Editing Hong Kong (section)

== Getting Around ==
Public transportation is a Hong Kong specialty. It's something this city does very well. Quick and efficient, you can get almost anywhere in town by some kind of combination of the methods listed below. However, don't expect a taxi driver to have either an encyclopedic knowledge of the city's roads or a GPS device. And if you're going somewhere that isn't a landmark, try to copy down the Chinese name for it or the name of a nearby landmark. It's also helpful to have a map, even a hand-drawn one, with you.

=== From Airport to City ===

'''The MTR Airport Express Train'''
is the fastest way to get to the airport from Central. Express trains run every 12 minutes from around 6 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. Journeys from the airport to Hong Kong station take approximately 24 minutes and a round-trip ticket costs HK$180.00.
The MTR runs 24 hours on New Year's Eve.
* [http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/timetable_index.html Airport Express Timetable]
* [http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_express/tf_index.html Airport Express Fares]

'''Bus''' to/from the airport from/to various parts of the city
* [http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/routes/airport-bus/route/index.aspx?intLangID=1 Airport Bus Routes (Day + Night services)]

'''Transfer to MTR''' Buses S1 or S56 take you from the airport to the nearest MTR station (Tung Chung Station).

'''Taxi'''
* to Hong Kong Island - at least HKD300
* to Kowloon - at least HKD250
* to New Territories (except Lantau Island) - at least HKD180
* to Lantau Island - at least HKD50

=== MTR ===
[[File:MTR_train.JPG|350px|left|thumb|]]
The Mass Transit Railway is efficient and reliable and covers the major areas of the city. It can also be taken across the border to Shenzhen. Note that you'll need a visa to enter Shenzhen.
* [http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/flash_eng/index.php MTR Route and Fare map]

=== Octopus Card ===
[[File:OctopusCard.jpg|right|thumb|Octopus Card]]
If you're staying for more than a few days, consider buying an Octopus stored-value card. It can be used to pay for the MTR, buses, minibuses, trams and ferries and you can also buy things at 7-11 or Welcome grocery stores with them. The cards are available at service counters at any MTR station. The minimum price is HK$100 plus a HK$50 deposit (refundable when you leave Hong Kong, minus a HK$9 service charge). For travel, simply swipe the card on the unmissable yellow Octopus pad, and the fare is automatically deducted. Airport Express travel pass cards are HK$220 for a single Airport Express journey plus three days' unlimited travel on the MTR, or pay HK$300 for two Airport Express trips plus three days' MTR travel.

=== Buses ===
Buses in Hong Kong are plentiful. Most are double deckers and are excessively air-conditioned. The air-con feels nice on short trips during the summer but for longer trips or on colder days, you can start to lose the feeling in your extremities. Bring a jacket... or a thermal blanket. Fares are based on distance travelled. Exact change is required. Octopus cards are accepted.

The routes are split between several companies and they go to places all over the territory.
* [http://www.kmb.hk/en/services/search.html Kowloon Motor Bus]
* [http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/routes/routesearch.aspx?searchtype=3&intLangID=1 New World First Bus and Citybus]
* [http://www.newlantaobus.com/nlb_map.htm New Lantau Bus]

=== Minibuses ===
Minibuses are small passenger buses that carry about 16 people. Green minibuses operate on specific routes at fixed prices. Exact payment is required when getting on. Octopus cards are accepted. Red minibuses operate on routes that are not always fixed and passengers can get on and off anywhere along the route except where special prohibitions apply. Pay as you alight. The driver can provide change for small notes. 

At a terminus, minibuses often don't depart until they're full. En route, they must be flagged down at a designated stop. They won't stop at your destination unless you tell them to with a "Yau lok mgoi," so you need to know where you're supposed to get off or be a gambling type. If you have something that clearly shows where you want to get off or a clearly written Chinese address, the driver may be helpful but if you're not sure where you're going or have no Chinese references to show the driver, they probably won't have the time or ability to help you.
Seatbelt law applies... if you can find them.

=== Taxi ===
Taxis are relatively cheap compared with other international cities. Starting at HK$20 for the first 2 km, the fare increases by HK$1.50 per 200 metres. If you cross the harbor tunnels, expect to pay the return tunnel toll charge. There are lots of taxis and flagging them down with a wave is easy, but they don't stop at double yellow lines. Receipts given on request. It's always a good idea to have a map clearly showing your destination or the address written in Chinese as most drivers don't speak much English and may not be familiar with certain streets or areas of town even if they do. Your drivers will appreciate any references to local landmarks or major hotels that you can give them. And there's a seatbelt law so buckle up.

'''One thing to watch out for'''

Red taxis legally must take you anywhere in Kowloon or on Hong Kong Island but sometimes they have a preferred destination at shift change times. They usually use a piece of cardboard to cover/uncover their flag light on the dashboard as a signal. Cardboard on means the driver is looking for Kowloon passengers. No cardboard means they're looking for Hong Kong passengers. This isn't much of an issue when you can find the taxis going your way around the corner. It however does become a problem when you have something heavy to carry or you can't find a taxi going your way. Beware that some drivers will refuse to take you or 'get lost' if you insist. If you're in a tight spot, we we suggest you explain to the driver and bug him 'til he sees the light and then keep an eye out to prevent 'getting lost'.

=== Tram ===
One of our earliest forms of public transit is still going strong. For HK$2.30 per adult, $1.20 for children under 12 and $1 for seniors 65+, you can ride along the north side of Hong Kong Island from Shau Kei Wan to Kennedy Town. Just get on at the back and pay at the front as you alight. Octopus cards are accepted.

=== Ferries ===

'''The Star Ferry''' - This operates between the Central/Wan Chai and TST/Hung Hom ferry piers on an ever shrinking channel of water. Once heavily travelled by commuters and tourists alike, it's becoming more of a tourist phenomenon due to the relocation of the pier on the island side some years ago. You can get some great skyline photos from the ferry on a clear day.
* [http://www.starferry.com.hk/services.html Star Ferry map, schedule and fare info]

'''Outlying Island ferries''' - There are several companies which operate ferries to Lantau Island (Discovery Bay and Mui Wo), Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan), Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and other islands around Hong Kong. For schedules and fares, check the links.

* [http://www.nwff.com.hk/eng/fare_table/ New World First Ferry] HK Island/ Kowloon, outlying islands and Macau

* [http://www.hkkf.com.hk/index.php?op=timetable&style=en Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Holdings Ltd.] Hong Kong, Lamma and Peng Chau

* [http://www.hkri.com/icms2/template?series=101&article=3421 Discovery Bay Transportation Services] 24 hour service between Central and Discovery Bay

* [http://www.hongkongclimbing.com/guides/tunglung/index.html Tung Lung Island Ferry]

'''Hong Kong/Macau/China ferries'''
* [http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/schedule/prd.html Turbojet]
* [http://www.nwff.com.hk/eng/fare_table/local-macau/?section=Macau New World First Ferry]
* [http://cotaijet.com.mo/en/destinations/index.aspx Cotai Jet]
* [http://www.macaodragon.com/website/default.aspx Macau Dragon]
* [http://www.cksp.com.hk/eng/home.html Chu Kong]

=== Further info ===
* [http://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/index.html Transport Dept website overview]