Doubledecker Tram, Hong Kong

Honk-Kong transportations are very efficient, make your choice between:
- MTR airport express (quick and comfortable trip from/to international airport (in 23 minutes from/to Hong-Kong)
- MTR network (clean and efficient)
- Bus (don't take the wrong number)
- Boats (Star Ferry, TurboJet, First Cruise)
- Trams (don't miss your stop)
- Taxis (cheap and write down your destination to avoid confusion with the driver)

I recommend you the good value Airport Express Tourist Octopus "3-Day Hong Kong Transport Pass" for HK$ 300 included:
- 2 airport express single journeys
- 3 days of unlimited MTR rides (except on the Airport Express Line) will start on the day of your first MTR journey.
- credit of HK$ 20 usable value on main transport modes
- and don't forget to give back your card when leaving to get the refund = remaining usable value + HK$50 deposit.

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OK, so riding a tram is nothing new, but this time we decided to go all the way up to North Point, where we spent an hour or so watching the boats come in. Whilst there, we were treated to the sight of a family pushing a trolley load of crates, all geared up with battery-driven air pumps and filled with fish, which they then proceeded to release back into the sea, all the time praying and chanting. I looked this up on Google when we got back to the hotel and apparently it’s a fairly common Buddhist ritual, said to promote health and a long life.

After a little wander around the streets of North Point, looking at all the greengrocers, fishmongers and butchers’ shops, we then got back on a tram and went in the opposite direction as far as Western Market - an old British-built marketplace - which was quite interesting architecturally, amid all the sky-scraping office blocks, but not really a great shopping opportunity. It was a great morning out though and we even managed to get the front seats on the top deck of the trams both ways!

It was our first time to ride to this kind of tranportation, from airport to causeway bay we took city bus A11. the fare range about HK$2 to HK$45 based on the distance travelled and exact fares is required.

For the best view of the Hong kong I recommend to sit on the upper deck and you can see the spectacular view while you wait for your destination.

Double-decker trams run along the northern side of Hong Kong Island for 16km between Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town, with a branch circulating the Happy Valley racecourse. They were first operated in 1904 and have become a classic tourist attraction, as well as a popular form of transportation ever since. You could say that the symbol of Hong Kong is its trams just like London has its red double-decker buses and New York its yellow cabs. The trams are great fun, if a little jerky and bumpy but only cost HK$2 for a single ride.

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I've been to Melbourne and taken its trams, but it is nothing compared to Hong Kong's trams. Although it is slow, it brings visitors through all the tourist spots like western market, happy valley, central, victoria park, etc and for HK$2, it is really cheap to see all of it. Plus the view from the upper deck, you get to see the road ahead, people crossing, the hanging neon signboards, peek through the houses on the upper floors of buildings.

To board the trams, wait at the stops in the middle of the road. Wait near the center of the bus stop because when the tram stops, you will have to board at the back of the tram. The payment for the tram will only be done when you alight the tram at the front. You can pay with the Octopus Card. Try to get the seats on the upper deck, the best is right to the front. If there are already people, just sit elsewhere and slowly make your way to the front. You can also stand on the upper deck but the ride could be a jerky.

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Hong Kong's trams first hit the streets as single deckers in 1904 and since then have been up-graded in the 1930's to double decker. There is a modern fleet being constructed and my hope is that the historic trams will still trundle through the streets of Honkers for many years to come.

We caught a tram from outside the Macau Ferry terminal complex and travelled to the racecourse at Happy Valley and return. We boarded the packed tram and as space became available moved to the upper deck and eventually the prized front facing top window seats were ours - where we stayed for the duration of the hour plus trip. I should warn taller people - the distance between floor and ceiling is limited, so watch your head.

Photos shown were taken at the Happy Valley terminus where I got out to take the photos and shows Sandra beaming from the prized window seat. The tram actually started off without me and I had to yell loudly or else I would have been left behind.

Cost $HK2 for any journey and $HK1 for children and seniors

Full details of routes and times can be found on the web site listed below.

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The transportation system in Hong Kong is the most efficient and on time system I've ever seen. The buses, which I frequented this time ran on time, the MTR (mass transit railway) which is much like BART in the bay area has now merged with the KCR and taken over the routes. All of the stops are announced in both English and Cantonese and also displayed prominently with a light showing you exactly where you are. The City Flyer buses are what I use to and from the airport. They are cheaper than the Airport Express car though take about 15 minutes longer. They do however offer the scenic route into Hong Kong. Taxi's are everywhere. There are 18,000 taxi's in Hong Kong and although that may seem alot, given the fact that there are almost 7 million people in Hong Kong plus tourists, the taxi drivers always complain there are just not enough of them to go around. One tip, make sure whenever you take a taxi you have a map on hand. The drivers don't always speak English and it's good to be able to show them where you are going. Also, the flag fall is HK$15.00 = to about US$2.50

Also, this is very important. The first thing you should do after collecting your baggage at the airport upon arrival is buy an Octopus card. This card will let you ride all the major transportation routes on all their buses, mtr's, star ferry, trams and mini buses in addition to the airport express. You buy it for HK$150.00 = to about US$25.00. You can even use it in any of the 711's, Mannings and Watsons stores. It keeps you from looking for change etc... I can't tell you how many times during this trip I saw tourists trying to get on buses without the exact change and ended up arguing with the drivers and holding up the buses and ended up not being able to even board the bus and I just thought to myself how ridiculous when they could have just bought this card. If you need more money on the card, which I did you just go to any 711 store, which are all over and give the clerk the amount you want to add and they do it for you. When you're returning home all you have to do is take your card back for a HK$50.00 refund. It's very simple, easy and saves on headaches when using public transportation while there.

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Double decker trams are all over the city, they're crowded not that comfortable and noisy but a great way to see the city as well as fun to ride, no visit to Hong Kong is complete without several rides on them.
Easy to use, get on the back and pay as you get off, (11/07) just $2 a ride - correct money or use an octopus card.