Wow! A trip to Hong Kong! Talk about the experience of a lifetime! Great food and even greater locations to visit! But like any new destination that you find yourself in, if you don’t know how to get around you can miss out on all the small details. That is especially true in Hong Kong, which can intimidate even the most seasoned travelers if they lack proper transportation and directions. Not to worry though! Hong Kong Public transportation is one of the most efficient in the entire world. The public transport network is very easy to maneuver, so getting around in Hong Kong is a breeze!

Transportation in Hong Kong is anchored on three cornerstones or mass transits: the multipurpose Octopus card, which pays for your tickets, the city bus line and the railway. When you use all three together there’s no location in Hong Kong that you can’t go to visit and enjoy!

First Things First: Octopus Cards

No matter where you go, no matter what you do, Hong Kong public transportation will be a lot easier if you take advantage of the “Octopus Card”, an electronic fare card that is accepted and can be used for almost all transportation in Hong Kong. The Octopus Card is easy to use and because the card can also be used in stores and restaurants the card is extremely convenient.

The Octopus Card is “re-chargeable” which means you can put money on your card and use it like a debit card for transportation and a whole lot more. Just add money to the card whenever you need to, and any unspent funds are refundable. Get the Octopus Card as soon as you arrive in Hong and you’re on your way!

Super Fast: The Mass Transit Railway (MTS)

If Hong Kong public transportation boasts a sterling reputation, then it can thank the Mass Transit Railway (MTS) for its good fortune. The MTR has an accuracy rate of an astounding 99.9%, which means it is practically always on time! Transportation in Hong Kong would be far less efficient without the MTR, which by the way has some 85 stations located at all major locations in Hong Kong. So whether your itinerary involves entertainment, shopping, eating or visits to commercial and residential areas, the Mass Transit railway can surely get you there on time.

All Aboard the Ding-Ding

Hong Kong public transportation also offers some other, not-quite-so modern but no-less-efficient modes of travel in and around the city. The old double-decker “ding-ding” buses are inexpensive and run continuously throughout the day from morning until night. If you want to “travel like the locals” then hopping on a Ding-Ding is the way to go.

Who cares if it’s not first class! What makes the Ding-Ding fun is getting an “exclusive” seat on the upper deck, which makes transportation in Hong Kong a lot more interesting. Don’t be fooled though, the Ding-Dings are always crowded and you may have to sacrifice one while waiting for another especially if you want an upper-deck seat. But again, the buses run all day so you won’t have to wait long to catch one.

Bus fares are HK$2 (as opposed to HK$1 for seniors aged 65 or above and children under 12). The Octopus Card that we mentioned earlier is also accepted which makes bus travel even more affordable and convenient.

If not by Land, Then by Sea

Yet another consideration for public transportation in Hong Kong involves sailing on a Junk. You’ve no doubt seen the Junk on television and cinema. These traditional wooden boats have changed very little over the passage of time and are not only modes of travel but can be rented out for private tours or functions.

One thing is for sure: getting from one side of the harbor to the other is a lot more exciting when you travel by boat! The Junk is almost a cultural icon in Hong Kong and although it’s not the fastest way to travel it surely is one of the most memorable.

Last but not Least: Call a Cab

As you can see, Hong Kong public transportation is varied and you have quite a choice as to how you can get around. But don’t discount the use of a taxi either. If there is one thing you can find plenty of in Hong Kong it’s a taxi! Whether you’re at your hotel or at a restaurant, in a boutique or at the theatre, you can always manage to hail a cab.

Hong Kong taxis are regulated and metered and won’t break your wallet. Hong Kong taxis also operate with a color-code: red, green and blue – which indicates which part of the city they operate in.

So there you go! Travelling in Hong Kong really is convenient, efficient and affordable. The beauty of hundreds of years of culture is at your fingertips thanks to a public transportation system that serves its locals and visitors with the same prompt level of service.

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