Planning to explore Hong Kong from a different perspective? Hop onto the Star Ferry – an iconic symbol of the city. This article will guide you through the Star Ferry schedule, fares, and routes, ensuring your trip across Victoria Harbour is smooth and memorable.
The Star Ferry connects Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui) with Hong Kong Island (Central or Wan Chai). There are two services available – the regular crossing, used by both locals and tourists, and the Water Tour, mainly for tourists. Both offer unique views of Victoria Harbour and are among the most economical ways to cross the harbor.
Regular Crossing
The regular crossing will take you from Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) to Central and vice versa, or from TST to Wan Chai and vice versa.
Tsim Sha Tsui ⇄ Central
The first route is between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. Compared with taking the MTR, the first route is Crossing the harbor via the Star Ferry is more cost-effective than riding the MTR.
Fare
Fares range from HK$4.0 – $6.5 depending on when you ride the ferry and the deck you choose. There are lower and upper decks. The lower deck is cheaper but lacks windows, while the upper deck is air-conditioned.
There are 4-Day Tourist Tickets that allow you to enjoy unlimited rides for four consecutive days. It can be bought at the Harbour Tour Ticket Counter at Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier. Monthly Tickets are also available, which can be bought starting from 26th of the preceding month to 10th of the month. If you decide to purchase the Monthly Tickets, it requires you to bring recent photo of yourself.
Schedule
The first and last Star Ferries operate between 06:30 and 23:30 for the Tsim Sha Tsui ⇄ Central route. Ferries depart every 6-12 minutes depending on the time of day. See the table below for details.
Tsim Sha Tsui ⇄ Wan Chai
Unlike Tsim Sha Tsui ⇄ Central, the lower deck of this ferry route isn’t used for passenger carriage. Instead, the lower deck is used to accommodate up to 10 bicycles.
Fare
Fares range from HK$5.0 – $6.5 depending on when you ride the ferry. Unlike Tsim Sha Tsui ⇄ Central, you can only choose the upper deck. Instead, the lower deck is used to accommodate up to 10 bicycles.
Schedule
The first and last Star Ferries operate between 07:20 and 22:50 for the Tsim Sha Tsui ⇄ Wan Chai route. Ferries depart every 8-20 minutes depending on the time of day. Refer to the table below for details.
Water Tour Service (Victoria Harbour)
The Water Tour offers two options: Day & Night Harbour Tour. While both tours cover similar routes, the night tour is longer and therefore, slightly more expensive. Each tour lasts about 45 minutes. Unlike the regular crossing, you’ll get to use the spacious and luxurious “World Star” fleet, which is an environmental friendly ferry that uses the latest low emission technologies. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance from Klook.
Day Harbour Tour
The Day Tour route covers Tsim Sha Shui, Wan Chai, and Central.
Tour Tickets
The ticket price for the Day Harbour Tour is HK$ 230 per adult and HK$ 160 for children (aged 3-12), senior (aged 65 or above) and people with disabilities. Check Star Ferry’s website for the latest schedule & fare or contact them directly.
Tour Schedule
The day tour is from 17:45-18:30.
Night Tour: Symphony of Lights
The Night Tour covers a similar route to the Day Tour but extends further east to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. It also offers a chance to witness Victoria Harbour’s Symphony of Lights. As a result, the night tour ticket is slightly more expensive than the day tour. Operated by the “World Star” fleet, this environmentally friendly ferry uses the latest low emission technologies.
Tour Tickets
The ticket price for the Day Harbour Tour is HK$ 280 per adult and HK$ 200 for children (aged 3-12), senior (aged 65 or above) and people with disabilities. Check Star Ferry’s website for the latest schedule & fare or contact them directly.
Tour Schedule
The night tour is from 19:45-20:30.
How to Buy Tickets & Get Discounts
For regular crossing tickets, purchase them directly at the ferry piers entrance using an Octopus card, exact change in coins, or by purchasing a token at the vending machine.
For the Harbor Tour & Symphony of Lights Tour, buy tickets directly at the Harbour Tour Ticket Counter at Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier. Payment methods include cash, credit card or Alipay/Wechat Pay. Note that ticket counters may stop selling tickets 10 minutes prior to each departure.
Discounted tickets can also be purchased in advance from Klook. Remember, tickets bought from Klook may be fixed date bookings and non-cancellable. However, they also offer open date bookings for other top attractions in Hong Kong.