Hong Kong Destination Guide

Transport

Hong Kong Island is connected to the Kowloon Peninsula on the mainland by three road-only tunnels (the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and the Western Harbour Tunnel), two MTR metro tunnels (Tsuen Wan Line and Tung Chung Line) and one combined road and MTR rail link tunnel, the Eastern Harbour Tunnel (in separate conduits running side by side). A fourth rail link is being planned. There is no bridge connection between the island and the mainland. A bridge connects Ap Lei Chau (island) and Hong Kong Island. It was opened in 1983 with two lanes and was expanded to four in 1994.

Mass Transit Railway (MTR):

The Island Line of the MTR metro network runs exclusively on Hong Kong Island, from West to East, along the northern coastline of the island.

Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) underground network is the fastest way to get around the city, but what you gain in speed you lose in views and (at least for short distances) price. There are five lines, with the most important ones for visitors being the busy Tsuen Wan Line (red), which tunnels from Central to Kowloon and down Nathan Road towards Tsuen Wan in the New Territories and the Island Line (blue) which runs along the north coast of the Island. The new Tung Chung Line (orange) is the fastest route to Lantau and one of the cheapest ways to the airport when coupled with the S1 shuttle bus stationed at Tung Chung MTR station. The line also provides a link to Hong Kong Disney Land via a change at Sunny Bay station.

Every MTR station has one Hang Seng Bank branch (except for the massive Hong Kong Central station, which has two). Because they're a common feature, unambiguous and easy to find, they're a good place to tell people to meet you.

With the high level of daily passenger traffic, facilities of MTR stations are built with durability and accessibility in mind. After extensive retrofits, the MTR system has become, in general, disabled-friendly — the trains have dedicated wheelchair space, the stations have special floor tiles to guide the blind safely on the platforms, and there are extra wide entry and exit gates for wheelchairs as well.

A full GSM (GSM-900 and GSM-1800), CDMA and TDMA mobile phone network is in place through out the MTR system of stations and tunnels enabling passengers to stay connected underground.  Currently, full 3G network coverage in all stations and tunnels for the MTR system has been provided by 3 Hong Kong, SmarTone-Vodafone and PCCW Mobile. Passengers with subscription services will be able to make video calls and access high speed video content on their mobile phones regardless whether the train is above ground or under ground.

Octopus Card:

The Octopus card is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card used for electronic payment in online or offline systems in Hong Kong. Originally launched in September 1997 as a fare collection system for the city's mass transit system, the Octopus card system has grown into a widely used electronic cash system used not only for virtually all public transport in Hong Kong, but also for making payment at convenience stores, supermarkets, fast-food restaurants, on-street parking metres, car parks and many other point-of-sale applications (e.g. service stations and vending machines). In addition the system is used for access control to offices, schools and apartments. It can even be used to donate money to charities.

Using a card involves simply holding the card in close proximity above, or on, an Octopus reader, and cards can be recharged with cash at add-value machines or over the counter in shops (notably 7-Eleven and Circle K), or directly through credit cards and bank accounts.

Octopus has become one of the world's most successful electronic cash systems, with over 13 million Octopus cards in circulation (nearly twice Hong Kong's population) and over nine million transactions per day, with nearly 300 service vendors (as of January 2006). The operator of the Octopus system, Octopus Cards Limited, is a joint venture between MTR Corporation and other transport companies in Hong Kong such as KCR, KMB, and Citybus.

An on-loan Octopus card can be purchased at Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR) stations. No identification is required. If an owner loses a card, only the stored value of the card is lost. This type of Octopus card is anonymous; no personal information, bank account or credit card details are stored on the card.

Making or recording a payment using the card (eg. by passing through a MTR or ferry ticket gate, boarding a bus, alighting from a tram, or purchasing items from various outlets) is done by holding the card against or in close proximity to an Octopus card reader (which usually bears a yellow and orange colour scheme or logo similar to the card itself). After a brief moment the reader will acknowledge payment by emitting a beep sound, and display the amount deducted and the remaining balance of the card. A higher pitched sound will be emitted if the card is not accepted, i.e. if the stored value is insufficient (below HK$35), or if the reader is unable to read the card (owing to interference or the card being removed too quickly).

The Octopus card uses the Sony 13.56 MHz FeliCa radio frequency identification (RFID) chip (and other related technology); and Hong Kong is the home of the world's first major public transport system using this technology. This is a "touch and go" system, so users need only hold the card in close proximity of the reader, and thus physical contact is not required.

The MTR's "Airport Express Tourist Octopus - 3-day Hong Kong Transport Pass" includes two versions: a HK$220 card with 1 free Airport Express single ride included and a HK$300 card with 2 free single rides included. The free journeys are valid for 180 days from the date of purchase. Both versions allow three days of unlimited rides on the MTR, HK$20 in usable value (for non-MTR rides or other uses) and a HK$50 refundable deposit.

Trams:

Operated by Hong Kong Tramways, the narrow double-decker city trams trundling on the north coast of Hong Kong Island are a Hong Kong icon.

Trams are slower but the route along the length of Hong Kong Island's centre is useful and with a flat fare, they're the cheapest sightseeing tour around.

In a league of its own is the Peak Tram, Hong Kong's first mechanised mode of transport, opened back in 1888. The remarkably steep 1.7 km track up from Central to Victoria Peak is worth at least one trip despite the comparatively steep price.

Star Ferry:

The Star Ferry is a passenger ferry service based in Hong Kong, and its principal routes carry passengers across the Victoria  Harbour, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The company has been operating since the late 1880s. It was founded by Parsee Dorabjee Nowrojee as the Kowloon Ferry Company in 1888 and renamed Star Ferry in 1898.

The fleet of twelve ferries operates four routes across the harbour, carrying over 70,000 passengers a day, or 26 million a year. Even though there are now more modern ways to cross the harbour (by MTR and road tunnels), the Star Ferry continues to provide an efficient, popular and inexpensive mode of crossing the harbour. The company's main route runs between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, which is what most people mean by "the Star Ferry" in common parlance. This route is also popular with tourists, and has become one of the icons of Hong Kong heritage in the eyes of tourists. From the ferry, one can take in the famous view of the harbour and the Hong Kong skyline.

Taxis:

The Taxi service in Hong Kong is one of the most efficient and convenient among major metropolitan areas in the world. Most taxis are independently owned and operated, but some are owned by taxi companies, and the drivers are employees.

Different coloured taxis serve different areas. Red taxis serve all areas, except most of Lantau Island. Green taxis only serve the New Territories, including specified routes and destinations in Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Tsueng Kwan O and northern Lantau, and Blue taxis serve Lantau island only. All taxis are authorised to serve the airport and the Disneyland Resort.

Taxi fare is charged according to the taximeter; however, additional charges on the faretable may apply, such as road tolls and luggage fees. Red urban taxis are the most expensive, while blue Lantau taxis are the cheapest. The standard of services among different kinds of taxis are mostly the same.

Taxis carry an average of one million passengers each day, occupying about 12 percent of the daily patronage carried by all modes of public transport in Hong Kong. Most of the taxis in Hong Kong run on liquified petroleum gas (LPG) for protection of the environment. In August 2000 an one-off cash grant was paid to taxi owners who replaced his diesel taxi with an LPG one. By the end of 2003, over 99 percent of the taxi fleet in Hong Kong ran on LPG.
 

Getting There:

Hong Kong is growing steadily as a transit point and a destination, being served daily by a choice of five airlines: British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas and Air New Zealand.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG):

The airport was built on a largely artificial island reclaimed from Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau. The two former islands that were levelled comprise about 25% of the surface area of the airport's 12.48 km² platform. It is connected to the northern side of Lantau Island near the historic village of Tung Chung, now expanded into a new town.

Land reclamation for the airport added nearly 1% to the entirety of Hong Kong's surface area. It replaced the former Hong Kong International Airport (popularly known by its former name Kai Tak Airport), which was located in the Kowloon City area with a single runway extending into Kowloon Bay close to the urban built-up areas.

It opened for commercial operations in 1998, and is an important regional trans-shipment centre, passenger hub and gateway for destinations in mainland China, East Asia and Southeast Asia. Despite its relatively short history, the airport has won several notable international "Best Airport" awards, although losing out to Singapore Changi Airport in the Skytrax best airport award in 2006.

The airport operates around-the-clock and is capable of handling 45 million passengers and three million tonnes of cargo a year. It is the primary hub for Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, along with several other smaller airlines, including Hong Kong Express, CR Airways and Oasis Hong Kong Airlines.

Airport Express:

The airport can be reached by the Airport Express, a dedicated high-speed rail link provided by the MTR. It takes 24 minutes to reach the airport from the central Hong Kong station, via Kowloon and Tsing Yi stations. Airport Express passengers may check-in for their flights up to a day before their departure, depending on the airline they are travelling with. Check-in counters are available at both the Hong Kong and Kowloon stations on the Airport Express Line.

Passengers may also take the 1-minute journey to AsiaWorld-Expo, which is located also in Chek Lap Kok. This portion of the Airport Express was opened from 20 Dec 2005.

The Airport Express also offer value-added services to travellers on the line. Toilets and check-in facilities are available at every station on the line. A free Airport Express shuttle bus service transports travellers from stations to their respective hotels as well. Flight passengers can even have in-town check-in at the station, which offers a more convenient and time-saving routine. 

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