Not sure how to navigate the MTR in Hong Kong? Let our handy guide help you out.
Hong Kong is one of the most convenient cities in the world, all thanks to its comprehensive public transport system. And what beats the subway (or metro trains) when it comes to speed? Enter the gates to the Hong Kong MTR, an integral part of every local’s daily life. Whether you’re heading to the New Territories for a hike, Lan Kwai Fong for a night out, or simply need to get from A to B with just an Octopus card on you, the MTR has got your back. Bookmark this Hong Kong MTR guide for the next time you need a ride – or just want to read up on some fun trivia!
Hong Kong MTR tickets, Octopus card, and more
If you’re only in Hong Kong for a few days, buying a round-trip ticket from a station is your best choice. Simply head to a ticket booth and choose your stations of departure and arrival. Ticket machines usually only take cash, so be sure to have your money exchanged ahead of your trip. Alternatively, head to a customer support booth (there’s usually one or two in the station’s unpaid area) and let the staff know where you’d like to go.
On the other hand, if you’re planning a longer stay in Hong Kong, consider investing in an Octopus card. Not only will this card settle your MTR fares in Hong Kong, you can also use it to pay for other public transport and pretty much anything in the city, including convenience store purchases. Get an empty Octopus card for tourists for $50 and top up as you go, or a preloaded card for $150. You can buy an Octopus card online or at an MTR station’s customer support booth.
Buy an Octopus card in physical locations across Hong Kong or download the Octopus App on your iPhone for easy digital access.
How to read the Hong Kong MTR system map
Don’t worry, reading the MTR system map is straightforward! Each line is colour-coded with each stop on it labelled as a separate station. You’ll also find interchange stations, as well as connections to the Light Rail, Airport Express, and High Speed Rail stations.
1. Platforms and direction of travel
Getting around Hong Kong MTR stations is easy. Trains heading for opposite directions of the same line are usually placed on the same platform. This means if you get on the wrong train, simply get off at the next stop and hop on the train on the other side. Things only get a little more complicated when you need to change between lines.
2. Interchange stations
As you can see on the MTR system map, many lines converge on the same station. This is where you can change from one line to another. Usually, you don’t need to exit the station to travel on another line. (The exceptions are the connections between Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East Stations, and between Kowloon, Austin, and West Kowloon Stations.) Do keep in mind that platforms for another line may be on another level of the station. There will be plenty of signs to guide you, so no need to panic!
3. The Light Rail
The Hong Kong MTR is an amalgamation of previously separate railway networks (more on this in our trivia below). The Light Rail is one such system. It connects towns in western New Territories to the main MTR network. This is particularly useful when you’re exploring on a bike or scouting out Hong Kong’s hidden waterfalls. To hop on a Light Rail train, simply exit from your station of arrival and head to the platform. There will be fare stands around for you to tap your Octopus card and pay for the journey.
Hong Kong MTR etiquette
There are some rules to follow when you’re travelling on the Hong Kong MTR. Be a safe and considerate traveller by heeding these dos and don’ts:
- Don’t eat nor drink on the train or after you’ve entered the gates
- Do give up your seat for those in need, though there are designated priority seats in each car
- Do respect your fellow passengers and avoid having loud conversations or phone calls while riding on the MTR
- Don’t swing on the hand rails and poles in the car
- Don’t rush for seats when the doors open
Hong Kong MTR trivia
1. How the different colours of MTR stations came about
The iconic MTR station facades are some of the most Instagrammable spots in Hong Kong, and the way they pick each station’s colour is also a fascinating process. Brighter and bolder colours are usually picked for the starting and ending stations for each line (to remind people to get off), while some stations are coloured according to their names. For instance, the “Wong” in Wong Tai Sin means “yellow” in Chinese, so its station is yellow. And because Choi Hung literally means “rainbow”, so you’ll find all colours of the rainbow throughout its station.
2. MTR is a combination of old railways
Did you know that the East Rail Line and part of the Tuen Ma Line weren’t part of the MTR? Operating as part of the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR), the East Rail Line ran between Hung Hom to Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu until 2022, when Exhibition Centre and Admiralty were added to the line. Similarly, the section between Tuen Mun and Tsim Sha Tsui East used to make up the West Rail Line, which connected the northwestern New Territories to the rest of Hong Kong until its conversion into the Tuen Ma Line in 2021. That’s why most stations are nice and new here!
3. Urban legends abound
Did you know there’s a surprising amount of urban legends surrounding Hong Kong MTR stations? Whether it be tall tales spun from real-life events or just a work of superstition, these MTR urban legends always make us think twice about taking the last train…
