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Ferries/ Boats in Hong Kong

THE 5 BEST Hong Kong Ferries

Ferries in Hong Kong

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  • Au J
    2 contributions
    Must try in HK
    I stayed in Renaissance and their staff recommend us to try the experience of star ferry. Just a few minutes walk from hotel, the design of star ferry pier is nice and the fare was really cheap. The view from the star ferry was really excellent and I took many photo. Highly recommended to friend and family who will travel in HK.
    Review of: Star Ferry
    Written 29 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • tkpuar
    Singapore, Singapore481 contributions
    COTAI JET IS BEST TO GET TO COTAI FROM HONG KONG
    It has been many years since l last visited Hong Kong. Even more years going to Macau from HK.
    I used to go to Macau from HK by fast ferry jet. Was not sure if this is still a good option with the opening of the land bridges.
    I have to compliment Cotai Jet for the many improvements since l travel that route many years ago. The processes were very smooth. The ride took close to one hour. It was a seamless journey. This has to be the best way to get to Cotai from Hong Kong.
    Review of: Cotai Water Jet
    Written 26 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Leonhkny
    Hong Kong, China12,723 contributions
    Hong Kong to Macau
    This was the only and is still the most popular option to travel between Hong Kong and Macau. Although timetable has been genuinely curtailed due to COVID, TurboJet offers fast, convenient and comfortable ferry service. Do get the tickets in advance as seats are quite limited.
    Review of: TurboJet
    Written 10 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mairwen1
    United Kingdom8,650 contributions
    Day Trip to Cheung Chau Island
    If you’re planning a day trip to Cheung Chau island, this is your ferry. It’s the only one to Cheung Chau. It really couldn’t be easier. The ferries run all day, roughly every 30-40 min from #5 Central Pier (the same place that the Star ferries leave from).
    Central Pier is only a short walk from HK MTR station and the piers are numbered in order, from 1-10 so just walk halfway down to #5. You can’t go wrong.
    You don’t even have to plan ahead because you buy your ticket at the gate (or use Octopus card) so you can make a spontaneous decision to go or not, on the day. Handy if weather is looking iffy because you want a good, sunny day for Cheung Chau.
    The only decision you have to make is whether to take the big, slow ferry or the small, fast ferry. Unlike Goldilocks, there is no middle ‘just right’ option.
    Both leave from #5. The slow ferry takes just under an hour and costs $13.6HKD one way. The fast ferry takes half that time and is almost double the cost, $26.8HKD (it’s a bit more on Sundays). Either way, it is incredibly cheap travel for what is a very scenic ride.
    If you tend to get queasy on boats, I’d recommend the fast ferry. It’s a smoother ride and has a/c throughout. However, the thing I really like about the slow ferry is that you can sit outside and enjoy the view, making it a very cruisy trip.
    There are toilets on both ferries, plenty of room for bulky bags and backpacks and you can buy drinks and some snacks.
    We caught the fast ferry both ways on our recent trip to Cheung Chau, but only because there was one leaving shortly.
    Review of: First Ferry
    Written 4 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BradJill
    Hong Kong, China156,909 contributions
    Catching a ferry to lesser known and hidden gem hiking spots in HK
    This is a ferry pier located around 8-10 minute walk rom University MTR Station at Science Park in Sha Tin. Services are provided by Kaito Ferry Services and you can view updated route and times on their website. Here you can take ferry trips to popular UNESCO Global Geopark locations and hiking trails.

    There is good signage as you approach the pier so that you know where to go to find ticket booths and the vessel that you need to board. ticket purchases can be made with cash or Octopus Cards. Do be aware that ferry departures are very limited so make sure you are fully aware of the published departure times and days beforehand.

    Popular ferry destinations include Kat O/Ap Chau (1.5 hour journey), Lai Chi Wo (1.5 hours), Lai Chi Chung (45 minutes) Tap Mun (also called Grass Island) - 1.5 hours, Tung Ping Chau (1.5 hours) and Wong Shek (2 hours). Some destinations are serviced daily but others further away, are only served on weekend and public holidays. The ferries fill up quite quickly with hikers on weekends as well so best to arrive 20-30 minutes before scheduled departure. Once full, vessels will depart so you may be able to leave early. They have extra vessels on hand when passenger numbers are high.

    The ferry rides pass through the Tolo Harbour and channel. If sky conditions are favourable, the views are very good, something of a hidden gem for scenery here in Hong Kong. They have toilets onboard and mostly open covered outdoor seating. If the weather is poor, they pull down plastic sheets to provide protection from the rain and waves. Otherwise, ferry rides are rather uneventful. Enjoy the views or catch up on a bit of reading until you arrive at your intended destination.
    Review of: Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier
    Written 29 November 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BradJill
    Hong Kong, China156,909 contributions
    Service to/from Macau greatly reduced since the opening of HZMB
    SkyPier is the ferry terminal located in the restricted departure area of Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). This terminus opened in 2009, providing direct, air-to-sea ferry service to Macau and various ports of call in nearby mainland China.

    Eligible passengers are those who arrive by flight into HKG who want to transfer directly to destinations covered by the ferry companies without passing through Hong Kong immigration. You can also use ferry service to SkyPier as long as you are flying out of HKG with an eligible airline for upstream check-in service. Passengers will need to review which participating airlines list for eligibility directly on the HKG SkyPier website.

    There are other important rules/requirements of using SkyPier to be aware of including the need to be at the SkyPier check-in desk 60 minutes prior to outbound departures if you are scheduled to land at HKG and have luggage. Skypier staff will retrieve the luggage for you and have it boarded to the outbound ferry. You then retrieve it when the ferry arrives in Macau or other Chinese port of call. If you don't have luggage, you must arrive 30 minutes before departure from SkyPier.

    Similar check-in requirements are in place for ferry departures arriving at SkyPier for your outbound flights. Again, passengers need to check into the details to make sure they have enough time to make use of SkyPier ferry services.

    Note: With the recent introduction of the HZMB crossing linking Hong Kong to Macau by bridge with 24 hour bus and shuttle service, the number of regularly scheduled departures from SkyPier to/from Macau has been greatly reduced over the past year. As of recently, there are now only 2-3 daily departures by TurboJet and Cotai Water Jet, the two ferry service providers that cover the SkyPier to Macau routes.

    As such, it is very possible that you will do better to simply exit HKG airport and make way to the nearby Hong Kong Port at HZMB for the short 45 minute shuttle transfer to Macau instead of waiting several hours for the next ferry departure from SkyPier.
    Review of: SkyPier
    Written 10 March 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hong Kong
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