Getting Around Hong Kong

There are various transport methods when inside the country. Buses, taxis and trams are all available at arm’s length. Most of the services here are provided in Cantonese though but English can be used as most of the operators understand and are able to converse.

While taxis and buses take cash as mode of transaction, certain taxis do accept credit cards. One could however purchase a special card called Airport Express Tourist Octopus 3-Day Hong Kong Transport Pass where one can purchase to obtain an Octopus Card. This is effective for use on the Airport Express and the MTR, Hong Kong’s own Underground transit trains. The cost of this card is HKD220 for 3 days unlimited travels on the MTR and one way for the Airport Express and HKD300 for return on the Airport Express and 3 days unlimited travels on the MTR. As most of Hong Kong is connected via the MTR including Lantau Island and New Territories, the pass provides hassle free and convenient travelling of 3 days. A HKD50 deposit will be returned upon giving back the card.

The contactless smart card also is available for purchase at convenience stores or most shops around the city. It is used all over the country where one can store value and purchases can be made through touch and go concept in various checkpoints including fast food chains and convenient stores. Some vending machines do take these payment as well.

One should take note that the Octopus card provides lesser travelling costs as compared to pay by demand purchases. To say the least, the card is one of the most convenient systems to be used by any country in around the world.

The encouragement provided for using the card includes a one-negative payment . With a maximum value of storing HKD1000 the stored value provides the ‘overdraft’ service of up to HKD35 before it needed to be topped up again.

Various checkpoints are available in MTR stations and in around convenient stores to check the value in the card. There are also various ways to reload the card’s value when needed. There are the Add Value Machines where one can find them mostly in MTR stations, the customer service counters in the stations also provide these services and stores where the card is accepted.

The MTR, otherwise known as the Mass Transit Railway is Hong Kong’s own version of the London Underground. Consisting of five different routes, the busiest line would be the red line or more familiarly known as the Tsuen Wan Line, channeling from Central to Kowloon towards Nathan Road and into Tsuen Wan (New Territories).The Island or the Blue Line runs towards the north of the island. The Orange Line, also known as the Tung Chung Line goes to Lantau.

The other railway is the KCR, otherwise known as the Kowloon-Canton Railway which connects Canton (Guangdong, China) to Kowloon. The East and West Rail connects their commuters respectively.

Another trademark one can find in Hong Kong is their Trams. Under the management of Hong Kong Tramways, the double decked trams go around the north coast of Hong Kong Island, these are one of the best way to see Hong Kong relaxingly as they are slower and less stressful as compared to the MTR. Each trip on the trams cost HKD2.

Connecting Central to Victoria Peak is the Peak Tram, which carries passengers to the top of the renowned Victoria Peak at a HKD22 one way and HKD33 return fare.

There are basically three types of buses in Hong Kong. The Double Decker buses (very much like the British ones) goes around most of the districts. Owned particularly by the Kowloon Motor Bus, Citybus, New Lantao Bus and the New World First Bus companies, the stop and go buses offers a variety of routes one can take.

The trademark mini buses which are generally vans are divided into two types, the red and the green minibuses. Unlike the double deckers, the maxicabs do not accept Octopus Cards. Mostly cash transactions, these are services which are provided via verbal calls to stop when desired. Carrying a maximum of 16 passenger at any one time, the prices are displayed in the vans. The KCR (Kowloon Canton Railway) provides its feeder buses when they use the Octopus Cards.

Hong Kong is connected via the sea. Its various islands can be located via ferries, services like Star Ferry is the most traditional and one of its well known transport modes in Hong Kong. To get to the nearby islands, one could engage ferry services costing not more than HKD2.20.

Taxi fares in Hong Kong are pretty much standardized. Therefore one can rest assure not to be cheated in cases like these. However one have to take note that fares normally don’t take into account luggage, toll, pets fees. Starting at HKD15, Hong Kong Taxis are well known to be one of the cheapest in the world.

For the more adventurous, one can rent a car, which is highly discouraged due to its traffic congestion and the likelihood of getting lost. Although signages in Hong Kong are generally in English Language, and Hong Kong imposes the British Road system (where one drives on the right side).