INTRODUCING HONG KONG
Hong Kong means different things to different people. For some it is the view from the Peak by day or Hong Kong Island’s skyline by night as the skyscrapers flush their neon rainbows, competing like tetchy cuttlefish to out-display each other. It can be about a lingering morning of tea and bite-sized dim sum, or a multidish Chinese banquet. Others – hikers, birders, climbers – say nothing beats the Hong Kong countryside for its beauty, facilities and accessibility.
It is all these things, of course; a city of teeming streets and empty wilderness, dazzling modernity and traditional observances. Brash, buccaneering and Westernised, yet conservatively minded and Chinese to its core, Hong Kong surprises, delights and confounds with its cheerful contradictions and energetic inconsistency. (Lonely Planet, 2009)
It is all these things, of course; a city of teeming streets and empty wilderness, dazzling modernity and traditional observances. Brash, buccaneering and Westernised, yet conservatively minded and Chinese to its core, Hong Kong surprises, delights and confounds with its cheerful contradictions and energetic inconsistency. (Lonely Planet, 2009)
PRACTICAL INFO
Money
ATMs and currency exchange tellers are available at the airport. 1 US dollar = approx HK$7.80.
From the Airport
Airport Express train
A fast, clean and comfortable train from the airport to Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island departs every 12 minutes and takes approximately 23 minutes to reach Hong Kong station. A single ticket to Kowloon or Hong Kong stations costs around HK$100 (US$12) with a discount if you buy a group ticket (at least 2 people) at the counter. If in doubt, ask the counter staff.
Airbus
Airport buses to the city are called CityFlyer which is cheaper but slower than the train. Check destinations at the bus terminal at the airport. However, if the bus stops very near your hotel, this may involve less walking and less lugging than the Airport Express. For example, the A21 (HK$33/US$4) bus will take you down Nathan Road, Kowloon's main artery, stopping outside many hotels and hostels. Lines A10, A11 and A12 goes to Hong Kong Island (approx HK$45/US$6). Many locals save money by taking bus S1 from the airport to the Tung Chung MTR station (HK$3.50/US$0.50) and connect to the ordinary MTR for a cheaper ride to the city (Kowloon HK$17/US$2, Hong Kong HK$23/US$3). This interchange will involve about ten minutes walking.
Taxi
A taxi from the airport to the city (Central/Mid-levels) will cost you around HK$350/US$45 depending on your exact destination. If you have three or more people travelling together, it is generally cheaper to travel by taxi than by Airport Express. Use a red taxi for destinations to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, green and blue taxis are for New Territories and Lantau Island. There is a large chart at the exit to the taxi stand showing the approximate fares to most destinations. The law is strict on taxi drivers who must charge according to the meter. The meter fare does not include the luggage fee, toll fee or waiting fee.
A fast, clean and comfortable train from the airport to Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island departs every 12 minutes and takes approximately 23 minutes to reach Hong Kong station. A single ticket to Kowloon or Hong Kong stations costs around HK$100 (US$12) with a discount if you buy a group ticket (at least 2 people) at the counter. If in doubt, ask the counter staff.
Airbus
Airport buses to the city are called CityFlyer which is cheaper but slower than the train. Check destinations at the bus terminal at the airport. However, if the bus stops very near your hotel, this may involve less walking and less lugging than the Airport Express. For example, the A21 (HK$33/US$4) bus will take you down Nathan Road, Kowloon's main artery, stopping outside many hotels and hostels. Lines A10, A11 and A12 goes to Hong Kong Island (approx HK$45/US$6). Many locals save money by taking bus S1 from the airport to the Tung Chung MTR station (HK$3.50/US$0.50) and connect to the ordinary MTR for a cheaper ride to the city (Kowloon HK$17/US$2, Hong Kong HK$23/US$3). This interchange will involve about ten minutes walking.
Taxi
A taxi from the airport to the city (Central/Mid-levels) will cost you around HK$350/US$45 depending on your exact destination. If you have three or more people travelling together, it is generally cheaper to travel by taxi than by Airport Express. Use a red taxi for destinations to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, green and blue taxis are for New Territories and Lantau Island. There is a large chart at the exit to the taxi stand showing the approximate fares to most destinations. The law is strict on taxi drivers who must charge according to the meter. The meter fare does not include the luggage fee, toll fee or waiting fee.
Getting Around the city
MTR (metro/ subway)
MTR is fast and clean and connects almost all venues of HKSF (Central, Wan Chai, Fortress Hill). For the MTR map, click here.
Tram
Slow, bumpy, cheap, fun. The tram line runs along HK Island and connects most of the venues of HKSF (Central, Wan Chai, Fortress Hill) The double-deck city trams are only HK$2/US$0.25 and run 6:00AM to midnight. For the east bound tram map, click here.
For the west bound tram map, click here.
Taxi
Clean, metered, efficient, quite cheap. Fares start at HK$18/US$2.30, and you can ride for 2 km before additional HK$1.50/US0.20 per additional 200m.
Bus
Large double-deck buses cover almost all of HK and stop frequently. Van-sized public light bus (minibus) may not be easy for travellers, as it is customary to call out the name of the stop or ask the driver to stop in Cantonese.
Star Ferry
An attraction in itself, its 11 minute route across the harbour travels between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central from early morning until late at night, and offers amazing views (especially when coming from Tsim Sha Tsui). The Star Ferry is an icon of Hong Kong heritage and has carried passengers for over 120 years.Costs around HK$2/US$0.25. The Star Ferry also operates between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai.
MTR is fast and clean and connects almost all venues of HKSF (Central, Wan Chai, Fortress Hill). For the MTR map, click here.
Tram
Slow, bumpy, cheap, fun. The tram line runs along HK Island and connects most of the venues of HKSF (Central, Wan Chai, Fortress Hill) The double-deck city trams are only HK$2/US$0.25 and run 6:00AM to midnight. For the east bound tram map, click here.
For the west bound tram map, click here.
Taxi
Clean, metered, efficient, quite cheap. Fares start at HK$18/US$2.30, and you can ride for 2 km before additional HK$1.50/US0.20 per additional 200m.
Bus
Large double-deck buses cover almost all of HK and stop frequently. Van-sized public light bus (minibus) may not be easy for travellers, as it is customary to call out the name of the stop or ask the driver to stop in Cantonese.
Star Ferry
An attraction in itself, its 11 minute route across the harbour travels between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central from early morning until late at night, and offers amazing views (especially when coming from Tsim Sha Tsui). The Star Ferry is an icon of Hong Kong heritage and has carried passengers for over 120 years.Costs around HK$2/US$0.25. The Star Ferry also operates between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai.