The Star Ferry has been crossing Victoria Harbour since 1888, and remains one of the cheapest, most scenic and most useful journeys in Hong Kong — a genuine piece of working public transport that also happens to deliver one of the best skyline views in the world for the price of a bus fare. Whether you're using it to get somewhere or simply to ride it for its own sake, here's how it works.
The routes
Two main Star Ferry routes cross the harbour: Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) to Central, and Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai. Both are short crossings — around ten minutes for the Central route, and a little longer for Wan Chai — running frequently throughout the day, typically every six to twelve minutes at peak times and somewhat less often outside them. There is no need to book; you simply turn up at the pier and board the next departure.
The Tsim Sha Tsui–Central crossing is the classic route and the one most visitors take, connecting the Kowloon side (near the Avenue of Stars and the harbourfront promenade) with Hong Kong Island's Central district, one of the city's main business and shopping areas.
Fares and paying
If you're weighing up cash versus card more generally for your trip, see our guide to cash or card abroad for how contactless transport cards like Octopus fit into a wider spending strategy.
Fares are low by any international comparison — among the cheapest harbour crossings anywhere — and vary slightly by which deck you ride on (upper or lower) and whether you pay on a weekday or weekend. The simplest way to pay is with an Octopus card, Hong Kong's contactless smart card used across almost all local transport, which you simply tap on boarding. Octopus cards are available from MTR stations and convenience stores across the city and are worth getting even for a short visit, since they work on buses, the MTR and most ferries too. Cash is also accepted at the pier turnstiles for those without a card.
Upper deck or lower deck?
The Star Ferry's boats have two decks, priced slightly differently, and the choice matters more than the small fare difference suggests. The upper deck gives better, more open views across the harbour and is generally preferred for the classic photo and general sightseeing experience. The lower deck is a touch cheaper and more sheltered, useful in poor weather or if you simply want the practical crossing rather than the view. On a clear day or at sunset, the upper deck is worth the small extra cost.
Best times to ride
The classic advice — ride it around dusk — holds up well: Hong Kong's skyline is genuinely dramatic once the lights come on, and a harbour crossing at that time captures both the daylight and the start of the evening lightshow. Early morning crossings are quieter and give a completely different, calmer view of the harbour before the day's crowds and boat traffic build up. Midday crossings are the most functional and least atmospheric, though still perfectly pleasant and considerably cheaper than a harbour cruise sold specifically to tourists.
A brief history
The Star Ferry Company has operated since 1888, and the harbour crossing predates almost every other form of transport now used in the city, including the MTR underground system that has since taken over much of the harbour-crossing traffic the ferry used to carry alone. The company survived the construction of road tunnels and the MTR's own harbour crossings by remaining exactly what it has always been: cheap, frequent, and scenic enough that people keep choosing it even when faster underground alternatives exist.
Combining it with the rest of Hong Kong's ferries
The Star Ferry is only one part of Hong Kong's wider network of harbour and outlying-island ferries — services that connect the main urban area to islands like Lamma, Cheung Chau and Lantau, run by different operators from different piers. See our guide to ferries in Hong Kong for the outlying-island routes, and our guide to Hong Kong to Macau ferries if you're continuing on to Macau, a completely different, faster service from a different terminal.
Getting to the piers
Both the Tsim Sha Tsui and Central piers sit within easy walking distance of MTR stations (Tsim Sha Tsui station on the Kowloon side, Central or Hong Kong station on the island side), so the ferry slots naturally into a day of exploring on foot and by MTR rather than requiring a special trip. If you're arriving in Hong Kong from mainland China or planning onward travel, our guide to Hong Kong to Guangzhou covers the cross-border options, and our wider China entry requirements guide covers visa and transit basics for the region.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book the Star Ferry in advance?
No. It runs on a frequent, walk-up schedule with no reservations, typically every six to twelve minutes at peak times. Simply arrive at the pier and board the next departure.
Can I use my Octopus card on the Star Ferry?
Yes, Octopus is the easiest way to pay and works the same way as on Hong Kong's buses and MTR — tap on at the turnstile. Cash is also accepted at the pier if you don't have a card.
Which is better, the upper or lower deck?
The upper deck gives better harbour views and is generally preferred for sightseeing, at a slightly higher fare. The lower deck is cheaper and more sheltered, a practical choice in poor weather or if the view matters less to you than the crossing itself.
Is the Star Ferry the same as a Victoria Harbour cruise?
No. The Star Ferry is ordinary public transport — cheap, frequent, and point-to-point with no commentary — while dedicated harbour cruises are a separate, pricier tourist product, usually longer and with a fixed loop route rather than a practical crossing.
Sources and further reading:
- Routes, fares and timetables: The Star Ferry Company (starferry.com.hk).
- Octopus card information: Octopus Cards Limited (octopus.com.hk).
- Wider Hong Kong ferry network: Transport Department, Hong Kong SAR Government.