By Taxi in Hong Kong

By Taxi

During the day, heavy traffic means that taxis around Central and Tsim Sha Tsui aren't the way to go. Outside these areas, or after dark, they're much more useful. Drivers usually know the terrain well, but as many don't speak English, having your destination written in Chinese is a good idea. You can hail cabs on the street, provided it's a stopping area (i.e., not on double yellow lines). Note that it's sometimes hard to find a taxi around 4 PM when the drivers switch shifts.

Fares for the red taxis operating in urban areas start at HK$15 for the first 2 km (1 1/2 mi), then HK$1.40 for each 1/5 km ( 1/10 mi) or minute of waiting time (so fares add up fast in bumper-to-bumper traffic). There's a surcharge of HK$5 for each piece of luggage you put in the trunk, and surcharges of HK$20 for the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, HK$40 for the Eastern Harbour Tunnel, and HK$50 for the Western Harbour Tunnel. The Tsing Ma Bridge surcharge is HK$30. The Aberdeen, Lion Rock, and Junk Bay tunnels also carry small surcharges (HK$5 to HK$10).

In the New Territories taxis are green; on Lantau they're blue. Fares are slightly lower than in urban areas, but while urban taxis may travel into rural zones, rural taxis can't cross into urban zones.

Backseat passengers must wear a seat belt or face a HK$5,000 fine. Most locals don't tip; however, if you do by rounding off the fare by a few Hong Kong dollars -- you're sure to earn yourself a winning smile from your underpaid and overworked driver. Taxis are usually reliable, but if you have a problem, note the taxi's license number, which is usually on the dashboard, and call the Transport Complaints Unit.

In urban areas, it's as easy and safe to hail a cab on the street as to call one. There are hundreds of taxi companies and no central booking number, so it's usually best to get your hotel or restaurant to call a company they work with. Note that there's a HK$5 surcharge for phone bookings.

Complaints

Transport Complaints Unit (2889-9999).