Hong Kong’s subway can be an invaluable ally in getting from one location to the next. The MTR runs along tracks that run beneath Victoria Harbor and link Central with Kowloon – among numerous other points – among many others.
Public buses (marked green) run on set routes and can be hailed from the street, with passengers paying by tapping their Octopus card as they board and disembark, or with exact change. Hong Kong transit can be so much better if you know the following.
Airport Transit
Hong Kong’s expansive transportation network will get you downtown quickly, whether by Airport Express train (30 minutes to city center) or bus (30-45 minutes). Once there, take your time exploring this fascinating city where Taoist shrines coexist alongside sky-piercing skyscrapers and dried seafood markets rub shoulders with massive shopping malls.
MTR (Mass Rapid Transit) is an efficient way to get around Hong Kong by public transit. A single ride costs HK$13 ($1.94); however, you could make significant savings with a reloadable “Octopus” card; these can be found at airports, MTR stations and 7-Eleven convenience stores with only a small deposit needed that will be returned upon returning it – these cards also accept public buses, restaurants and shops in the city!
Before boarding, make sure all necessary documents are ready for inspection by an immigration officer, including a valid passport and confirmed onward travel plans. Answer any queries directly and honestly from them as this could make or break your chances of clearance. In some instances, biometric data such as fingerprints or photographs may also be requested as part of this clearance process.
Once through immigration, follow the signs to a specific airline gate and check-in. Be mindful of any liquid or electronics restrictions from your carrier; and if travelling from mainland China-to-Hong Kong with a visa transfer process in mind, contact your airline ahead of time for confirmation of transfer process.
If you want to beat the queues at MTR stations, purchasing tickets on apps such as HKeMobility could be your answer. This all-in-one app from Hong Kong Transport Department gives live real-time information for MTR, buses, minibuses, trams and ferries so that your trip can be planned accordingly. Furthermore, this comprehensive tool lists hotels near airports along with their fastest routes between them; also providing accommodation options near terminals; plus providing free airport shuttle service between MTR station and terminals!
Buses
Hong Kong boasts numerous forms of public transportation, from buses and trains, which transport residents and visitors around the city. Use a route planner app or simply follow signs on streets and stations for directions; Octopus cards offer an easy and flexible payment solution, although cash payments are also accepted; Octopus cards serve all forms of transit as well as convenience stores, restaurants, coffee shops and vending machines in one package – simply place them over their respective readers before boarding vehicles!
The MTR rapid transit system links central Hong Kong with its outlying islands. There are over 150 stations on its lines and they’re easy to use thanks to clear signage and helpful staff members on every train. Tickets can be bought directly through their website or at any station; transfers between different lines don’t incur additional charges (except when changing between Airport Express line and Tsim Sha Tsui East station).
Hong Kong public bus routes can be divided into two distinct categories, green and red. Green minibuses provide set routes at fixed fares while red ones may charge depending on your travel distance. Both options provide convenient, economical ways to navigate Hong Kong; however, their use should only be considered if you know its layout as well as some Cantonese.
Taxis can be found both at the airport and throughout Hong Kong city center, and are metered with all charges displayed inside each cab. Red taxis will take you directly to Kowloon or New Territories while green and blue cabs provide services to outlying islands; extra fees may apply if travelling with luggage or pets. Taxis provide fast transit solutions in the city compared to public transport options.
Taxis
Hong Kong residents make taxi rides an essential part of life; with 18,138 licensed cabs – about one for every 396 residents, making Hong Kong one of the highest taxi densities cities worldwide. Hong Kong taxi rides can also be an entertaining adventure; recent incidents have brought to light outdated industry practices that affect these iconic cabs.
Taxis in Hong Kong can sometimes be hard to hail down. This is especially true between 4:00pm and 5:00pm when drivers change shifts; therefore if you need one during this period it would be best to call ahead or use public transport instead.
Taxis in Hong Kong are tightly regulated, and all taxis must display price lists in both HK$ and USD. Surcharges for baggage and tunnel usage are also listed separately, in both currencies. Many taxis accept Octopus cards as payment as well as credit cards – you can even use an app like SIXT to reserve one ahead of time!
While traveling through Hong Kong, public transport will prove to be an efficient means of exploring its many attractions. Not only is there the MTR, but there is also bus, mini-bus and tram service across its territory – plus the HKeMobility app allows users to plan routes by providing real-time updates about MTR trains, buses, minibuses, trams and ferries!
Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is Hong Kong’s most popular form of public transport, accounting for close to five million trips every weekday. The MTR boasts an incredible 99.9 per cent on-time rate and provides one of the fastest ways to travel between central Hong Kong and its suburbs. Tourists especially find its use convenient; signs, announcements and calls are all in English making HKeMobility useful in finding your closest metro station.
Walking
One of the best ways to experience Hong Kong’s breathtaking landscapes is on foot. The city is filled with scenic walking paths that offer shelter from the sun thanks to trees. Discover different parts of Hong Kong each day via different trails or embark on an all-day hiking excursion; there are even routes designed for families with young children!
Charles Baudelaire popularised the concept of the “city flaneur”, or an aimless wanderer observing urban landscape for aesthetic pleasure or philosophical thought. This form of urban exploration remains extremely popular today in Hong Kong; many locals spend their weekends aimlessly wandering along its streets – especially those living near villages and suburbs on its peripheries where small streets may feature antique stores or boutique fashion houses.
Hong Kong’s bustling streets can feel overwhelming at times, but there are also some peaceful, leafy routes that offer relief. Hollywood Road offers this respite with old police and prison buildings as well as restaurants, bookshops and art galleries offering an eclectic variety of history lessons along the way – take time exploring it on Hollywood Road where Lok Man Books provides intellectual stimulation or Wattis Fine Art imparts knowledge on Hong Kong’s diverse cultural legacy.
Nam Sang Wai Landscape Park provides an idyllic escape from urban Hong Kong, featuring abandoned farms, fish ponds and plenty of wildlife. Explore it by foot or take advantage of one of its cycling paths if you want some exercise while appreciating nature’s sights.
Hong Kong boasts some of the world’s most stunning cycling tracks, with the Tolo bicycle path winding its way around an immense lake in Hong Kong Science Park and providing an entrancing and relaxing cycling journey for both families and solo travellers looking for an alternative experience to more prominent routes. This gentle path makes for an excellent family or solo journey; ideal for quieter adventures away from main cycling routes.
