Hong Kong Transportation

Fast and efficient Hong Kong Transportation benefits from the well-developed local transportation system including subway trains (the MTR), buses, ferries, trams, and taxis. It is also covenient for you to travel to Kong Kong through outer transportation by air, by train or by ferry.

How to Get to Hong Kong

There are four major ways for you to get to Hong Kong: by air, by train, by ferry or by long-distance bus. Most international tourists choose plane as their major way of getting to Hong Kong. If you are visiting other cities of China, you can also choose trains and ferries, as well as long-distance buses.

By Air

Hong Kong International Airport (the former one is Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport ) is the world's busiest cargo hub and one of the world's top ten busiest passenger airports. It operates 90 airlines, providing more than 1100 flights a day to about 220 destinations worldwide, including about 50 mainland cities. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) provides an excellent international service, and high-speed trains link HK with many Mainland China cities. 

Hong Kong Flights

Through Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong is now connecting more than  220 destinations worldwide, including about 50 mainland cities. Tourists can fly to Hong Kong by domestic flights and international flights at their convenience.

Hong Kong – Macau Helicopter

Sky Shuttle Service operates Hong Kong – Macau Helicopter flights which provide the most convenient and fast transportation (only 15 minutes) between Hong Kong and Macau. From Macau to Hong Kong, the helicopters are available from 10:00 to 22:30 and from Hong Kong to Macau, the helicopters operate from 10:30 to 22:59.

Hong Kong Airport Transfer

By Train

It's possible to visit Hong Kong from cities in Mainland China by both high speed trains and regular intercity train services. The Beijing–Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong high-speed railway (Hong Kong Section) runs from West Kowloon Railway Station and connects passengers to the national high-speed rail network. Visitors can travel directly between Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and at least 44 other Chinese cities and towns including Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin, and Chengdu. It opened on September 22, 2018. Click here for more detailed information about high-speed rail in Hong Kong.

Intercity Services - Through Trains

The MTR runs regular through-train intercity services between Hong Kong and Guangdong province, Beijing and Shanghai. The through-train terminus is MTR Hung Hom Station located on the Kowloon harbourfront. With the exception of the XRL, passengers have to go through immigration and customs before boarding. There are currently four through train routes:

  • Between Hong Kong and Beijing (Beijing-Kowloon Through Train)
  • Between Hong Kong and Shanghai (Shanghai-Kowloon Through Train)
  • Between Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Guangzhou-Kowloon Through Train)
  • Between Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link) (XRL)

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By Ferry

Ferries are an effective form of transportation between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Besides, they are the only transport to the Outlying Islands, such as Lamma Island, Cheung Chau Island or Peng Chau Island. The four cross-boundary ferry piers in Hong Kong: one near the International Airport, one in Hong Kong (HK) Island, one in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, and one in Tuen Mun, New Territories. Those  ferry piers link Hong Kong to a number of ports in Mainland China by high-speed ferries servicing Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Hong Kong International Airport (off Lantau Island). The Star Ferry is not only a cost effective mode of transportation, but also it is a world-famous sightseeing trip between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

Popular Ferry Routes in Hong Kong

Ports in Hong Kong

By Long - Distance Bus

From Mainland China, visitors can take long -distance buses to travel to Hong Kong from Macao and cities in Mainland China. With the construction of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, traveling between Hong Kong and Macau by long-distance bus only takes around 2 hours generally. There are cross-boundary coach services via the five major road-based land crossings in Hong Kong: Shenzhen Bay Port, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Hong Kong long-distance buses provide services between urban areas of Hong Kong and Zhuhai or Macao to different parts of Hong Kong. The main stopping points in Hong Kong include Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Station, Mong Kok, Prince Edward, Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O. The main destinations in Mainland China via the bridge include Zhongshan, Zhuhai, Jiangmen, Xinhui, Kaiping, Taishan and Yangjiang.

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How to Get Around Hong Kong

Hong Kong has one of the world's safest, most efficient and frequent public transport systems, providing you lots of ways to get around the city. The payment method in the form of the Octopus Card enable you to travel around Hong Kong conveniently whether it’s by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram.

MTR

MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is the most convenient and time-saving way for you to travel around Hong Kong.  It is clean, air-conditioned and have free Wi-Fi all year around, covering all major districts in the territory, including stops at the boundary with Mainland China (Lo Wu Station and Lok Ma Chau Station). At present,the city's MTR network run 10 urban subway lines, including Island, South Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O, Tung Chung, West Rail, East Rail, Ma On Shan, Disneyland Resort, and 1 airport express line. Those lines can take you to various places at Kowloon area, New Territory and Hong Kong Island. The MTR also operates a light rail system 1 light rail system with 12 routes and 1 tourist cable car system Ngong Ping 360. It runs between Yuen Long and Tuen Mun in the New Territories, plus an inter-city train service to Mainland China.

Big Bus

Hong Kong Big Bus Tour helps tourists explore the history, culture and vibrant life of Hong Kong in a more flexible and free way.  There are 4 Hong Kong sightseeing routes have been carefully designed to show you as many of the iconic sights as possible. Visit Hong Kong Island's Man Mo Temple and Lan Kwai Fong on Red Route. Capture the neon excitement of Kowloon's markets and bars on the Blue Route. And don't miss the lush serenity of Repulse Bay on Green Route.  The newly opened Purple Route is specially desinged for your Kong Kong night tour.

Bus & Minibus

It is easy for tourists to take a bus to get around in Hong Kong. Buses in the city cover almost all the regions except some outlying islands, with  air-conditioned and service of voice broadcast in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, moreover, the final destinations are prominently displayed in English and Chinese on the front of each bus. Especially popular are the double-deckers that offer great views of the surrounding city from the top deck. There are 5 major bus service company operate bus routes covering almost all of Kong Kong. 

Minibus

There are many minibuses operating in Hong Kong which are red and green roofed with light yellow bodies.  Mini buses in Hong Kong usually have 16 or 19 seats, and won't stop for a new passenger until someone else gets off and a seat becomes available.  Mini buses in Hong Kong are classified by their roof color and divided into two types:

  • Green minibuses: have fixed routes, schedules and fares, exact change is required if paying by cash and they all accept Octopus cards.
  • Red minibuses: operate along routes that are not always fixed and passengers can get on and off anywhere in different districts in Hong Kong, except the special forbidden area. You pay as you alight when travelling on a red minibus and the driver can usually provide change for small notes.

Ferry

Taking a ferry to visit Hong Kong would be a good idea, as you can enjoy the coastal scenery and piers. If you want to visit the villages and attractions in Outlaying Island, ferries are the best choice. Hong Kong regularly operates ferry routes that connect Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the Outlying Islands. The mostly taken ones are the ferries between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, as well as the Outlying Islands.

Ferries between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon

The Star Ferry is highly recommended, on which you can appreciate the fascinating Victoria Harbor and modern buildings on both banks. Besides, it is a charming vessel that transports passengers between Central as well as Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.  The ferries depart nearly every 6-15 minutes during different period of day from early morning till late night, and the riding usually needs only about 8-9 minutes. There are two routes: Tsim Sha Tsui - Central and Tsim Sha Tsui -Wan Chai.  There are other cross-harbour ferries between different points on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

Ferries between Hong Kong Island and Outlying Islands

Two types of ferries operate along most routes: standard ferries and the slightly more expensive fast ferries. Ferries from the Central Ferry Piers on Hong Kong Island provide services to the main Outlying Islands of Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Lamma Island and Lantau Island, including Discovery Bay. 

Ding Ding Tram

Opened in 1904, the tram line in Hong Kong operates only on the northern side of Hong Kong Island. It is one of the oldest modes of public transport in Hong Kong. The locals call them as the "Ding Ding", because of the constant noisy chiming along the way. There are 6 tram routes, 120 tram stops and tramways run between Kennedy Town in the west and Shau Kei Wan in the east every day from 6:00am till midnight. All routes pass through the city center (Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai or Causeway Bay). Trams run slowly and safely, they are the most economical mode of public transport in Hong Kong. In addition, they perform not only transportation functions, but also have become a popular sightseeing attraction.  So riding on one of these relics will give you a very unique glimpse of every-day Hong Kong street life, as you are travelling literally close to the ground. Neighbourhoods you might pass through on your journey include some of Hong Kong's most colourful, such as Western district, Wan Chai, Happy Valley, Causeway Bay and North Point. No matter how far you travel, each tram ride costs the same flat fare and exact change is required if you are paying by cash. All trams accept Octopus cards. You need to get on the tram at the back and then pay the exact fare at the front when you’re getting off.

Peak Tram

 The Peak Tram or the Victoria Peak Tram opened in 1888 for the exclusive use of the British governor and The Peak’s residents is a trolley which is pulled up the very steep slope by a single steel cable. Today it can be enjoyed by everyone as the steepest funicular railway in the world. It is  the fun way to get to Victoria Peak, one of Hong Kong's top tourist attractions. The Peak is often claimed Hong Kong’s most spectacular destination, but even just getting to it can be almost as spellbinding. The entire ride at an almost vertical angle takes less than 10 minutes and is a visual experience to remember, as skyscrapers glide past at what appear to be impossible angles while the tram makes its ascent.

The Peak Tram operates from 7am to midnight daily, departing at 10 to 15-minute intervals from the lower Peak Tram terminus located on Garden Road in Central. Fare for the Peak Tram is HK28 single, HK40 return for adults, cheaper for children and seniors. Exact change is required if paying by cash and Octopus cards are accepted.

Mid-level Escalator

Built in 1993, the Central – Mid-Levels Escalator system is the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system, connecting Central and Western Districts, with the SoHo and residential districts of the Mid-levels,from Queen's Road to Conduit Road. The Mid-Level Escalator helps pedestrians easily bypass the busy streets and roads below and makes the steep inclines a little more palatable in the city’s humid heat. 

As a traveler, you can take advantage of the system for an incidental tour through the center of the city, with quirky second-story shops on display throughout the journey that beckon you to hop off for a quick detour. You can glance through the glass fronts of barbershops and restaurants along the way while enjoying a one-of-a-kind automated people-watching experience. So even though this is not a "tourist attraction" per se, it does give you a very peculiar insight into every day Hong Kong life, taking you from the shimmering glass and steel towers of Central, through the little alleys, stalls and coffe shops popular with the working masses, spread along the route.

Taxi

With the exception of some very remote areas, Hong Kong, like the rest of the world, taxis are a very convenient and inexpensive way of point-to-point travel throughout the city. And as in other major cities, they can usually be hailed on the street (except in restricted areas) or summoned by phone. Taxi drivers in Hong Kong always use their meter.

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Hong Kong Transportation by Region