Top 6 Tips for Traveling Around Hong Kong
Moving around Hong Kong’s regions and islands, while not always relaxed, is typically seamless and cheap. For seemingly every form of transport that exists, (including taxis, ferries, trams, trains, double-decker buses and mini buses) there is a line of people. However, since it is Hong Kong, the queue often moves quickly. To ease the burden of traveling around Hong Kong’s varied regions and islands, six travel tips are provided
1) Use the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) – The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) (i.e. subway) is the lifeblood of Hong Kong’s transportation system moving an average of 2.8 million people (about 36% of the total population) each day! Often, a 3 minute wait in the surgery room clean MTR stations borders on troubling. MTR cards are easily purchased from either automatic or manned tellers and can save time and money.
2) Use Taxis for Short Non-Peak Travel – If an MTR station isn’t near, raise your hand and a red taxi will often fly across lanes of traffic to collect you. Taxi service is relatively inexpensive (15 HKD for the first 1.5 kilometers) which makes it ideal for quick conveyances around Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Even if the taxi driver doesn’t speak English, they usually patch you through to their dispatcher for specific directions.
3) Ride the Star Ferry for Scenic Views – recently relocated to Central Pier this historic icon provides inexpensive (2.2 HKD one-way) rides across Victoria Harbor from Wan Chai or Central to Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon). The views from the ferry, on clear days, are quite memorable.
4) Sightsee on the Island Tram – Tram service exists across the entire length of the north side of Hong Kong Island (from Kennedy Town to Chai Wan). Rides cost only 2 HKD for any distance and sitting on the top deck provides excellent views of the eclectic Hong Kong districts.
5) Use Buses to Save Money – The clean, safe double-decker buses provide regular, but not always frequent, service along most major roads. Schedules are available on road signs near the bus stops and fares are considerably cheaper than the taxis that drive the same roads. Unlike the double-decker buses, privately owned green/yellow mini-buses have no regular stops and are driven by men who have yet to discover the break pedal. They follow regular routes and will stop whenever they see a raised hand.
6) Use the Airport Express for Airport Travel – This modern train provides the most efficient service to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Travel time to Hong Kong Island is 23 minutes and costs 100 HKD
