Getting Around Hong Kong
Find the best way to access the city from anywhere.
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is on Lantau Island and is one of Asia’s busiest and best‑organized airports, which makes it easier to manage arrivals and departures for events. The airport is linked directly to the city by a fast train line, buses, and taxis, so you can choose between speed, cost, and comfort depending on your guests. For planners, the main advantage is that travel times are quite consistent, which helps with scheduling airport pickups, hotel check‑ins, and meeting start times.
Main airport: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), located on Lantau Island, about 30–40 minutes from Central by road.
Fastest option: Airport Express train takes about 24–25 minutes from the airport to Hong Kong Station in Central, with stops at Tsing Yi and Kowloon.
Train frequency: Airport Express trains run roughly every 10 minutes from early morning until around midnight.
Airport to main hotel areas:
Central / Admiralty (business district): around 25 minutes by Airport Express plus a short taxi or MTR ride.
Tsim Sha Tsui / Kowloon hotels: get off at Kowloon Station and take a short taxi or hotel shuttle.
Cheaper options: Airport buses serve most major hotel and shopping areas; they are slower but budget‑friendly and good for group arrivals.
Taxis and private transfers: Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport; private vans and pre‑booked transfers are useful for VIPs or small groups with luggage.
On‑site facilities: The airport has business lounges, meeting spots, Wi‑Fi, and many food options, which is helpful if guests arrive early or have long layovers.
Tip for planners: For tight schedules or high‑value clients, recommend the Airport Express plus taxi; for larger groups on a budget, consider pre‑booking buses or private coaches.
Main airport: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), located on Lantau Island, about 30–40 minutes from Central by road.
Fastest option: Airport Express train takes about 24–25 minutes from the airport to Hong Kong Station in Central, with stops at Tsing Yi and Kowloon.
Train frequency: Airport Express trains run roughly every 10 minutes from early morning until around midnight.
Airport to main hotel areas:
Central / Admiralty (business district): around 25 minutes by Airport Express plus a short taxi or MTR ride.
Tsim Sha Tsui / Kowloon hotels: get off at Kowloon Station and take a short taxi or hotel shuttle.
Cheaper options: Airport buses serve most major hotel and shopping areas; they are slower but budget‑friendly and good for group arrivals.
Taxis and private transfers: Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport; private vans and pre‑booked transfers are useful for VIPs or small groups with luggage.
On‑site facilities: The airport has business lounges, meeting spots, Wi‑Fi, and many food options, which is helpful if guests arrive early or have long layovers.
Tip for planners: For tight schedules or high‑value clients, recommend the Airport Express plus taxi; for larger groups on a budget, consider pre‑booking buses or private coaches.
Hong Kong Airport Express
Airport Express
Departing every seven minutes, it takes just 24 minutes for the high-speed Airport Express to reach Hong Kong Island from the airport. From there visitors can catch free shuttle buses from Hong Kong or Kowloon Airport Express stations to the city’s major hotels. When returning home, visitors and delegates can check-in to most major airlines at the Hong Kong Airport Express station, bringing ease and convenience to your event right through to its closing step. A prepaid Octopus Card can be used on most forms of public transport. They can be bought at any MTR station, and reload up at MTR stations and convenience stores.
Departing every seven minutes, it takes just 24 minutes for the high-speed Airport Express to reach Hong Kong Island from the airport. From there visitors can catch free shuttle buses from Hong Kong or Kowloon Airport Express stations to the city’s major hotels. When returning home, visitors and delegates can check-in to most major airlines at the Hong Kong Airport Express station, bringing ease and convenience to your event right through to its closing step. A prepaid Octopus Card can be used on most forms of public transport. They can be bought at any MTR station, and reload up at MTR stations and convenience stores.
Hong Kong Public Transportation - MTR
Hong Kong’s main rail system is called the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), and it is the fastest way to move around the city once your guests are in town. The network covers key business areas, shopping zones, tourist sights, and border points to mainland China, which is very useful if your event involves regional travel. Stations are well signposted in English and Chinese, and trains are frequent, clean, and air‑conditioned, which keeps movement easy even for first‑time visitors.
Core system: The MTR has multiple lines, including the Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Tung Chung Line, Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line, and others.
Operating hours: Most lines run from around 6:00 am until about midnight or slightly later, with trains every few minutes during the day.
Key stations for business and events:
Central / Hong Kong Station: main financial and commercial area.
Kowloon / Tsim Sha Tsui: major hotel, shopping, and convention zones.
Admiralty: connects to several lines and is close to government and office buildings.
Access from the airport: Airport Express connects directly to Hong Kong and Kowloon stations, where guests can transfer to regular MTR lines or taxis.
Payment options: Visitors commonly use the Octopus card or contactless payments for trains, buses, and some shops, which simplifies group travel.
Cross‑boundary travel: The East Rail Line runs from Admiralty through Kowloon to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau at the Shenzhen border, useful if attendees are coming from mainland China.
Tip for planners: Share simple station instructions and line maps with attendees, and choose hotels near MTR stations to reduce travel time to event venues.
Core system: The MTR has multiple lines, including the Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Tung Chung Line, Airport Express, Disneyland Resort Line, and others.
Operating hours: Most lines run from around 6:00 am until about midnight or slightly later, with trains every few minutes during the day.
Key stations for business and events:
Central / Hong Kong Station: main financial and commercial area.
Kowloon / Tsim Sha Tsui: major hotel, shopping, and convention zones.
Admiralty: connects to several lines and is close to government and office buildings.
Access from the airport: Airport Express connects directly to Hong Kong and Kowloon stations, where guests can transfer to regular MTR lines or taxis.
Payment options: Visitors commonly use the Octopus card or contactless payments for trains, buses, and some shops, which simplifies group travel.
Cross‑boundary travel: The East Rail Line runs from Admiralty through Kowloon to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau at the Shenzhen border, useful if attendees are coming from mainland China.
Tip for planners: Share simple station instructions and line maps with attendees, and choose hotels near MTR stations to reduce travel time to event venues.
Hong Kong Ferries
As a coastal city, Hong Kong regularly operates ferry routes that connect Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the Outlying Islands.
FERRIES BETWEEN HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON
The cross-harbour ferries are a fun way to hop between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Enjoy the stunning harbour view as you sail between Central and Hung Hom or on the Star Ferry routes.
The Star Ferry is a charming vessel that transports passengers between Hong Kong Island (Central and Wan Chai) and Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui). It offers views of both sides of the harbour, and is as much an attraction as it is a mode of transport.
Fares vary slightly between the upper and lower decks, as well as between weekdays and weekends, and are paid at the barriers when boarding . Passengers can pay by Octopus Card or use cash to purchase a token from the machines at the pier.
FERRIES BETWEEN HONG KONG ISLAND AND OUTLYING ISLANDS
Ferries operating from the Central Ferry Piers on Hong Kong Island provide services to the main Outlying Islands. Two types of ferries operate along most routes: standard ferries and the slightly more expensive fast ferries.
FERRIES BETWEEN HONG KONG ISLAND AND KOWLOON
The cross-harbour ferries are a fun way to hop between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Enjoy the stunning harbour view as you sail between Central and Hung Hom or on the Star Ferry routes.
The Star Ferry is a charming vessel that transports passengers between Hong Kong Island (Central and Wan Chai) and Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui). It offers views of both sides of the harbour, and is as much an attraction as it is a mode of transport.
Fares vary slightly between the upper and lower decks, as well as between weekdays and weekends, and are paid at the barriers when boarding . Passengers can pay by Octopus Card or use cash to purchase a token from the machines at the pier.
FERRIES BETWEEN HONG KONG ISLAND AND OUTLYING ISLANDS
Ferries operating from the Central Ferry Piers on Hong Kong Island provide services to the main Outlying Islands. Two types of ferries operate along most routes: standard ferries and the slightly more expensive fast ferries.
Hong Kong Taxis and Coach Charter
Taxis are readily available from the taxi pick-up area in front of the airport’s Arrivals Hall. If you’re travelling to Hong Kong Island or Kowloon you’ll need to catch a red taxi. If you’re headed for the New Territories you’ll need a green taxi, and those going to Lantau Island will require a blue taxi. All taxis in Hong Kong are able to take passengers to and from the airport. Fares are metered and detailed information about charges are clearly displayed inside each cab.
With the exception of some very remote areas, taxis are plentiful throughout Hong Kong. They can usually be hailed on the street (except in restricted areas) or summoned by phone. All are metered, relatively cheap, air-conditioned and clean.
TYPES OF TAXIS
Taxis in Hong Kong are categorised by three colours, each indicating a geographical area. All taxis can travel to and from Hong Kong International Airport as well as Hong Kong Disneyland.
RED TAXIS
Red taxis operate throughout most of Hong Kong, except for Tung Chung Road on
Lantau Island and on the entire south side of Lantau Island.
GREEN TAXIS
Green taxis only service the New Territories.
BLUE TAXIS
Blue taxis only operate on Lantau Island.
For taxi fares and additional charges, visit Hong Kong’s Transport Department website.
TIPS FOR A HASSLE FREE TAXI TRIP
Taxis are usually easily hailed along the street, although they can’t pick up or drop off passengers in certain restricted zones.
It’s often a good choice to opt for either a taxi queue at a hotel or a taxi stand.
Taxi fare information will be listed on the inside of the taxi, including surcharges e.g. for baggage and tunnels.
COACH AND LIMOUSINE CHARTER
Passengers who require their own personal limousines, minivans, vans and group coaches (buses) can book their transport from service providers located in the Arrivals Hall.
With the exception of some very remote areas, taxis are plentiful throughout Hong Kong. They can usually be hailed on the street (except in restricted areas) or summoned by phone. All are metered, relatively cheap, air-conditioned and clean.
TYPES OF TAXIS
Taxis in Hong Kong are categorised by three colours, each indicating a geographical area. All taxis can travel to and from Hong Kong International Airport as well as Hong Kong Disneyland.
RED TAXIS
Red taxis operate throughout most of Hong Kong, except for Tung Chung Road on
Lantau Island and on the entire south side of Lantau Island.
GREEN TAXIS
Green taxis only service the New Territories.
BLUE TAXIS
Blue taxis only operate on Lantau Island.
For taxi fares and additional charges, visit Hong Kong’s Transport Department website.
TIPS FOR A HASSLE FREE TAXI TRIP
Taxis are usually easily hailed along the street, although they can’t pick up or drop off passengers in certain restricted zones.
It’s often a good choice to opt for either a taxi queue at a hotel or a taxi stand.
Taxi fare information will be listed on the inside of the taxi, including surcharges e.g. for baggage and tunnels.
COACH AND LIMOUSINE CHARTER
Passengers who require their own personal limousines, minivans, vans and group coaches (buses) can book their transport from service providers located in the Arrivals Hall.
Hong Kong Buses and Mini Buses
BUSES
Buses in Hong Kong are plentiful, comfortable and air-conditioned. Especially popular are the double-deckers that offer great views of the surrounding city from the top deck. Fares are paid upon boarding, based on distance travelled and exact change is required if paying by cash. Octopus cards are accepted on all buses in Hong Kong.
MINIBUSES
Minibuses are small buses that carry up to 19 people. Green minibuses operate along specific routes at fixed prices. Fares are paid upon boarding, based on distance travelled and exact change is required if paying by cash. All green minibuses accept Octopus cards. Red minibuses operate along routes that are not always fixed and passengers can get on and off anywhere along the route, except where special prohibitions apply. Fares are paid as you depart when travelling on a red minibus and the driver can usually provide change for small notes.
Buses in Hong Kong are plentiful, comfortable and air-conditioned. Especially popular are the double-deckers that offer great views of the surrounding city from the top deck. Fares are paid upon boarding, based on distance travelled and exact change is required if paying by cash. Octopus cards are accepted on all buses in Hong Kong.
MINIBUSES
Minibuses are small buses that carry up to 19 people. Green minibuses operate along specific routes at fixed prices. Fares are paid upon boarding, based on distance travelled and exact change is required if paying by cash. All green minibuses accept Octopus cards. Red minibuses operate along routes that are not always fixed and passengers can get on and off anywhere along the route, except where special prohibitions apply. Fares are paid as you depart when travelling on a red minibus and the driver can usually provide change for small notes.
Hong Kong Trams
Hong Kong’s historic street trams still operate on the north corridor of Hong Kong Island through Western District, Wan Chai, Happy Valley, Causeway Bay and North Point. These double-decker streetcars have been travelling through Hong Kong's busiest thoroughfares since 1904 and continue to be an affordable, inexpensive and fun way to get around.
No matter how far you travel, each tram ride costs the same flat fare and exact change is required if you are paying by cash. All trams accept Octopus cards. You need to get on the tram at the back and then pay the exact fare at the front when you’re getting off.
No matter how far you travel, each tram ride costs the same flat fare and exact change is required if you are paying by cash. All trams accept Octopus cards. You need to get on the tram at the back and then pay the exact fare at the front when you’re getting off.
