By Taxi & Public Light Bus

  By Taxi
A taxi is an ideal vehicle for short-runs. There are three colors of taxis in Hong Kong. Red ones can cover most Hong Kong destinations except Tung Chung Road and roads in south Lantau Island. Green cabs run around in New Territories and on some appointed roads on Lantau Island. Blue taxis serve most destinations on Lantau Island. If you are planning to go to New Territories or Lantau Island, choose a green or blue taxi as more reasonably priced than red. All the taxis can touch Hong Kong International Airport but may not be available in Discovery Bay.

Note: if your journey covers the Lantau Link, you are required to pay an extra toll fee of HK$30 even to downtown or Lantau Island. And if you using toll tunnels, the extra fee is also your responsibility

Hong Kong taxi prices:

 Price

Red Taxi

Green Taxi

Blue Taxi

Flag-down-rate (for the prior 2km(1.24 miles))

HK$15

HK$12.5

HK$12

Every 0.2km (0.12 mile) or one minute waiting

HK$1.4

HK$1.2

HK$1.2

One piece of luggage (exclude portable luggage)

HK$5

HK$4

HK$5

One pet

HK$5

HK$4

HK$5

Reservation through telephone

HK$5

HK$4

HK$5

To avoid problems, always get your destination written in Chinese on a card. Be sure to bring loose change instead of HK$500 and HK$1,000 bank notes. Taxi drivers are not obliged to make change. Get on and off cars on the left side of the street.

Roads with painted double yellow lines are forbidden zones for picking up passengers; you cannot take a taxi here. During rush hours, taxis may stop in front of some hotels. Always ask for the bill before leaving the taxi as the car number is listed on it. If you are not satisfied with the service or you left something in the car, you can complain through (852)28899999.

 By Public Light Bus
In Hong Kong, there is a kind of minibus called the public light bus and known locally as 'Van 仔' (Van Zai). This name is a combination of Chinese and English. In Cantonese, '仔' means 'small' or 'young'. The natives in Hong Kong also speak Cantonese; hence, they like to use this character.

The public light bus plays a very important role within Hong Kong's urban traffic system. It reaches the areas that subway trains and regular buses cannot go so many locals travel upon them. If you want to experience the life of ordinary people whilst there, you might want to have a go.

A public light bus has 16 seats. In Hong Kong, there are red and green-roofed public light buses and their bodies' color is light yellow. The red-roofed ones, also known as 'red vans' do not have regular routes, scheduled departure times, or fixed fares so red vans are not suitable for visitors unfamiliar with their routes. Most red vans provide a 24-hour service and usually, passengers pay for their journey in cash when they are ready to get off. As a rule red vans do not accept the Octopus Card With the exception of the forbidden zones indicated with a yellow line, they are free to stop anywhere.

Differing from the red vans, the green-roofed public light buses have regular routes, schedules and standard fixed fares and as such, provide a better service. In line with the Hong Kong Government’s policy to convert red vans to green, more scheduled routes are being introduced.

Tip: Most of the public light bus drivers are only able to speak Cantonese. They cannot speak English, or even Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese). Therefore, as a visitor, if taking the public light bus, you should be familiar with the bus routes or know some Cantonese.

Travelers' Voices on Getting Around Hong Kong by Taxi & Public Light Bus

1.

Jun. 7,2009 23:52 Reply

Ms.Lauren(Singapore) said:

Hi

How much does it cost to travel in a taxi to City Garden Hotel from the Hong Kong International Airport? Which color taxi to take?

Jun. 8,2009 21:47
Ms.Ellen replied:

You can take Bus A11 to Electric Road, ticket fare : 40HKD. If take taxi, it is much expensive, about 400RMB. This is the taxi fare generally from the airport to HK Island. Take red taxi.

2.

Jun. 1,2009 09:54 Reply

Mr.johnson(USA) said:

how much will it cost me if i ride a taxi from temple street to kimberley?

Jun. 4,2009 04:44
Ms.Sunny replied:

Do you want to go to Kimberley Road? If you walk from the Temple Street, it only takes you about 15 minutes to Kimberley. So, I think there is no need to take a taxi~ Of course, the riding a taxi will not cost too much~

3.

May. 27,2009 23:49 Reply

Mrs.Tracey Cruse (Australia) said:

Hi
What would be the best way to get from Disney Hollywood hotel to Kowloon Hotel. We will be traveling with a 2yr old and will need the stroller for the day.
I have looked at the MTR however we have the change trains twice before we get to the Tsim Sha Tsui Station.

Any help would be greatly appriciated as we need to meet a tour bus at 8am.
Thanks

May. 31,2009 22:50
Ms.Emma replied:

HI, Tracy. The hotel seems to have free shuttle bus to the Disneyland City-bus terminal where you can take bus R8 (the first bus at 6am) to Lantau Link toll Plaza and change to Bus A21 to Hiton Hotel in Nathan Road. Kowloon Hotel is just in the opposite side of the road. Hope it helps.

4.

May. 19,2009 22:35 Reply

Ms.Jenny(australia) said:

Hello, :)

How much is it by Taxi from HK Airport to HK central station - compared to Train cost? Which train please?

May. 21,2009 21:38
Mr.Jason replied:

Very expensive by taxi, at leat 400 HKD. There is direct airport express departing every few minutes to the Central. It is ligh rail and the ticket price is 100HKD and if you return to the airport the same day, it is free for your return trip. Good luck~

5.

May. 18,2009 09:26 Reply

Mr.Salah(Philippines) said:

First, I wish to know around how much does it cost to take a taxi from disneyland park to Holiday Inn Golden Mill hotel? Second, which taxi color do I need for my trip? And third, how long in time to reach the hotel?

I will appreciate if somebody can help me by answering the above guestions.

May. 21,2009 21:19
Ms.Emma replied:

The taxi fare is about 300HKD. Suggest you take a subwat to kowloon and then change to taxi to the hotel. Red color. It is 30 minutes by subway and should be faster by taxi. Good Luck!

6.

Mar. 31,2009 03:50 Reply

Mrs.Terry T.(New Zealand) said:

Whats the best way of going to disneyland from the international airport, how much?
what is the nearest hotel from international airport

May. 21,2009 21:00
Ms.Emma replied:

At the Counter 13 of Exit B area, there are transfer bus from the airport directly Disneyland, but it is expensive: 140HKD per person and the same price for kids. Or you can take S1 airport shuttle bus to Tung Chung and change to Disney special line. The airport bus is about 70HKD. :-)

7.

Mar. 25,2009 07:56 Reply

Ms.Doris(USA) said:

I have to leave Disneyland Hollywood Hotel at 5:30 AM to catch an 8:00 AM flight at Hong Kong Airport. The shuttles do not run that early in the morning. I've been told I have to have a private car take us at 680HKD or $85 US. Does anyone know if a taxi would be cheaper???
Thanks.

Mar. 30,2009 01:59
Ms.Serbling replied:

Yes, taking a taxi is much cheaper. The cost should be HK$100-HL$150. Good Luck~

8.

Feb. 3,2009 01:36 Reply

Mrs.susan(england) said:

what is the best way to get from hong kong to shauguan

9.

Dec. 8,2008 21:14 Reply

Mr.Akila said:

It is expensive to take taxi in Hong Kong. In consideration of the expanses and convenience, to live near to the subway station is the best choice.

10.

Dec. 8,2008 20:41 Reply

Ms.Elizabeth said:

Hong Kong has well developed subway system and can take your to everywhere you want to. We take subway at airport express line to the airport. boarding and baggage check can be handled at Zhonghuan subway station.

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