Forget the tour bus. The two best ways to see Hong Kong are also two of the cheapest, and both are living history: the Star Ferry gliding across Victoria Harbour, and the double-decker Hong Kong tram rattling along the north shore. This 2026 guide covers how to ride the Star Ferry and Hong Kong tram — the fares, routes, hours and the small tricks that turn a commute into the best sightseeing in the city.
In This Guide
The Star Ferry (天星小輪)
The Star Ferry is the great Hong Kong journey. The green-and-white boats have shuttled across Victoria Harbour since 1888, and the eight-minute crossing still delivers one of the world's finest city views for the price of a bread roll. National Geographic once named it among the "50 places of a lifetime", and it earns the title every single dusk.
There are two routes. The famous one runs from Central (Pier 7) to Tsim Sha Tsui; a second connects Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui. Sit on the open upper deck if you can — the view is better and the harbour breeze is the whole point.
The Star Ferry (天星小輪)
Tap in at the turnstile and walk down to the pontoon — no seat booking, no fuss. The Central–TST boats are the most frequent, every 6 to 12 minutes. Time it for around 8pm and you will cross during the nightly Symphony of Lights laser show over the harbour. Fares are set by the Star Ferry Company and were current in July 2026; check before a special trip.
The Hong Kong tram, or ding ding (香港電車)
If the ferry is Hong Kong's postcard, the tram is its diary. The double-decker trams have trundled along the north shore of Hong Kong Island since 1904, and the fleet is the only one in the world made up entirely of double-deck trams still in daily service. Locals call it the ding ding, after the twin ring of its bell.
It is gloriously slow, which is the point: from an open window on the top deck you get a street-level tour through Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, North Point and old Western, past wet markets, neon and tenement blocks. Six routes run between Shek Tong Tsui or Kennedy Town in the west and Shau Kei Wan in the east, with a loop through Happy Valley.
Hong Kong Tramways / Ding Ding (香港電車)
The golden rule: board at the back, pay at the front when you get off, and have your Octopus ready. Head straight upstairs and grab the front seats for an unbroken view down the tracks. Because the fare is flat, a long ride from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan is the same HK$3.3 as one stop — arguably the best-value hour in Hong Kong. Details are set by Hong Kong Tramways.
Ferry or tram — which should you ride?
Do both — but pick your moment. The two rides suit different times of day. The ferry is a five-minute hit of skyline drama; the tram is a slow, hour-long unspooling of ordinary Hong Kong street life. Here is how they compare.
Star Ferry vs the tram at a glance
| Star Ferry (天星小輪) | Tram / Ding Ding (香港電車) | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult fare | HK$5.0–6.5 | Flat HK$3.3 |
| Running since | 1888 | 1904 |
| Best for | Harbour skyline, sunset | Street-level city tour |
| Journey time | About 8–10 minutes | As long as you like |
| Where | Central / Wan Chai ↔ TST | HK Island north shore |
Fares verified against the Star Ferry and Hong Kong Tramways official sites, July 2026, and are subject to change.
Tips for riding like a local
Time the ferry for dusk. Cross Central to Tsim Sha Tsui as the sun drops and the towers light up; aim for around 8pm and you will catch the Symphony of Lights from the water. Then walk the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade — it is one of the best free things to do in the city.
Ride the tram upstairs, at the front. The view is far better and the breeze keeps you cool. Avoid the 8–9am and 6–7pm rush if you want a seat. And keep an Octopus topped up — it works on the ferry, the tram, the MTR and most shops, so you never have to hunt for coins.
A ferry-and-tram day pairs well with the rest of the city. For more, see our first-timer's guide to Hong Kong, the 28 top attractions in Hong Kong, and our round-up of the best free things to do in Hong Kong. Ready to leave the island? The Star Ferry's cousins run to the outer islands — start with our guide to Hong Kong's best islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tap in and ride
Top up your Octopus, cross the harbour on the ferry at dusk, then take the ding ding home. It is the best-value sightseeing in Hong Kong — and it has been for over a century.