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The Peak Tram

The Peak Tram

The Peak is often viewed as Hong Kong’s most spectacular destination, but simply getting there can be almost as spellbinding. The Peak Tram opened in 1888 for the exclusive use of the British governor and The Peak’s residents, but today it can be enjoyed by everyone as the steepest funicular railway in the world. The journey takes only seven minutes and is a visual experience to remember, as skyscrapers glide past at what appear to be impossible angles while the tram makes its ascent.

The Peak Tram operates from 7am to midnight daily, departing at 10 to 15-minute intervals from the lower Peak Tram terminus located on Garden Road in Central. Exact change is required if paying by cash and Octopus cards are accepted.

Taxis: they are plentiful (with the exception of remote areas outside the city). They can usually be hailed curbside, or called by phone. They are all metered, relatively inexpensive, air-conditioned and clean.

Tips on dealing with Hong Kong taxis:

 Taxis are usually easily hailed along the street, although they can’t pick up or drop off passengers in certain restricted zones. It’s often a good choice to opt for either a taxi queue at a hotel or a taxi stand.

 Drivers are required to use the taximeter and passengers are required to pay the exact fare as recorded by the taximeter

 Always ask for a machine-printed receipt. If the machine is not functioning, the taxi driver is obliged to provide a hand-written receipt.

 All taxis are regulated and taxi drivers are required to display their taxi driver identity cards on their dashboards.

 Passengers are required by law to wear a seat belt when one is available.

 Taxi fare information will be listed on the inside of the taxi.

 If you can’t read the price, the taxi number, or the fine print on the receipt, ask for a hand-written version.

 If you encounter any problems while using a Hong Kong taxi, such as suspected overcharging, take down the taxi driver’s name and license plate number as shown on the taxi driver identity card on the dashboard. Then contact one of the following phone numbers to lodge your complaint: +852 2889 9999 or +852 2804 2600

IMPORTANT:

Taxis in Hong Kong are categorized by three colors, each indicating a geographical area. All taxis can travel to and from Hong Kong International Airport as well as Hong Kong Disneyland.

Red taxis (these taxis operate throughout most of Hong Kong, except for Tung Chung Road on Lantau Island and on the entire south side of Lantau Island).

First 2 kilometers (or any part thereof): HK$20
Every subsequent 200 meters (or any part thereof) and every period of 1 minute waiting time (or any part thereof)
(For fare meters below HK$72.50): HK$1.50;
(For fare meters of HK$72.50 and above): HK$1.00

Green Taxis (these taxis only serve the New Territories)

First 2 kilometers (or any part thereof): HK$16.50
Every subsequent 200 meters (or any part thereof) and every period of 1 minute waiting time (or any part thereof)
(For fare meters below HK$55.50): HK$1.30;
(For fare meters of HK$55.50 and above): HK$1.00

Blue Taxis (these taxis only operate on Lantau Island)

First 2 kilometers (or any part thereof): HK$15
Every subsequent 200 meters (or any part thereof) and every period of 1 minute waiting time (or any part thereof)
(For fare meters below HK$132.00): HK$1.30;
(For fare meters of HK$132.00 and above): HK$1.20

Ferries

Since Hong Kong is a bustling port city, it regularly operates ferry routes that connect Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the Outlying Islands.

Star Ferry: The old school Star Ferry boats have been faithfully carrying passengers from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and back since 1888. While the two sides of Victoria Harbour are now connected by a world-class infrastructure system of road and rail tunnels, tens of millions of people still climb aboard the humble Star Ferry vessels each year. Many visitors take the ride for an up-close look at one of the world’s most photographed ports, while locals have kept their affection for it because, even after a century, it’s still a highly reliable and efficient form of transport. See their website for more details: www.starferry.com.hk

Outlying Islands services
Ferries operating from the Central ferry piers on Hong Kong Island provide services to the main Outlying Islands of Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Lamma Island and Lantau Island, including Discovery Bay. Two types of ferries operate along most routes: standard ferries and the slightly more expensive fast ferries.

Ferry companies in Hong Kong

New World First Ferry Services Ltd
Services: Cheng Chau, Lantau Island and Peng Chau
Tel: +852 2131 8181
Website: www.nwff.com.hk

The Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Ltd
Services: Lamma Island and Peng Chau
Tel: +852 2815 6063
Website: www.hkkf.com.hk

Discovery Bay Transportation Services Ltd
Services: Discovery Bay, Lantau Island
Tel: +852 3651 2345
Website: www.hkri.com

Park Island Transport Company Limited
Services: Ma Wan Island
Tel: +852 2946 8888
Website: www.pitcl.com.hk

Tranvías

Trams

These historic double-decker streetcars have been travelling through Hong Kong’s busiest thoroughfares since 1904 and continue to be an affordable, inexpensive and fun way to get around.

Grab a seat next to a window on the upper deck for the best views. Neighborhoods you might pass through on your journey include some of Hong Kong’s most colorful, such as Western district, Wan Chai, Happy Valley, Causeway Bay and North Point. Trams run daily from early morning until midnight.

No matter the distance, each tram ride costs a flat fare of $2.30 and exact change is required if you are paying by cash. Fortunately, all trams accept “Octopus cards”. You need to get on the tram at the back and then pay the exact fare at the front when you’re getting off.

Minibuses

Minibuses

These are small buses that can carry 16 passengers. Green minibuses operate along specific routes at fixed prices. Exact change is required if paying by cash and they all accept Octopus cards. Red minibuses operate along routes that are not always fixed and passengers can get on and off anywhere along the route, except where special prohibitions apply. You pay as you alight when travelling on a red minibus and the driver can usually provide change for small notes.

Once they’re full, minibuses won’t stop for a new passenger until someone else gets off and a seat becomes available. The ability to speak a bit of Cantonese and having some familiarity with Hong Kong will be a bonus when travelling on minibuses. Passengers are required by law to wear seat belts when one is available.

Autobuses

Buses

Buses in Hong Kong are plentiful and comfortable, and most are air-conditioned. Especially popular are the double-deckers that offer great views of the surrounding city from the top deck. Bus routes cover almost all of Hong Kong. Kowloon Motor Bus, New World First Bus and Citybus operate routes that cover Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. New Lantao Bus mainly operates on Lantau Island and Long Win Bus provides services to north Lantau Island and the airport. Final destinations are prominently displayed in English and Chinese on the front of each bus.

Fares are based on distance travelled and exact change is required if paying by cash. Generally, the ticket fare is displayed on information boards at the bus stops. Passengers should confirm they are carrying the correct change before boarding or using an “Octopus Card” to pay the ticket fare. When you are approaching your destination stop, press the electronic buttons fixed in the bus, to advise the driver that you want to get off. Otherwise, the driver may not stop. Octopus cards are accepted on all buses in Hong Kong.