A Ride On Hong Kong Star Ferry – How To & Tips

Star Ferry is the main ferry operator in Hong Kong that carry locals and tourists across Victoria Harbour between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

Like eating dim sum, I missed riding the Star Ferry in my 1st visit there. So I make sure one of my top priority for my 2nd visit would be riding the 100-year old Hong Kong Star Ferry. 🙂

The National Geographic Traveler named the ferry crossing as one of the ‘Must-Do’s’ in its ‘Place of a Lifetime’ series which featured 50 cities. The ferry ride is also well known as one of the world’s best value-for-money sightseeing trips. ~source from Star Ferry site

So how was the ride? It was lovely, exciting and pleasant! One ride is too short though! Everyone should ride the Hong Kong Star Ferry at least once in their visit there. But I bet ya you would like to ride the Star Ferry many times after that.

Let me share with you now my experience riding on the Star Ferry including how to and tips.

I stayed in Kowloon side at YMCA, Tsim Sha Tsui. So it’s just a short walk to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier.

Once there decide your destination (Central or Wan Chai). We choose Central as we’re going for our dim sum brunch (yeah kill 2 birds with 1 stone; namely dim sum and ferry ride).
Tip: The shortest ferry ride is between Kowloon and Central (about 7 mins). Choose Kowloon-Wan Chai route if you prefer longer ride.

Also decide whether you want to sit at the upper deck or lower deck of the ferry.
Tip: Upper deck has the best view. Locals usually go for lower deck.

There are ample signage to show you the right direction.

Upper deck fare:
Mon-Fri: HK$2.50
Sat, Sun and public holidays: HK$3.00

Lower deck fare:
Mon-Fri: HK$2.00
Sat, Sun and public holidays: HK$2.40

This is a token machine. The instruction on purchasing the token is easy enough.

Our tokens.

There are 3 mode of payment: Octopus card, exact-fare coin and token.
Tip: Pay by token for the experience!

Walking towards the dock entrance. On top of the exact-fare counter is the ferry arrival countdown (not visible in the above picture).

Ferry operation hours for Tsim Sha Tsui-Central route: 6.30am to 11.30pm with frequency varies from 6-12 mins according to rush and non-rush hours.
Tip: Avoid ferry during rush hours (7-10am/pm) as the queue would be long and ferry is fill with working commuters.

We were there after 10am.

Once you’ve paid for the fare, you’ll come to this waiting area. There’s no seat here. Just standing but plenty of windows to enjoy the beautiful Victoria Harbour.

It’s a very foggy morning. The Hong Kong Island skyline is almost invisible!

Boarding the Star Ferry. Wohoo!

Inside Star Ferry.
Tip: Best seat is the one in the middle of the boat (windowless). Ideal for photography opportunity. Seats at the front and back of ferry are bound by windows.

Do you know that you can change Star Ferry’s seat direction? This allow you to face the direction of the traveling ferry.

Here’s how you do it: Just flip the wooden back support of the seat (1.) into the opposite direction (2.). That’s it!

Our fleet is called Silver Star, built in 1965. That’s 46 years old!

Caution sign.

The spectacular Victoria Harbour view!
Tip: Ride the ferry just before 8pm for the Symphony of Lights show. Alternative ride anytime during the night to watch the beautiful Victoria Harbour skyline lit up by buildings and houses.

That’s Meridian Star 1958.

Symbol of ‘old’ Hong Kong. Nostalgic.

And just like that we were nearing Central Star Ferry Pier.

A worker placing the mooring line on a bollard. Then he use a long rod to help moor the ferry.

Ferry is slowly nearing the gangway.

So that was it. Before I can breath nicely the ferry has reached Central. 🙂

Riding the Star Ferry is a must-do thing in Hong Kong. The cheapest sightseeing trip that awards you with one of the most famous and stunning harbour view in the world!