Hong Kong Public Transport From the Cruise Ship

Walk Downtown Kowloon, Star Ferry, HK MTR, Buses or Tramways

Jun 16, 2009

Peak Tramway Machinery, Hong Kong Island, Kate Nivison

Public transport is very efficient in Asia's World City. But it's possible to balance speed with more relaxed and atmospheric ways of getting around Hong Kong.

The Harbour City Ocean Terminal is a perfect base for exploring Hong Kong from the ship. With all forms of public transport only a step away, it’s simply a matter of setting sight-seeing priorities and deciding how best to reach them. The whole system is designed to move millions of people around the complicated geography of Hong Kong SAR with speed and efficiency.

On Foot from Harbour City Ocean Terminal

Within easy walking distance:

Main shopping area of Tsim Sha Tsui and Nathan Road
Kowloon Park with shady paths and ornamental lakes, or historic Signal Hill Garden.
Main museum area – HK Cultural Centre, Museum of Art and Space Museum.
Star Ferry Terminal, to cross Victoria Harbour and reach the northern part of Hong Kong Island.

Using HK MTR (Mass Transit Railway) System

The MTR has 10 lines with many interchanges and is very efficient and cheap.
Passengers from ships over 50,000 tons berthed at the container port of Kwai Chung, or in hotels in the north of the main West Kowloon hotel district, may prefer to use the MTR to reach Hong Kong station on Hong Kong Island and proceed on foot, or by MTR, or bus from there.
Using the MTR avoids the ferry by crossing under Victoria Harbour in one of two rail tunnels. (These are not often shown on maps other than MTR System maps.)
The MTR is also useful if the weather is bad, or visitors have business or friends to see in Kowloon and the New Territories rather than Hong Kong Island.

Using Hong Kong Buses

These are most useful for passengers who want to avoid too much walking on Hong Kong Island, many parts of which are quite steep, or for those carrying shopping in the Tsim Sha Tsui or other shopping areas.
Buses go frequently from the Star Ferry terminal and MTR stations, and destinations are in English.

The Peak Tramway

This is a 121-year-old funicular railway built by the British, and is one of the oldest in the world.
It starts in Central (Hong Kong Island) from near the Chief Executive’s Residence (Old Government House).
The Peak Tramway climbs a breathtaking 400 metres (1300 ft) in 1.4 km (under a mile) to reach The Peak Tower.
Undoubtedly one of Hong Kong’s great institutions, it is not much used by commuters, but most visitors want to travel on it for the experience and amazing views of the Victoria Harbour skyline.
Choose a time of day (according to season) when the weather is likely to be clear.

Hong Kong Tramways

Regular double-decker trams using the same tracks since 1904 run along the north of Hong Kong Island.
Known as ‘ding-dings’, they are cheap, frequent and the top deck is great place to see the sights.
Have the exact fare ready (HK$2, or HK$1 for seniors aged 65 or above and children under 12) and pay as you leave at the front.

Hong Kong Ferries

The Star Ferry between West Kowloon and Hong Kong Island is another venerable Hong Kong institution. Buying tickets is very easy and cheap.
Other ferry companies also operate to Macau, the New Territories and mainland China.

For more information:

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