What's the best way to travel around Hong Kong?

How to roam around in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong transit: Efficient, chaotic. MTR: Clean, fast. Expensive. Ferries: Scenic. Slower. Trams: Iconic, nostalgic. Slow. Limited reach.

Taxis: Convenient. Pricey. Know your route. Buses: Extensive network. Crowded. Confusing.

Tourist buses: Structured tours. Miss spontaneity. Octopus card: Essential. Avoid fumbling for cash.

My last trip: Used MTR primarily. One ferry ride. Lovely harbor views. The trams? Tourist trap. Overpriced souvenirs.

Pro-tip: Download a transport app. Google Maps works surprisingly well. Plan your routes. Avoid peak hours. Hong Kong is densely populated.

2024 Update: MTR fares increased slightly. New bus routes in the New Territories. Ferry services remain consistent. Octopus card is still king. Seriously.

How to travel in Hong Kong as a tourist?

Hong Kong travel? Piece of cake! Forget stuffy tour guides, pal.

Octopus card is your BFF. Seriously, it’s like magic. Tap, ride, eat – less hassle than wrestling a grumpy panda.

Star Ferry: Touristy? Yes. Awesome? Absolutely. It’s like a floating postcard, only less likely to get stolen by mischievous monkeys.

Trams: Think of them as charmingly slow, open-air carriages. Perfect for people-watching and accidentally bumping into someone’s shopping bags.

That long escalator thing: It’s the world’s longest outdoor covered moving walkway, not a people-mover, get it right! It’s like a lazy river, but for your feet. I used it in 2023, btw. Saves your poor, aching dogs for more important things like eating dim sum.

Taxis: Yellow is good, red is for the airport, right? Don’t quote me on that. They’re cheaper than my last haircut. And faster. Unless you hit rush hour. Then it’s a whole different story. It’s like trying to win a snail race, in a rickshaw, during a typhoon.

My friend, Sarah, told me the MTR is efficient. She’s a crazy, reliable person. Use that too! It’s like a subterranean rabbit hole that gets you where you need to be.

Remember: pack comfortable shoes. You’ll need ’em. Trust me. I’ve got blisters to prove it. Also, sunscreen. This city will bake you like a dim sum dumpling otherwise.

Is it better to get an Octopus card in Hong Kong?

Okay, so the Octopus card in Hong Kong, right? Is it worth it? Well, lemme tell ya, it kinda depends.

If you’re rolling around in taxis all day, and eating at fancy places, maybe not. You won’t really need it, tbh.

But! If you’re gonna use the MTR (the subway), or jump on buses, or like, grab a drink from 7-Eleven or a Starbucks, then yeah, it’s super useful. Like, REALLY useful, you know? Makes life way easier. It’s a money saver if you use public transport, for sure.

It’s just more convienent than having to worry about loose change all the time. And some places even give you little discounts if you pay with the card, and it’s not just for transit, you know?

• Public Transport: Obvious one, but definitely the biggest perk. MTR, buses, even the Peak Tram.
• Convenience Stores: 7-Eleven, Circle K, all that.
• Fast Food/Coffee Shops: McDonald’s, Starbucks.
• Some Retail: Certain supermarkets and other stores.
• Vending Machines: Super handy for a quick drink.

Plus, you can even use it at some smaller shops and even, like, carparks I think. So, overall, i’d say, get the card. It’s cheap and can save you a lot of hassle.

How to get Octopus card in Hong Kong?

Get Octopus. Simple.

• Mainland China/Macau Huawei account needed. Log in.

• AppGallery. “Octopus App for Tourists” download it. New card.

• Arriving by air?

  • Octopus on iPhone. Apple Pay.

• Arriving by land. So?

• Arriving by sea… salty.

Isn’t tech amazing?

Here is additional information for clarity and maybe some confusion. It’s a system, a flawed one but it exists.

• Huawei restriction is real. Mainland or Macau only. Frustrating? Sure.
• Apple Pay Octopus works differently. Check compatibility. Important.
• Sea arrival. Usually ferry terminals.
• The Octopus app? Its…ok. Functionality is limited.

Payments are changing.

Can I pay cash in Hong Kong bus?

Hong Kong buses: Cash accepted. Exact change only. Octopus card alternative.

Fares vary. Expect 4.50 HKD to 47 HKD. That’s roughly $0.57 USD to $6.03 USD. Prices fluctuate.

Octopus card recommended. Avoid hassle. My personal experience: Cash is inconvenient. It’s 2024; efficiency matters.

• Cash: Exact change. Always. No exceptions.
• Octopus: Rechargeable. Convenient. Faster boarding.

Pro tip: Get an Octopus card. Avoid the cash struggle. Hong Kong is fast-paced. Time is money.

Seriously, get an Octopus. Life’s too short for fumbling with coins. Trust me on this. My wallet is lighter now.

Can I use a credit card in Hong Kong bus?

Nope. Forget it. Hong Kong buses are stuck in the dark ages. They’re about as tech-savvy as my grandma’s rotary phone. Seriously, you’ll need Octopus. Think of it as a magical, rechargeable oyster card, but way less stylish. It’s like a tiny, plastic talisman that controls your public transport destiny.

Octopus card is king. You need one. End of story. Trying to use your fancy credit card will be like trying to pay for a Ferrari with Monopoly money. It simply won’t work.

Why Octopus reigns supreme:

• It’s faster than a greased piglet at a county fair.
• It’s more reliable than my alarm clock (which, admittedly, isn’t saying much).
• It’s cheaper than a fancy dinner. Seriously, a meal for two will set you back much more.

MTR? Yeah, that’s the subway. Totally different story. Sometimes those fancy overseas cards work. Sometimes they don’t. It’s a crapshoot, my friend. A total gamble. Like trying to guess which flavor of ice cream my cat would prefer. Good luck with that. My advice, stick to the Octopus card. It’s the only way to fly (or, you know, bus). Save yourself the headache, okay? Get an Octopus card. You’ll thank me later. Trust me on this one.

My brother-in-law tried to use his Amex once. He looked like a scolded puppy afterward. It was hilarious. Don’t be like my brother-in-law.

Can I take MTR without an octopus card?

Octopus card? Overrated. MTR takes other forms.

• Single Journey Tickets: Straight to the point.
• First Class: Proof needed. Always.

Why fuss?

Additional Info:

• MTR Mobile: Contactless options exist, explore it. Register an account for convenience.
• Credit Cards: Some stations accept direct payment. Check for availability. No octopus needed.
• Don’t get caught short. Plan. Be quick.

Is Hong Kong MTR expensive?

Man, Hong Kong MTR? It’s a rip-off sometimes. Seriously. Last year, July, I was there visiting my cousin, right? We went from Central to Mong Kok. Cost me a fortune – 12 HKD, I think. That’s like, almost two bucks US. For a subway ride! Ridiculous! Especially since it wasn’t even a long ride.

I remember feeling so frustrated. The stations are nice and all, modern, very clean, but the prices are brutal. My cousin uses Octopus card which is supposedly cheaper, but I didn’t get one. Should have.

Next time I’m definitely getting that Octopus card. Avoid those single tickets like the plague. The machines are annoying to use anyway. Lots of tiny buttons, and the whole thing is in Cantonese, mostly. Pain in the neck.

• Expensive for tourists. Single tickets are a ripoff.
• Octopus card is better. My cousin swears by it. Cheaper and faster.
• Stations are clean, though. Can’t deny that. Modern too. Nice AC.

That 12 HKD ride? It totally soured my mood. Should’ve walked instead. Just kidding, Mong Kok is far. But seriously, Hong Kong MTR prices are not great for short trips. They’re fine for longer ones, but still. A bit steep.