Going to Hong Kong? Here’s How to Get Around
If you are thinking about going to Hong Kong, there are a number of things to take into consideration. Whether you’re taking a flight, bus, or train, you’ll want to know what to expect. You’ll also want to think about how you’ll get around once you arrive. You can get into Hong Kong with a student flights offer from Cathay Pacific and then you just need to deal with Hong Kong transit.
Taxis
Whether you are looking for a ride to the airport or just a convenient way to get around town, a Hong Kong taxi is a great option. Taxis are licensed and easy to find. In addition, the city has a 24-hour hotline for reporting taxi complaints.
There are three different types of taxis in Hong Kong. These include urban (red), green, and blue. Urban taxis cover most of the city’s major tourist areas. They also serve the airport and the Hong Kong Disneyland.
Green taxis are mostly located in the New Territories. Their service area includes Yuen Long, Tai Po, and Tuen Mun. The taxis are radio-equipped and all passengers must be buckled in.
Blue taxis are mostly located on Lantau Island. Some of them can pick up passengers at designated interchange locations with red cabs. If you are traveling from Lantau or Chek Lap Kok to Hong Kong Island, you may want to consider a blue cab.
Red cabs are the most expensive. The minimum fares for a cab ride are $17 for the first two kilometres. Additional charges are HK$1.2 per minute.
The driver’s name is usually visible on the dashboard. Most drivers speak some English, though they do not always. However, it is a good idea to have the destination in Chinese if you are planning to use the cab.
Upon arrival, you will be required to pay a one-time toll. Drivers usually round up the change to the nearest dollar.
Trams
Trams are one of the best ways to see the city. If you are short on time, the trams are a quick and inexpensive way to visit the island. They are also environmentally friendly.
The trams in Hong Kong offer a combination of both old and new. They offer scenic views of the city as well as convenient access to the city’s most popular attractions.
There are 120 stops in the Hong Kong tram system. These include seven terminal points. These are located at North Point, Kenndy Town, Shau Kei Wan, Western Market, Causeway Bay and Shek Tong Tsui. Each terminus sells monthly tickets. Monthly tickets cost $200.
The first 26 trams were built in the United Kingdom. The first trams in Hong Kong were single-deckers. During the Japanese occupation, only fifteen were operational. After Japan’s surrender in 1945, 109 tramcars remained in service.
Today, the Hong Kong Tramway Electric Company Limited (HKTEC) runs the system. It is a joint venture between RATP Dev and Transdev.
The company has been operating for more than a century. There are six routes running between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan from 06:00 to 24:00 daily. In addition to the main route, the Happy Valley branch runs clockwise around the Happy Valley Racecourse.
Aside from the usual stops, trams also travel to sheltered refugee islands. The cheapest ticket is HK$1. However, seniors are allowed to pay half the price.
Airport Express Train
An Airport Express Train going to Hong Kong is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get between the airport and the city centre. The service operates from five different stations: Kowloon, Central, West Kowloon, Tsing Yi, and AsiaWorld-Expo. Its total journey time is just over 24 minutes.
The service is free of charge and can take passengers to the Hong Kong island, central Hong Kong and key transport interchanges. While it may not be the cheapest way to get around, it is certainly the fastest and most convenient.
There are two routes: the Airport Express and the Tung Chung line. The Airport Express can be used to connect the urban areas of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, while the Tung Chung line runs from the Hong Kong station to Tsing Yi and the new Tung Chung town.
Travelling from the airport to the city takes a mere twenty-four minutes. Whether you are traveling to AsiaWorld-Expo or downtown, the trip can be done in just over a minute. This is thanks to the fact that the trains run at regular intervals.
Several major airlines have in-town check-in facilities at both the Hong Kong and Kowloon stations. These facilities allow you to pick up a boarding pass up to 90 minutes in advance of your flight.
One of the benefits of the Airport Express is the free WiFi service that is available onboard. It is also possible to buy a travel card called the Octopus, which works on most public transportation in Hong Kong. You can purchase the card online or at the station.
Ding Ding
One of the oldest transportation methods in the world, the Ding Ding tram is an iconic experience in Hong Kong. It is a double-decker tram which is a common form of public transport in Hong Kong.
Passengers board the tram from the front, exiting at the back. The ride takes about an hour, and costs HKD 95. Children under three years of age can ride for free with a paying adult.
The tram’s name, “ding ding,” refers to the double bell ring that alerts pedestrians. This type of tram has been a fixture of Hong Kong’s streets since the early 1900s.
Originally, the ding dings ran from Kennedy Town to Causeway Bay. Later, the route was extended to Shau Kei Wan.
Today, the ding dings remain a link between the old and new of Hong Kong. There are many guided tours that include a Ding Ding tram ride.
While the Ding Ding Tram is an iconic experience, it is not the fastest way to get around the island. It is an easy and pleasant way to take in the sights. A trip on a Ding Ding is one of the cheapest ways to see the city.
You can buy a 2 Day pass for HKD 95, which includes the tour. You can also pay for your ride with an Octopus card. If you are able to use your pass several times, it will save you money.
Drinking tap water
The quality of tap water in Hong Kong has been a source of debate for decades. Several industries use untreated raw water. However, the local government has made efforts to improve the quality of water from the Dongjiang River, a major source of the city’s drinking water.
A recent study by the Environmental Monitoring Service of Hong Kong investigated the quality of tap water in the city. It was discovered that the city’s water has a relatively low mineral content. That’s not a bad thing, but it means the city needs to make improvements to its water treatment facilities.
One of the biggest problems with the water is its high amount of bacteria. Many of the samples reported came from restaurants, offices and retail outlets. Although it may be safe to drink, it’s not recommended.
Another issue is microplastics. Unlike the plastic bottles of the past, many of the latest generation are biodegradable. Unfortunately, the city’s landfills are bursting at the seams.
If you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong, it’s best to skip the water. Although it’s not as harmful as some other sources, drinking tap water can cause illness. So, it’s a good idea to boil the water before you consume it.
On the other hand, bottled water is a popular choice among the locals. In 2008, bottled water sales generated HK$2.68 billion in revenue. And that’s not including the many bottled beverages sold in the city.
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