Hong Kong has long been recognised as the archetypal ‘east meets west’ holiday destination, and also makes a handy and memorable stopover for Europeans flying on to Australasia. You would be surprised at the range of good value flights that exist to Hong Kong as many major airlines fly through the city en route to South East Asia and beyond. To ensure that you are getting the best value try to use a flight comparison tool to pick out the best deal for your journey. The special administrative area of China squeezes a population of seven million into a land mass of just 426 square miles. One would imagine scenes of gridlocked traffic and a public transport system straining under the weight of so many bodies; but not a bit of it. Read on to find out why getting around Hong Kong is not nearly as stressful as most major cities, and why it can even be good for the soul.
One of the major advantages of Hong Kong having been a major financial centre of the world is that it made a lot of money, and that helped build its modern and stylish transport infrastructure. And with 90% of daily journeys being made by public transport, it’s just as well.
When arriving at the international airport, you have a number of transport options to get you to where you want to be in the city. The Airport Express is quick, clean and comfortable, departing every 12 minutes and taking just 24 minutes to whisk you into the centre, where it connects to the rest of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system. A one-way journey costs 100 Hong Kong Dollars (about 8 British Pounds) and you can get a return for 180 HKD.
Once in the city itself, those who enjoy looking for and using different forms of transport will be impressed. As well as the numerous and relatively good value taxis, you can get around using the efficient and safe MTR, or the many buses, taxis and trams; but whatever you do, make sure you take a ride on the famous Star Ferry.
Founded way back in 1888 as the Kowloon Ferry Company, it changed to its present name in 1898. Carrying passengers across Victoria Harbour, between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, the ferry service carries some 26 million passengers a year, despite the harbour having railway and road tunnels.
So what’s so good about it? Firstly, the amazing views of Hong Kong’s famous skyscraper-filled skyline. Then there is the feeling of being within a calm oasis, away from the hustle and bustle of the streets. Add to that its heritage, its efficiency and its great value – it’s just 34 Hong Kong Dollars for a four-day tourist ticket, which is less than three British Pounds – and you are definitely onto a winner.
If you don’t want to be fumbling with small change as you travel around Hong Kong, you should consider the Octopus Card. Similar to London’s Oyster Card scheme, the electronic ticketing system can be used to pay for
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Nice article. I’ve been to Hong Kong a few times and it hits the nail on the head in terms of getting around.
Woth mentioning the