Getting Around Hong Kong

Ngong Ping 360 is a spectacular 5.7km cable car journey between Tung Chung town center and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, which can be accessed from the Tung Chung MTR station. A single trip costs $55 ($88 round trip). The cabins glide over the South China Sea and the verdant mountainous terrain of the North Lantau Country Park for 20-25 minutes and provide some of the best panoramic views in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong International Airport and Sakyamuni Buddha.

One of the best ways of getting to the island is to take a ferry. Ferries depart from the Outlying Islands pier in Central, to the west of the Star Ferry terminal. The largest operator is New World First Ferry.

Discovery Bay: Pier 3, $27 (fast only), every 10-30 minutes
Mui Wo: Pier 6, $10.50 (slow) / $21 (fast), every 30 minutes

How long will you stay in HKG? If your vacation is just 1 night then it might more convenient to just take the ever-present taxicabs. But if for more days, then buying the Octopus card for each family member is viable. Octopus card can also be used on buses. Not sure if all accept though.

A lot of interesting things to do are within walking distance from the city area (ex: Tsim Sha Tsui). Kids = Toys R Us store. Wife = MongKok shops. Family = The Promenade for light show, etc.

Price of octopus inclusive of deposit HK$50:
Adult: Stored value $100. Total: HK$150
Child: Stored value $20. Total: HK$70

MTR and KCR kiosks, Add value machines:
1. Selling cards
2. Topping up cards
3. Return and redeem the balance of your card when exiting HKG.

You can take MTR or taxi. Take MTR from Central to Tung Chung Station. Taxis are more expensive bacause what i know is that you have to cover for the return trip. It is like going from Hongkong Island to Kowloon where they charge for the toll gate (?) and the return.

but i was thinking on how long is the travel time from Macau to HK international airport. and i have a question on your posting...

The Turbojet Ferry takes 45 minutes from departure from the Macau Ferry Terminal to HK International'Ferry Terminal' BUT, this is only jet ferry time. Upon disembarking from the ferry, you'll have to go thru a security zone where you actually 'check-in' for your international airline flight and where your check-in baggage will be transferred to your flight. The terminal is actually only 5 minutes by a 'security bus shuttle' to the airport terminal where you continue on to your gate for your flight. Some airlines allow for an internet check-in but you'll still have to go thru a checkin process at this security zone.

After going thru your checkin process, then there's a small area with the sign for a refund on HK International Airport taxes. When you purchage an airline ticket, you're not only paying the airline company for the seat of a flight but you're also paying numerous other taxes, one of them being the arrival tax that the airline company pays each airport for landing rights and services. So, if you're flying into HK Intnl, you'll have already payed them an arrival/departure tax. Since you will not have gone thru Hong Kong, this tax is refundable to you, being 200HK$. It's a pleasant surprise for those taking the direct ferry from Macau to HK International but have not gone thru HK or it's immigration process.

The Ngong Ping 360 is a cable car that runs on Lantau Island between the Tung Chung MTR station and the new tourist village of Ngong Ping where the Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha statue) are located. It was opened in September 2006 and runs for 5.7km over Tung Chung Bay and over some lovely hills of Lantau North Country Park before terminating at Ngong Ping. The journey takes about 25 minutes which is far quicker and easier than taking a bus, which is what I did back in 2002 when I first visited Hong Kong.

Open: 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6.30pm Sat & Sun.
Prices: Weekdays & Saturdays (round/single trip) - HK$88/58, Sundays & bank holidays - HK$98/68

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The cable car is a great way to get to Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. You get to have great view of the Giant Buddha, Hong Kong International Airport and the Tung Chung Bay area. However, it can be pricey. Another way is to take a bus from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping. Or ferry to Mui Wo, then bus 2. The alternative ways are much cheaper, though slower.

My suggestion is to go up by bus and down by cable car or vice versa. Either way you get to enjoy both modes of transport and appreciate the views along the journey.

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Most books recommended taking the Ferry from Central Pier to Lantau Island (Mui Wo) where you can take bus no. 2 to Ngong Ping. I decided to follow this suggestion and agree that it is convenient and fast way to get there. Plus the scenery along the ferry ride is just great and you get to see Mui Wo area along the way.