Nicknamed the "ding ding" for the bell drivers ring at stops and junctions, Hong Kong's century-old double-decker trams are still a genuine way to get around the north shore of Hong Kong Island, not just a heritage attraction — and at a flat fare that's a fraction of the MTR for anyone willing to trade speed for a slower, street-level view of the city.
The routes
Hong Kong Tramways operates along a single main corridor running east–west across the north of Hong Kong Island, from Kennedy Town in the west, through Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, out to North Point and on towards Shau Kei Wan in the east. A separate spur branches south from Causeway Bay up to Happy Valley, mainly useful on race days at the historic racecourse there. Trams run frequently along the main corridor, and because there's only really one route to learn (with branch variations), it's a hard system to get lost on — just check the destination board at the front before boarding.
Fares: flat, cheap, pay as you leave
Unlike the MTR's distance-based fares, tram fares are a single flat rate regardless of how far you ride — one of the cheapest rides in the city by a wide margin, and part of why locals still use the tram for short hops rather than the faster but pricier metro. Board at the rear doors and pay when you get off at the front, tapping an Octopus card at the reader by the driver, or dropping exact change into the fare box if you're paying cash — drivers don't give change, so have the right coins ready if you're not tapping a card. See our Octopus card guide for buying and topping up a card if you haven't already got one from the airport or an MTR station.
The upper deck: where to sit
The best seats are at the front of the upper deck, giving an elevated, forward-facing view over the traffic and street life below — genuinely one of the better free views in Hong Kong, especially through the dense, sign-crowded stretch between Central and Wan Chai. Trams can fill up at rush hour, so if the upper deck's front row is taken, don't be too disappointed with a side-facing seat; the streetscape rolling past at tram height is still far more engaging than the same journey underground on the MTR.
A tram versus the MTR
The tram is unapologetically slow compared with the MTR, weaving through the same traffic as buses and cars along much of its route, so it's not the way to get somewhere quickly. What it does better than any faster option is turn a routine journey into a piece of sightseeing in its own right — the corridor it follows happens to run past some of the most interesting street-level scenery on the Island, including the wet markets and antique shops of Sheung Wan and the dense commercial blocks of Wan Chai. For a visitor with time to spare, riding the full length of the line, or a good chunk of it, is worth doing purely for the ride.
A simple sightseeing route
A popular, unofficial way to use the tram as a sightseeing tool: board around Western Market in Sheung Wan and ride east through Central, Admiralty and Wan Chai to Causeway Bay, hopping off wherever something catches your eye and simply boarding the next tram along when you're ready to continue. Because fares are flat and trams run frequently, there's no real cost or planning penalty to breaking the journey up into several shorter hops rather than riding straight through.
Practical tips
- Board at the rear, pay or tap at the front when you leave — the opposite of MTR gates.
- Keep small change handy if you're not using Octopus, since drivers can't give change.
- Trams have no air conditioning on most of the older fleet — expect open windows rather than climate control, which is part of the charm but worth knowing on a hot, humid afternoon.
- Avoid the tram for time-pressed journeys; use the MTR instead and save the tram for when the ride itself is the point.
Getting to Hong Kong Island in the first place
If you're arriving from the airport, see our Hong Kong airport to the city guide for the Airport Express and bus options into town — the tram network only covers Hong Kong Island itself, not Kowloon or the airport. For a day trip further afield, our guide to Hong Kong to Lantau Island covers the cable car and ferries to the island's other sights, and if your trip continues into mainland China, see Hong Kong to Guangzhou for the high-speed rail link and our wider China by train guide for the network beyond the border.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Hong Kong tram cost?
A single flat fare regardless of distance, among the cheapest rides in the city, paid by tapping an Octopus card or dropping exact cash change into the fare box as you exit at the front.
Where do I board and pay on the Hong Kong tram?
Board at the rear doors and exit at the front, tapping your Octopus card or paying cash as you leave — the reverse of boarding on the MTR, where you tap in before entering the platform.
Is the tram faster than the MTR in Hong Kong?
No — the tram runs in mixed traffic along its route and is considerably slower than the MTR. It's best used for sightseeing along Hong Kong Island's north shore rather than for time-pressed journeys.
Which side of the tram has the best view?
The front of the upper deck, giving an elevated forward view over the street below — one of the best free sightseeing perches in the city, especially through Central and Wan Chai.
Sources and further reading:
- Routes, fares and network information: Hong Kong Tramways official site.
- Payment card details: Octopus Cards Limited.