Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Buses.
The bus service in Hong Kong is good and relatively cheap. All bus stops have Eng-
lish route maps. Double-decker buses run 24 hours (night bus numbers are prefixed by an
'N') and cover even remote parts of Hong Kong. Fares range from HK$1.90-45, and the ex-
act fare must be put in the box next to the driver (all buses accept Octopus cards). There are
three companies: New World First Bus (tel: 2136 8888), Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB, tel:
2745 4466) and Citybus (tel: 2873 0818). Major terminals are on both sides of the Star
Ferry, and on Hong Kong Island at Exchange Square.
'Public Light Buses' seat 16 passengers. You can hail them at designated stops but get off
almost anywhere along their route. Tell the driver when you want to get off and pay as you
leave. Minibuses are red and yellow, and you pay cash when you get off. Maxicabs are dis-
tinctive green-and-yellow vans that run set routes and you pay as you get on (they also take
Octopus cards). The fares for both range from HK$2-22.50. Destinations are marked in
English and Chinese on the front, but the English is often smaller and hard to read. Both ply
routes around Hong Kong Island, and in Kowloon.
Trams.
Hong Kong's picturesque double-decker trams are also a tourist attraction and
provide a pleasant way to see the sights. They traverse the north coast of Hong Kong Island
between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan. Pick one up on Des Voeux, Queensway, or
Hennessy roads. Enter at the rear and exit at the front, dropping HK$2.30 into the fare box
as you leave. It's a flat rate regardless of the distance travelled. The service operates from
6am until midnight.
Trains.
Hong Kong's rail link with China (formerly known as the Kowloon-Canton Rail-
way, now part of the MTR system) runs 34km (21 miles) from Kowloon to the border. The
local trains that serve commuters in the New Territories are an excellent way of visiting the
area's towns and villages. Trains run daily every 3-10 minutes. Fares are very reasonable,
costing HK$13 for standard class from Tsim Sha Tsui East to Sheung Shui and HK$26 for
first class.
The MTR's Light Rail Transit system (LRT) operate in the western New Territories linking
the towns of Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. Trains run Mon-Sat 5.30am-0.41am,
6am-midnight on Sunday.
Taxis.
Hong Kong's metered taxis can be hailed on the street. Taxis on Hong Kong Island
and Kowloon are red. Fares start at HK$17 for the first 2km (1.2 miles), and go up around
HK$1.50 for every 200m; there are extra charges for luggage (HK$5 per piece) and trips
through tunnels (see Budgeting for your Trip).
It's a good idea to have your destination and the name of your hotel written in Chinese.
Many hotels print a list of well-known places in Chinese characters and English you can
carry with you.
