Hong Kong - Getting Around
From Track2Asia
|
Octopus Card
The octopus depicts something with many arms – reaching many destinations. This really is how you can look at the Hong Kong transport system. To have easy access to this system, you must have the Octopus Payment Card. This technology has been available since September 1997. When you have this card with you, you can place it in a bag or a wallet and just simply zip through card readers that will deduct the correct amount from your card every time you ride.
The Octopus Card is useful for virtually all forms of transport – railway, train, tram, ferry and bus. The only exceptions are taxis and red minibuses. What’s more, you can use it in almost all convenience stores, vending machines, all roadside parking and a number of car parks. You can even use it in McDonald’s, Café de Coral and other selected restaurants. The Octopus Card is economical, as there are rebates or discounts when you use the card to ride the MTR, KCR and some bus routes. You also need not fear when you don’t use the full value of the card – the deposit and unused credit is fully refundable. You only need to shell out $150 for a basic adult card. This comes with a $100 face value and a $50 deposit. There is, however, a $7 service charge when you return the card in less than three months after you first use it.
An added benefit is that you can use the card to get a ride that costs more than the card’s remaining value. For example, even if you have only $2 left in the card, you can still get a ride that costs $5. However, the remaining balance will have to be paid once you add value to the card to continue using it.
Reloading value to the card is also convenient, you can do so at any of the MTR and KCR stations and at all stores where the card is used as payment. Indeed, it is one great way to go about Hong Kong.
Aside from the Octopus Card, you can also avail of the day pass, which gives you unlimited rides on the MTR lines for a day. You may get this pass at any MTR station for $50.
By Subway/Underground Railway
This is by far the quickest way to get around the city. The drawback, though, is that you miss the sights and the rides cost more for short distances. When traveling through the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), you have to remember which line you need to use. The Red (Tsuen Wan) Line, which goes from Central to Tsuen Wan, passes through Kowloon and Nathan Road going towards the New Territories through Tsuen Wan. The Blue (Island) Line moves along the north coast of Hong Kong Island. The Orange (Tung Chung) Line makes for a highly affordable ride to the airport, especially when used with the S1 shuttle bus. This bus stops at the Tung Chung MTR station. The orange line also brings you quickly and easily to Lantau Island, and on to Disneyland via a change at the Sunny Bay station.
To avoid confusion, note that when we say “subway” in Hong Kong, we refer to an underground walkway. This is because in most English speaking countries outside of North America, “subway” is understood to mean an underground railway. In Hong Kong, though the trains mostly travel underground, there are also some part of the line and some stations where the trains run on raised platforms.
By Tram
The trams are very much a part of Hong Kong’s image. Indeed, the tram is virtually a Hong Kong icon! These are run by the Hong Kong Tramways and are the cheapest way to go about Hong Kong – these trams charge a flat rate of only $2! The drawback is just that the trams are slower, lumbering along the north coast of Hong Kong Island.
If you want to go to Victoria Peak, try not to miss the Peak Tram, which is a different kind of tram altogether. This tram is a classic – it opened back in 1888. It is Hong Kong’s earliest mechanized mode of transport. The trip upward runs on very steep tracks and this is very much a part of the Peak Tram experience. The ticket costs are as steep as the tracks ($20 for one way and $30 for a return trip). The fare, however, is well worth it. Really, you should experience at least one trip on this tram. Remember that return tickets must be bought in advance.
By Taxis
Taxis in Hong Kong are ubiquitous and come in three colors: Red (those that serve virtually in all areas, except Lantau Island), blue (those that serve Lantau Island), and green (those that serve only the New Territories). All taxis can take you to the airport. The red taxis usually charge higher as they serve almost all the areas. The blue taxis are rare sights – since there are only around 50 of them.
Taxis in Hong Kong are also clean, efficient and inexpensive. In 2003, these were ranked as the cheapest taxis among all big cities worldwide. Fares begin at HK$15, with an additional $1.40 for every 200 meters after.
Here are some things to remember when riding the taxi:
- When in doubt, take the red taxis.
- Tips are not expected, although fares are generally rounded up to the nearest dollar.
- Toll fees are added to the bill. This is when the taxi crosses the bridge/tunnel on the way to either the Island side or the Kowloon side.
- If you only have $500 or $1,000 bills, tell the driver ahead of time. He can have it changed for smaller bills at the toll booth. They are only expected to have change for as much as $100 bills.
- Double tolls may be charged when a taxi takes you across the bridge/tunnel. This is because when a taxi is based on one side (either the Island or Kowloon), the driver may charge you for the toll going back!
- To avoid double tolls, take a taxi from cross-harbour taxi stands, where only single toll charges are applied.
- Baggage is charged $5 each, but this is usually never charged.
- Don’t forget to wear your seatbelts. It’s required by law.
- There are no extra charges for late night trips.
- Hong Kong taxis are equipped with radios. You may request and reserve a taxi through the taxi operator. An additional fee will be charged and paid to the driver. Requesting and reserving for a taxi are just options, as there are plenty of taxis to be found.
- It is wise to have your destination written in Chinese, as some taxi drivers are not that fluent in English. Before leaving your hotel, ask the receptionist for a compliment slip. This has the hotel’s address and you can simply show this to the driver when you want to go back to your hotel.
By Bus
Buses in Hong Kong come in different shapes and sizes. There are the large double-decker buses, which serve virtually all of Hong Kong. These make frequent stops and charge different fares depending on the distance. When riding the double-deckers, do try to get the first seats in the upper deck, as these give great views of the city. There are a lot of franchised bus operators, namely, Citybus, New Lantao Bus, Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) and New World First Bus. You may find information on the routes and the fares on the operators’ websites.
There are also light buses that carry, at most, 16 passengers and are as big as vans. These minibuses (or maxicabs) come in two colors – red and green. These colors are painted in wide stripes on the top of the bus. Green minibuses speed along the roads for as fast as the traffic (and the law) will allow. A particularly unforgettable ride would be the Hong Kong Island Green minibus #1 that plies the route from Victoria Peak to Central. The red minibuses, on the other hand, have no fixed stops or routes. They can pick up or drop off passengers at any point, depending on whether the law allows it.
There are also feeder buses run by the Kowloon Canton Railway. You can get a free ride on these feeder buses if you are also riding a KCR train and if payment is made by Octopus card. If you are going to Tsim Sha Tsui from the New Territories or mainland China, take the route K16 bus.
Buses are generally easy to use, but finding your route and your bus stop can be a confusing exercise. So be sure to know your bus stop and route before hand.
There are different route numbering systems in these areas: Hong Kong Island/Kowloon/New Territories area (serviced by bus), the Lantau Island bus routes, the Hong Kong Island green minibus routes, the New Territories area (serviced by green minibuses), the Kowloon green minibus routes and other secondary bus routes. Note that red minibuses do not have a route number. Buses are pretty much your only option when going to the south side of the island and Lantau.
Because there are different numbering systems, routes are sometimes duplicated in the different areas. The Transport Department of the Hong Kong Government is working on getting rid of the duplications and creating a unified route numbering system, but so far, this has not been refined completely. If you are confused, forget about memorizing the bus routes and use your tourist guidebooks. Just remember the route number of the bus you need for the day.
Take note that:
- You can ask the driver or the station staff for guidance on the bus routes, especially for the green minibuses and the Lantau bus routes.
- When asking for directions, remember which area you are going. People will automatically assume that you are asking for the route which runs in the area you are in. For example, if you ask for bus route #3 and you are in Hong Kong Island, locals will think that you are asking for the bus route #3 that runs in Hong Kong Island. This may bring some confusion as Kowloon and other areas may also use the same route number for another route.
- Remember to state whether it is the bus or the minibus you want to use. There are some instances when both use the same route number for two essentially different routes. For example, in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, the bus route #6 and the minibus route #6 are really different routes. Confusing, isn’t it? But you will get where you want, we are sure of that. Just bring your spirit of adventure and your trusty guidebook along when taking the bus to go places.
- When paying in cash, make sure you have the needed amount in change. Bus drivers do not give out change. Thus, we would advise you to use the Octopus Card.
By Train
The Kowloon-Canton Railway, (KCR) serves the line from Kowloon to Canton (Guangdong) in mainland China. The MTR and the Star Ferry are located on the East Rail. Thus, if you are from mainland China, you can ride the KCR to East Tsim Sha Tsui and then take the MTR and the Star Ferry to go beyond. This also works the other way around.
On the East Rail, there is the Ma On Shan Railway, which begins at the Tai Wai Station and ends at the Wu Kai Sha Station. If you want to go from Ma On Shan on to the country (such as the Sai Kung Country Park), this is the way to go.
The West rail of the KCR connects Kowloon to Nam Cheong, which is next to Sham Shui Po and Tuen Mun. You can also use the West Rail to reach the boundary. Simply get off at the Ping Station and ride the bus route 277. Another option is to get off the Kam Sheung Road Station and ride the cross boundary coach. This offers a promotional fare if you are using the Octopus card. As of now, there are no direct boundary crossings.
You can get a day pass to the KCR system. This gives you unlimited rides on the KCR. That means you can ride the East and West Rail and the Ma On Shan Rail. The day pass does not include the Lo Wu and Racecourse stations.
An additional station (West Kowloon Station) is scheduled to open sometime in 2007 or 2008.
By Ferry
Since Hong Kong is virtually divided by water, there are quite a number of ferries plying the routes between the islands. The major attraction when it comes to ferries is the Star Ferry. It plies the line between Kowloon and Central. This is definitely a much cheaper way to travel than the MTR, and wow, the views are amazing! The fares only cost $2.20 (upper deck) or $1.70 (lower deck) – the MTR fare for the same trip costs 4 times as much!
There are a number of ports from which ferries to the islands depart, but the Central ferry terminal is by far the largest and services more ferry lines. Fares on these ferries usually depend on the speed – fast ferries, of course, charge more than slow ones. For example, fares to Lantau Island (Mui Wo) cost $10.50 (slow) and $21 (fast). Fares for trips from Central to Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan) cost $10 (slow) and $15 (fast). During Sundays and public holidays, all fares increase by around 50%. Of course, you can pay these fares using your Octopus Card.
