Ferrying About

 Transport, Travel Tips  No Responses »
Jun 272010
 

Travellers to Hong Kong may know the ferry service from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui. This is the most popular ferry route for visitors to Hong Kong. Other than this, you may also have learnt about the ferry service to the outlying islands, such as Lama Island or Cheung Chau.

If you want to see more of Hong Kong from the sea, or venture to new parts of Hong Kong by ferry, there is actually more choice. Hong Kong’s Transport Department maintains updated and complete information on the city’s ferry service, including information on schedule and fare. Please refer to here.

One route I recommend you take is from Sai Wan Ho to Tung Lung Island. The scene from the Tung Lung Island is spectacular.

 Posted by Anna at 10:00 am  Tagged with: ,

Taking Hong Kong MTR

 Transport  3 Responses »
May 272010
 

Hong Kong’s train system MTR dedicates a compartment for first class for each train service on its East Rail line (the line going from/to Lo Wu /Lok Ma Chau). To take the first class, you must pay extra. On the platform, where the first class compartment will be parked is marked and there is a machine for passengers to pay the extra. You must swipe your Octopus Card (a smart card used on all Hong Kong’s transport) there before boarding the train.

In other words, when you enter any East Rail station using an Octopus Card, you pay the normal non first class price. Once you are on the platform, you can decide if you want to take the first class or not.

Be sure that you pay the extra if you take the first class. If you are caught, a fine of HK$500 awaits you. From last year to now, a total of 22,000 passengers taking the first class were caught not paying the extra. I am sure some of them were visitors who did not know the rule.

If you are not using an Octopus Card, simply buy a first-class train ticket from a service counter before boarding.

 Posted by Anna at 10:16 am

What to note taking HK MTR

 Transport, Travel Tips  No Responses »
Sep 082009
 

Hong Kong's MTR systemHere are small notes regarding some MTR stations in Hong Kong. If you are new to the city’s train (MTR) system, you may be interested.

First, if you want to go from Tsim Sha Tsui station to East Tsim Sha Tsui station, or vice versa, you have to buy a new ticket (meaning you have to leave the gate of one station before entering the gate of another), though the two stations are connected by a long subway and a long walk of at least 5-10 minutes.

Second, Hung Hom station, one of the busiest stations, is the only station of the whole MTR system where electronic information is displayed to show which train to depart from which platform, and at what time. The station is busy because it is the starting point and the final stop for two MTR lines (the West Rail Line and the East Rail Line that goes to Lowu or Lok Ma Chau). There are four platforms in the station so look out for the electronic information before going to any of the platforms.

Kowloon Tong is another busy station because here the East Rail Line and the Kwun Tong Line intersects. Previously, to transfer from one line to another, you had to buy a new ticket, just like the situation mentioned above regarding Tsim Sha Tsui station and East Tsim Sha Tsui station. But it is no longer the case. The walk from one line to another is long though, taking approximately five minutes. So be prepared. If you come from Lowu, Kowloon Tong is usually the transit point for going to the city.

 Posted by Anna at 9:55 pm

Transport from Lowu to Hong Kong Airport

 HK-Shenzhen Transport, Transport  5 Responses »
May 202009
 

If you need to travel from Lowu to Hong Kong International Airport, here’s the easiest way – take the airport bus from Sheung Shui train station on the East Rail Line.

After going through the Hong Kong immigration, you will find yourself at the Hong Kong Lowu train station. Board the train, and get off at the first stop – Sheung Shui station.

Take exit B2, to get to the Sheung Shui Bus Terminus, where you will find A43 airport bus. It takes about 1 hour to get to the Hong Kong International Airport, with a bus fare of HK$29.2. The bus is every 15-30 minutes.

For details of the bus route, please go to this bus company website to key in the bus route number for checking. Note that the first part of the schedule is for transport to the Airport from Luen Wo Hui (in Fanling, which is about 2-3 stops to Sheung Shui station), and the second part of the schedule is for transport from the Airport.

 Posted by Anna at 10:10 pm

Hong Kong online route finder launched

 Transport, Travel Tips  2 Responses »
May 012009
 

Hong Kong Transport Department has launched an online route finder to help travelers plan trips around the city. You can enter origin points and destination points for route search.

I’ve tried my hands at the system, and I must say it is a big disappointment. It is not user-friendly – hard to find what you want, and you are often at a loss as to how to search. The instructions are not helpful either. 

But it has an abundance of information, complemented with map, fares, and providing information covering bus, minibus, ferry, train, and tram – all modes of transport in Hong Kong. The system is in a pilot stage and hopefully it will be improved soon to give real benefits to visitors to Hong Kong. 

Here is the website: http://ptes.td.gov.hk/en/index.asp

 Posted by Anna at 7:20 am
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