Hong Kong MTR Map 2026: Lines, Hours & Riding Guide

Guide to Hong Kong MTR. Get the HK MTR map, line details, opening hours, ticket costs and step-by-step riding tips.

Hong Kong MTR Map 2026

Hong Kong MTR is the most convenient way to get around the city, with 11 operating lines and 99 stations covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories and Lantau Island. The most commonly used lines for tourists are the Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line and Tung Chung Line—they connect almost all popular scenic spots and shopping malls.

For shopping, stations like Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui are must-visit, with nearby malls like IFC, Times Square and Harbour City. If you want to stay conveniently, choose hotels near these three stations or Admiralty (a major interchange), so you can easily reach all attractions. The HK Airport Express is a fast way to get between the airport and downtown, taking only 24 minutes from the airport to Hong Kong Station.

Hong Kong MTR Operating Hours

Exact times vary slightly by line and station; below is the official 2026 schedule for tourist reference

Special notes: No overnight regular service, except for limited extended hours on major holidays (e.g. Chinese New Year’s Eve). Service adjustments may apply during typhoons or emergencies.

Hong Kong MTR Lines and Stations

Hong Kong MTR has 10 fully operational lines. Below are the main lines with their hours and stops. Time may change, please refer to the official app.

Hong Kong MTR Tickets, Types & Prices

This covers all ticket types, where to buy, pricing, and best use cases for tourists.

Octopus Card (Best for Most Tourists)

• Who it’s for: Anyone staying 2+ days, or who wants easy payments across the city
• Cost: HKD 50 refundable deposit (≈USD 6.40) + minimum HKD 100 initial top-up (≈USD 12.80)
• Key perks:
• • Automatic discounts on MTR fares
  • Works on all public transport (buses, trams, ferries)
  • Usable at convenience stores, restaurants and most attractions
• Example fares with Octopus (2026):
• • Cross-harbour (e.g., Central to Tsim Sha Tsui): HKD 9.30 (vs. HKD 12 single)
  • Local zone (e.g., Causeway Bay to North Point): HKD 5.50 (vs. HKD 8 single)
  • Long distance (e.g., Admiralty to Tuen Mun): HKD 16.50 (vs. HKD 22 single)
• Refund: Get your deposit and remaining balance back at any MTR Customer Service Centre. A HKD 11 (≈USD 1.41) fee applies if you return it within 3 months of purchase.

Single Journey Ticket

• Who it’s for: One-off trips, or visitors staying less than 1 day
• Cost: HKD 4.5 – HKD 65.5 (≈USD 0.58 – 8.38), based on travel distance. Most cross-harbour trips between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon cost HKD 10-15 (≈USD 1.28-1.92)
• Excludes: Airport Express, East Rail First Class, cross-border stations (Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau)
• Best for: One full day of sightseeing (typical tourist hits 8–12 stations)
• Calculation: More than 5–6 MTR rides = pass pays for itself
• Note: Valid only on the day you buy it, for the exact stations you select. Keep the ticket after entering – you need it to exit.

Tourist-Exclusive Passes

MTR Tourist Day Pass

• Cost: HKD 65 (≈USD 8.32)
• What you get: Unlimited rides on all regular MTR lines for 24 hours from first use
• Exclusions: Airport Express, First Class on East Rail Line, trips to border stations (Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau)

Airport Express Travel Pass

• Option 1: 1 one-way Airport Express ride + 3 days unlimited regular MTR rides: HKD 265 (≈USD 33.92)
• Option 2: 2 round-trip Airport Express rides + 3 days unlimited regular MTR rides: HKD 375 (≈USD 48.00)
• Includes a refundable HKD 50 deposit, perfect for visitors flying in/out of Hong Kong.

Concession Fares

• Free rides: Kids under 3, with a paying adult
• 50% discount: Kids aged 3-11, seniors aged 65+ (via child/senior Octopus Card)
• Note: Student discounts are only for local Hong Kong students, not international tourists.

Where to Buy Hong Kong MTR Tickets & Payment Methods

Where to buy Hong Kong MTR Tickets

• Octopus Card: MTR Customer Service Centres, Hong Kong International Airport, border crossings, 7-Eleven/Circle K stores all over the city
• Single Journey Tickets: Self-service ticket machines at every MTR station (accept cash, most credit/debit cards)
• Tourist Passes: MTR Customer Service Centres at major stations (airport, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Central)

Hong Kong MTR Accepted payment at gates

• Octopus Card (most recommended, with fare discounts)
• Pre-purchased Tourist Passes
• Contactless international credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, Amex) – tap directly at gates, no fare discounts

WeChat Pay HK

• Download: WeChat app (mainland China version won't work, need HK version)
• Setup: Link to Hong Kong bank account or international card
• Works on: Some MTR gates (newer stations: Central, Admiralty, Causeway Bay), buses, stores
• Problem: Not all stations have tap readers, checking before boarding is unpredictable
• Rate: Same as single ticket (no discount)
• Coverage: ~60% of major stations, still inconsistent

Alipay HK

• Download: Alipay app (HK version)
• Setup: Link to international card or HK bank account
• Works on: Fewer gates than WeChat, some buses
• Coverage: ~40% of stations (worse than WeChat)
• Rate: Full single-ticket price (no discount)
• Honestly: More trouble than it's worth. Use Octopus instead.

How to Ride the Hong Kong MTR

This simple, tourist-friendly guide ensures a smooth journey:

1. Plan Your Route: Confirm your origin, destination, and interchange stations via the official MTR map or MTR Mobile app (for real-time updates and fare calculations).
2. Prepare Your Payment: Grab your Octopus Card, pre-purchased Tourist Pass, or buy a Single Journey Ticket from the self-service machines.
3. Enter the Fare Gates: Tap your Octopus Card/Pass on the contactless reader, or insert your Single Journey Ticket into the slot (the ticket will pop back out – keep it safe for exit). Pass through when the gate opens.
4. Board the Train: Follow platform signs to confirm the line, direction, and final destination. Wait behind the yellow safety line, and let alighting passengers exit first before boarding.
5. Interchange (If Needed): Follow the colour-coded "Interchange" signs for your connecting line. No need to exit the fare gates or buy a new ticket for in-station transfers.
6. Exit the Station: At your destination, tap your Octopus Card/Pass on the exit gate reader, or insert your Single Journey Ticket into the slot (it will not be returned).
7. Critical Rules & Tips:
8. • Stand on the right side of escalators to leave the left lane for passing.
   • Eating, drinking, and smoking are strictly prohibited in stations and trains (fine up to HKD 2,000).
   • Priority seats are reserved for the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and passengers with young children.

Hong Kong MTR Interchange Rules & How to Transfer

In-Station Transfers (Free, No New Ticket)

• Same fare payment valid for transfers
• Follow coloured signs for connecting line
• Usually 2–5 minutes walk between platforms
• No need to exit fare gates (stay inside the paid area)
• Common interchanges:
• • Central (6 lines meet here): Tsuen Wan ↔ Island ↔ South Island ↔ Tuen Ma
  • Admiralty (4 lines): Island ↔ South Island ↔ East Rail ↔ Airport Express
  • Tsim Sha Tsui (4 lines): Tsuen Wan ↔ East Rail ↔ Tuen Ma (closed access during some hours)
  • Hong Kong Station (3 lines): Island ↔ Tung Chung ↔ Airport Express

Timed Transfers Between Stations

• Some transfers require exiting fare gates (e.g., Tseung Kwan O Line to Central)
• You'll pay one fare covering both journeys (integrated system)
• Keep Octopus or ticket and tap again at next station entry
• Takes 10–15 minutes walking between distant stations

Cross-Border to Shenzhen (East Rail Line)

• Entry: Tap Octopus at Hong Kong departure gate
• At Lok Ma Chau/Lo Wu: Immigration & customs (15–20 minutes)
• Exit: Tap Octopus/card at mainland station gate
• One fare covers entire journey + border crossing
• Return: Same process, Chinese system recognizes your card

Night Transfer Issues (After Midnight)

• Some lines close between 12:30–5:30 AM
• Plan route before midnight or wait for first train
• Airport Express runs 24/7 (separate system)
• If stuck: Taxis or night buses available

How to read Hong Kong MTR map

The MTR map uses color-coded lines, numbered stations, and clear transfer icons. Focus on key lines, interchange hubs, and zone colors to plan routes quickly.

1. Identify line colors & numbers
   Each line has a unique color (e.g., Tsuen Wan Line = red, Island Line = blue) and English name (e.g., Tuen Ma Line). Colors are consistent across the map and stations.
2. Locate stations by name & number
   Stations are labeled with both English and Chinese names. Major lines (e.g., Tsuen Wan, Island) have sequential station numbers for easy reference.
3. Find transfer hubs
   Key interchange stations (e.g., Central, Admiralty, Tsim Sha Tsui) are marked with double-line icons. The map shows exact transfer paths between lines.
4. Check fare zones
   The map divides Hong Kong into 6 fare zones (1–6). Zones are color-coded, with Zone 1 covering the city center and higher zones extending to the New Territories. Fares increase with more zones crossed.
5. Note key landmarks
   Major attractions (e.g., Victoria Peak, Disneyland, Hong Kong International Airport) are marked next to their nearest stations for quick identification.

Where to find Hong Kong metro map

Free, official MTR maps are available at stations, and digital versions are accessible via apps and official sites. Tourist-friendly copies are also provided at hotels and transport hubs.

• MTR Stations (Free official maps at ticket offices, customer service centers, and platform information boards)
• MTR Official Website (Download high-resolution HK MTR PDF maps in English/Chinese)
• MTR Mobile App (Interactive maps with real-time routing, station details, and offline mode)
• Tourist Spots (Free printed maps at Hong Kong International Airport, hotel lobbies, and popular shopping areas like Tsim Sha Tsui/Causeway Bay)
• Tourist Information Centers (Provided by Hong Kong Tourism Board at airport and city centers)

Hong Kong Metro Rules & Travel Tips

• No eating, drinking or smoking in stations or on trains – you can be fined up to HKD 2000.
• Stand on the right side of escalators, leave the left lane for people walking past.
• Priority seats are for the elderly, pregnant people, people with disabilities, and those with young kids.
• Luggage can’t be bigger than 170cm total (length+width+height), with the longest side no more than 130cm.
• Download the MTR Mobile app for real-time train times, fare calculations and station maps.

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