(Hong Kong) public transport

• from the airport
• AEL (Airport Express Line) : 24m
• buy in the airport
• https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/tf_index.html
• Single Journey
• Group of 2 -  : $170
• Octopus : $110
• Smart Ticket : $115
• Round Trip
• Smart Ticket : $205
• https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/timetable_index.html
• first train at 05:50
• in the city
• Octopus Card
• buy in the airport, where you buy AEL tickets
• deposit : $50
• add-up $150 (kiosks easily accessible in the MTR stations)
• can be used in MTR, bus, tram, Ferry, etc.
• also can be used in restaurants and shops but not recommended for visitors
• guide (KOR) : https://minimalist-thought.tistory.com/65
• Bus : $4.5~
• MTR : $3.6~
• Tram : $3
• Ferry : $2.6~
• Taxi
• Kakao T
• Uber
• Hong Kong to Macau
  • ferry
  • takes 0:40~1:00
  • fares ( Super Class / Economy Class )
  • Day Sailing 
  • Weekdays : 365 / 175
  • Weekends & Holidays : 395 / 190
  • Night Sailing : 415 / 220
  • schedule : https://www.turbojet.com.hk/en/routing-sailing-schedule/hong-kong-macau/sailing-schedule-fares.aspx
  • guide (Korean) : https://brunch.co.kr/@yanatrip/143
  • bus : takes 1:15~2:00
• to the airport
• 05:50 ~

• 
  

2023-09-27 WED

There is a train ticket sales desk right in front of the platform. 

Single journey group ticket is always cheaper than Octopus and other methods, even though there are only two people in the group. There is no Round trip group ticket, so Single journey group ticket is always the best.

When you buy the AEL tickets, you can also buy Octopus cards. The deposit is $50 and you may add small values such as $150. You can always add up more in every MTR stations and the process is simple. You can refund including the deposit but you may not have enough time when there is a long queue. Our flight was so early that the we didn't even have time to look for the sales point but probably it must have not open yet. I didn't mind much because I'm pretty sure that we'll be some time soon. 

• 
  

AEL trains are clean, fast, and convenient. 

You can charge your mobile devices, but it only takes 24 minutes to the Central stations. 

It stops only twice before the Central station, and once if your destination is Kowloon.

We took MTR to the Sai Ying Pun Station, but was not the best choice because the Google Map didn't show how steep the stairs are to the Mid-levels. It was interesting that there was no escalators and the elevator is the only way to the ground level in this station. I wonder what it'd be like in rush hours. 

Trams are cheap and fun but covers only part of the area. Tag Octopus card when getting off. 

2023-09-28 THU

I didn't think we might ride minibuses but it turned out to be one of the major transportation methods, especially if you live in the Mid-level. We waited here for our bus, but a few buses just passed by without stopping, while the drivers waving their hands. After a few times of fails, I just realized you cannot ride the minibus standing not lie bigger sized buses. So minibuses just don't stop if all the seats are occupied.

2023-09-29 FRI

Hong Kong to Macau

• ferry
• takes 0:40~1:00
• fares ( Super Class / Economy Class )
• Day Sailing 
• Weekdays : 365 / 175
• Weekends & Holidays : 395 / 190
• Night Sailing : 415 / 220
• schedule : https://www.turbojet.com.hk/en/routing-sailing-schedule/hong-kong-macau/sailing-schedule-fares.aspx
• guide (Korean) : https://brunch.co.kr/@yanatrip/143
• bus : takes 1:15~2:00

Because Macau is an independent district of China like Hong Kong, we still have to check our passports. Korean passports are accepted by fast kiosk lanes. The ferry is not far from this entry point, so you can spend time in this area with cafes and restaurants. 

Seats are assigned before the gate. 

The gate to the ferry.

She said that the boat would be very shaky but it was not at all. Probably the boats are enhanced since the last time she was here.

In Macau, you can use coins for buses, but drivers don't have change. 

A ticket back to Hong Kong. It's more expensive from 18:00.

The first Airport Express departs at 5:50 in Hong Kong station.

2023-09-30 SAT

You can easily check you the balance of the Octopus card and top up with kiosks in metro stations.

It was hard to take a cab in the late night and I couldn't register the HK taxi app because didn't have a local number. I've heard that the Korean service, Kakao T is available here and it actually worked! A little more expensive but still worth to save time.

2023-10-02 MON

Our flight departs at 8:15 so we had to take the first AEL at 5:50.

https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/timetable_index.html

We've waited till this gate open but it turned out that AEL station is behind this area. As I write this, I've searched the information again, and it only says Hong Kong station. I still don't understand why I can't reach AEL through this gate.

We've missed the first train but still had enough time. Just in case, in order to save time, I gave up to refund the Octopus cards. We'll be back anyway.

Goodbye Hong Kong.

Goodbye Harbour.

back to Hong Kong (2023)