Transportation
Hong Kong: The Transportation Hub of Asia
Hong Kong is a densely populated harbor city and is home to almost 8 million people. This number alone will reassure any traveler to the country that Hong Kong’s public transport system is one of the most highly developed one in Asia. Moving around Hong Kong is so easy and you’ll be spoilt for choice with great means of transportation that’s both affordable and convenient!
Getting to where you want in Hong Kong is made easier with its impeccable MTR or Mass Transit Railway. Boasting of 5 different lines and The MTR’s underground and overground networks are both safe and reliable means of getting around Hong Kong. You’ll be surprised to know that this network boasts of 150 stations including 82 full fledged railway stations and 68 light rail stops all spanning across 211 kilo meters of rail. More than 4 million trips are made in an average weekday and the numbers steadily increase during the weekends.
As expected from a high traffic country, trains run regularly so that you can be sure to reach your destination in no time at all! Most, if not all trains, arrive every two to four minutes from 6AM to 1AM daily. During peak hours such as 7AM to 10AM as well as 5PM to 8PM, the crowd can be rather dense so do be prepared to squeeze in a little. Be mindful too that you might be fined if you are caught eating, drinking, littering or smoking in the trains.
If this sounds very confusing for a first time traveler, don’t be. The MTR network is equipped with ample signage written in English that proves to be useful at all times. Announcements are also made in both Cantonese and English. Most MTR staff will be glad to help out the occasional lost traveler so you need not be worried about being stuck in a foreign crowd for long. The MTR also provides a host of great facilities and amenities. Wheelchairs and safety platforms for the blind are commonplace in each and every station, while ATMs, phone booths, Hang Seng Banks and 7-11 convenience stores are always located around the corner.
You can opt to buy Single Journey Tickets from the many MTR ticket counters, with adult fares ranging from HKD4 to HKD26. Otherwise, why not choose to save time and cost, and instead get the ever versatile Octopus Card? This contactless smart card is highly popular in Hong Kong and is basically used to pay for most major means of transportation including the MTR. This card features a fully refundable deposit and on unused credit, so travelers who are certain that they will be using a fair bit of MTR traveling should get an Octopus Card of their own so that they need not join the crowd in queuing for a Single Journey Card.
Travelers who wish to see more of Hong Kong can also choose to travel by the Hong Kong Tramways. It only costs a mere HKD2 to ride the double decker city trams and view Hong Kong in all its glory along the heart of the island. Another not-to-be-missed tour is the Peak Tram tour. Travelers can pay to ride 1.7 meter all the way to Victoria Peak. Although the price is slightly steeper, the view alone makes it very worthwhile.