|
Hong Kong is
geographically compact and boasts one of the world's most efficient,
safe, affordable and frequent public transport systems. Complementing
the underground Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system and numerous bus
routes is a network of railways - Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR) and
Light Rail (LR), trams and ferries. Taxis are also plentiful and
getting around town is generally quick and easy. As in all major
cities, however, it is best to avoid rush hours (8:00am-10:00am and
5:00pm-7:00pm).
Buses
All double-decker and coach buses have their final destinations
marked in English and Chinese on the front top panel. Fares are low,
usually ranging from HK$1.20 to HK$45. Exact change is required.
Minibuses and Maxicabs
Minibuses and maxicabs are small passenger vans that differ by colour.
A minibus has a red stripe. Routes are not always fixed and passengers
may get on and off anywhere. Pay as you alight. Exact fare is not
required and small change can be given. Green-striped maxicabs travel
specific routes at fixed prices. Exact payment is required when
getting on. Fares for minibuses and maxicabs are a little higher than
buses, but usually in the HK$2 to HK$22.50 range.
Taxi
Often the
best choice for short distances, taxis are ubiquitous in major areas
and fares are comparatively low. Flag fall is HK$15 in Kowloon and on
Hong Kong Island, lower in the New Territories and Lantau Island. Many
drivers speak some English, but it is wise to have your destination
written in Chinese characters. Only Hong Kong dollars are accepted.
Taxis come in different colours to indicate
their area of service :
-
Red
taxis operate in most of
Hong Kong, except for Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau
Island;
-
Green
taxis serve the rural areas of the New Territories; and
-
Blue
taxis operate on Lantau Island.
All taxis can go to and
from the Hong Kong International Airport. Taxis are easily hailed in
the street, although they cannot pick up or drop off passengers in
areas marked with yellow lines. At peak periods, you might opt for a
hotel taxi-queue. All taxis are regulated and drivers are required to
display their Taxi Driver Identity sign on the dashboard. Taxi fare
information is listed on the inside of the taxi. Always ask for a
receipt.
|
Taxi
Fares (in HK$) |
|
Meter
charges |
Red taxis |
Green taxis
(New Territories) |
Blue taxis
(Lantau Island) |
|
Flag fall
(first 2-km) |
$15 |
$12.5 |
$12 |
Every
additional 200 metres /Every one minute of
waiting time |
$1.40 |
$1.20 |
$1.20 |
|
Additional
Charges |
Red taxis |
Green taxis (New
Territories) |
Blue taxis
(Lantau Island) |
|
Each piece of
baggage |
$5 |
$4 |
$5 |
|
per animal |
$5 |
$4 |
$5 |
|
telephone
booking |
$5 |
$4 |
$5 |
|
wheelchairs,
crutches |
Free |
Free |
Free |
|
Tunnel
and Bridge Taxi Tolls (in HK$)** |
Passengers are
required to pay :
a) Tolls charged for the Lantau Link bridges and tunnels; and
b) Return toll for trips using the Lantau Link or cross-harbour tunnels,
except when:
- The hiring begins from a cross-harbour taxi stand; or
- The final destination is not on the opposite side of the harbour. |
|
Cross Harbour
Tunnel, incl. return toll |
$20 |
|
Eastern
Harbour Crossing, incl. return toll |
$30 |
|
Western
Harbour Crossing, incl. return toll |
$50 |
|
Lantau Link |
$30
|
|
Shing Mun
Tunnels |
$5 |
|
Lion Rock
Tunnel |
$8 |
|
Aberdeen
Tunnel |
$5 |
|
Tseung Kwan O
Tunnel |
$3 |
|
Tai Lam Tunnel |
$22 |
|
Tate's Tunnel |
$10 |
|
**As of
December 2002 |
If
you are going from the airport to the New Territories or to Lantau
Island, the trip is cheaper if you take a green or blue taxi.
|
New Territories |
Urban taxis (red) |
NT taxis (green)
|
|
Tsuen Wan |
$240 |
$200 |
|
Tsing Yi |
$200 |
$170 |
|
Tuen Mun |
$280 |
$250 |
|
Tai Po |
$370 |
$320 |
|
Yuen Long |
$300 |
$270 |
|
Tin Shui Wai |
$330 |
$290 |
|
Sheung Shui |
$380 |
$320 |
|
Sha Tin |
$300 |
n/a |
|
Lantau
Island |
Urban taxis (red) |
Lantau taxis
(blue) |
|
Tung Chung |
$40 |
$30 |
|
Chek Lap Kok |
n/a |
$15 |
|
Mui Wo
|
n/a |
$130 |
|
Tai O |
n/a |
$160 |
|
Useful Taxi-related
Telephone Numbers |
|
Transport
Complaints Unit hotline |
+852 2889 9999 |
|
Transport
Department enquiries hotline |
+852 2804 2600 |
|
HKTB
multilingual visitor hotline (open 8am-6pm daily) |
+852 2508 1234 |
|
Airport
Authority Hong Kong |
+852 2181 8888 |
|
Road Co-op
Lost and Found 24-hour, free hotline for property lost in taxis |
+852 1872 920 |
|
Hong Kong
Police Force hotline |
+852 2527 7177 |
|
Information provided by
Hong Kong Tourism Board.
