Hong Kong, home for seven million residents and the beloved travel destination for over 50 million visitors per year, has a highly developed transportation network. There are many public transportation options around Hong Kong, connecting different districts of the city and nearby cities, supporting different methods of payment.
The variety of options may pose a challenge for visitors who’re traveling to Hong Kong for the first time. This article will help you figure out this complicated network, including Hong Kong airport traffic, how to get to and around the city, and different ways of payment.
Overview of Hong Kong Transportation System
Overall, Hong Kong transportation includes airplanes, trains, MTR, ferries, buses, trams, taxis, and private cars. Flying into Hong Kong International Airport is the most convenient and popular way of reaching the city. If you’re traveling from other major cities in China, you can also take a high-speed train. For transportation in Hong Kong, you can plan based on travel cost, travel time, and where you’re going.
Hong Kong International Airport
Flying into Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located on Lantau Island. It is one of the busiest and largest airports in the world, welcoming over 72 million passengers every year. With over 1,000 daily flights operated by more than 100 airlines, it connects Hong Kong with about 180 destinations. There’re direct flights from major cities in Europe and the US, or you may transfer here to other cities in China.
From the Airport to Your Hong Kong Destination
There’re generally three options to get from Hong Kong airport to your hotel or other destinations, the airport express, buses, or taxis.
Airport Express
The MTR’s high-speed Airport Express is probably the best airport transportation in Hong Kong. It is the fastest and most convenient way to reach the city center in just 24 minutes. There are stops in both Kowloon and Hong Kong (Central). The fares are $100 and $110 in Hong Kong currency (around US$ 13).
Bus
There are many Airbus and external bus services that take you from the airport to most areas on Hong Kong Island. Buses are the cheapest airport transport. You can find out about the service map and bus routes on the Hong Kong Airport website.
Taxi
Taxis are probably the easiest public transport but at the same time costliest. Hong Kong taxis are slightly more complicated than other places. There’re three types of taxis in different colors that operate within different areas:
- Red: Hong Kong Island or Kowloon
- Green: New Territories
- Blue: Lantau Island
The journey from the airport to Kowloon costs around HK$320 (US$ 40) and HK$390 (US$ 50) to Hong Kong Island.
From the Airport to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
The easiest and quickest way to get to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort directly from the airport is by taxi. It only takes around 20 minutes and costs around HK$160 (US$ 20). It’s cheaper to take bus S1 and transfer twice for the MTR, but that takes around 50 minutes.
From the Airport to Nearby China Cities
Many international travelers fly into Hong Kong and go on to explore nearby cities. Hong Kong MTR provides high speed rail services to many major cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing. Get to West Kowloon Station by airport express or bus and transfer for rail services. If your final destination is Macau or Zhuhai, there’re direct coach services operating to and from Hong Kong airport.
Other Options for Getting to Hong Kong
Flying into Other Airports
You can also fly into other nearby airports and then reach Hong Kong. Some of the options are:
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
- Macau International Airport (MFM)
- Zhuhai Jinwan Airport (ZUH)
Taking a Train from Other China Cities
If you started your China tour from some other city, as mentioned before, you can take a high-speed train to Hong Kong. You can get to West Kowloon Station from 44 major Chinese cities.
How to Travel Around Hong Kong
MTR (Mass Transit Railway)
The MTR is the best transportation in Hong Kong. With 12 lines across pretty much the entire city, you can get around easily and cheaply on your Hong Kong tour. Fares start at HK$4.5 and increase based on the distance traveled.
You can buy a single ticket every time. If you plan on being in Hong Kong for a few days or will be using the MTR extensively, we recommend paying electronically, with an Octopus Card, or getting a tourist day pass. The day pass costs HK$75 and allows you to travel on the MTR for an unlimited number of times in a day. The MTR starts running at 6 am till around midnight or 1am.
Ferry
Another important part of Hong Kong transport is the ferries. They connect Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the outlying islands. There’re a number of companies providing services, but the most famous one is Star Ferry. The two most popular routes connect Tsim Sha Tsui with Central and Wan Chai.
Taking a ferry is one of the best things to do in Hong Kong because you’ll have a spectacular view of the islands and Victoria Harbor. They are also pretty cheap, for example, the two routes mentioned only cost HK$2 or HK$3.
Bus and Minibus
There are many public bus lines in Hong Kong, some being the double-deckers that offer great views of the city. But buses are not the most recommended way of Hong Kong transport for visitors because it can be confusing for those not familiar with the area or know little Cantonese.
When you take a bus, head to the correct station. You have to flag down the bus or they normally won’t stop. You pay upon boarding. Fares depend on your destination, and if you’re paying with cash, you will need exact change. They are cheaper than the MTR, usually ranging from HK$2 to HK$20. When you’re ready to get off, you must press a button by your seat or on the handrails to notify your driver.
If you’re taking a minibus, keep in mind that the green ones have designated routes and prices, but the red ones don’t have fixed routes or stops. Passengers can get on and off whenever they wish.
Tram
Awarded with the Guinness World Record for the “largest double-decker tram fleet in service” in 2021, Hong Kong’s historic street trams still operate on north Hong Kong Island. It is the region’s oldest mode of transport, has been in operation for over 100 years and has always been powered by electricity. It is the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation in Hong Kong.
Today, it is still a popular way of transportation for locals as well as a fun cultural activity for visitors. The trams are slow but affordable and fun through the crowded city streets. It costs a flat fare of HK$3 no matter where you go on it. You need exact change if you’re paying with cash. It supports Octopus cards and electronic payments as well.
Taxi
As mentioned before, the taxi situation can be a bit tricky in Hong Kong. But they are indeed very convenient and available pretty much anywhere. Traffic can be pretty hectic in Hong Kong during rush hours, so you might want to avoid getting a taxi at these hours.
Hong Kong Transportation Payment Options
Hong Kong Octopus Card
Octopus cards were originally introduced for public transportation in Hong Kong. It has an impressive 98% adoption rate among Hong Kong residents. They are very recommended for visitors because they can save you a lot of trouble taking public transportation including the MTR, buses, ferries, trams, and taxis. You may even use them at convenience stores, restaurants, shops, or attractions.
They are easy to obtain at metro station ticket offices or kiosks, as well as the ferry ticket offices in Central. You may need to pay a deposit for certain types of Octopus cards and then add however much money you need. At the end of your Hong Kong trip, you can return your card and get a full refund of the balance you have left.
Payment or Transportation Apps
The MTR app is very convenient for seeing the timetable and paying for MTR services. The Octopus app saves you the trouble of keeping a physical Octopus card. You can add money to your account through the app as well. There’re also WeChat Pay, Alipay, and UnionPay if you already have an account.
Contactless Card Payment
Most public transportation in Hong Kong also supports contactless debit or credit card payment. Visa and Mastercard cards are most widely accepted.
Cash
As mentioned before, if you’re paying with cash for public transportation, make sure you have exact change.
