Information Sources for Newcomers

To the uninitiated, Hong Kong can appear to be a seething mass of motion. Here are some websites that will help you navigate through the the city.

MAPS AND DIRECTIONS
The PCCW Yellow Pages map service is an excellent resource. Simply provide a street address, building name, business name, MTR station or just about anything you can imagine and the site will provide a detailed map of the area in question. In fact, the maps are so detailed that you may need to use them in conjunction with a map book in order to see the detailed area in a more general context.
Note: If you click on the “Transportation Map” option at the top of the web page, a list of options appears. You can find all types of transportation maps here, including bus routes and minibus routes, for example. It will even show where parking garages are located.

http://www.ypmap.com

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
General

The Hong Kong Tourist Board’s description of public transportation services gives a basic overview of all forms of public transit to be found in Hong Kong.

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/mustknow/information/mk_info_gett.jhtml

The government’s comprehensive site offers official descriptions of all forms of public transit available in Hong Kong. It’s useful if you want information on the destinations of specific bus routes, ferry times, etc. Just click through to the information you need.

http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/publictransport/index.htm

Taxis

The ins and outs of catching a taxi in Hong Kong are explained here; official taxi fares are listed.

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/mustknow/information/mk_info_gett3.jhtml

Octopus Cards
This page offers a description of how the Octopus card works. An electronic payment system, the Octopus card is an invaluable item if you plan on using the public transit system, and it will make life much easier for your visitors.
http://www.hong-kong-travel.org/Octopus.asp
Mass Transit Railway (MTR)
Hong Kong’s subway system is explained in detail at this site. It’s fast, efficient, clean and safe!
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/homepage/e_customer_index.php

Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR)
The KCR operates between the heart of Kowloon, the New Territories and the border with Mainland China.

http://www.kcrc.com/html/eng/index.asp

Buses

Most buses operate between 06:00 and 00:30. The routes in the SAR are divided up between several different bus companies. Any given area may be serviced by more than one company. All buses require exact change – one reason why the Octopus card is so useful! If you want to know more about bus routes in general, try the Discover Hong Kong website listed above (Public Transportation – General).

Citybus Co. Ltd. services Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.

http://www.citybus.com.hk/eng/main.asp

First Bus Co. services Hong Kong Island.

http://www.nwfb.com.hk/chi/index.htm

Kowloon Motor Bus Co. Ltd. services Kowloon and the New Territories.

http://www.kmb.hk/english.php

New Lantao Bus Co. services Lantau Island.

http://www.newlantaobus.com/mainpage.htm

Minibuses
The yellow and green minibuses run on fixed routes and accept the Octopus cards. The yellow and red minibuses have no set routes (just general destinations) and you’ll need exact change for these. Figuring out the routes of these buses can be challenging at first, but depending on where you live, the minibuses may be quite useful. Minibuses pick up and drop off passengers anywhere along their routes. To catch one, you have to flag them down at a place where it is safe to stop; to get off, you have to let the driver know (“Yau Lok” in Cantonese, but a loud “next stop please” will probably work too!)
http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/minibuses/index.htm

Trams / The Peak Tram
Don’t forget about these fun and unique ways to see the city!

http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/tram_and_peak_tram/index.htm

Ferry Services and Timetables

The Department of Transportation offers ferry schedules for all ferry companies that operate in Hong Kong. These include Kaito ferries, smaller local ferries that travel to the outlying islands.

http://www.td.gov.hk/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/ferries/index.htm

Star Ferry Co. Ltd. services the area within Victoria Harbour

http://www.starferry.com.hk/new/en/index.asp

New World First Ferry offers local service and service to Macau

http://www.nwff.com.hk/engtext/schedule/brs000000.asp

Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Co. offers services to Lamma

http://www.hkkf.com.hk/en/index.html

TurboJet offers services to Macau, Shenzen and Guangzhou
http://www.turbojet.com.hk/index.htm

Hong Kong International Airport
Find out where you can catch the Airport Express (the express train link between the airport and Central), as well as departure and arrival times at this site.

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/index.html

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION
Department of Transportation
If you are planning to operate a private vehicle in Hong Kong, your starting point for information is the Government’s Department of Transportation. The site outlines the procedures for registering a vehicle and for obtaining a local driver’s license (required by law if you are a Hong Kong resident).

http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/index.htm

Drivers’ Licenses for Overseas License Holders A Hong Kong license is a necessity if you wish to drive legally. Department of Transportation requirements are listed here.

http://www.td.gov.hk/public_services/licences_and_permits

Current Traffic Conditions

Get up to date traffic conditions for seven different regions from the Transport Department.

http://traffic.td.gov.hk/selection_e.htm

Parking Garage Locations

YP Map will reveal the location of parking garages close to your destination.

http://www.ypmap.com/en/viewer.asp?mapService=LocationMap