Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HAILING A CROSS-HARBOUR TAXI
Hailing a cross-harbour taxi can be a frustrating task. There are three main ways to
snag one:
Look for a taxi with its lights on, but its 'Out of Service' sign up. This generally means
the taxi is looking for a cross-harbour fare.
Find a (rare) cross-harbour taxi stand.
Hail a cab with a sort of 'walk like an Egyptian' gesture, snaking your arm as if in imita-
tion of a wave. Taxis potentially interested in cross-harbour fares will stop to negotiate.
Tram
Hong Kong's venerable old trams, operated by
Hongkong Tramways Ltd
( 2548 7102;
www.hktramways.com
;
fares HK$2.30), are tall and narrow double-decker streetcars. They
are slow, but they're cheap and a great way to explore the city. Try to get a seat at the front
window on the upper deck for a first-class view while rattling through the crowded streets.
For a flat fare of HK$2.30 (dropped in a box beside the driver as you disembark, or use
Octopus) you can rattle along as far as you like over 16km of track, 3km of which wends its
way into Happy Valley. Trams operate from 6am to midnight and arrive every couple of
minutes. There are six routes but they all move on the same tracks along the northern coast
of Hong Kong Island. The longest run (Kennedy Town-Shau Kei Wan, with a change at
Western Market) takes about 1½ hours.
Peak Tram
The
Peak Tram
is not really a tram but a cable-hauled funicular railway that has been scal-
ing the 396m ascent to the highest point on Hong Kong Island since 1888. It is thus the old-
est form of public transport in the territory. It's such a steep ride that the floor is angled to
help standing passengers stay upright.
The Peak Tram runs every 10 to 15 minutes from 7am to midnight. The lower terminus is
behind the St John's Building. The upper tram terminus is in the
Peak Tower
(
GOOGLE MAP
;
128 Peak Rd). Avoid going on Sunday and public holidays when there are
usually long queues. Octopus cards can be used.
