Hong Kong is a city of skyscraping buildings, uber luxury and a busy way of life. The MRT is the go-to transport solution for the busy bees of Hong Kong. The MTR connects the whole of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Lantau along with the New Territories. But, for travellers, there are more fun and sometimes slower ways to get around and explore the delightful nooks and corners of this land.

Star Ferry in Hong Kong - Photo by Jeanne Rose Gomez on Unsplash

This is the most convenient and inexpensive way to get around Hong Kong. Even if you plan on using other modes of transport, the MTR will be there like a reliable, loyal buddy. If you are looking to book a budget hotel in Hong Kong find one in close proximity to the MTR. Places like the Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong provide easy access to the MTR. The MTR operates from 6 am to around midnight. However, it is best to avoid the rush hours from 7 30am to 9 30am and 5 pm to 7 pm on weekdays. And, don’t forget to buy yourself an octopus card – a rechargeable travel smartcard. You can use the card to pay for the MTR, Peak Tram and even taxis. Get yours at one of the MTR stations or a 7-eleven.

The green and white Star Ferries can take you on an adventure from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and back. Admittedly, the ride will be slower than your average MTR one. But, the gorgeous views of the blue-tinged skyline and the thrill of cruising on the water more than make up for the lack of swiftness. There are two ticket types – upper and lower deck. The upper deck tickets (slightly) are more expensive but offer air conditioning and better views.

The trams look a bit like slimmer versions of London’s double-decker buses. These ‘ding dings’ go between eastern and western Hong Kong. The trams are cheap and make for leisurely travel. You can take the scenic route to get to the laid-back vibe of Kennedy Town or venture into the shopping district of Causeway Bay. You can use your Octopus card to pay for the ticket. If you don’t have an Octopus card you’ll need to pay a flat rate of HK$2.60. You do have to pay the exact amount, hence the Octopus card comes in handy.Always try to get a seat on the top deck. The Peak Tram is Hong Kong’s famous tram. It is more of a steep funicular railway. The cars now carry two passengers at once. An excursion to Victoria Peak is a must on your Hong Kong trip.

This massive escalator connects office blocks and residential buildings. This is in fact the commuting lifeline in Hong Kong. You can use it to get to a hip bar in the new SoHo or go to Tai Kwun for the heritage arts complex.

How to use taxis in Hong Kong?You would think taxi fares would be expensive in an elite city like Hong Kong. But, in this particular ritzy city, taxis are not that dear. The retro Toyota taxis come with self-opening cars. The taxis are colour coded based on their routes. If you are travelling in the most urban areas of the island, hail a red taxi. This would be the most expensive taxi ride with the first 2kn costing HK$27 and HK$1.90 for every 200 km after the first phase. If you’re sightseeing in New Territories hail a green taxi. Get a light blue taxi for excursions in Lantau.