|
||
|
|
||
|
|
Getting Around by Water
Cross-harbour passenger services (shortest route - 7 to 10 minutes) are operated by Star Ferries 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; website: www.nwff.com.hk), the Hong Kong Kowloon Ferry (tel: 2815 6063; website: www.hkkf.com.hk) and Discovery bay Transportation Services Ltd (tel: 2987 7351; website: www.hkri.com).
Wallah wallahs (small motorboats) provide 24-hour service. However, the opening of the Cross Harbour Tunnel means that wallah wallahs are decreasing in popularity.
Tours of the harbour and to Aberdeen and Yaumatei 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.
Wallah wallahs (small motorboats) provide 24-hour service. However, the opening of the Cross Harbour Tunnel means that wallah wallahs are decreasing in popularity.
Tours of the harbour and to Aberdeen and Yaumatei 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.
Getting Around by Rail
Mass Transit Railway (MTR) (tel: 2881 8888; website: www.mtr.com.hk) has six lines: Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Island, Tung Chung, Tseung Kwan O 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.
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; website: 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.
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; website: 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.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the left. The road network is extensive and of high quality but often congested in central areas.
Bus: The Octopus Card (see Getting Around By Rail above) can be used on buses. Routes run throughout the territory, with cross-harbour routes via the tunnels. Air-conditioned coaches operate along certain Hong Kong and Kowloon routes. Final destinations are marked clearly in Chinese and English. Bus services covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories are operated by Kowloon Motor Bus (tel: 2745 4466; website: www.kmb.com.hk), New World First Bus (tel: 2136 8888; website: www.nwfb.com.hk) and Citybus (tel: 2873 0818; website: www.citybus.com.hk).
Minibus: These can pick up and stop on request except at regular bus stops and other restricted areas. Octopus Cards are accepted.
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.
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.
Rickshaws: These are gradually disappearing and are now purely a tourist attraction; agree the fare in advance.
Car hire: A wide selection of self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available, although car hire is not that popular in Hong Kong.
Regulations: Speed limits are 80kph (50mph) on highways and 50kph (31mph) in urban areas.
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.
Bus: The Octopus Card (see Getting Around By Rail above) can be used on buses. Routes run throughout the territory, with cross-harbour routes via the tunnels. Air-conditioned coaches operate along certain Hong Kong and Kowloon routes. Final destinations are marked clearly in Chinese and English. Bus services covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories are operated by Kowloon Motor Bus (tel: 2745 4466; website: www.kmb.com.hk), New World First Bus (tel: 2136 8888; website: www.nwfb.com.hk) and Citybus (tel: 2873 0818; website: www.citybus.com.hk).
Minibus: These can pick up and stop on request except at regular bus stops and other restricted areas. Octopus Cards are accepted.
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.
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.
Rickshaws: These are gradually disappearing and are now purely a tourist attraction; agree the fare in advance.
Car hire: A wide selection of self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available, although car hire is not that popular in Hong Kong.
Regulations: Speed limits are 80kph (50mph) on highways and 50kph (31mph) in urban areas.
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.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Hong Kong Island to main tourist districts and outlying islands.
| Road | Metro | Sea | |
| Kai Tak | 0.35 | - | - |
| Kowloon | 0.20 | 0.04 | 0.10 |
| Aberdeen | 0.20 | - | - |
| Lantau Is. | - | - | 1.00 |