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Transport
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Introduction
The Hong Kong transport system is efficient and convenient. Ferries, hovercraft, junks, trains, trams, subway (MTR) buses, double-decker buses, minibuses, apartment
shuttle buses, taxis, limos, private cars, an outdoor hillside escalator and helicopters. It is fast, frequent, economical, clean, often air-conditioned and above
all safe.
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Octopus card
The Octopus card is a multiple use, electronic ticketing system. Purchased at most MTR stations or a “7-Eleven” convenience store. The cards can be
topped up with credit and provide easy swipe payment for multiple modes of transport; MTR, Airport Express, buses and ferries. An increasing number of organizations
are accepting Octopus Card for payment.
Tel: 2266 2266
Website:
www.octopuscards.com
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Mass Transit Railway MTR
The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is Hong Kong’s fully air-conditioned, modern, safe and inexpensive underground. Used by three million passengers a day, it
is one of the busiest subway systems in the world. With trains running every few minutes, it is the fastest way to travel along the waterfront on Hong Kong Island,
to the Disneyland Resort Lines, the Airport Express service and to the New Territories. Covering areas such as Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and as far as Shenzhen –
passing through immigration you will need to have a passport and China visa handy, for travel to Shenzhen.
The Airport Express service runs every 10 minutes from Hong Kong and enables passengers to alight from one of eight stops or continue to the airport within 26 minutes.
Mass Transit Railway
24-Hour Enquiry Tel: 2881 8888
Website:
www.mtr.com.hk
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The Light Transit Railway (LRT)
The light transit railway connects the western area of new Territories to areas around Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. Air-conditioned and clean this service operates from
5:30 am – 12:30 am daily. This is an inexpensive public service; fares range up to HK$6 depending on destination. For more enquiries:
LTR enquiries Tel: 2929 3399
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Trams
Old-fashioned double-decker street trams run parallel to the harbour on Hong Kong Island from Kennedy Town (west) to Shau Kei Wan (east), while one spur goes to
Happy Valley. These hundred-year-old streetcars are the least expensive way to go short distances in Hong Kong. The tram costs around HK $2.00 for adults and HK$1.00
for children, you can pay by Octopus card or cash - pay the correct fare, as no change is given. Trams run from 6 a.m. to midnight. For further information:
HK Tramways Limited
Tel: 2548 7102
Website:
www.hktramways.com
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Peak Tram
The Peak tram is a particularly steep funicular railway providing spectacular birds-eye view of the harbour. For peak residents or regular users you can obtain
a monthly commuter pass or Octopus card.
For the pass you will need to provide 2 passport photos and your HKID or passport.
The Peak Tram runs everyday, including Sundays and public holidays, between 7:00 am and 12:00 pm. The tram departs every ten to fifteen minutes.
Peak Tram
Tel: 2522 0922
Website:
www.thepeaktram.com.hk
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Buses
Double-decker buses and new single-decker buses stop at designated bus stops on major thoroughfares throughout Hong Kong. A red background to the number on the
front means the bus is a Cross-harbour Tunnel bus. The procedure is to use your Octopus card or pay the fare in correct change into a collection box when boarding.
• New World First Bus (HK Island routes)
Tel: 2136 8888
Website:
www.nwfb.com.hk
• Kowloon Motor Bus (Kowloon and N.T. routes)
Tel: 2745 4466
Website:
www.kmb.com.hk
• Citybus (HK, Kowloon, N.T. routes)
Tel: 2873 0818
Website:
www.citybus.com.hk
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Minibuses
Minibuses can carry up to 16 people. There are two types of minibuses available:
Red-topped minibus routes are not always fixed, but passengers can get on and off anywhere they like. To do so passengers need to call out to the driver, when they
approach the area they wish to alight. Generally speaking the red-topped minibuses are faster and more convenient.
Green-topped minibuses have a set route and specific fares. Again passengers need to call out to the driver when they approach the stop they wish to alight. Octopus
cards and cash, is accepted as payment.
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Airport
The Airport Express runs from 6 am - 1 am daily. The trains run every 12 minutes. This service caters to air-passengers and greeters/well wishers. The train stops
at eight stations and takes approximately 24 minutes from Central MTR station. For a single journey from Central, the adult fare is $100. A same-day return trip
is also $100, for when you are picking up visitors from the airport. You can also purchase a round-trip ticket. This allows you a trip to and from the airport and
is valid for one month. You need to purchase round-trip tickets from the Customer Service Desk.
24-Hour Tel: 2881 8888
Website:
www.mtr.com.hk
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Ferry Services
Star Ferry
The Star Ferry is a well-known symbol of Hong Kong. These venerable green and white workhorses have been ferrying passengers across the harbor for decades. It is
a 10-minute ride from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui at the tip of the Kowloon peninsula, remains one of the best transportation bargains in the world, not to mention
the most spectacular way to view the Hong Kong skyline.
Although the best-known route for the Star Ferry is Central to Tsim Sha Tsui, there is also a Star Ferry service from Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui, plus ferries from
Central and Wan Chai to Hung Hom.
Star Ferry
Tel: 2367 7065
Website:
www.starferry.com.hk
First Ferry
Tel: 2131 8181
Website:
www.nwff.com.hk
Discovery Bay Ferry
The Discovery Bay Ferry leaves every 20-30 minutes (more frequently during peak hours), 24 hours a day, and takes passengers to and from Discovery Bay on Lantau
Island.
Discovery Bay Transportation Services
Tel: 2987 7351
Website:
www.hkri.com
Park Island Ferry
The Park Island Ferry leaves every 20-30 minutes (more frequently during peak hours), 24 hours a day, and takes passengers to and from Park Island on Lantau Island.
Tel: 2946 8888
Website:
www.pitcl.com.hk
Outlying Islands Ferries
Other ferries travel to the outlying islands of Lamma Island, Mui Wo, Peng Chau and Cheung Chau.
Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry
Tel: 2815 6063
Website:
www.hkkf.com.hk
First Ferry
Tel: 2131 8181
Website:
www.nwff.com.hk
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Helicopters
Helicopters can be privately chartered for aerial tours and travel to Shenzhen and Macau.
Heliservices (Hong Kong) Limited
The Peninsula Hotel
Kowloon
Tel: 2802 0200
Website:
www.heliservices.com.hk
Tours and chartered flights.
Sky Shuttle Helicopters Limited
Tel: 2108 9898
Website:
www.skyshuttlehk.com
Frequent service-connecting Hong Kong to Macau and Shenzhen.
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Taxis
Taxis can be found everywhere, helped by the taxi pick up points located in convenient areas. Taxis are regulated and required to display both their car numbers
and names on the dashboard. Taxis come in different colors to indicate where they are from and the areas they are familiar with.
Red Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
Green New Territories
Blue Lantau Island
24-Hour Reservation Hotline
Hong Kong Tel: 2574 7311
Kowloon Tel: 2760 0411
New Territories Tel: 2383 0899
Radio Taxi (Booking) Services
Fraternity Public Car Radio Centre
Tel: 2527 6324
Areas covered: Hong Kong and Kowloon.
Wi Fat Taxi Owner Association at Hong Kong Island
Tel: 2861 1008
Areas covered: Hong Kong and Kowloon.
Wing Tai Radio Taxi
Tel: 2861 1011
Areas covered: Hong Kong Island.
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Private Cars
Public transportation in Hong Kong is extensive and efficient; a car is not really necessary. Nonetheless, many expatriates like the convenience that a car gives
them. For those living in Kowloon and the New Territories a car will provide greater flexibility and freedom to access nearby shopping malls and schools for example.
Learn more about Car Insurance, Driving License, Registration and Transfer of Ownership, Towing, Maintenance and Repair Services in the following paragraphs.
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Car Insurance
Third-party insurance is compulsory by law. You must obtain a certificate of insurance before a transfer of ownership and car registration can be completed. You
can usually arrange for insurance over the phone, and the certificate can be faxed to you.
Hong Kong offers a “no claim bonus” (up to a 60% discount) for the number of claim-free years you have had with your previous insurance company. In
order to qualify for this bonus, have your prior insurer provide you with a letter validating your record.
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Driving License
Expatriates, who intend to reside in Hong Kong longer than 12 months, must apply for a Hong Kong driver’s license if they want to drive a car. This is easily
obtained from the Transport Department. Bring your driver’s license from your country of origin and your passport.
Relevant documents provided by the Transport Department (Licensing office), Post Offices and Home Affairs department Public Enquiry Service Centre.
HK Licensing Office
Transport Department
3/F, United Centre
95 Queensway
Tel: 2804 2600
Website:
www.td.gov.hk
Contact Electronic Service Delivery (ESD). An online service, enabling you to renew your driving license, vehicle license, to apply for a certificate of particulars
of vehicle and to notify your change of address.
Electronic Service Delivery (ESD)
Website:
www.esd.gov.hk
Driving Lesson
HK School of Motoring
Tel: 2529 9670
Website:
www.hksm.com.hk
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Registration and Transfer of Ownership
You are not allowed to drive a car on the road unless it is registered and licensed. Register your car at the Transportation Department.
You can obtain the necessary forms for auto ownership transfer at the Transportation Licensing Department. You will need the Vehicle Registration, your Hong Kong
Identity Card or passport, proof of insurance, and payment of the necessary fees.
HK Licensing Office
Transport Department
3/F, United Centre
95 Queensway
Tel: 2804 2600
Website:
www.td.gov.hk
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Towing, Maintenance and Repair Services
Hong Kong Automobile Association (AA)
Membership Tel: 2739 5273
Breakdown Assistance Tel: 2304 4911
Website:
www.hkaa.com.hk
British Repair and Driving School
63 Pok Fu Lam Road
Pok Fu Lam
Tel: 2540 3306
Elegant Motor Service Co. Ltd
G/F, 5 Mui Hing Street
Happy Valley
Tel: 2893 9767
Fookie Motors Company Ltd
8 Ah Kung Ngam Village Road
Shau Kei Wan
Tel: 2565 6166
Parking
Not all properties will include parking and there can be a limited number of spaces available in your place of residence. Check with your management office if there
are any car parking spaces for rent.
For a list of public car parks, consult the Government Transport Department
Website:
www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/parking/carparks/index_t.htm
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