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Useful Information

Public Transport Map

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Public Transport Octopus Card (Multi-journey tickets)

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 MTR, Star Ferry, buses, Light Rail, Peak Tram, Tram, Airport Express Line, West Rail, East Rail - Kowloon-Canton Rail (KCR), Ma on Shan rail, 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.

symbol of MTR

Air-conditioned MTR operates from 6:00am to 1:00am, carries more than two million people every day on Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Kwun Tong Line and Tung Chung Line. Ticket is in the form of magnetic cards acquired from an electronic machine with correct coins inserted, price varies according to the distance of the journey.

(2) East Rail - Kowloon-Canton Rail (KCR)

Train takes 30 minutes from East Tsim Sha Tsui Terminal in Kowloon through New Territories to Lo Wu, the border with China, Shen Zhen.

Public Transport map

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

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 or Shau Kei Wan. The sign on the Branch line trams running from west, shows Happy Valley, branch off from Causeway Bay.

(4) Buses

Operate from 6am to midnight, 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.

(5) Star Ferry

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) Central (Hong Kong Island) to Hung Hom (Kowloon), operates from 7:30am to 11:00pm.
b) Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) to Wan Chai (Hong Kong Island), operates from 7:00am to 7:20pm.

Public Transport map

(6) Taxi

Red colour 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 USD0.20 for each additional 200m. An extra USD2.70 is made 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.

From the Editor:-
Information from one of our members, one can pre-book a Taxi either to/from air-port or local pickup:-
Mobile no. 97118450 (Ma Lau)

(7) 16 Seaters Public Light Transport

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, as there is no fixed stop, 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 conveys people to the Terminal near the City Hall (near the Star Ferry Pier).

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).

(10) Islands Ferries

Outlying Islands Ferries run from Central, Pier No. 6 to Mui Wo, Pier No. 5 to Lam-ma Island or Pier No. 5 to Cheung Chau Island etc. For schedules and further information contact Hong Kong & Yau Ma Ti Ferry Company (Tel: 25433081). (see map)

(11) Airport Transport

a) Buses

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".

b) Airport Express Line

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 23 minutes. Fares vary from USD7.00 to USD13.

Free shuttle bus conveys passengers from the major hotels to Hong Kong or Kowloon station at 20 minute intervals. A check-in service is available at both stations. (some airlines allow one day before).

c) Taxi

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 USD5.00 will be added for using Lantau Island Link as well as from USD4.00 for journeys going through one of the three harbor tunnels.

Public Transport map

Famous Roast Goose Restaurant in
Wellington street

Old-style tea-shop in Stanley Street

Security

As in most popular tourist areas around the world, there are many nimble fingered gents (and ladies) 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. If you do need a larger amount of cash, carry it in travelers’ cheques as these can be cancelled and replaced if lost or stolen.

Visa

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.