Taxi
A taxi is the 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:

General cost (including tunnel and bridge tolls) from airport to the main areas in Hong Kong by taxi:

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 28899999.

See: Hong Kong Airport Transportation.

Tram
Do not miss the tram ride in Hong Kong, which has one of the world's oldest tram systems. HK$ 2 for a trip up to 13 kilometers (8 miles)! You get to see busy downtown either at street level or from the upper deck. At present there are six tram lines: North Point to Whitty Street, Causeway Bay to Sheung Wan, Shau Kei Wan to Sheung Wan, Shau Kei Wan to Happy Valley, Kennedy Town, Kennedy Town to Causeway Bay.

Ferry
A ferry ride between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon is exciting. The Star Ferry Company, one of the most popular in Hong Kong, takes you between Sheung Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui and offers opportunity to appreciate a wonderful view of Victoria Bay.

Subway
Subway is Hong Kong's traffic backbone. Five subway lines with 44 stations take you everywhere in Hong Kong efficiently. The fare ranges from HK$ 4 to HK$ 26, charged by distance. Subway service is offered daily from 06:00 to 01:00 (the next day). Daily 08:30 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 19:00 are rush hours. Travelers ought to use an Octopus card rather than carrying change. Station names are conveniently displayed in English. Toilet facilities are not available on the system.

Public Bus
Bus routes serve Hong Kong well. Most buses are double-deckers with fare ranging from HK$ 1.2 to HK$ 45. Directions are in Chinese and English. An Octopus card can also be used on buses.

Mini Bus
Mini buses are color-coded. The green ones operate regular routes with fixed fare and an Octopus card is available. The red ones operate without fixed charge or routes. Drivers generally do not speak English and will stop only on request.

Peak Tramway
This tramway takes tourists to Victoria Peak from Garden Road at Central. The service hours are from 07:00 to 24:00; about 8 minutes and HK$ 20 for one way, HK$ 30 for round trip. Octopus card is available.