TRAINS

MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM

The Mass Transit Railway System (MTR) is the fastest way to get around Hong Kong and trains are clean, well-run and reliable. The service operates between 6:00 am and 1:00 am and has 49 stations along its 5 lines:

The Island Line, running along the north of Hong Kong Island;
the Tsuen Wan Line, which runs north/north-west from Central to Kowloon;
the Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O Lines, which run to east Kowloon and connect with North Point on east Hong Kong Island; and
the Tung Chung Line, which runs out to Lantau.
A map of the MTR’s routes is shown in the colour plate section.

The MTR is used on a daily basis by over two million passengers and is crowded at peak hours 7:30–9:00 am and 4:00–8:00 pm. During the rush hour, trains run every two to three minutes.

Adult fares range from $4 to $26, depending on the distance travelled. Concessionary fares for senior citizens, children and Hong Kong students range from $3 to $13. The Octopus card, an electronic stored-value smart card, is the most convenient way to pay for travel on the MTR, and can also be used on ferries, Kowloon–Canton Railway (KCR) trains and buses, and in parking meters, ParknShop supermarkets and some fast food restaurants. You can buy one at any MTR Customer Service Centre: the price includes a $50 deposit, redeemable when you return the card.

To use your Octopus card on trains, simply swipe the card against an electronic reader at the station barriers and again when you emerge at your destination station. The correct amount will be automatically deducted from your card. Make sure you don’t store two cards in the same wallet, or money may be deducted from both at the same time. Cards can be charged up in MTR stations and 7-Eleven stores by adding cash or transferring money from your EPS (Electronic Point of Sale) card. For more information, call the Octopus Hotline on 2266 2266.

Single tickets, a tourist MTR 1-Day Pass costing $50 and a 3-Day Hong Kong Transport Pass that includes one or two Airport Express train single journeys (see below) are all available to buy. For other information on fares and routes, visit www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/planner_index.php or call the 24-hour Passenger Hotline on 2881 8888.

Trains

AIRPORT EXPRESS

The Airport Express service runs every 12 minutes all day between Hong Kong station (linked by walkways to Central MTR station) and the airport. The journey takes about 23 minutes, and trains run from 5:50 am to 12:48 am. Passengers can check their luggage in at Kowloon or Hong Kong stations. Some airlines, including Dragon Air and Cathay Pacific, permit check-in the day before departure. Individual airlines have different schedules for check-in, so call them beforehand to check the earliest and latest times for check-in.

Airport Express passengers using Octopus cards can enjoy free MTR connections to or from Airport Express stations if their cards have usable value and their travel on the MTR and Airport Express is within one hour of each other. Passengers who take the Airport Express can board a free Airport Express Shuttle Bus service between Hong Kong and Kowloon stations and major hotels and transport interchanges (buses run every 12 or 24 minutes).

Parking is also available at Airport Express stations. For more information, visit www.mtr.com.hk.

Facilities For Disabled Passengers