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Hong Kong has a safe, clean, reliable and
affordable public transport system which consists of buses, minibuses,
trams, a metro system (MTR), an overground train system (KCR) and ferries. Almost all
modes of public transportation are air-conditioned and comfortable.
The "Octopus" is an electronic ticketing system or stored value card, and
can be purchased at all MTR stations. The system is simple
to use and Octopus cards can be ‘topped up’ at various locations including
MTR stations, 7-Eleven stores, Park’n’Shop,
Watsons, and an increasing number of other outlets. Or, you can also make arrangements with your bank to automatically ‘top
up’ your card when the balance falls below a certain amount. These
cards may be used on virtually all modes of public transportation. For more information about Octopus Cards, log onto www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/ticket.html
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Air
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Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong’s
International Airport is situated on the northern coast of Lantau Island and has consistently been
labelled "the best airport in the world”. It is one of the largest and
most modern airports in the world and offers a comprehensive range of
facilities and service. It is also a convenient gateway to China and the rest of Asia.
Transport links from the airport to the city centre are excellent, and the
fastest and easiest public transport link is the Airport Express. The train travels via Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and takes just 23 minutes to
reach Hong Kong Station. Buses and taxis are also
available from the airport to both Kowloon
and Hong Kong
Island. Free shuttle
buses run from all the major hotels to Hong Kong and Kowloon stations. For more information
about transportation, airlines and flight information contact the Airport
Authority.
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Hong Kong Airport Authority
Tel: +852
2181 000
www.hongkongairport.com
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Trains
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The
Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR) runs a service from Mainland China to Hong Kong.
Trains from Mainland China
arrive at Hung Hom station in Kowloon.
The KCR East Rail runs from Tsim Sha Tsui
in Kowloon,
through the New Territories, to the boundary with Mainland China
at Lo Wu. The Light Rail connects the towns of Tuen Mun and
Yuen Long in the New
Territories. The rail system is constantly being improved, so for the most up-to-date information visit the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) website. www.kcrc.com/eng/services/routemap/index.asp
The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is the subway system used in Hong Kong, and it is
clean, fast and efficient.
The
MTR network consists of five interconnecting rail lines covering
Hong Kong
Island, Kowloon
and part of the New
Territories. Most
maps of Hong Kong will have an MTR/KCR map
included, or visit the MTR Corporation websit. www.mtr.com.hk/eng/train/intro.html
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Ferries
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Ferries sail between Hong Kong
Island and Kowloon
and to some of the Outlying
Islands,
as well as to Macau and Mainland China.
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The Star Ferry provides services to Central, Wan Chai
and North Point on Hong Kong Island, as well as to Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom
on Kowloon.
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From the Outlying Islands Ferry Piers on Hong Kong
Island, there are services to
Lamma, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Lantau Island.
There is also a 24-hour high-speed ferry service from Central to Discovery Bay
on Lantau Island.
In addition it is also possible to get ferries for Island
hopping as well as some small ferries between Aberdeen
(Hong Kong) and the Outlying
Islands.
Some useful telephone numbers are :
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Buses
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Buses are clean, air conditioned, and run regularly. Bus
stops usually display the bus routes and numbers, and the fares charged.
There are two main bus companies operating on Hong Kong Island
- Citybus and New World First Bus, and one
company on Kowloon and the New Territories
- Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB).
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There are
also 16-seater Public Light Minibuses, (small buses with a green or red
stripe just below the roofline), which have fixed routes. There are no
fixed bus stops on these routes and the buses will only stop ‘on demand’.
To stop a minibus, either put your hand out to stop it on the street, or
tell the driver when to stop. The best way to find out what to do
is to watch the "locals", and it’s easy once you know how! Some
bus routes have fixed fares, whereas others are distance related and may
have staged fares throughout the journey. The fare will be displayed close to the Octopus pad at the entrance
of the bus, and can be paid either in cash or with an
Octopus card.
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Trams
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Double-decker trams run along the northern edge of Hong Kong
Island from Shau Kei Wan to Kennedy Town with an adult flat-fare of
just HK$2.
The Peak Tram which is over 100 years old, travels from Garden Road
to the Peak. It runs every day,
including Sundays and public holidays, between 07:00 and 24.00 It’s
a thrilling ride up a very steep slope and offers spectacular views of
the harbour.
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Taxis
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Taxis are usually easily available in all the major
areas. On Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
the taxis are red in colour with a
starting fare of HK$15 and HK$1.40
for every additional 200 metres. In the New
Territories the taxis are green, and on Lantau Island
they are blue. Both the Lantau and New Territory
taxis start with a minimum fare of
HK$12.50 and then HK$1.20 for every additional
200 metres. Extra charges will be
levied for tunnel tolls, the driver's return toll and for luggage which is
placed in the trunk of the taxi. Tipping is not expected, but
it is acceptable to round the fare up to the nearest dollar.
Taxis can also be booked by telephone. Look in your local
Yellow Pages or visit their website on www.yp.com.hk, for a
company near you.
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