Star Ferry, Hong Kong

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Probably the cheapest and most scenic way to get to Hong Kong Island from Kowloon is aboard the iconic Star Ferry. And when I say the cheapest, I do indeed mean that, as a one way trip will cost you only $5HK which is less than $1AUD!!! The trip across Victoria Harbour will only take maybe 5-10 minutes, but it is indeed a very scenic and interesting trip, and well worth doing, if only once while in HK. You just use your Octopus card to purchase your ferry ticket, which makes it very easy. And Ferries leave frequently from both ports. One of the best views you can get of Victoria Harbour and both Kowloon and HK Island skylines is from the Star Ferry.

The Star Ferry shuttles across from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui in the matter of minutes but on a sunny day, you will get a great view of both harbours.

With tunnel and the MTR subway, you probably would not have to use the ferry anymore but you'd missing out a great experience.

A little less well known is their Harbour Tour which does a loop of the harbour -- going as far West as Sheung Wan and to Hung Hom, Causeway Bay Fortress Hill to the East.

The "Shining Star" can be boarded at one of three piers -- in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, or Wan Chai (next to the Convention Centre). There is a number of fares starting at ~HK$60 for single one-hour ride (daytime) to ~HK$190 for a full-day of unlimited hop on / hop off rides.

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May I make a confession? I don't understand why my guide book mentioned Star Ferry as a great attraction

I understand that in an extremely well organized city, with hi-tech solutions in mass transport, the “old” ferries may be considered a piece of museum, kept in action for cultural reasons. I know that, this line, created in 1888 has a very rich story, but I must confess that, for me, it was rather common, matching the conditions of many ferries regularly used in Europe (and still a dream in many third world countries).

And Yes, it is a cheap and nice way to cross (and see) the bay. Maybe that will be enough to the recommendation in the guide book.

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I almost enjoyed all the things I did during my day in Hong Kong, but the trip on Star Ferry really was the highlight. I recommend this to everyone staying in Hong Kong!!!

As described in my Transportation tip about the ferries, they go from Central and from Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon), and take only about eight minutes. Unfortunately, this is much, much too short! But: For only 2,50$ - almost nothing - you have a short cruise on the harbour.

The ride on the ferry is absolutely beautiful. The weather was a little more sunny now and the light was great. The water and the shimmering skyscrapers looked so beautiful and I was just perfectly astonished. When I took the ferry back in the evening, the sun was setting and everything was illuminated in an even better light. You have the most fantastic views of the skylines on both sides of the harbour!

I really enjoyed every minute of the short rides. As it was so beautiful, I think I would even consider a real cruise on the harbour during a future visit, just to have some more time on the water and see more of the harbour.

Hong Kong is expensive, but this is probably the cheapest thing you will ever do in Hong Kong, the Star Ferry. The Star Ferry has been around for about 100 years. They have kept the same price for just about all that time also ... for .35 US cents you can cross Victoria Harbor on the top deck. it's not the fastest but it is the cheapest. It takes about 15 minutes to load, cross, and unload. A MUST DO !!!!!

The Ferries come and go just about every 10 minutes so don't worry if you miss one, they run often.

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Even if the underground is so much easier way to travel between main island and Kowloon, try the legendary Star Ferry at least ones!
It's easy to find, just follow the signs in Kowloon and Hong Kong Harbours.

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As much a part of HK as the red double decker is of London. The ferry plows the waters between HK Island and Kowloon throughout the day and night, leaving the moorings every few minutes, contributing to making the harbour the busiest in the world.

Surprisingly, there are only 12 ferries in service - but so frequent (and very short journeys), there seems a lot more. Between them they carry some 70,000 passengers a day!

Two piers on HK Island and two on Kowloon. The Central to Tsim Sha Tsui is the shortest and most popular, but Wan Chai (HKI) and Hung Hom (Kowloon) further to the east are also served.

Two levelled decking, with lower decking the cheapest. But top deck provides the views of those skylines...

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26 million passengers make use of the Star Ferry to cross Victoria Harbour every year. Although there are four different routes the one from Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon to Central, Hong Kong Island is the route most often associated with the Star Ferry.

Before 1870 people had to use sampans to cross the harbour. In that year a single steam ferry started to run an irregular service. In 1888 the Kowloon Ferry Service started with the original vessel and two more – the Morning Star and Evening Star. The service was so popular it soon had 4 ferries all of which had names ending in ‘Star’. The business became the Star Ferry Company Limited in 1898. After some changes in fortune and surviving WWII the service now operates 12 ferries. Until 1972, when the harbour tunnel was built, Star Ferries were the main way to cross the harbour.

The Star Ferry is now an icon of Hong Kong and remains popular with locals and tourists alike. One of the best views you can get of the harbour and the famous skyline is from the ferry.

The trip from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central costs $2HK one way for the lower deck. Tokens can be purchased from vending machines at the piers.