Peak Tram, Hong Kong

If you can support the long line to get a ticket, the experience of climbing to the peak is short and nice.

The hill is rather steep, and though securely seated, you feel like bouncing backwards as you go up.

Will it be for that reason that they put everybody facing the hill, neglecting the eventual good sights in the way up and down?

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To take the Peak Tram, a funicular, up to the Peak is one of the Must Dos for most tourists who visit Hong Kong.
The Peak Tram has taken passengers up to Victoria Peak since 1888, and it is the easiest way to go there.

The tram leaves from a terminal in Garden Road near Central Station. I had some problems to find this, but I think that was mainly due to the fact that I had a very bad map. The way up is about one and a half kilometers and the track is very steep: The difference in hight from the terminal to the Peak is 367m!
The tram itself consists of two waggons, each with aircon, and the two cables pulling them are each 1500m long.

When the tram was opened in 1888, it was first only for residents who lived on the mountain. It was not allowed to use the first row of seats because these were always reserved for the gouvernor. During those days, it was operated by a steam engine.

The ride only takes about eight minutes, and it is nice to see the huge skyscrapers become smaller and smaller.

Return tickets are 40$ for adults and 18$ for children. A combination ticket for the tram and the sky terrace is 65$/31$.

The tram runs daily from 7am to midnight.

The most popular way for tourists to reach Victoria Peak on Hongkong Island is the Peak Tram, a cable car, that climbs 373 metres, pulled by steel cables. The tram's path goes between the highrise buildings up along the mountain and gives you interesting views into the gardens and backyards.

It starts at 7am and goes until midnight. The drive is 1352 m long. The tram started operating in 1888.

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There I was with my family on 30th May 2008 and the Peak Tram service is 120 years old.

What a great opportunity to visit the Peak Tram and be part of the celebration.

Took bus service 15 (to the peak) instead of the intended service 15C (to peak tram station) and ended up at the peak itself.

Queued and got the 30 cents ticket/pax for the return trip only. All payments (whatever amount one wishes to pay goes towards charities that day).

The place was swamped with news crews interviewing commuters.

The ride takes us down to the peak tram station. As we exited from the station, we were shocked with the thousands and thousands of people standing in line to buy the ticket and take the ride.

On normal days, payment for the ride can be made via the Octopus Card. To take bus 15C, make your way to the bus stop in front of Star Ferry Terminal Pier No. 6. It's the same bus stop at bus service 15 but without the sign for bus 15C. One can easily tell the difference in that bus 15C is a tourist type bus with an open top at the upper deck.

If you are going for the ride and is taking the MTR to get to it, take the MTR to Central Station and exit via Exit J and follow the map or road sign to the Peak Tram Station. Long walk to the Peak Tram Station, might want to consider a taxi from the station.

Most visitors would be asking on whether to take the peak tram up or down or both ways. For me, it is best to experience making your way up by tram and down by bus 15 (the double decker bus).

The Lower Peak Tram terminus is about 7-8 minutes from Central MTR or you can take 15C from Central Ferry Pier.

The Peak Tram fare is HK$22 one way. Don't buy the Sky Pass HK$37 which allows you to go to the Sky Terrace which claims to have the best view. You can still have that view free from another spot at the Peak.

If you intend to visit the Madame Tussaud, get the 2-in-1 Combo Package costing HK$150. It is better as the counter for the combo package is not the same as that of the Tram counter. So you actually avoid the long queue.

When boarding the tram, try ot get a seat beside the right window as it offers the best view to the city as the tram goes up. You can stand in the tram but it can be very steep.

One thing I don't like is that there seems to be no order of boarding the tram even though there is a tram personnel. You may be first in line but ended up with no seats as people would just rush when the tram door opens. Good luck.

The Peak Tram has been running since 1888 and is the safest mode of transportation in the world which has been operating continuously daily for over a century without any accident. The funicular will take you on a vertical climb up 400 meters above sea level where you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Hong Kong city below. The funicular runs every 15 minutes from 7:00 AM to midnight every day of the year.

As you make your way to the Peak, embark on your right and look out for that beautiful skyline.
Prices are as follows:

Adults: HK$22 (Single) HK$33 (Return)
Children and Senior Citizens: HK$8 (Single) HK$15 (Return)

For more information check out their website.

This is the nicest way to get to Victoria Peak. It's a steep ride to the top, but you will have beautiful views along the way. The peak tram has been running for around 100 years.

The peak tram departs from Garden Road. It runs every 10 minutes from 7 am to midnight. The prices are $20Hk for one way, $30 for a return trip.

Hong Kong's only transportation that is mainly used by tourists: The funicular Peak Tram.
Since 1888 it transports passengers from Central to the Peak and vice versa. Without doubt, it's one of the main tourist attractions and worth a visit to experience the steep 8-minute-climb up the mountain, slowly revealing the unique view across Hong Kong.
However, I recommend to purchase a one-way (single journey) ticket and use either the Minibus or normal Citybus for going back. The bus ride is an experience for itself!

How to find the Peak Tram Terminus?
You can reach The Peak Tram Lower Terminus by foot from MTR Central station (approx. 10 minutes from exit J2) or by taking the shuttle bus no. 15C from Central Star Ferry.