STAR FERRY

The iconic Star Ferry is one of Hong Kong’s most famous attractions providing both a remarkably inexpensive method of crossing the harbour and the opportunity for some spectacular views of the harbour and Hong Kong Island and Kowloon waterfronts. The service has operated for over 130 years and currently twelve double deck ferries ply four routes, the most popular being the nine minute crossing between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.

The routes are;

Central (Central Ferry Pier 7) to Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon Point) - 9 minutes journey 
Central (Central Ferry Pier 8) to Hung Hom - 15 minutes journey
Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon Point) -  8 minutes journey
Wan Chai to Hung Hom - 10 minutes journey

                                             Star Ferry "Day Star"

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The new Star Ferry Piers in Central (Central Ferry Piers 7 and 8) opened in November 2006 after closure and subsequent demolition of the Edinburgh Place Star Ferry piers, some 300 metres distant, which had been built in 1957. Demolition was necessary to make way for a proposed six lane highway. The historic clock tower was dismantled with a government promise that it would be restored and displayed nearby and it remains to be seem whether this pledge is fulfilled. The Star Ferry carries a daily average of about 43,000 passengers (as at January 2009).

             Entrance to new Star Ferry Piers - Central Ferry Piers 7 and 8 

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The new piers are more spacious than the old and have viewing decks and shops and pier 7 has Igors Watermark Restaurant with harbour views. The piers at Tsim Sha Tsui, Wanchai and Hung Hom are much more austere.

On the Central to Tsim Tsa Tsui route both upper and lower decks are available to passengers but on the other three less heavily used routes often only the upper deck is usually used except at very busy times. Passengers on the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui route will probably find the journey on the upper deck more comfortable and spacious. However the lower deck allows more freedom to walk around the edge of the deck and is better for photography although diesel fumes on this deck from the engines can sometimes be unpleasant.

 
                                     Star Ferry Upper Deck Interior

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FARES AND SAILING FREQUENCIES - Fares remained unaltered from 1997 until 2009. However, having been unable to absorb substantially increased costs and loss of revenue resulting from a 19% drop in passengers following relocation of the Star Ferry Pier in Central fare increases were approved and staged in two phases effective from 29 March 2009 and 1 January 2010. The increases applied to the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and the Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui routes and added 30 HK cents to the cost of weekday journeys and 80 HK cents to weekend and public holiday journeys. Adult fares for each route are detailed below. Children under 3 and seniors aged 65 and over (HKID Card or senior citizen card to be produced) can travel free. Concessionary fares of about 60%-70% of adult fare are available for children aged 3-12 and people with disabilities.

Following a separate application from 1st January 2010 fares on the Hung Hom - Central and Hung Hom - Wan Chai services increased by about 5%. The fare increase was necessitated by low patronage on these routes and annual losses of about HK$2 million.

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CENTRAL TO TSIM SHA TSUI (KOWLOON POINT);

Ferries operate at intervals of between 6 and 12 minutes from 06-30 to 23-30 daily.  

FARE FROM 1 JANUARY 2010 Adult fares Monday - Friday HK$2.50 Upper Deck, HK$2 Lower Deck. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays HK$3 Upper Deck, HK$2.40 Lower Deck.

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CENTRAL TO HUNG HOM;

Ferries operate at intervals of between 15 and 22 minutes from 07-00 to 20-00 (Mon – Fri), to 19-00 (Sat, Sun and public holidays).

 FARE FROM 1st JANUARY 2010 - Adult HK$6.30, Child HK$3.20 

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WAN CHAI TO TSIM SHA TSUI (KOWLOON POINT);

Ferries operate at intervals of between 8 and 20 minutes from 07-30 to 23-00 daily.

FARE FROM 1 JANUARY 2010 Adult fares Monday - Friday HK$2.50 Upper Deck, HK$2 Lower Deck. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays HK$3 Upper Deck, HK$2.40 Lower Deck.
 

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WAN CHAI TO HUNG HOM

Ferries operate at intervals of between 15 and 22 minutes from 06-56 to 20-10 (Mon – Fri), to 19-10 (Sat, Sun and public holidays).

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FARE PAYMENT METHOD - by Octopus Card, token or exact coins. Token vending machines are located on the approach to the turnstiles at each pier.
 

Star Ferry introduced token machines during 2008. Fares can be paid by Octopus Card, exact coins or tokens

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                                     Star Ferry Central Ferry Pier 7

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TOURIST TICKET

A special Tourist Ticket is available at a cost of HK$34 allowing four days unlimited travel on both the Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui routes and on trams (not Peak Tram).


STAR FERRY'S HARBOUR TOUR

Star Ferry also operate the circular STAR FERRY HARBOUR TOUR daily in the specially adapted “Shining Star” ferry.  

FARE FROM 29 MARCH 2009 Adult fares Monday - Friday HK$2.30 Upper Deck, HK$1.80 Lower Deck. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays HK$2.50 Upper Deck, HK$2 Lower Deck.

FARE FROM 1 JANUARY 2010 Adult fares Monday - Friday HK$2.50 Upper Deck, HK$2 Lower Deck. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays HK$3 Upper Deck, HK$2.40 Lower Deck.