The subway is the fastest and clearest way to get around Hong Kong.
It's the easiest way to get to most attractions, and the dense network extends to the far suburbs near the border with China. Ideally, choose accommodation within walking distance of the subway - then you're set and getting around Hong Kong is a breeze.
Hotels near subway stations in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's metro is operated by MTR. For an overview of the official website, visit: mtr.com.hk.
Hong Kong Metro Map and Lines
The MTR network has a total of 175 km of track and 9 lines. The transport system is one of the best in Asia.
The official metro map can be found at: mtr.com.hk/system_map.
We have also created our own MTR subway map to give you a better view of the station locations on real Google maps.
The MTR Metro operates a total of 9 metro lines divided by color and name.
- Airport Express (dark green) - runs from Hong Kong Central and Kowloon West express stations to the airport
- Tung Chung Line (orange) - runs from Hong Kong Central and Kowloon West stations to Lantau Island, with a connection to cheap buses to the airport from Tung Chung Station
- Island Line (dark blue) - central line running along the north coast of Hong Kong Island (main city centre)
- Tsuen Wan Line (red) - runs from Central Station via Tsim Sha Tsui and Nathan Road to the Tsuen Wan estate
- Tuen Ma Line (brown) - the longest route connecting the major areas of Kowloon with Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and the outlying districts of Tuen Mun and Sha Tin
- Kwun Tong Line (green) - running through Kowloon under Nathan Road and onwards to Kai Tak, Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O
- East Rail Line (light blue) - a long line running from the central "Admiralty" station through East Kowloon to the border crossings into Shenzhen, China
- Tseung Kwan O Line (purple) - connects Hong Kong Island to the Tseung Kwan O district
- South Island Line (yellow) - provides fast connections to central Hong Kong and the southern part of Hong Kong Island(Ocean Park)
- Disneyland Resort Line (pink) - connects the orange Tung Chung Line from Sunny Bay Station to Hong Kong Disneyland
Ticket prices - how to pay your fare
Fares are always calculated according to the distance travelled or the number of stations travelled. Transfers are not counted as you do not go through any turnstiles during the transfer.
How much does it cost to take the metro?
The average cost is between 4,80 hkd a 15 hkd within the centre (depending on distance). For a more distant journey, expect prices around 25 hkd to 30 hkd and the most expensive journey to the Chinese border costs around 50 hkd.
Special fares apply on the "Airport Express" line, where you pay 100 hkd for a ride from the city centre to Hong Kong HKG Airport.
An interactive search engine with exact fares for your chosen journey can be found on the official website: mtr.com.hk.
There are several fare payment options on the Hong Kong Metro.
- Octopus Card
- Single tickets (pay in cash or with local mobile apps)
- Day pass
How to use the Octopus Card on the subway?
Detailed information about the price and how the Octopus Card works is described in the Transport chapter.
The Octopus Card is definitely the most convenient option for paying fares on all transport (it is also valid on all buses, minibuses and ferries). In addition, on the metro, fares with the Octopus Card are 5% cheaper than single tickets.
The card can be purchased at any metro station at the "Customer Service" desk or at 7-Eleven or Circle K mini-markets. Payment is always in cash only.
When travelling on the metro, simply attach the Octopus Card to the turnstile reader at the entrance to the platform and then again when getting off.
So ideally keep the card handy to make getting through the turnstiles as quick as possible.
Day ticket
For tourists planning to travel longer distances on a given day (for example, to Tuen Mun, Sha Tin or the border with China), it may be worthwhile to purchase a day ticket.
This is valid on all metro lines except Airport Express and on all buses. However, it is not valid on ferries.
The day pass can be purchased from a ticket machine and can only be paid for in cash.
The price is 65 hkd.
Single tickets
Paying for single tickets is only suitable for travellers who are really only going once.
To purchase tickets in a vending machine, select your destination from the map on the screen. Payment can only be made in cash.
Alternatively, you can pay the fare with your own credit card (Visa only) or via the mobile apps WeChat, Alipay, M Pay or Union Pay by attaching a QR code to the reader at the turnstile. Only the purple turnstiles are dedicated for this purpose.
Is the Hong Kong subway operating 24/7
None of the subway lines run around the clock.
The first subway trains start their route from the termini at around 5:30am, and the last trains start their route at around 0:30am, with the last trains not reaching the city centre until around 1:00am and continuing on to the second terminus.
Frequency on the central lines ranges from 2 to 5 minutes depending on the time of day.
Less busy lines run at around 7 minutes.
What do the metro stations look like?
The stations are very clearly signposted and well equipped.
In each station you will find mini-markets selling snacks and Octopus Cards (usually 7-Eleven or Circle K), cafes, flower shops or small electronics.
There are also free toilets at each station and, in the vast majority of cases, ATMs.
Large maps of the area are posted at the stations with the exits marked by letter.
The platforms are always separated from the tracks by a glass wall with automatic gates that open themselves when the train arrives.
Transfer stations are often designed very well so that the connecting line departs from the opposite edge of the same platform.
The entrances to the subway are always marked with a large red MTR logo.
