Hong Kong is a small group of islands divided into Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Lantau Island, and the New Territories. The transportation system is well-developed, including three railway systems, trams, buses, minibusses, ferries, hydrofoils, and taxis. Tourists should get an “octopus card” for public transport and maps are widely available. English is widely spoken, but a Cantonese accent can be difficult to understand.
Hong Kong, which literally translates to “fragrant port”, is a cosmopolitan city full of shops, restaurants, clubs and people. Getting around may seem daunting at first, especially with the unfamiliar Chinese characters and strange-sounding words, but it’s actually quite easy.
Hong Kong may act, look and smell like a big city, but in this case “big” is only metaphorical. With an area of only 400 square miles (about 1000 square km) and a well-developed transportation system, the furthest point is always only two hours away and getting from here to there is no problem at all.
The first thing a traveler to Hong Kong should know is that Hong Kong is basically a small group of islands and is divided accordingly. There’s Hong Kong Island, where most of the action takes place; the Kowloon peninsula, a good place for shopping; Lantau Island, home to the international airport; and the New Territories. Most tourists to Hong Kong will likely concentrate in the Hong Kong and Kowloon areas. To go anywhere on public transport, you’ll need an “octopus card,” which is accepted by the Metro, buses, trams, ferries, and even parking meters. Also remember that maps are widely available and can be obtained from most hotels, train stations and bus stops.
There are three railway systems in Hong Kong. There is the light rail system, the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) and the mass transit railway (MTR). The light rail runs within the New Territories and is almost never used by visitors. The KCR connects Hong Kong to mainland China and also passes through the western part of the New Territories. The MTR or subway serves the rest of Hong Kong and is the system most tourists will become familiar with. Hong Kong’s trains are punctual, efficient, very clean and incredibly affordable. MTR stations dot every commercial part of the city.
Trams are also available and are popular with tourists. Some of them will even take you on a leisurely tour of the island, which is a nice way to get your bearings. There’s also the Peak Tram, which will take you up Victoria Peak from the Central District. The views from the summit are not to be missed.
Hong Kong’s buses and minibuses are also reliable and reach almost every single part of the city. Minibuses, also called “maxicabs”, have 16 seats and usually travel short distances, connecting railway stations, shopping centers and residential areas. The buses are double-decker and quite comfortable. They travel longer distances and usually go through tunnels that cross the harbour. However, a word of caution: some buses are not heated in the winter.
Hong Kong being a collection of islands, there is also sea transport. A ferry can take you away from the bustle of the city and to some of the more relaxed outlying islands at quite reasonable prices, while hydrofoils can take you to Macau, a former Portuguese colony now touted to be the Las Vegas of Asia.
And finally, when in doubt, there are taxis, which are everywhere. It should be noted, however, that while English is widely spoken in Hong Kong, sometimes a Cantonese accent can get in the way of perfect understanding. It’s a good idea to bring a business card from your hotel so you can show your driver the right address, ensuring you can always get home.
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