Riding the Star Ferry in Hong Kong: Routes, Fares & Tips

The Star Ferry has been crossing Victoria Harbour since 1888, and it's still one of the cheapest, best things you can do in Hong Kong. For less than the price of a coffee, you get a 10-minute ride between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island with the skyline right in front of you. Here's what it actually costs, where it runs, and how to make sure you're not standing on the wrong side of the boat.

How much does the Star Ferry cost?

On the main Central–Tsim Sha Tsui route, fares depend on the deck and the day:

• Weekday (Mon–Fri, not a public holiday): HK$4.0 lower deck, HK$5.0 upper deck (adult). Child, senior (65+) and passengers with disabilities pay HK$2.8 lower / HK$2.9 upper.
• Weekend and public holidays: HK$5.6 lower, HK$6.5 upper (adult). Concession fares are HK$3.7 lower / HK$3.9 upper.

The lower deck is the cheaper option in every category, both routes, every day. That's not a typo. On the Wan Chai–Tsim Sha Tsui route there's a single flat fare instead of a deck split, and bikes are allowed for an extra HK$25.

Which routes run, and where the piers are

Two commuter routes cross the harbour:

• Central ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui: the classic run, piers a short walk from IFC on the island side and the TST clock tower/waterfront promenade on the Kowloon side.
• Wan Chai ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui: useful if you're staying or working around Wan Chai/Causeway Bay rather than Central.

Both piers land you within walking distance of the harbourfront promenades on either side, so it's an easy add-on before or after a walk along the waterfront or a harbour-view dinner.

First and last ferry, and how often they run

On Central–Tsim Sha Tsui, the first ferry leaves at 6:30am and the last at 11:30pm in both directions. Wan Chai–Tsim Sha Tsui starts a little later, around 7:20–7:40am depending on the day, and the last ferry is 11:00pm. Departures run every 6–20 minutes depending on the time of day: tight during rush hour, wider late at night, so there's rarely a long wait either way.

How to pay

Tap on with an Octopus card at the turnstile, the same one you'd use on the MTR or a tram. If you don't have one, buy a single-journey token from the vending machines at the pier. Coins are no longer accepted directly at the turnstile, so don't turn up expecting to pay cash on the spot; you need either Octopus or a token bought beforehand.

Which side to sit on

Regulars agree on this one: sit or stand on the right-hand side of the boat, in either direction, for the best open view across the harbour. Go for the upper deck if you can — it costs about HK$1 more than lower deck, but the open-air setup and better ventilation give you a clearer, unobstructed view than the enclosed lower cabin.

The Star Ferry Harbour Tour (a different ticket)

Separate from the commuter ferry, Star Ferry also runs a sightseeing cruise called the Harbour Tour aboard the Shining Star, a replica of a 1920s vessel, departing from the Tsim Sha Tsui pier. There are three sailings: an afternoon tour (3:20–4:25pm), a sunset tour (5:30–6:35pm) and a night tour (7:45–8:30pm) that includes the nightly multimedia light show over the harbour. Afternoon and sunset tickets are HK$230 adult / HK$160 concession; the night tour is HK$280 / HK$200. Tickets are sold at the TST pier counter (11:30am–7:45pm) or online, and the counter stops selling 10 minutes before each departure. This is a different product from the HK$4–6.50 commuter crossing, so don't buy the tour ticket if you just want to get across the harbour.

Quick answers

How much does the Star Ferry cost in Hong Kong? HK$4.0–$6.50 for the commuter crossing depending on deck and day. The sightseeing Harbour Tour is a separate ticket from HK$160–$280.

Is the Star Ferry worth it in Hong Kong? Yes. It's one of the cheapest harbour views in the city, and still a genuine way to get between Kowloon and Central, not just a tourist gimmick.

Is the Star Ferry still running in Hong Kong? Yes, it's been in continuous operation since 1888 and still carries around 70,000 passengers a day across two routes.

Why is Star Ferry famous? It's one of the oldest continuously-run ferry services in the world, was rated one of the world's most exciting ferry rides by the Society of American Travel Writers, and a 1966 fare rise on this exact route sparked riots that are still studied in Hong Kong history.

If you're building out a full transport plan for the trip, it's worth reading the Hong Kong tram guide if you want the other iconic, cheap ride in the city, and how the different options from the airport into town compare, including whether the Airport Express is worth it for your first leg in.