Transportation in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Disneyland MTR line

Getting around Hong Kong is fast and easy. There are many ways to get you where you’re going, and the tram, train, ferry, and taxi I used got me just where I wanted to be. Hong Kong is also a very walkable city; wear your walking shoes, and take your camera. Since I was based at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, I used the MTR train system to get into town (see the Disney-themed photo above; it’s similar to the train at Tokyo Disneyland Resort).

If you plan to stay awhile and move around the islands, you should think about getting an Octopus card. You pay one price to get the card and just scan it as you enter the wicket (turnstile). The price is deducted from your card, and you can reload the card in HK$50 increments as needed. Besides not having to buy a ticket or worry about having the proper change, using the card gets you discounts on some of the methods of transportation. The card can be used in many stores as well. It’s good for three years, so you can hang on to it if you plan to go back again. Otherwise, you can get a refund on any balance above a modest charge; I hung onto my card, so I am not sure how much you get back.

Hong Kong--Central station walkway

In the Central area of Hong Kong Island, there is an entire underground area with moving sidewalks and plenty of

Okashi Land, Hong Kong station

shops (here’s a Japanese munchie shop!),

MTR Kowloon sign

signs, and information areas.

Causeway Bay street and double-deck streetcar, Hong Kong

I didn’t take the street car, but if I hadn’t had so much fun walking around, I would have.

Victoria Peak tram, Hong Kong

If you want to go up to Victoria Peak, the tram may be the way to go. Don’t let the extremely long line discourage you, it moves fairly quickly. If you have an Octopus card, you’ll still have to wait in the long line, but there’s a place for you to skip the ticket line once you get inside. The Peak itself is separate-post-worthy, so hang on for that one.

Kowloon--Central ferry, Hong Kong

Another ride you should think about taking is the ferry from Central to Kowloon (or vice versa). Flash your Octopus card, and on you go.

Kowloon--Central ferry, Hong Kong

It’s a short ride, but you can get a completely different perspective of Hong Kong, especially if you go to the top of Victoria Peak as well.

The guidebooks mention that Hong Kong is one of the cheapest cities for taxis, so if you need to get somewhere quickly, keep that one as an alternative. I used it for the airport-Hong Kong Disneyland run, and the ride was quick and the price reasonable.

Riding Trains or the Subway in Tokyo: A Primer

Tokyo Metro Tozai Station

When I was up in Tokyo for the JALTCALL 2007 conference in June, 2007, I had my trusty Panasonic Lumix DX-10 at my side. I thought I would take some shots of my travels around the city. I didn’t have much time for that because I was busy going to presentations, and when I wasn’t doing that, I was lugging my bag around (note to self: take the rolling bag next time).

I did manage to take a few shots. I mostly got shots of the Tokyo Metro System, but I did get one of the the JR system in Tokyo.

JR Line Map (Shinjuku)

I grew up in Southern California, so I was new to subway trains in 1985 when I went to both Mexico City and Japan for the first time. If you’re a subway train veteran, thanks for reading this far. You’re free to go. ;-) Since I walk to work now, I still have to acclimate myself whenever I head into the big city (we do have a street car here in Kumamoto! :-D )

Tokyo Metro Line Map

Basically, you want to find your stop on the map above all the ticket machines, look at the price to get there, put your money in, and get your change and ticket.

Tokyo Metro Tozai Station Machine

Follow the crowds to the wicket, go through the section with a green arrow, and remember to take your ticket out as you walk through (you’ll need it again to get out of your station).

Tokyo Metro Wicket

Look around and up, and find your train line. Make sure you check the direction and stay on that side (I still have a tendency to move to the side dodging people and forget which side to be on), so you don’t head off the other way or on another line. I almost got on another line on the way home the last day. Hey, it was Shinjuku station, and there are at least 20 tracks!

Follow the signs

Head out of the train at your stop, and look for the signs that show you what is near each exit.

Tokyo Metro Exit Sign

It is important to go out the right exit, or you could have a really long walk to get around to the other side of the station. As you leave the station, have your ticket ready. You need it to get back out; it will not come back to you when you exit.

Tokyo Metro line map

If you get stuck, there are lots of maps in different scales to help you get your bearings.

Tokyo Metro Waseda Area Map

You can also ask any of the workers on the platform or the windows. Remember, everyone wants to help you get where you want to go. Just smile, and say the name of where you want to go. ;-)

One huge difference I noticed this trip (it’s been at least four years since I spent any time in Tokyo) was the change in the signs on the trains. They are all electronic now, so the signs change as the trains move down the line, with the present and next stop in big ol’ letters. That made it harder for me to miss a stop.

Another tip is to not ride during peak times. This worked out for me every ride except Saturday night getting on the Yamanote loop line. I just kept walking until I saw a little space on one of the cars. I exhaled to get as small as I could, and I pushed my way on. Two more people got on after me, so maybe you get the idea of how crowded it can get. I understand some of the train lines use the conductors to push people on during the heaviest times of the day. Fun, fun, fun! 8-)

[Editor's Note: This entry was originally written June 14, 2007. It has be redone (now with photos! ;-) )]

Fukuoka Subway Guardrails

Fukuoka Subway Guardrails (Tenjin)

I went to Fukuoka last month to do a little business. I really like taking the train from Kumamoto to Hakata station, but that method is not nearly as convenient as taking the bus (and it’s cheaper, too!)

Fukuoka Subway Guardrails

Anyway, I’ll have to write about all that another time. I hadn’t been to Fukuoka on foot in a while, so I hadn’t been on the subways for at least a couple of years. To my surprise, the two stations I used had guardrails set up the entire length of the platform. I cannot recall if Fukuoka has had any troubles with people falling or being pushed into oncoming trains, but it has happened in other parts of the country. This seems to be a great pro-active move on the part of the transit folks. Nice job!

Tokyo Metro Tozai Station

Just to show the contrast between lines with and without the guardrails, the above shot is from one of the stations on the Tokyo Metro line.