We've taken the Star Ferry hundreds of times and it is always a thrill…read more Victoria Harbour should be one of the official Wonders of The World. The red-sailed, wooden Chinese boats, super wealthy yachts on their way to Macau, the ferries chugging along ... it's magical. I never tire of Victoria Harbour.

Star Ferry / Tsim Hsa Tsui - Central (Hong Kong) -- The Star Ferry is legendary and still very…read morecheap. Just HK$5 or about 64 cents for a one-way, ten-minute trip on the upper deck. That's actually over twice as much as it was just a few years back, but hey, it's worth it because it was on the verge of closing. Sure, you can take the MTR and probably get from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island faster, but hey, where's the romance in that? Jamie W and I were finishing up dim sum in Tsim Hsa Tsui and decided to hop on the ferry around 8PM. It was close to empty. The benches have seatbacks that can be reversed depending on the direction the ferry takes. The nighttime views of Victoria Harbor and the surrounding skyscrapers really elevate the ride. If you're not cheapskates, there are tourist-centric Harbour Tours that are a lot pricier (HK$200-230). RELATED - Exploring Hong Kong? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3AGgadg

Victoria Peak is a must do in Hong Kong if you ever visit! I've been several times but during my…read morerecent visit to the city I took the peak tram for the first time. You are also able to drive or hike up to the peak if you ever decide to do so. On a nice day, the views at The Peak are great where you can see the HK skyline as far as the eye can see. I visited the peak on a weekday morning and the lines for the tram were minimal. We were also able to purchase our tickets for the tram fairly quickly as there were no lines. For payment, you can use your Octopus card, cash, or card. The lineup for the tram itself was short and we took the next tram that came. I noticed that some people also purchased an express pass which grants you priority boarding on the tram. Once at the top of the peak, you are met with great views of the city. There are several easy as well as harder trails you can access to walk along. The easiest trail is flat and paved which loops around. The views were great and the trail was mostly shaded with trees. Also, at the top, there are many many shops and restaurants if you'd like to dine or grab souvenirs there. When we made our way down, the lines for the tram were also minimal. Overall, a must do if you ever visit Hong Kong!

The line is crazy... even on a weekday, there was a massive line before nightfall to get up to…read moreVictoria Peak. Buy the ticket online if you can. Or you can scan your Octopus card. Every tourist (us included) goes, hence it was packed. Unluckily, we got on last so we had to stand. Not sure if we could've asked to wait for the next tram as they shuttled the exact group in to wait for the next tram. The ride was extremely steep, I wasn't expecting that. It's decently quick as well, and when you get to the top, you get to enjoy the view. There is also essentially a mall up there as well with some shopping and food. Most people were at 7-Eleven. We checked out McDonald's up there (mediocre). There are some souvenir shops with tram related things: pins/stickers. The designs were just ok, so we didn't buy any. Overall, it's not bad to do it once for the view experience. I definitely wouldn't do it again, though.

We took the Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai Ferry Pier because I had an appointment in…read moreWan Chai on my 2nd day of our Hong Kong trip. My hubby suggested to take the Star Ferry instead of MTR. The ride was smooth, relaxing, and offered beautiful views of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline along the way. When we arrived at Wan Chai Ferry Pier, we were pleasantly surprised by how new, modern, and clean it looked. The terminal is spacious, bright, and well maintained, with clear signs that make it easy to find your way. The design feels fresh and welcoming, and the waterfront area around the pier is also very nice for a stroll or taking photos. If you're visiting Hong Kong, taking the Star Ferry is an affordable, scenic, and enjoyable way to travel between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. We would definitely do it again!

This is a beautiful pier right across Victoria Harbor, that has a gorgeous view of the Tolo side…read morebuilding, as well as the nice view of Kawloon harbor. The pier has ferries connecting both harbors. There are some small shops in the pier station. The closest train station to the pier is Exhibition Center. The pier lots of nice arts and decors. Multiple character statues have been spread around the pier. During our visit, there was a summer fest going on at the pier, free to public. It had mini golf, bounce house, paddle cycles, under table foosball. There's also a nice walkway along the harbor where people take lots of photos and locals do their exercise runs. The pier was very safe, ensured by cameras and security personnels walking around.

Sometimes when I'm at HKG (https://www.yelp.com/biz/0ymPFKNXPC1o2fc9XtyuVA) I end up people…read morewatching tourists as they rush to the Airport Express (https://www.yelp.com/biz/Pl9LmJKIOnCQtXIWEDAScQ) or speed away in a HK taxi, and wonder to myself if they would ride away like me in the most relaxing ride back to the island in the form of the airport buses. First of all, it's the local's choice. (#1) More people line up for this A21 because it hits many if not most of the popular hoods in Kowloon. It is also only $33HKD each way, payable via the Octopus card. Drivers aren't likely to speak much English, so have it ready upon entrance. There are cameras all throughout the bus. If you think your luggage is going to get stolen, you can always keep your eye on the monitors within the bus. There is also semi-decent WiFi on the bus and most everyone will be on their smartphones within minutes of hitting the road. The ride is smooth and easy and like all things in Hong Kong, the AC is on fleek. I personally like to zone out with these rides, which is a nice departure from the fast paced nature of the city's culture. Of course, this ride isn't for everyone. It's a good 45 minutes pending traffic and sometimes you might end up sharing your seat with some random traveler who may or may not fall asleep on you. (#2) Hence, avoid the peak hours and you should be able to covet your space without much interruption. __________ (#1) i.e. the most affordable option. This is not a stereotype. (#2) If I have somehow done this to you, my apologies.

Hong Kong Tramways is a 3 feet 6 inch narrow-gauge tram system that runs on historic double decker…read moreelectric trams. It is a rare example of a systems that is run exclusively with double decker trams. It is one of the earliest forms of public transportation in Hong Kong. The trams have been running since 1904 when they were still under British rule. It cost 10 cents for a first class fare and 5 cents for a third class fare when they opened. Today the trams are wrapped up in history and advertising. Loved the ride on the tram. Our guide, Raymond from MyHKTours, gave us $12 HKD in coins and carefully walked our party of 4 to the station in the median between two lanes of traffic. Boarded through the old fashioned metal turnstile and climbed the stairs to the second level. Exit at the end where the tram makes a loop were our directions. The trams are so cute. Rows of wooden seats. One seat on the left. Two on the right. Headed to the front seat when one opened up to enjoy the views on the slow moving tram. Enjoyed a beautiful afternoon and the ever changing neighborhoods. Healthy Village. Quarry Bay. Kornhill Garden. Tai Koo. Lei King Wan. Felicity Garden. Sai Wan Ho. Exited at Shau Kei Wan stop where the trams turn around. What a great way to experience Hong Kong. The fare is just $3 HKD per adult and $1.5 HKD for seniors and kids. Price fixed per ride. Drop the coins in the metal box when you exit. So much fun.

The MTR, Hong Kong's mass transit rail system, is a world class transportation wonder. It's…read moreextremely efficient, extremely widespread as a metropolis-wide network, very clean, and also very economical. The fares vary by distance, but many of our one way fares were in the range of only $0.60 USD to $0.90 USD. We used it numerous times, and I don't think we waited more than 5 minutes for a train to arrive. Often, it came quicker than some waits we had for the hotel elevators lol. The MTR stations are everywhere in the Hong Kong area, and you never seem to have to walk very far to get to one. There is an MTR station at virtually every major mall in the Hong Kong vicinity. An Octopus card can be loaded into your Apple wallet and a nod of your smartphone at their smart turnstiles will get you in or out of a station effortlessly. When our trip was completed, I applied via the Octopus app for a refund of our unused balances, and instead of the stated 6-8 weeks wait, the refund showed up in my checking account in 2 days! Each train of maybe 8-10 long cars had one car dedicated to first class. For grins, we tried it once for a short ride. First class is very comfortable with bigger seats, like on a comfortable bus coach, and there is never a need to stand, which is often the case with regular MTR rides. The fare is about 2-3x that of the regular fare. It's an option but not really something most consumers would opt for. Overall, I was just as extremely impressed with the system today as I was 32 years ago when I first encountered it.

I was asked about getting around in HKg. Definitely take the MTR! It's a little daunting, but…read moreyou'll get the hang of it. I think it is the best mass transit systems around. Here's my pro tips: Get an Octopus Card. Good for fares and almost anything else. Trust. Remember what entry and exit you need to use at each station. They are lettered A - ? and there might be 12 or more! Be prepared to walk a bit inside the station. It's not like New York or The Bay. The stations are as big if not bigger than Grand Central Station. It's very safe. Just understand that it may be crowded. Oh, if you're going to Kowloon and you have time, take the Star Ferry!

This is one of my favourite Hong Kong Tramways Route…read more The route along Happy Valley is really scenic and peaceful most of the time aside during Horse Racing time. But it can be still fun to go by the Racetrack area to have a glimpse of the action. Causeway Bay area is just full of restaurants and shopping malls. Just riding on the tram enjoying the busiest area of Hong Kong Island from a distance in a slower pace is quite an experience. And all these from $2.30?! I always enjoy a night ride whenever I am in town. A memorable ride!

So somehow this cute little 20th century relic experienced a price bump from $2.3 to $2.6 within…read morethe last 6 months. Not really sure how the extra $0.3 per person is gonna help out. Regardless, the HK tram is one of my favorite forms of transportation here. You hop on and hop off, breathing in the polluted HK air and taking the time to see HK for yourself. Fun fact: the tram used to be right on the coastline of HK island. The land from the tram line to the water is all reclaimed land! HK tramways has a great bit of variety in their fleet of trams, from newfangled models with air conditioning to (as pictured) older models that really give off a decadent 1920s Shanghai vibe. Ceilings are a bit low - anyone taller than like 5'8" probably has to duck - but the ride is still totally worth it. Riding the tram has also helped me meet some of the nicest people in HK. When I forget my coins and my Octopus is out of $$, someone is always willing to lend me $2.6 with a nod and a smile. Great people. Highly recommend for all locals, expats and visitors!

Wow, this station is huge, but I suspect it is because it was rebuilt since I was last here, namely…read morebecause a number of new lines were extended, or added, to this station. I'm actually pretty impressed that they managed to expand this station despite that it is underneath one of the most built up areas in the city. Also, like a lot of these stations, it opens up into shopping malls, though these malls aren't really all that great.

Quick and efficient way to get around Hong Kong especially Monday through Friday. The weekends are…read moreinsanely busy but an adventure to take on. The octopus card at $150 HK dollars = $20 USD is inexpensive and can be used in certain stores in the subway to purchase merchandise. Can't go wrong with that. HK is relatively clean compared to New York City and other major cities. This makes it palatable to use this mode of transportation. The maps are clearly laid out to make it easy to navigate where you need to go. Finally, HK is a safe city again unlike other major cities which makes this an ideal way to travel even if you are solo.

I was originally planning to take the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai on the second day of our…read moreHong Kong trip. However, my hubby suggested taking the Star Ferry instead since it was during rush hour and the MTR would probably be very crowded. I'm so glad we took his advice! The ferry ride was relaxing, and we got to enjoy the beautiful views of Victoria Harbour along the way. It was a refreshing break from the busy city and one of the highlights of our trip. The ride took only about 8-10 minutes and cost just a few Hong Kong dollars, making it an affordable and memorable experience. The ferry operates daily from around 7:20 AM to 11:00 PM, so it's a convenient option for getting between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai or you can take the Star Ferry from Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui. If you're visiting Hong Kong, I highly recommend taking the Star Ferry at least once. It's not just transportation, it's also a scenic experience so that's definitely worth it.

The best way to get from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island - ride the iconic Star Ferry. It's a fairly…read moreshort and smooth ride! Our group's hotel was closest to the Tsim Sha Tsui station. We walked over, used our Octopus card to pay, and boarded the Lower Level of the Star Ferry. (The upper level costs a bit more for a slightly better view.) Wooden seats are First Come, First Served. There are no assigned seats. The way the seats face can change by flipping the row of seat backs! Note: We left Kowloon to tour Hong Kong Island on 10.13.24, Sunday, because there was a large marathon or bike race which blocked many roads. Thanks to great planning by Andrew!

Been here decades ago and with a lot of great memories. Easy access to cross the harbor by ferry…read moreand with great view of waterfront. Not bad in pricing and save a lot of time instead of MRT and as a bonus, either a great view and ocean breeze. Been here decades ago and with a lot of great memories. Easy access to cross the harbor by ferry and with great view of waterfront. Not bad in pricing and save a lot of time instead of MRT and as a bonus, either a great view and ocean breeze.

My kids and I are in town for a few days so I wanted for them to try all if not most of the…read moretransportation here in Hong Kong. This Ferry is affordable for a short ride to Tsim Tsa Tsui. It is nice to ride at night to see the beautiful city of Hong Kong and Kowloon. Going to this pier is a little bit of a walk from World Wide Center - that's where we exited from the MTR. We just followed the sign that led us here. You can ask people if you get confused with the signs. Most of them are nice. It was a leisurely walk though since we are not in a hurry. We took our time, checked out the buildings that we are passing and the big Ferris wheel that we hope to ride next time. There are stores around the pier and vending machines too. You need a token or an octopus card to get in the waiting area. Ferry's come every 10 - 15 minutes apart I think.