Your Complete Guide to Navigating Public Transit in Hong Kong
Getting around Hong Kong is super easy—plenty of public transport, taxis, and walkability make it a really convenient city to navigate. Realistically, it’s also not very big. Signs are often in English (it used to be a British colony, after all), so you won’t have to rely on translation apps to find your way around. Google Maps is also super helpful for working with public transit schedules and navigation.
Mastering the MTR and Subway System
The MTR is my preferred way to get around. It operates much like any other subway system, so if you’ve ever ridden the subway anywhere, you’ll understand how it works right away. Some stations are quite large, so allow extra time to get around inside. If you’ve traveled to Japan, the MTR in Hong Kong is very similar, and the stations are similar, with corner convenience stores, shops, and dining options sometimes scattered throughout the larger ones. If you’re going to be around more than a day or plan to take a few rides, I definitely recommend getting an Octopus Card. You can use this card to pay for rides on the MTR and buses, and to make purchases at many shops around the city.
Navigating Hong Kong Taxis
Taxis in Hong Kong have gotten easier to use since I was a child. For one, they now accept mobile payments! No more counting coins in the dark. One important thing to note (especially at the airport) is that Hong Kong taxis are color-coded. Red taxis are the main ones that travel through the city and can operate in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and most of the New Territories. Green taxis operate only in the New Territories. Blue taxis serve Lantau Island only, including areas around the airport, Hong Kong Disneyland, Citygate Outlets, and the Tian Tan Buddha.
Riding Buses and the Iconic Ding Ding Trams
Buses are also easy to find, and so are bus stops. They are well marked with letters and numbers and often have English on the signs. Hong Kong has a variety of buses, from minibusses like this cute Panda bus to larger double-decker buses. Buses can get quite busy during the day, so there are some instances in which you may opt to wait or be crammed in like a sardine! Buses to and from the airport can be especially daunting since many riders have luggage and the ride is somewhat long.
The Ding Ding tram is definitely a Hong Kong bucket-list item, and one you’ll want to check out even if you only ride a couple of stops. I like riding on the front top deck because you get a pretty awesome view! The front windows are somewhat open, and if nobody complains, you can actually stand there if there’s nowhere to sit. It’s a really fun way to see the city, and you can pay with your Octopus card!
Getting around Hong Kong is super easy—it helps to do some research in advance to plan your day’s route so you don’t backtrack (which wastes a lot of time, especially during rush hour). Read more Hong Kong tips here!