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Chinese New Year dragon, Hong Kong

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Getting Around Hong Kong

Road: 

Trams: The Octopus Card can be used on trams. They are only available on Hong Kong Island, running from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan (via Happy Valley racecourse). Peak Tram on Hong Kong Island has operated since 1888 and is a cable tramway to the upper terminus on Victoria Peak; Octopus Cards accepted.

Side of road: 
Left
Road quality: 

The road network is extensive and of high quality but often congested in central areas.

Car hire: 

Car hire: A wide selection of self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available, although car hire is not that popular in Hong Kong.

Taxi: 

Taxi: These are plentiful in Hong Kong and Kowloon. There is an extra charge for the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island except Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island, green ones the rural areas of the New Territories, and blue ones Lantau Island. All taxis operate to and from Hong Kong International Airport. Maxicabs, however, operate on fixed routes without fixed stops. Many drivers speak a little English, but it is wise to get your destination written in Chinese characters. A small tip is expected.

Coach: 

Regulations: 

Regulations: Speed limits are 80kph (50mph) on highways and 50kph (31mph) in urban areas.

Documentation: 

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although not legally required. A valid national licence is accepted for up to 12 months. The minimum age is 18 years. Third party insurance is compulsory.

Rail: 

Mass Transit Railway (MTR) (tel: 2881 8888; www.mtr.com.hk) has nine lines: Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Island, Tung Chung, Tseung Kwan O, East Rail, West Rail, Ma On Shan and Disneyland resort, which provides a cross-harbour line. It is more expensive than the ferry, but quicker, particularly for those travelling further into Kowloon than Tsim Shat Sui or to Lantau Island. Trains run between 0600-0100. The Airport Express runs from the airport to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island (www.mtr.com.hk) (journey time - 28 minutes).

For visitors staying for a week or more it is worth getting an Octopus Card, an electronic ticket from which the cost of the journey is automatically deducted when it is placed on a sensor. The card may be used on MTR services, the Kowloon-Canton Railway, major bus routes, trams, minibuses and some ferries. The Airport Express Tourist Octopus Card (is valid for 3 days, entitling passengers to two single Airport Express journeys and 3 days of unlimited travel by MTR.

The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCR) (tel: 2929 3399; www.kcrc.com) has 13 stations within Hong Kong. KCRC also runs the Light Rail (LR) which connects the northwest new territories Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

By water: 

Cross-harbour passenger services (shortest route - 7 to 10 minutes) are operated by Star Ferries (www.starferry.com.hk) between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon (sailing every 6 to 12 minutes). There are frequent passenger and vehicle services on other cross-harbour routes. Ferries and hydrofoils service the outlying islands, Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Lamma Island and Lantau Island, including Discovery Bay. Ferry services are run by New World First Ferry Services (tel: 2131 8181; www.nwff.com.hk), the Hong Kong Kowloon Ferry (tel: 2815 6063; www.hkkf.com.hk) and Discovery bay Transportation Services Ltd (tel: 2987 7351; www.hkri.com).

Tours of the harbour and to Aberdeen and Yau Ma Tei typhoon shelters are available by watertours junks, and visits to outlying islands are possible by public ferry. Weekdays are the best time to go, since ferries tend to be very crowded at weekends. During the typhoon season (May to November), all ferry services may be suspended during bad weather.

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