Hong Kong Transportation Tips by jil_coleslaw

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: it's one of the oldest, cheapest but slowest transportation in Hong Kong. it appeared on the streets of Hong Kong in 1904. it runs along the oldest and most busy roads and streets in Hong Kong Island (no tram in Kowloon and New Territories). but if you are in hurry, it's not recommended to be a fast and effective tool.

Time:
0600 - 0000

Fare:
Adult: HK2.0/US$0.25
Child, Senior Citizen: HK$1.0/US$0.15
now matter how far you go

Leave a Comment

Phone: (852) 2118 6338
Website: http://www.hktramways.com/
Other Contact: email: enquiry@hktramways.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Octopus is an electronic payment system using contactless smart card trademaeked as "Octopus Card". It offers users an easy and hassle-free way to travel, shop and dine around Hong Kong. Users simply wave their Octopus cards over an Octopus reader which will automatically deduct the correct amount from the card.

Adding value anytime at convenient outlets all over Hong Kong or enjoy automatic add value services.

Tourists will find Octopus cards indispensable for getting around Hong Kong's sights and shops. No need to buy individual tickets for different modes of transport and retail outlets accept payment through Octopus cards.

TOURIST OCTOPUS

- free Airport Express Single Journey and additional benefits for HK$220

- free Airport Express Single Journeys and additional benefits for HK$300. The free journey(s) is valid for 180 days from the date of purchase.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

- Three days of unlimited rides on the MTR (HK's underground transport system)

- HK$20 usable value*, which can be used on the MTR after the three-day unlimited ride period. It can also be used at Octopus retail outlets and on their forms of transport at any time. If the amount is not sufficient for your needs, load more funds onto the card at any time.

- HK$50 refundable deposit

my VT friend, Adam, visited Hong Kong for 8 days, so I suggested him to buy an Octopus card which is for local people. It costed him HK$150 and he could popup in every tube station or even in a convenient shop. After he returned the card to the station, HK$50 was given back.

Leave a Comment

Phone: (852) 2266 2266
Website: http://www.octopus.com.hk/
Other Contact: cardoperations@octopuscards.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The first steam ferry "Morning Star" ran daily in December 1888. Even though the service has appeared for over 100 years, the ferries run now is not in classical style. The every ferry bears its own name, like: Golden Star, Silver Star, World Star... to follow the long history. It is wonderful if you take the ferry in the sunset with the fine weather. But it is always interested in the stormy time!

Time:
0700 - 2330 (variable for different routes)

Fare:
Adult: HK2.3; Child, Senior citizen, Disable: HK1.3

Destinations:
Kowloon side: Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Hom; Hong Kong side: Central, Wan Chai

Note:
Services will be stopped in Typhoon No.3 or really bad weather, fireworks happening.

Leave a Comment

Phone: (852) 2367 7065
Website: http://www.starferry.com.hk/
Other Contact: sf@starferry.com.hk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: History:
Since the opening of the first line in 1979, the MTR has been providing a safe, reliable and efficient service to passengers. Apart from the Airport Express, the current system comprises five lines - the Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, Island, Tung Chung and Tseung Kwan O Lines, running over 80.4 km through 49 stations. Today it keeps over 2.3 million people on the move every weekday, making it one of the most heavily utilized mass transit systems in the world.

Ticket:
Octopus Card ~
Octopus is the electronic ticketing system that makes travelling in Hong Kong simple and hassle-free. Each Octopus card contains a built-in microchip containing all your fare information. You can simply pass the ticket gates with a simple "touch & go" of your Octopus card.

These cards can also be used on most public payphones, vending machines and photo booths in transport premises.

Single Journey Ticket ~
You can buy a Single Journey Ticket from the Ticket Issuing Machines in all MTR stations. These tickets are used once on the day of issue for a specific journey. Adult fares range from HK$4.00 to HK$26.00, depending on where your journey starts and ends. Concessionary fares for the elderly, children and Hong Kong students range from HK$3.00 to HK$13.00.

Time:
0600 - 0100

Fare:
Virable to different destinations

Facilities:
- Free Publication
- Post Boxes
- ATM Service
- Public Payphones
- MTR Travel Services Centre
- Special Facilities for Disabled Passengers
- Lost Property
- Cake shops / 7-11

Leave a Comment

Phone: (852) 2881 8888
Website: http://www.mtr.com.hk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: History:
East Rail (the former Kowloon-Canton Railway or KCR) came into service in 1910 as a single track system. At that time, KCR trains ran from Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon through the New Territories and up to the border at Lo Wu.

Trains were initially steam hauled, but diesel traction was gradually introduced in the 1950s and by 1962 had replaced all of KCR's steam trains. The year 1973 saw the start of a modernisation programme, including the double tracking and electrification of the railway. The first stage of electrification was completed with the start of an inner suburban service between Kowloon and Sha Tin on 6 May, 1982. Just over one year later, on 15 July 1983, the final section to Lo Wu was opened by the then Governor, Sir Edward Youde.

The Corporation currently provides three domestic passenger rail services: East Rail, a suburban mass transit service operating between Hung Hom and the boundary at Lo Wu; West Rail, which opened in December 2003, is a mass transit service running between the North West New Territories and urban Kowloon; and Light Rail, formerly a stand-alone transit service and now also a feeder service for West Rail. All of these networks are supported by feeder buses.

Time:
0530 - 0100

Fare:
Adult: HK$3.5 - HK$33 (variable to different destinations in Standard fares )
Child, Senior Citizen: HK$1.5 - HK$6 (variable to different destinations in Standard fares )

Note:
Services will be stopped under the typhoon No. 8, but prolonged services for some special events/festivals. Using Octopus has a discount.

Leave a Comment

Phone: (852) 2688 1333
Website: http://www.kcr.com.hk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: History:
West Rail is a 30.5km twin-track passenger railway with nine stations, West Rail links up Sham Shui Po in West Kowloon, via Kwai Tsing and Tsuen Wan with Yuen Long and Tuen Mun in the Northwest New Territories.

Characterized by its modern, fast, reliable, comfortable, convenient and environmentally-friendly services, West Rail will be a viable choice for passengers travelling between the Northwest New Territories and urban Kowloon. A journey from Nam Cheong to Tuen Mun takes only 30 minutes.

Time:
0545 - 0045

Fare:
Adult: HK$5 - HK$16.5; Child/Senior Citizen: HK$2.5 - HK$7

Note:
Services will be stopped under the typhoon No. 8 but prolonged services for some special events/festivals.

Leave a Comment

Phone: (852) 2929 3399
Website: http://www.kcr.com.hk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: History:
The Light Rail system was established in 1988 to provide local passenger transport within the North West New Territories (NWNT). As the area's population expanded, so too did Light Rail.

The Light Rail system provides an efficient, reliable and value-for-money service for the one million residents of the rapidly growing new towns of the NWNT. During peak hours, service is as frequent as every 1.3 minutes at stops in the busiest section.

With the opening of the new Tin Shui Wai extensions on 7 December 2003, the Light Rail network has been extended to a route length of 36.15 kilometres with 68 stops.

Light Rail has been transformed into a feeder for West Rail while continuing as the major mode of transport in the NWNT. Passengers interchanging between Light Rail and West Rail will enjoy free transfers on Light Rail.

Time:
0530 - 2330

Fare:
Adult/Student: HK$3.7 - HK$5.8; Child/Senior Citizen: HK$1.8 - HK$2.7

Note:
Due to an open fare system maintained by Light Rail, there are no gates or turnstiles at stops, allowing passengers to board and alight easily. But it is not wise if you do not buy the ticket.

Leave a Comment

Phone: (852) 2929 3399
Website: http://www.kcr.com.hk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: History
KMB was established in 1933 after obtaining a franchise to operate bus services in Kowloon and the New Territories. 'Pursuit of excellence' has been the corporate objective since the company's inception. KMB delivers this objective by providing safe, reliable, comfortable, friendly and value-for-money bus services.

When KMB was founded, its bus fleet consisted of 106 small, single deck buses. Today KMB is the largest bus operator in Hong Kong with 4,295 buses, of which 82% are air-conditioned. With 13,689 staff, KMB operates a network of 411 bus routes transporting 2.91 million passengers every day. Having played an active part in the development of Hong Kong over the years, KMB has became one of the world's largest privately run public bus companies and gained recognition as an international leader in public bus transportation.

Buses run over 100 routes covering most of the destinations. Prices are reasonable.

Time:
check the official website - route search

Fare:
check the official website - route search

Note:
Services will be stopphed under the typhoon No. 8 and bad weather. But service will be extended during the special events/festival.

Leave a Comment

Phone: (852) 2745 4466
Website: http://www.kmb.com.hk

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: 1] Red
Red taxis run through Kowloon (Kowloon Peninsula, Shatin, Tseun Wan) & HK Island. Fare starts from HK$15 for first 2km. HK$1.4 per 0.2 km.

2] Green
Green taxis run through the New Territories (except Shatin, Tseun Wan). Fare starts from HK$12.5 for first 2 km. HK$1.2 per 0.2 km.

3] Blue
Blue taxis only run on the Lamma Island. Fares starts from HK$12.5 for first 2 km. HK$1.2 per 0.2 km.

Additional charge
- Baggage per piece (except light personal hand baggage carried inside vehicle) HK$ 4-5
- Wheelchairs & crutches carried by disabled passengers: Free
- Every animal or bird $ 4-5
- For every hiring arranged through tel booking $ 4-5

Toll
Cross Harbour Tunnel HK$10
Eastern Harbour Crossing HK$15
Western Harbour Crossing HK$15
Lantau Link HK$30

All taxis in HK are clean and 99% air-conditioned in the summer. There is a card stuck in front of the front seat which is with the driver's name, plate number and driver's photo. Fare chart & regulations (rights) are also stuck on the side door.

English Proficiency
Not every driver can speak very well English & some are not English speaker. If you find the taxi driver cannot speak even understand English, try to seek the other's help. Or ask someone to write the place you'd need to go in Chinese first.

But if you are lucky, you will find the taxi driver can speak quite well English & introduce a bit about HK.

Freud
Fraud in HK is not very common among tourists. The fare is calculated by the mile meter and you can ask for the receipt. But if you find there is something wrong, don't argue with the driver but write down his name & plate number. Report to the Tourist Board or Customer Council. However, I've never had such bad experience, neither my foreign friends.

Discount
In fact, there is no bargain or discount in fare. But there is a taxi company is called "Taxi 70", it charges 30% less per trip. But you have to call to make reservation: (852) 82002846. I am not sure whether the drivers can speak English.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://http://www.qtssc.org.hk/eng/info/fee.html