TRANSPORTATION

Hong Kong's efficient and low-cost public transport system includes three railways, buses, trams, taxis and ferries. There are three road-only tunnels under the harbour.

To and From the Airport
From 6 July 1998, travellers to Hong Kong have been served by one of the world's largest and most modern airports situated at the Chek Lap Kok on the outlying island of Lantau. The easiest connection from the airport to Central and Kowloon is the Airport Express Railway, which takes just 19 minutes to get to Kowloon, and an extra 4 minutes to Hong Kong. Adult single journey fare is HK$100. In addition, express bus service called ��Airbus�� operates on frequent schedules to popular spots in the city, with stops near most major hotels. An overnight bus service will cover the airport's 24-hour operation. Taxis are also an option and fares from Chek Lap Kok range from HK$200-HK$400.

Railways
The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) [Tel: (852) 2881-8888] is an underground/elevated railway network comprising six lines and 51 stations. Depending on which line you take, the system generally runs from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Cars and stations are air-conditioned. The MTR links up with the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) [Tel: (852) 2602-7799] which provides three domestic passenger rail services: East Rail runs from East Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon to Lo Wu at the boundary to the Special Economic Zone of Shenzhen on the Mainland, West Rail which runs between Nam Cheong and Tuen Mun. The third railway is the Light Rail Transit [Tel: (852) 2468-7788], which runs between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long in the New Territories.

Trams
Trams ply the northern shore of Hong Kong Island at a fixed fare of HK$2 from 6am to 1am. There is also the century-old Peak Tram, a funicular railway which runs up to the Peak from 7am to midnight at about 15-minute intervals. Tel: (852)2522-0922.

Ferries
The Star Ferry Co (tel: (852)2366-2576) operates a shuttle service between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Ferries between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui run every few minutes from 6.30am to 11.30pm. Other Star Ferry boats connect Central with Hung Hom (7am-7.20pm) and Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui (7.30am-11pm). The Wan Chai Ferry Pier is within a few minutes walk the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Taxis
Taxi fares are charged by metered tariff. When crossing the harbour by a cross-harbour tunnel, the two-way tunnel toll is added to the fare. With the other tunnels, only the one-way toll is added. There is an extra charge per piece of luggage (both of these extra charges are signposted in the taxi). Flagfall and charges are displayed. Tipping is usually confined to small change. There are two taxi jurisdictions in Hong Kong -- urban and New Territories. Radio taxis: Tel: (852)2574-7311/(852)2527-6324 (Hong Kong Island), (852)27600411 / (852)2670-0477 (Kowloon), (852)2457-2266 / (852)2697-4333 (New Territories).