Hong Kong MTR (Mass Transit Railway - Subway/Metro) - Helpful Information for Visitors

Hong Kong MTR
(Mass Transit Rail)

Hong Kong MTR :

MTR is a Mass Transit Railway operating major transport train network in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong MTR trains (or subway or Metro) are fast, convenient, reliable, and a safe mode of transportation in Hong Kong City.

Hong MTR operates 11 lines serving Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories.

Among them, the East Rail Line connects to the boundary at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations for travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

In addition, a Light Rail network serves the communities in the North West New Territories, while a fleet of buses provides feeder services.

MTR Airport Express:

The MTR also operates the Airport Express train, a dedicated express rail link providing the fastest connections to/from City to

1). Hong Kong Airport and

2). AsiaWorld-Expo convention Center near HK Airport

The free Airport express shuttle bus service between:

Airport Express Kowloon station or Airport Express Hong Kong station to Major Hotels in Hong Kong is also part of the HK MTR network.

More useful information about Hong Kong MTR:

The MTR runs 10 lines and the Airport Express trains (total 11 lines) in Hong Kong.

Most Hong Kong attractions are along 3 MTR lines: 

1). The Tsuen Wan or Red MTR subway line,

2). The Island line or blue line, and

3). The Tung Chung Line or Orange line.

Hong Kong MTR Tsuen Wan or Red line is used to travel around the Kowloon Island side and connects to the Hong Kong Island side at:
Central and Admiralty Stations

The MRT Tsuen Wan or Red Line travels between Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Mong Kok, and Tsuen Wan

Hong Kong MTR Island line or Blue line is the mainline to use on the Hong Kong Island side. 

This Blue MTR line travels between Kennedy Town station through Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay all the way to Chai Wan. 

HK MTR South Island Line starts from Admiralty station and goes through Ocean Park station all the way to South Horizons stop. 

Use this South Island MTR line in Hong Kong to get to Ocean Park

The Tung Chung Line or Orange line starts at Hong Kong Station, through Kowloon and Sunny Bay Station, and ends in Tung Chung. 

Take this line to The Big Buddha and Ngong Ping 360.  At Sunny Bay Transfer to the Disneyland Resort line or pink line for Disneyland.

Go to the MTR website for more Information and MTR Map

Hong Kong MTR Ride and MTR Station Entry/Exit Information :

You can recognize the Hong Kong MTR or Subway station entry and exit by the red logo with the spider looking symbol.

All signs and announcements in the MTR station are in English and Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin).

MTR Route Maps are at every MTR station and also inside MTR trains above doors in Hong Kong.

You can use either Single Ride Ticket or Octopus Card (Smart Reloadable Card) to pay the fare for your ride on MTR.

To use the Octopus Card at MTR stations, tap your Octopus card over the Fare machine at entry and exit at any MTR station, or insert your Single Journey Ticket.

Once you find your platform, wait in the queue until the train arrives.  Let passengers off first then go into the train. 

If there are no seats, stand somewhere so that you can see the train’s progress on the MTR route map located at each door.

Please be aware of your things and kids as the train can get very crowded during peak times

Note:  From each station, there can be many exits like A.B,C...F, etc which can be confusing to find the right exit for your destination.  

If you are not sure of the exit, look at the neighborhood map located at all MTR stations indicating which exit to take after you exit the platform. 

If you need assistance ask at the manned booths located at the MTR entry/exit gates at any Hong Kong MTR station.

Hong Kong MTR Fare

Hong Kong MTR Single Journey Ticket:

You can buy a Single Journey ticket from the ticket vending machine at all Hong Kong MTR stations.

A Single Journey Ticket is for one ride to a pre-selected destination on the day of purchase. The fare is based on distance traveled. 

Single Journey fare price ranges from HKD 5.0 to HKD 53.5 depending on distance, lines and stations traveled on HK MTR.

Consider on average HKD 15.0 to HKD 20.0 per ride if living in Central tourist areas of HK Island or Kowloon and buying Single ride tickets.

Hong Kong MTR Fare Payment using Octopus Card :

Fare payment using an Octopus card is easy and accepted on all MTR rides in Hong Kong

The Octopus card is a reusable, stored-value card for making electronic payments in Hong Kong.

You can buy or reload an Octopus card at any MTR station or convenience stores like 7-11

Octopus cards can be used to pay for many modes of transport like the MTR, Airport Express, Light Rail, buses, and ferries and are more convenient and faster than buying individual rides tickets in Hong Kong.

There is also a discount on fares for using Octopus Card over a single ticket on Hong Kong Transportation.

You can buy Octopus cards with a $50 refundable deposit with different amounts of stored value (HKD) in HK$50 increments.

Octopus Card cost is discounted for Children and Seniors.

Each card costs HK$150 per adult and HK$70 per child.

You can get your deposit back when you depart Hong Kong by returning the card to an MTR customer service counter and get your deposit back minus HK$9 administration fee if you return it before 90 days at any manned MTR station

For more or specific information about the Octopus card visit their website

Hong Kong MTR Travel Pass:

If you choose to use Airport Express after arriving at the airport, consider the Travel Pass.  

Go to the MTR customer service counter at the airport and ask for an Airport Express Travel Pass.

This travel pass includes the normal Airport Express fare to Hong Kong Station plus 3 days of unlimited use of the MTR.

After the 3 days, you can add more money to the card and continue using it.