trams
An enjoyable tram ride in Hong Kong offers an authentic and economical experience of its rich history and landscapes. There are six routes spanning eight miles east-west corridors (plus Happy Valley loop that detours to its namesake racetrack), connecting Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay with Kowloon and mainland via Kowloon’s Happy Valley loop and the mainland – linking Central with Wan Chai, Causeway Bay Kowloon with Kowloon as well as Kowloon with Kowloon and mainland. Rush hour can become increasingly crowded – but don’t despair – as good views will open up before you!
Tramways were one of the earliest public transportation systems ever created, dating back to 1881. By 1904, 26 single-deck tramcars had begun running along its line – each equipped with 32 first class seats, 48 cross-bench cars for second and third class passengers, two open platforms, fares of 10 cents for first class and five cents for third class.
Hong Kong Tramways has implemented changes that improve tram operations by blending legacy elements with high-tech adaptations, creating an efficient system with extremely low accident rates and traveler safety improvements such as adding a control center and updating their braking system.
Minibuses are another convenient method of travel in Hong Kong. Green minibuses offer fixed rate rides on set routes while red ones run freely with no set schedule; red minibuses should only be taken if you understand Hong Kong’s layout well and can communicate effectively with drivers speaking Cantonese.
Even though metro has numerous advantages over trams for short distance travel, many residents still prefer trams due to a strong emotional attachment. A structured survey found that scenic values, emotional attachment and comfort all played key roles in determining preference; access time and waiting times played less of an effect; older people had stronger preferences for trams than younger people but that preference diminished with distance; nonetheless trams remain second only after metro in terms of preferred forms of transport.
Taxis
Hong Kong boasts over 18,000 taxis that serve more than one million passengers daily, available both on the street and at designated taxi ranks located at major hotels, the airport, and MTR stations. Furthermore, taxi fares tend to be considerably lower in comparison to other cities.
Red taxis are the most commonly found throughout Hong Kong and can cost $27 for the initial two kilometres; thereafter the fare increases by $1.90 every 200 metres or waiting time minute thereafter. Green and blue taxis serve rural New Territories areas while red ones operate on Lantau Island respectively; as some taxi drivers speak limited English, it would be beneficial if your destination were written down in Chinese before getting on board.
Hong Kong taxis typically consist of Toyota XS10 Comfort vehicles, although some still use older Nissan Cedric saloons. Every taxi has an electronic taximeter which records your distance traveled and charges fare according to an onboard scale; most drivers accept cash only; some may accept Octopus cards or PayMe as payment methods.
Drivers are known for adorning their vehicles with decorative items such as nodding cats, anime figurines and disco lights. Popular taxi cabs can seat up to five people comfortably while some even feature DVD players for added entertainment.
Taxi drivers tend to be middle-aged men who primarily rely on driving as their source of income; some of them may even have retired from other professions and seek something rewarding and engaging in order to fill their days – and taxi driving offers both of these elements! As well as making money, a career as a taxi driver provides opportunities for socialising among drivers as well as tourists alike.
Though taxi drivers may seem disapproving at times, taking it personally should never be your approach. Instead, make sure you insist on using the meter and never negotiate off-meter. In order to help navigate Hong Kong more smoothly and make your experience more pleasurable we recommend learning some basic Cantonese phrases before travelling – this will make communication much simpler and make your visit much more pleasurable! Also remember: smiling can go a long way when dealing with taxi drivers!
