The Star ferry is the iconic ferry service betwen Kowloon and Hong Kong island and has been ferrying passengers back and forth now for well over a century.
The ferry line actually has four routes although the most famous and commonly used one, and the one most people mean when they talk about the 'Star ferry' is from tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon to Central, Hong Kong. The price is HK$2.3/1.8 upper/lower deck (£1 currently is around HK$12) so an extremely cheap way to get out into the water of Hong Kong. Boats depart at least every 15-20 minutes so you can turn up at the pier without having to look up departure times in advance and the crossings take only around 15 minutes. There are now other ways to get across to Hong Kong island such as the metro which may be more convenient for regular commuters, however, as a tourist it means you are not stuck underground but instead looking at the city. The cost of the metro is also comparable to the ferry.
The other ferry routes available are Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai, Hong kong then Central to Hung Hom, Kowloon and Wan Chai to Hung Hom. The latter two routes cost around HK$6 with the former being similar to the classic route cost. All run ferries at least every 25 minutes.
The boats themselves have not been overly modernised and still look like old fashioned steam ferries. There are 2 deck levels, the upper gives you a better elevation for looking over the harbour but the windows are glazed and sometimes as a result the views aren't as clear. The lower deck is my preference as there is no glass and the wind and occasionally spray whilst you travel reminds you that you are in a boat. The views are as good as the upper deck if you get a seat near the edge-so off-peak times are better as there is less crush of people.
The great thing about the ferry is that it is a mode of transport and a tourist attraction in one package. As well as getting you over to Hong Kong island it allows the passenger to see the boat, travel on this old form of transport and get good views of the bay and the city from the water which gives a different perspective on the place. It is unusual to have such a method of transport still as a working connection used by local people instead of simply a tourist attraction or in a 'ferry graveyard' so I applaud any support to keep this going. I would highly recommend the trip as it is very cheap and is also relaxing to be chugging along on the water away from crowds and chaos in the city. Crossing at least once at night is also recommended as you can see all the lights of the city and the reflection in the water as you bob around on the dark water.
Originally on dooyoo.
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Hotel - 308 Des Voeux Road West, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 73 - 75 Chatham Road South, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Hong Kong - 4 Stars, 3 Stars - 308, 205 Rooms
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Jul 13th, 2009
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