Hong Kong Transportation - Octopus Card

Octopus Card
If you are going to explore Hong Kong on your own, this is your first thing to do – buy an Octopus card.

Upon your landing at the Hong Kong International Airport, you can buy an Octopus card from the Airport Express customer service counter. If you are in town already, you can buy one from any MTR station customer service centres.

This is an extremely convenient tool for you to get on any public transportation in Hong Kong without worrying about coins and changes.

The Octopus Card is a stored valued card which requires a HK$50 refundable deposit plus a basic ticket value of HK$100, your initial investment is HK$150. However the value shown on the card wouldn’t include the deposit. You are allowed a maximum of HK$35 overdraw. You can add value to the card of not exceeding HK$900 at a time.

Hong Kong transportations that accept Octopus payment are:
Airport Express, MTR, Light Rail, Star Ferry and other ferries, Tram, Peak Tram, green van and limited number of taxis.

The beauty of the Octopus Card does not only limit to Hong Kong transportation. Actually a lot of retail shops accept Octopus payment, such as MacDonald’s, 7-Eleven and many others.

You can purchase an Octopus Card at any of these locations:
• Airport Express Customer Service Centres
• MTR Customer Service Centres
• Light Rail Customer Service Centres

• Add value points - All outlets of 7-Eleven and Circle K Convenience Stores

Hong Kong Travel - Transportation

Hong Kong Transportation - MTR & Airport Express

Hong Kong MTR and Airport Express

Whenever time is of essence, I take MTR. It has proved to be a safe, reliable and efficient public Hong Kong transportation. Its air-conditioned cabin does not allow eating and drinking. This makes your journey to be extra comfortable.

Minimum fare is HK$4 (US$0.5). Within major urban area is just HK$11 (US$1.4). MTR offers around 10% discount to Octopus users. MTR is extremely convenient to take you to everywhere in Hong Kong.

MTR Route Map & Fare Table
The whole of Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories and Lantau Island are connected by a very well developed railway system which consists of MTR, KCR, Light Rail, Airport Express, Disney Line and Shatin racecourse. Find out the interchange stations on the map, and you are able to go to almost anywhere in Hong Kong.

Click the small MTR route map to gain access to a full-scale full-colour route map with interchange station info. Here are the major MTR routes:

Hong Kong Line – between Chai Wan (east) and Sheung Wan (west)

Tsuen Wan Line – between Central (HK) and Tsuen Wan (New Territories)

Kwun Tong Line – between Yau Ma Tei (Kowloon) and Kwun Tong (Kowloon)

Tung Chung Line – between Central and Tung Chung (Lantau Island)

Disney Line – change at Sunny Bay along Tung Chung Route

Hong Kong Airport Express
Airport Express is a high speed rail operated by MTR. It takes you from Airport to Central in just 23 minutes at a toll of HK$100 (US$12.8). Airport Express provides free porter service, free shuttle bus and free MTR connections. Airport Express is luxurious, comfortable, fast and reliable.

MTR Interchange Station: Central, Kowloon, Tsing Yi

Special Note:

As soon as the Airport Express leaves Lantau Island, it will run through the state-of-the-art Tsing Ma Bridge (which is the logo of my blog) and continues its way into the city. As you might know that the Hong Kong International Airport was built from 0 on the land of Lantau Island. The Tsing Ma Bridge is an important part of the airport transportation network, and has now become a landmark of Hong Kong.

Airport Express Tickets Online
Though it is extremely easy to buy an Airport Express ticket or Octopus card at the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport, you can choose to buy tickets on line.


Hong Kong Travel - Transportation

Hong Kong Transportation - Star Ferry

Hong Kong Star Ferry
is one of the most important Hong Kong transportations for locals and visitors. It takes passengers from Central or Wanchai to Tsimshatsui. Its upper deck costs only HK$2.2 (US$0.28).

Star Ferry is cheap, but it is great. The five-minute ride between Central and Tsimshatsui is the best way to view the Hong Kong skyline and the world-famous Victoria Harbour. The view on board is extremely stunning especially at night. Locals like me always make excuses to ride on Star Ferry, only for the view.

Star Ferry Locations
Star Ferry is a famous place in Hong Kong. Hence taxi drivers all know. But please specify which Star Ferry you are going to (e.g. Wanchai, or Central), as there are two piers on Hong Kong side and two on Kowloon side.

Hong Kong side

Wanchai – Access by footbridge from Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Central – Harbour front outside the Two International Financial Centre

Kowloon side
Tsimshatsui – next to Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Hung Hom – residential area

Route Map and Fare Table

Recommended Route
The route connecting Central and Tsimshashui is highly recommended. Not only it is cheap, it also offers the best views of Hong Kong and the Victoria Harbour. Also Central and Tsimshatsui are both connected to major tourist spots in Hong Kong. Have fun. Mark this is a ‘must’ for your Hong Kong travel.

Star Ferry Fare
Central/Tsimshatsui - Adult: HK$2.2 (upper deck) / HK$1.7 (lower deck)
If you want to stay close to water and enjoy the harbour breeze, please go on the lower deck. However you would have to put up with a bit of noise, as the engine room is there.

Operating Hours
06:30 – 23:30 – every 6 to 10 minutes


Hong Kong Travel - Transportation

Hong Kong Transportation - Peak Tram

Hong Kong Peak Tram
The Peak Tram is one of the earliest public transportations in Hong Kong. It is a funicular railway and is the shortest yet most scenic route to the Peak of Hong Kong. The whole journey takes seven minutes with four stops.

Peak Tram is not only a vehicle, it is a unique experience of your Hong Kong travel.

It takes you up an incline as steep as one in two, almost perpendicular at some points. Buildings look like they are leaning at a 45-degree angle. They just look like a jungle of buildings with extreme density. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience.

Hong Kong Peak Tram Fare
Single journey: HK25 (c.US$3.2)
Return journey: HK$36 (c.US$4.6)
Children (3-11) / Senior (65 or above): HK$9 for single / HK$16 for return

Operating Hours
07:00 – midnight – every 10 to 15 minutes

Peak Tram Connection Bus 15C
Peak Tram town station is located at Garden Road in Central. It is just a minute’s walk from the Bank of China Tower or the Cheung Kong Center.

It is connected to Central Pier 7 (next to Star Ferry) by open-top bus number 15C.

If you want to go to the Victoria Peak, this is a great way to experience Hong Kong.

Open top bus 15C: HK$4.2 (Air-Conditioned or Open Top)

Hong Kong Travel - Transportation

Hong Kong Transportation - Tram

Hong Kong tram is one of the most historical local transportation. It’s been running on the northern coast of Hong Kong island since 1904 - From Shaukeiwan in the east to Kennedy Town in the west These east-west bound double-deckers run on rail have a fleet of 163 plus two antique trams.

Tram Tour
Trams run at a relatively slow pace through major residential areas and major commercial / shopping areas of Central and Causeway Bay.


Hong Kong trams are sometimes crowded, especially during peak hours, Sunday and holidays. They are not air-conditioned, you might feel uneasy during summer time. However their speed is slow, therefore they are good for sight seeing.

I would suggest a trip from Central to Causeway Bay where you can see the busiest and the most interesting part of the Hong Kong city. From Central, hop on any east-bound route, or vise versa from Causeway Bay. In either cases, avoid the Happy Valley route, or you won’t be able to see the best city views of Hong Kong.


Tram Stops / Route Map
You will notice that tram stops are sometimes very close to each other. Therefore if you are in a rush, this might not be the best choice of transportation. Some of the major tram stops have covers (see photo) while some others don’t. There are route maps at each of the stops indicating where you are and what the next and previous stops are. However some of them are not quite noticeable, you need to find them.


Download Hong Kong Tram Route Map

Hong Kong Tram Fare
Adult: HK$2 (c.US$0.26)
Child & Senior : HK$1 (c.US$0.13)

This is probably one of the cheapest means of transportation in the world.

You have to pay exact fare – drivers are not responsible for changes. You can pay by your Octopus card.

Operating Hours
06:00 – 24:00

Environmental Friendly
I am the green representative at the company I work for. I go to work everyday on tram and walk home after work. Hong Kong tram is one of the most environmental transportations that I recommend.

Hong Kong Travel - transportation

Hong Kong Transportation - Taxi

Hong Kong Taxi

In Hong Kong, taxi is the most convenient point-to-point transportation. However due to the small area of land and high density of vehicles, there are lots of restricted areas where taxis cannot stop in certain hours of a day.

Taxi passengers are required by law to wear their seat belts.

Hong Kong Taxi Fare
First 2 Kilometers: HK$18 (c.US$2.3)
Every subsequent 200 metres:
* HK$1.5 (For meter fare below $70.5)
* HK$1 (For meter fare $70.5 and above)
The fare system is designed to lower the expenses for long-journey customers. However due to the inflation in international oil price, taxi drivers had been kept yelling for fare raising.

The taxi fare from Airport to Central in Hong Kong would be around HK$350 (c.US$45).

Additional Charges
* Cross Harbour Tunnel Fee
* Baggages
* Birds and pets
* Wheelchairs

* Any other chargeable items
See detailed Hong Kong Taxi Fare Table

Taxi Receipts and Tipping
Receipts are available, but you need to ask for it, or the taxi driver won’t give you one proactively.

Tipping is not necessary. However some drivers might not give you exact change due to shortage of coins.

Red Taxi and Green Taxi
Hong Kong Taxi has two colours – red and green. The red ones are urban taxis which can run everywhere. The green ones are only allowed to operate within the New Territories and Lantau Island. Green taxi fare is slightly lower with the first 2 kilometers of HK$14.5 only (c.US$1.85) but you need to change to a red taxi at some point if you are going from the New Territories to Kowloon or Hong Kong island.

Hong Kong Travel - Transportation

Hong Kong Weather

Time zone:
GMT +8 (+7 during summer)

Longitude: 114.6 E

Latitude: 22.4 N

Flower of Hong Kong: Bauhinia

Hong Kong weather carries the typical feature of oceanic climate with hot and humid summer; cold and dry winter. Hence the best season to travel Hong Kong is spring and autumn, namely February/March and October/November. In these days, you are almost guaranteed of good weather and less number of tourists and relatively low hotel rates.

You must agree that weather is an important factor that will seriously affect your travel pleasure. So let’s get to know more about the weather of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Weather - General
Hong Kong weather is never too extreme. In summer, it seldom goes beyond 33ºC, and in winter, it seldom goes below 10ºC.

Though summer is hot, Hong Kong is fitted with air conditioning everywhere. Once you are indoor, you are fine. As Hong Kong weather is never too severe in winter, public places don’t have heaters on.

English Hong Kong weather information: dial 18501 when in Hong Kong. Expect some advertising to begin with.

Hong Kong Weather - Typhoons
One important thing you need to know about Hong Kong weather is typhoon. Typhoons occur between May and October every year. When signal number 8 is up, offices close and transportation services stop. Flights may be disrupted or cancelled. You are advised not to venture outdoors.

Typhoon signals are ranked 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10. While 9 and 10 denote a direct hit, it rarely happens. Our last number 10 was in 1999 and the previous one was in 1983. But there is generally a couple of number 8’s annually.

Nevertheless, please have an umbrella with you while visiting Hong Kong in summer. It protects you from sun and rain.

Hong Kong Weather - Rainstorms Warning
Another typical feature of Hong Kong weather is rain. Hong Kong rains quite a lot in summer. We have four levels of rainstorm warnings: thunderstorm, amber, red and black. Black rainstorm warning is somewhat like typhoon signal number 8. Most people don’t have to work when a ‘black rain’ is up. As a tourist, you are advised not to leave your hotel.

Anna’s Notes
Hong Kong is safe to be visited in summer. Though it rains a lot, flooding and landslide rarely happens nowadays. Be prepared to put up with the heat, or choose to visit in autumn.

Hong Kong Travel - Weather