Transport: With one of the best and most varied public transport systems in
the world and a compact city centre, getting around Hong Kong is
extremely cheap, fast and efficient and is easy enough for even
inexperienced travellers. It includes buses, minibuses, ferries,
trams, light railways and an underground subway. The underground
Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is fast, clean, efficient and
inexpensive. Single-journey tickets or travel passes like the
electronic Octopus card can be used on the MTR to easily access
attractions, shopping and dining locations. Bus routes serviced
with double-decker or single-decker buses cover all of Hong Kong
Island, Kowloon and the New Territories with final destinations
displayed in both English and Chinese on the front. Bus fares are
low and distance-based; exact change is required, or you can use
the ubiquitous Octopus card, which covers all public transport
options. Small mini-buses are more expensive but also more
flexible, stopping for passengers to board or disembark on request.
Hong Kong's old-fashioned trams still follow the same tracks as
they have since 1904 and provide visitors with wonderful views of
the city from their upper decks. They are also a cheap and
convenient way of getting around. On the water, fleets of ferries
connect Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the Outlying Islands, Macau and
Mainland China. Last but not least there is an abundant supply of
taxis, colour-coded according to their area of operation. Taxi
fares are low, but many drivers don't speak English and visitors
are advised to have their destination written down in Chinese
characters.
