Star Ferry – Central to Tsim Sha Tsui

I really enjoy the Star Ferry. It’s a cheap way to get to Tsim Sha Tsui from Central, and I always feel so nostalgic on these old vessels. I can remember the first time I rode the ferry on my 8^th birthday. Back in those days, Victoria Harbour was a lot wider, but with all the reclamation and building booms that occurred in the ensuing decades, the harbour is noticeably narrower. If this «narrowing» continues, someday it will only take a minute to make the journey! On second thought, maybe not with global warming and rising sea levels! I highly recommend this mode of travel if you are not in a hurry, and would like to experience a bit of «yesteryear.»

Take the ferry! Many times.
Super cheap and beautiful views of the city.

The Star Ferry has been part of Hong Kong for decades and it has seen the changes of Hong Kong. Becoming a British colony to the handover in 1997 and the relocation of the pier on Hong Kong side in 2006. It will never be the same with the new pier now near the IFC. The old location was just opposite to the Mandarin Oriental, right in the heart of Central.
They still use the old boats and the fare is still incredible cheap. If you go during the evenings you have a great view on the skyline of Hong Kong.

New Yorkers have the Staten Island Ferry, Hong Kongers have the Star Ferry. In addition to being a pseudo tourist attraction, it is taken by plenty of locals who are jonseying for a breezy short cut without having to hit Kowloon or Hong Kong Island via MTR or bus. Unlike the SI Ferry where it features of close look at Lady Liberty and boast free admission, the Star Ferry costs $ 1.50-$ 2.50HKD (or $ 0.19−30 cents USD) and showcases an incredible view of the vibrant HK skyline from both ends.
The ride is comfortable and it only lasts about 5 – 7 minutes each direction. The rocking effect is fairly minimal compared to what I’ve experienced from other ferries, which should come as good news to our friends who are easily sea sick. During public holidays and weekends, the fare increases to as much as $ 3.40 (or $.44 cents USD) yet the service remains consistent with little to no drop off. As a result, the ferries are never too crowded and ferry service is only minutes apart from each other.
One can board the Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, or Wanchai. There are harbour tours which should include trips around the entire island with expanded views of views of the dreaded Symphony of Lights (
), and a general look at HK from the water. The pricing varies by the season, which goes for as low as $ 86 and as high as $ 125.
The Star Ferry may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a rite of passage when getting around Hong Kong’s limitless options of public transit. Plus, who doesn’t love a beautiful view? Day is the best for photos, while night is a great time to chill on a boat to one’s next destination.

The ferry is old and the ride is bumpy. I mean it’s so bumpy to the point that it’s scary. We took the ferry to Macau. Heading over to Macau isn’t too full but probably because it’s it was early at 12:15pm. Coming back was pretty full at 6:05pm. The view heading there is nice (before the ferry going full speed and once at full speed the water splashes on the window and you can’t see anything)
The custom lineup is pretty quick. So many lanes open heading to Macau and heading to Hong Kong.
Staff there are very helpful when you need help.

The Star Ferry is an iconic, nostalgic ferry across the beautiful body of water called Victoria Harbour. Get a taste of «Old Hong Kong» as these boats have not changed at all.
Depending on the the time of week, the fares vary but is under $ 1 USD. If you have an Octopus Card (highly recommended to get around all of HK) you can use that here to pay.
Sit upstairs on the ferry, enjoy the views and sea salt air. It is a quick 10 – 15 minute ride.
TIP: Come during Sunset and Night to enhance the Romance.
TIP: Hold onto or strap on your phones/​camera while snapping pictures, don’t lose it in the water!
The ride is almost too fast. When you get off, you feel like you just got on!

This is the most cost effective way to cross the harbour. Great experience as well, especially if you are a tourist.

I LOVE THE STAR FERRIES! I remember trips to Hong Kong Kong in the 1970s and 1980’s. So much has changed, but not these little ferries!
Now there are many options to cross the harbor and most people use the metro under
the water. The crowd on the ferry is often small. I think many like me are on the ferry just
for fun, just for memories.
Cost is 2 HK$ or about 26c USD. You can use your Octopus card, or buy a token from a machine. Then drop the token in to enter.
The ferry system started in the late 1880s, but the ferries now in use are from around 1961 – 1963. So these are the exact same ferries I rode in decades ago. I like that. If your visiting take the ferry at least once! The card your using for the metro can get you on the ferry too
and you get some good views of the harbor. Enjoy!

I just love the Ferry and take it anytime I can when I need to get from Hong Kong to Kowloon or vice versa. Historic, efficient, spacious, fresh air, beautiful, quick
On this route, you can catch the boat near the giant farris wheel (just take the walkway out to the pier) when on the Central side. On the Kowloon side on this route, you catch the boat near the stores on the dockside across from the giant clock tower.
You can buy single tickets or use your Octopus card. It takes about 10 minutes to get from one side to the other. Boats run all day with the last one at 10:30PM (I think).
A great way to travel for a local and a definate must for any visiting guest of mine.

love the view, love the breeze, love the price, love the speed
best to take it when you’re already in IFC (central) or when you’re already in harbour city or in one of the 3 hotels (marco polo, gateway, prince). then it should be just 5 minutes walk from where you are to get to the pier. quick and easy!

Paid about 3.40 HK dollar on a Sunday afternoon. Great way to see the HK skyline! Definitely worth it’s. Keep in mind you can push the back of the benches so your seats face the proper direction!

Pay 50 bucks for a cruise around the harbor? Hell no! Cheapskates unite, and take the Star Ferry! For less than a U.S. dollar, you AND a date can take a 15 minute ride across the harbor taking in the iconic HK skyline and snapping loads of good pictures while enjoying the cool ocean breeze.
Bonus: the ferry terminal on the Central side is right near the terminus of the ultraconvenient Bus 15, which will whisk you away to the top of The Peak (see my review of the Peak for thoughts on the bus).
Double Bonus: if you’re staying in TST, like at the Sheraton, this ferry is actually pretty useful as a means of transit and not just for taking in the views.

I can’t believe how affordable it is to ride the Star Ferry from TST to Central, at only $ 2.50 HKD one way! While most people use the ferry for daily community purposes, we recently hopped on the ferry for a short 10 – 15 minute ride across the harbor to Hong Kong Island. You’re met with some great harbor views, the beautiful skyline, and some breezy winds as you sail across the waters.
We chose the upper platform for our viewing pleasure, seats were plentiful, and people were courteous. Be sure to exchange your HKD $ 2.50 for a specific «token» in order to pay for the ferry ride. You’ll see machines to purchase these special tokens as you get close to the entrance gate.
Inside the TST Star Ferry terminal, you’ll also find a Tai Cheong Bakery — great way to pick up an egg tart on the go! :)
More photos here:

This should rank as one of the biggest bargain in public transit in the world. It’s only around HK$ 2.50 as of my recent visit there in March (which is about 35 cents US) for a one-​way ride on this ferry running between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. The boats run regularly so if you just miss one the next one is usually around five minutes later.
(Note the cost I quoted above is for riding in the lower deck. Riding in the upper deck would be higher. It’s said the view is better, but then it’s just a short ride anyway, less than 10 minutes it seems.)

This gets five stars from me because I live in the desert where the only bodies of water are man-​made.
Who cares if it takes longer. It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey, people! Victoria Harbor is probably the most amazing harbor in the world. Why wouldn’t you want to see it from a boat?
I’m on a boat, and
it’s going (not so) fast, and
I got a nautical themed pashmina afghan.
Not really, although I wish I did. How great would it be to dress as The Skipper from Gilligan’s Island and ride the ferry all day? Wait a minute, add that to the Bucket List!

So I’m one of those guys who will forgo to expensive harbor cruise around Manhattan with all the camera toting tourists and the unintelligible narrative on the crackly loudspeaker and take the Staten Island Ferry instead. And so it goes with the ferries crossing the main waterway in Hong Kong, for what I think was about .40 US per crossing. (Cash only please, small bills! — Ticket office was closed.) You still get all the thrills of nearly colliding with huge barges and container ships in the channel, and some fabulous views of the Hong Kong skyline, which is particularly striking at night, ablaze in carnival like lights that simply glow in the stuff that looks like smog during the day.
I should mention for those of you lacking sea legs — I crossed on a calm weather evening, but the water was a little choppy, and these must be flat bottom boats, as they bob around like a cork even when you’re boarding and disembarking. Nobody else even seemed to notice, but it makes taking pictures a bit of a challenge when the horizon keeps bouncing up and down.
Have fun!

Still one of the cheapest mode of transport in HK.
Its a nice crossing from Kowloon to HK. On today’s sailing, a couple were running around in their wedding tuxedos and dresses doing up their wedding pictures. Great backdrop for photos.
The ferries are old but still well maintained. Down to the hinges for the seat backs.
You cannot beat the views of Victoria Harbour from the ferry.

Looking for a cheap cruise of Victoria Harbour? Then check out Star Ferry. It is one of the best options to get from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island aside from taking MTR.
While the ride on MTR is quicker, the ferry ride is the better offering if you want to take in the beauty of Hong Kong. I would absolutely recommend this ferry service to any tourists visiting HK for the first time. It offers up great views of the water and the HK skyline.
I took a trip from Tsim Sha Tsui over to Central. The fare was ridiculously cheap. Fares vary by day, route and seating area but it will not cost you more than HK$ 3.40 which is less than $.50 USD. If you have an Octopus Card, you can use it here to pay the fare. You won’t find a fare so low in any major US city for public transportation. The ferry is one of the reasons why HK has one of the best public transportation systems in the world.
The Tsim Sha Tsui ferry terminal looks old, but is functional. There are shops downstairs and as you head to the ferry entrance if you need to grab something to eat before hopping on.
On board the ferry, the trip across the harbour was choppy. So you will see the boat move up and down a bit. However the ride is over in about 10 minutes so you shouldn’t feel too concerned about getting nauseous.
While taking the Star Ferry does not offer the smoothest ride, you can’t deny the unbeatable price combined with the wonderful picture taking opportunities it offers.

Two of the best things about Hong Kong is its harbor view and great transportation system. With the Star Ferry from TST to Wan Chai, you get the best of both worlds.
As a tourist, it’s a must to get on the water and explore HK’s islands… or at least the water dividing HK Island and Kowloon. The TST Star Ferry terminal is on Canton road, right outside Ocean Terminal (Lane Crawford side). The ride’s only 15 minutes long at the most, and along the way, you’re subjected to views of the towering office buildings on the Hong Kong Island side, the Avenue of the Stars, the Science and Art Museums on the Kowloon side.
The ferry is a two-​tiered affair, with the bulk of the seats (hardwood plank style) in the center and the end with single seats. The hardwood plank seats hve a metal backrest that can be moved left or right, depending upon which direction the ferry’s headed. Before switching the backrest over, however, make sure all seated occupants are off the bench, or else you’ll sweep a wizened old Chinese woman to the floor. (I thought she was part of the décor. It was an honest mistake.)
Nobody sells peanuts or popcorn on the ferry and there are no bathroom facilities. The terminals are also pretty basic, with a few shops selling candies or baked goods. THe waiting areas also have few seats.
For a very minimum amount of money, the Star Ferry is a great way to see HK harbor, day or night. The trip to Wan Chai deposits you next to the HK Exhibition Center (great way to get to and from an exhibition without fighting hoards in the subway).

I don’t care if you get seasick or are afraid of boats. I’m both and I don’t like to swim. So suck it up and board a classic Hong Kong tradition to connect between Hong Kong island and Kowloon.
It’s a cheap attraction (by American standards) and offers incredible views of both sides of the city. When it comes to getting the sites and sounds of the pulse of a city, the waterway separating the two sides of this city led to its rise as an international gateway and it is an amazing way to hear and experience the lifeblood of this city.
Plus, you can say you boarded a tiny little red boat and take some awesome selfies at night with all of the lights doting the skyline as your background.