Exploring Hong Kong: A Guide to Getting Around the City
With Hong Kong’s vast transportation network, there are multiple ways to get to your destination. Here are some of the things that I used that I found most helpful for my commute.
| Mode | App | Service Area |
|---|---|---|
| MTR | MTR Mobile | All |
| Light Rail | MTR Mobile | Northwest New Territorries |
| Tram | HK DingDing (iPhone) & HK Tram Go (Android) | Hong Kong Island |
| Bus | APP 1933 & CitybusNWFB | All |
| Minibus | Hong Kong Minibus | All |
| Ferry | HK Ferries (iPhone) & First Ferry (Android) | All |
| Uber | Uber | All |
| Taxi | eTaxi, Fly Taxi, WETAXI, HKTaxi | All |
You don’t need to download all of these apps as a full disclaimer. This is just something that I encourage you to look into more if you find yourself using one mode of transport more often than others.
By rail? The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) has eleven heavy rails and twelve light rail transit (LRT) lines operating in three major areas. It’s one of the fastest ways to get around urban areas, with trains arriving every 2-14 minutes, from 6 AM to midnight. Lines will go across and between regions, but some will only operate within a given area, such as the LRT, where it’s serviced in northwestern New Territories within the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long District. In contrast, the tram operates exclusively between Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan on Hong Kong Island.
I’ve used the MTR as my primary mode of transportation since a majority of my destinations are within a short walking distance of a station. The frequency will differ based on the time of day and region. For example, wait times at the Fanling station in New Territories are generally longer than the Admiralty station on Hong Kong Island, which has multiple lines and platforms operating, as shown on the map above. Signage is written in Chinese (Traditional) and English with entrances/exits that adopt the alphanumeric system.
Each railway line may be referred to as a distinctive district it runs on, such as the Tsuen Wan Line, which many locals will refer to as the red line. Colors are designed to differentiate each line and help the passenger identify their location. The Choi Hung station, for instance, translates directly as a rainbow in Cantonese, so you’d see rainbow-colored tiles plastered on the pillars and walls inside the station. Colors may also be selected based on the local environment or have cultural significance. Prince Edward station will have purple as it’s commonly associated with royalty in Britain, whereas the Whampoa station is blue because it’s near the water.
By bus? Moving off the rail and onto some wheels, the bus might be a more direct way to get to your destination. You'll come across two main types of public buses that operate in different service areas. The most common that you’ll see are the standard double-decker buses that come in a few colors as other transportation companies own them. Regardless of which one you hop on, they all have aircon (AC), and some even offer WiFi.
| Abbreviation | Company Name | Service Area |
|---|---|---|
| CB | Citybus Limited | Hong Kong Island, North Lantau Island, & New Territories |
| KMB | Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited | Kowloon & New Territorries |
| LWB | Long Win Bus Company Limited | North Lantau Island & New Territories |
| NLB | New Lantao Bus Company (1973) Limited | Lantau Island & New Territories |
| NWFB | New World First Bus Services Limited | Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, & Tseung Kwan O |
The Public Light Bus (PLB), or minibus for short, is another type of bus that you’ll often see, which comes in green (GMB) and red (RMB). I haven’t used the minibus as often as it’s limited to 19 seats. Also, the RMB doesn’t have a bell to alert the driver, so you’d need to let them know when to stop verbally. In addition, the RMB is cash only, so make sure to have exact change with those banknotes and coins ready! Cash is accepted on the GMB, but they also accept Octopus.
By ferry? Lastly on the public transit list is the ferry I’ve taken only a few times. However, I recommend you take this at least once across Victoria Harbour for epic skyline views! Ferries are an effective way to go between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. They’re the only mode of transport to get to some of the Outlying Islands, such as Lamma Island and Peng Chau Island, which is excellent if you want to escape the city. Cotai Water Jet and TubroJet also offer a ferry that goes to Macau, but make sure to bring your passport as you’ll need to go through immigration!
By car? The fastest way to get around is to use one of Hong Kong’s iconic taxis. I didn’t find out until recently, but they aren’t all red. They’re designed in three colors. Blue taxis operate strictly on Lantau Island, whereas green taxis can only be found in New Territories. The red or urban taxis are the most common and will serve all areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and New Territories.
Fares will vary based on which taxi you take but will start between $19-24 HKD for the first two kilometers. This is one of the more pricey options as the total cost of the fare will also include distance traveled, additional fees, and toll charges, but it is worth looking into if you’re traveling in a group of four or less. It’s essential to keep in mind that not all drivers can speak English, so do be patient when communicating about your destination. I’ve found the Google Translate app extremely helpful, especially using the text-to-speech feature. Make sure to set the language as Chinese (Traditional)!
Historically, there have been a few variations and models that these taxis take from, but most of them (roughly 99%) will be the Toyota Crown Comfort. They can be divided into two types of fleets. The newer hybrid line of taxis is fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. Still, their universal design makes boarding easier for passengers of all kinds, including wheelchair users. Aside from comfort and ease of use, they also accept cashless payments like Octopus, UnionPay, AlipayHK, and WeChat Pay.
The traditional range of taxis is the one you’ll come across and will be one of the most convenient and accessible modes of transit as you can call them in minutes or seconds. You can hail them on the street or use the several apps listed in the first table. However, they’re cash only, but they do offer change! I’d suggest using smaller bills if possible as some drivers may be unable to break 500 or 1000 HKD banknotes.
For a more hassle-free experience, you may want to opt-in for an Uber. Rideshare hasn’t quite taken off just yet, but the app makes traveling abroad easier in a few ways. It eliminates the need for a translator since the app is used in your chosen language and reduces the need to carry cash as payment is given in local currency, all within one app wherever you go.
Now that you’ve taken a closer look at how to get around, it’s time to venture out and explore what else Hong Kong offers. If you found this helpful, check out my other posts and subscribe if you haven’t already.
As always, until next time!
