Star Ferry
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Star Ferry

4.4
·211 reviews·, Hong Kong

An iconic, affordable ferry ride across Victoria Harbour, offering breathtaking skyline views and a touch of Hong Kong's history.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Sunset to Evening

See the city lights sparkle

CrowdMedium
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Star Ferry

Star Ferry

Best Time

Sunset to Evening

See the city lights sparkle

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An iconic, affordable ferry ride across Victoria Harbour, offering breathtaking skyline views and a touch of Hong Kong's history.

4.4
(211 reviews)

"A great bit of working history, the ferry is very regular and still great value..plenty of seating and fabulous views..well worth a journey on."

Vertical photo
TIP

💳 Use Octopus Card

Speed up boarding by using an Octopus card; cash/mobile payment lines can be long. 💳

🌅 Sunset Views

Catch the magical sunset and city lights transition for stunning photos. :city_sunset:

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.4 · 220 reviews

Type

Ferry Terminal

♿ Wheelchair accessible🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Victoria Harbour Crossing

Victoria Harbour Crossing

Between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central/Wan Chai

A quick, affordable, and iconic journey offering breathtaking skyline views.

TikTokInstagram
Symphony of Lights

Symphony of Lights

Victoria Harbour

Witness Hong Kong's spectacular nightly light show from the ferry deck.

Instagram
Historic Ride

Historic Ride

Various terminals

Experience a piece of Hong Kong's heritage on this century-old maritime icon.

Instagram
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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds

While the MTR is faster, the Star Ferry offers a more scenic and peaceful escape from Hong Kong's hustle. Consider using an Octopus card for quicker boarding, as cash or mobile payment lines can get long, especially with mainland tourists. Reddit

Timing is Everything

For the best experience, aim for sunset or evening to witness the dazzling Symphony of Lights show across Victoria Harbour. Weekends can be busier, but the ferry's regularity and value make it worthwhile. InstagramReddit

Best Times

When
Sunset to Evening
Why
See the city lights sparkle
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Less crowded, peaceful journey
Crowd
Low
When
Weekends (Daytime)
Why
Great value harbor views
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Take the ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island is the best way to have a quick escape from the crowd in HK. It used to be very crowded but thanks to the MTR, the ferry become a lot more peaceful to travel on. #hongkong #ferry #hongkongferry #starferryhk #starferry
@hangsoksok
465 likes • 24.7K views

💳 Use Octopus Card

Speed up boarding by using an Octopus card; cash/mobile payment lines can be long. Reddit 💳

🌅 Sunset Views

Catch the magical sunset and city lights transition for stunning photos. Instagram :city_sunset:

Star Ferry ⛴ Established in the 1880s, Star Ferry has been serving commuters to travel between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula for more than a century. It offers a cheaper option to cross the Victoria Harbour while you could enjoy the beautiful harbour view. If you are a traveler, don’t miss a chance to take the ferry ride! :) There are 2 routes that you could choose: Tsim Sha Tsui <-> ...
journeywith.her
790 likes • 80K views
POV HK: Star Ferry 天星小輪 Just about a 7 minute trip between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, a most beautiful transportation in HK to me! What’s your favourite transportation? Bus, mtr, ferry, tram, car? Comment and let me know ⛴️ 🚌🚍🚖🚇 • • • #pov #reels #reelsinstagram #voyaged #hongkong #discoverhongkong #香港好去處 #travel #travelgram #iphone14pro #shotoniphone #filmmakers #mobliephotography #starferry ...
justinwongjw
2.5K likes • 42.7K views

💨 Lower Deck Vibe

For a local feel, sit on the lower deck for ocean spray and chatter. Instagram :windblowingface:

📸 Moving Postcard

The ferry offers a unique perspective for capturing Hong Kong's iconic skyline. Instagram+1 :camerawithflash:

@lexieunderthestars The Star Ferry is Hong Kong’s maritime icon—an affordable daily voyage since 1888🚢🌆 Tag someone you’d watch the lights dance with on this legendary ride! ✨ Insider tip: – Prefer local vibe? Sit on the lower deck—you’ll catch the diesel hum, ocean spray, and local chatter (). – Time it right and you’ll see the Symphony of Lights from the ferry—ideal from the starboard deck as H...
hongkong.explore
551 likes • 10.9K views

Tips

from all over the internet

💳 Use Octopus Card

Speed up boarding by using an Octopus card; cash/mobile payment lines can be long. Reddit 💳

🌅 Sunset Views

Catch the magical sunset and city lights transition for stunning photos. Instagram :city_sunset:

💨 Lower Deck Vibe

For a local feel, sit on the lower deck for ocean spray and chatter. Instagram :windblowingface:

📸 Moving Postcard

The ferry offers a unique perspective for capturing Hong Kong's iconic skyline. Instagram+1 :camerawithflash:

🚶‍♂️ Avoid Peak Rush

If possible, travel during off-peak hours to enjoy a more serene experience. TikTok 🚶

What Travellers Say

4.4
(211 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Travelers consistently praise the Star Ferry for its incredible value, offering breathtaking harbor views at a minimal cost. It's lauded as an iconic and nostalgic experience, perfect for soaking in Hong Kong's skyline, especially at night. Some note that queues can be long during peak times, and the ride itself is quite short.

"It’s a nostalgic vibe to cross from one part of Hong Kong to another with this short and sweet ferry. You get a really nice view, and it also reminds you how people used to commute in Hong Kong when there was nothing. Highly recommend this experience, even if it’s just a short ride."

Pradumna Saraf

"Tapped on with our Visa card with Apple Pay at a very reasonable rate. Just missed one Ferry but one arrived 5 minutes after and left exactly to the schedule. A nice scenic way to cross the harbour if you wanted to do something different to the metro."

Mark Walsh

"Haven't been on the ferry since I last came to HK over 20 years ago. Nostalgia hits you when you remember the rush to get on the unstable ferry, the horrible wooden seats that reverse and the landing platform that still moves around which is supposedly safe. Much easier now with an Octopus Card. Good memories."

Benjamin Chung

What People Like

Affordable harbor views
Iconic historical ride
Spectacular skyline at night

What People Dislike

Short journey time
Crowded queues

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The main terminals are located in Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) and Central (Hong Kong Island). Both are easily accessible via MTR, with stations like Tsim Sha Tsui (Exit L) and Central (Exit A) being close. Taxis and buses also serve these areas. TikTok

The most popular route for tourists is between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, offering iconic views of the Hong Kong Island skyline. The journey takes about 7-8 minutes. InstagramReddit

Yes, most navigation apps like Google Maps or Citymapper will accurately direct you to the Star Ferry terminals and can help plan your journey using public transport. :iphone:

While the terminals have ramps, the ferries themselves have some steps and the landing platforms can move. It's advisable to check with the ferry operator for specific accessibility details. Reddit

Depending on your hotel's location, the MTR is usually the most efficient. If you're near a waterfront, a taxi might offer a more direct route. Ask your hotel concierge for the best recommendation. 🚕

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Star Ferry tickets are very affordable, making it one of the cheapest ways to enjoy Victoria Harbour views. Prices vary slightly between weekdays and weekends, but are generally under HKD 5. InstagramReddit

Tickets are typically purchased on the spot at the ferry terminals. There's no need to buy in advance as ferries are very frequent. 🎟️

You can pay with cash, an Octopus card, or sometimes mobile payment options like Alipay and WeChat Pay. Using an Octopus card is often the fastest way to board. Reddit 💳

The primary tourist route between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central/Wan Chai has a standard, low fare. Longer scenic tours may have different pricing. Instagram

No, you do not need to show any identification to purchase a Star Ferry ticket. It's a public service accessible to everyone. :bustsinsilhouette:

📸 📸 Photography

The open decks offer unobstructed views. Try to capture the skyline from different angles, especially during sunset or at night when the city lights are on. Instagram+1

Yes, the Star Ferry is an excellent vantage point for the Symphony of Lights. Aim for the upper deck for clearer shots, and be prepared for low light conditions. Instagram

Sunset offers a beautiful transition from day to night, with the city lights starting to twinkle. Evenings are spectacular for capturing the illuminated skyline. Instagram

Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, avoid using flash photography that might disturb other passengers, especially during evening shows. :camerawithflash:

A camera with good low-light performance or a smartphone with a night mode is ideal. A wide-angle lens can capture the expansive skyline. Instagram

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Basic snacks and drinks are usually available for purchase on board. Some special afternoon tea cruises offer more elaborate dining experiences. Instagram+1

Yes, both the Tsim Sha Tsui and Central terminals are surrounded by numerous dining options, from casual eateries to upscale restaurants with harbor views. 🍴

Yes, The Peninsula Hong Kong offers a special afternoon tea experience aboard the World Star ferry, providing a luxurious way to enjoy the harbor. Instagram+1

Tsim Sha Tsui offers a wide array of cuisines. You can find everything from local dim sum and claypot rice to international fine dining. Instagram

While not explicitly forbidden, it's generally polite to consume your own food discreetly and avoid strong odors that might bother other passengers. :apple: