In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Use the MTR for most journeys: an adult pays HK$4.90 from Central to Wan Chai, HK$10.60 from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and HK$24.30 from Central to Tung Chung with an Octopus card, and a single ticket costs more (MTR fare data). The double-decker tram is a flat HK$3.30 along the north shore of Hong Kong Island: board at the back, pay at the front (Hong Kong Tramways). The Star Ferry across the harbour is HK$5 on the upper deck on weekdays, HK$6.50 at weekends (Star Ferry). Octopus, a contactless bank card or a mobile wallet pays on all of them, and the Transport Department’s HKeMobility app plans journeys across every mode.
Hong Kong public transport compared
| Transport | Where it goes | Adult fare | How to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTR | Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, Lantau, the airport | HK$4.90 Central to Wan Chai; HK$10.60 Central to Tsim Sha Tsui (Octopus) | Octopus, contactless card, mobile wallet or single ticket | Fastest across the harbour; the Octopus fare is lower than a single ticket |
| Tram | Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan along the north shore of Hong Kong Island | HK$3.30 flat | Octopus, contactless card, mobile wallet or exact cash | Slow but cheap; the upper deck gives the view |
| Star Ferry | Central or Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui | HK$5 to HK$6.50 upper deck, HK$4 to HK$5.60 lower deck (Central route) | Octopus, cards, mobile payments, cash, ticket machines | Cheaper than any other harbour crossing, and the weekend fare is higher |
| Buses | Across the territory | Varies by route | Octopus on every bus; contactless cards on KMB, Long Win and Citybus | Pay on boarding by distance; exact cash if paying in cash |
| Minibuses | Green: fixed routes. Red: flexible routes | Varies by route | Octopus on green minibuses; red minibuses pay on getting off | Green for visitors; red needs some Cantonese |
| Ferries to the islands | Cheung Chau, Lantau, Peng Chau, Lamma from Central | Varies by route and by standard or fast boat | Octopus and cash | Departures are from the Central ferry piers |
MTR
The MTR covers every district a visitor is likely to use, including the boundary stations at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau, and the airport. The lines you will ride most are:
- Island Line: along the north shore of Hong Kong Island, from Kennedy Town through Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay to Chai Wan.
- Tsuen Wan Line: from Central and Admiralty under the harbour to Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok.
- East Rail Line: from Admiralty and Exhibition Centre across the harbour to Hung Hom, then north to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau.
- Tung Chung Line: from Hong Kong Station in Central to Kowloon, Tsing Yi and Tung Chung, for the Ngong Ping 360 cable car.
- South Island Line: from Admiralty to Ocean Park and Wong Chuk Hang.
- Disneyland Resort Line: from Sunny Bay to Hong Kong Disneyland.
- Airport Express: from Hong Kong Station to the airport; see Hong Kong airport to city.
An Island Line train at the eastern end of the line. Photo: LN9267, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Adult fares from the MTR’s fare data, paying with an Octopus card:
| Journey | Octopus fare | Single ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Central to Sheung Wan, or to Wan Chai | HK$4.90 | HK$5 |
| Central to Causeway Bay | HK$5.90 | HK$6 |
| Tsim Sha Tsui to Mong Kok | HK$5.90 | HK$6 |
| Admiralty to Ocean Park | HK$5.90 | HK$6 |
| Central to Tsim Sha Tsui | HK$10.60 | HK$12.50 |
| Central to Tung Chung | HK$24.30 | HK$28 |
| Central to Hong Kong Disneyland (change at Sunny Bay) | HK$27.90 | HK$31 |
Ticket gates at East Tsim Sha Tsui station. Photo: Mk2010, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Tap in and tap out at the gates with an Octopus card, a contactless bank card or a phone wallet. The Hong Kong Tourism Board notes that luggage size limits apply on the MTR, that MTR stations offer 15 minutes of free Wi-Fi per session, and that mobile charging points are installed at 29 stations. Stand on the right of escalators, and let passengers off before you board.
Trams
Hong Kong Tramways runs six routes between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, through Western District, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and North Point, with a loop to Happy Valley. The double-deckers have run on this corridor since 1904, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
A tram showing a Happy Valley destination sign. Photo: N509FZ, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Fare: a flat HK$3.30 for adults, HK$1.60 for children aged 3 to 11 and HK$1.50 for seniors aged 65 and over, whatever the distance.
- How to ride: board at the back and pay at the front exit when you get off. Pay by Octopus, a Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB or American Express card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay or Huawei Pay, or with cash dropped in the coin box. There is no change on board.
- First and last trams: on the Western Market to Shau Kei Wan route the first tram leaves at 05:42 and the last at 00:06, every day of the week. Other routes start later and finish earlier.
- TramOramic Tour: Hong Kong Tramways also runs a one-hour open-air sightseeing tram from Western Market and from Causeway Bay, at HK$180 for an adult and HK$110 for a child aged 4 to 11 when booked on its website, with no refunds (TramOramic).
Hong Kong: TramOramic Tour with 2-Day Unlimited Tram Rides
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TramOramic Tour with 2-Day Unlimited Tram Ridesad: a one-hour sightseeing ride on a vintage tram, with unlimited rides on the regular trams for two days. It costs more than the operator’s own HK$180 tour ticket but adds the two-day tram pass, which suits anyone who plans to ride along the north shore more than a few times.
Star Ferry
A Star Ferry crossing the harbour. Photo: Alexkom000, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
The Star Ferry’s fare and timetable page gives these figures for adults:
| Route | Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) | Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Central to Tsim Sha Tsui, upper deck | HK$5 | HK$6.50 |
| Central to Tsim Sha Tsui, lower deck | HK$4 | HK$5.60 |
| Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui | HK$5 | HK$6.50 |
- Hours: Central to Tsim Sha Tsui departures run from 06:30 to 23:30 every day, every 6 to 12 minutes at most times. Wan Chai departures run from 07:30 to 23:00, less often.
- Children, seniors and disabled passengers pay HK$2.80 to HK$3.90 on the Central route, depending on the deck and the day.
- Four-Day Tourist Pass: HK$50 for unlimited rides on the Central and Wan Chai routes for four days, sold at the Tsim Sha Tsui pier’s control centre.
- Paying: tap Octopus at the gates, pay with a card or mobile payment at the ticket machines, or use coins; the ferry has no reserved seating.
Buses and minibuses
Kowloon Motor Bus and Citybus run across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, New Lantao Bus runs on Lantau, and Long Win Bus covers north Lantau and the airport. Fares depend on distance and are paid on boarding, by Octopus, or in exact cash if you pay in cash. Green minibuses carry up to 19 people on fixed routes at fixed fares and accept Octopus. Red minibuses stop on request along less fixed routes and are paid for as you get off. By law you must wear a seat belt where one is fitted.
Ferries to the islands
Ferries to the outlying islands leave from the Central ferry piers. Sun Ferry runs to Cheung Chau, Lantau and Peng Chau, and the Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry to Lamma and Peng Chau. Most routes have a standard ferry and a slightly dearer fast ferry. The Cheung Chau and Lamma day trip covers the islands themselves.
Where to go next
The Central to Sheung Wan walk takes in the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator, and the Peak Tram guide has the up-to-date fares for the Peak Tram. For the airport, use airport to city; for cards, the Octopus guide; for where to base yourself, where to stay.
Common questions
What is the best way to get around Hong Kong?
The MTR for most journeys, the Star Ferry for crossing the harbour, and the double-decker trams for short hops along the north shore of Hong Kong Island. An Octopus card, or a contactless bank card, pays on all of them.
How much does the MTR cost in Hong Kong?
Fares depend on distance. With an Octopus card an adult pays HK$4.90 from Central to Sheung Wan or Wan Chai, HK$5.90 from Central to Causeway Bay, HK$10.60 from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and HK$24.30 from Central to Tung Chung (MTR fare data). A single ticket costs more than the Octopus fare.
How much is the Hong Kong tram and how do I pay?
A flat HK$3.30 for adults, HK$1.60 for children aged 3 to 11 and HK$1.50 for seniors aged 65 and over, whatever the distance (Hong Kong Tramways). Board at the rear and pay at the front when you get off, with Octopus, a contactless bank card, a mobile wallet or exact cash; there is no change on board.
How much is the Star Ferry?
Central to Tsim Sha Tsui is HK$5 upper deck and HK$4 lower deck from Monday to Friday, and HK$6.50 and HK$5.60 at weekends and on public holidays. Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui is HK$5 on weekdays and HK$6.50 at weekends (Star Ferry).
Can I use Octopus on buses, minibuses and ferries?
Yes. Octopus is accepted on all buses, on green minibuses, on the trams and at Star Ferry gates. Kowloon Motor Bus, Long Win Bus and Citybus also accept contactless credit cards and mobile payments (Hong Kong Tourism Board).
