Kai Tak local ferry facility

[penang32]

Can anyone provide information on the new local ferry terminal opened recently adjacent to the cruise terminal.

Seems a convenient way to travel around with the route going from Kwan Tong to North Point via Kai Tak.

Once travellers reached North Point, looks like you could then travel on to other ferry terminals.

[snh01]

This is from cruise terminal website -

 

Ferry (Starting 3rd December 2016, Saturday) : In addition to land based transportation, the terminal can be accessed via a scenic ferry ride from both Kwun Tong and North Point public piers. A regular ferry shuttle service operates between the Kai Tak Runway Park Pier (conveniently located adjacent to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Rooftop Garden and Runway Park) and the two public piers.

Ferry Service Provider: Fortune Ferry

Sailing Route: North Point to and from Kwun Tong via Kai Tak Runway Park Pier

Sailing Timetable: Click here for full timetable

Fare: Adult fare per single trip $5

Senior (above 65 years) / Child (under 12 years) / Disabled fare per single trip $2.50

[mking8288]

It's a new service being run by a small ferry operator, licensed - here's the website link - sorry, it's only in traditional Chinese (no "EN" web pages)

http://www.fortuneferry.com.hk/faq.php

 

A handful of folks coming off the cruise ships would quickly overwhelm the ferry, some of the crafts not much bigger than tender boats ... double deckers, some air-conditioned but not all, bicycles and livestocks allowed on some of the routes. Good for those of you eager to rub elbows with the locals - it is very inexpensive.

 

Accepting local HKD currencies or coins - and, of course, the Octopus Card. Sorry, no credit cards or USD, etc. It doesn't look luggage friendly, unless you are doing small carry-ons but should be fine for those on a day trip to explore on your own. Frequency of services is 30 minutes apart - and, from the comments that I managed to see/understood ... it involved a little bit of walking to reach the pier (assumed the signage are/will be up inside the cruise terminal building, to show the ways) Compared to MTR & other popular mode of transport - this isn't exactly convenient but it's relatively cheap, but the fare is still more than the Star Ferry harbour crossing at TST or Central ... a shorter ride but far more scenic.

 

IMO, better off taking the bus, PMB, free mall shuttles or join the queue for a taxi (share the inexpensive fares with someone if necessary) than to try to connect via the ferry, unless you are overnighting and someone in the party is bilingual & can ask for directions ... as you are traveling "away" from the top tourist hotspots on both sides: KL and HK doing the ferry transfer.

[SpokaneDan]

Thanks for posting, I will be there on Celebrity Millen. next week. This maybe an option. I found the link to Fortune Ferry:

http://www.fortuneferry.com.hk/timetable.php

 

While it helps to read Chinese:

- For Weekdays, Kai Tak to Northpoint, the schedule is very limited only at 8:45am, and 17:15. Northpoint to Kai Tak - also only 2 ferry per day; the every 30min. ferry is b/w Kwun Tong and NP - do not stop at Kai Tak.

- Sa, Su, and holidays - KT-Northpoint ferry runs one per hour each way

Edited December 15, 2016 by SpokaneDan

[SpokaneDan]

Want to clarify: Celebrity stays o/n in Kai Tak, agree with mking that this ferry service is not ideal for disembarkation, but it provides an option for shorex.. I want to visit the Peak tram, and suspect it's easier getting there from Northpoint than from Kai Tak. However, I will be there on a Wed., not sure if limited schedule will work for me.

[snh01]

.....

Edited December 20, 2016 by snh01
Duplicate

[Very Frequent Flyer]

Timetable in English.

 

http://www.kaitakcruiseterminal.com.hk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/KTCT-ferry-notice-ENG.pdf

[mking8288]

Unless the ship is arriving on a weekend or HK public holiday, the ferry & its schedule is just not convenient nor practical, in my opinion, visitor's friendly ... fluency in locally spoken Chinese (Cantonese) would be very helpful to brave this new option. You will need first to have local currency - bills & coins; and, to get the Octopus Card to make it easy to travel MTR, tram, Peak Tram and Star Ferry, and for those using HKIA (airport) and possibly the Airport Express with free in-town luggage check-in & boarding pass assignment (up to 24 hours ahead of scheduled flight departure, available with most major airlines participating)

 

Much easier to skip the money exchange stop completely at Kai Tak, take the bus/PMB or free mall shuttles or cruiseline transfer to town, find a major bank ATM to withdraw local money to use & to buy things later - Octopus Card can be purchased with credit card (be sure to alert your "home" bank first of use while traveling abroad ... we do this every time with Citibank & Chase before going overseas). Then, explore & sightsee - don't forget to take advantage of the city's free WiFi networks, very good availability overall & clearly marked ... including MTR station's concourse level.

 

Weekend, might find plenty of local families on the crowded ferries, assuming everyone in your party can get on. Not good use of time especially if ship is not overnighting.

 

SpokaneDan - did you try (this week ?) and update.

[SpokaneDan]

Unless the ship is arriving on a weekend or HK public holiday, the ferry & its schedule is just not convenient nor practical, in my opinion, visitor's friendly ... fluency in locally spoken Chinese (Cantonese) would be very helpful to brave this new option. You will need first to have local currency - bills & coins; and, to get the Octopus Card to make it easy to travel MTR, tram, Peak Tram and Star Ferry, and for those using HKIA (airport) and possibly the Airport Express with free in-town luggage check-in & boarding pass assignment (up to 24 hours ahead of scheduled flight departure, available with most major airlines participating)

 

Much easier to skip the money exchange stop completely at Kai Tak, take the bus/PMB or free mall shuttles or cruiseline transfer to town, find a major bank ATM to withdraw local money to use & to buy things later - Octopus Card can be purchased with credit card (be sure to alert your "home" bank first of use while traveling abroad ... we do this every time with Citibank & Chase before going overseas). Then, explore & sightsee - don't forget to take advantage of the city's free WiFi networks, very good availability overall & clearly marked ... including MTR station's concourse level.

 

Weekend, might find plenty of local families on the crowded ferries, assuming everyone in your party can get on. Not good use of time especially if ship is not overnighting.

 

SpokaneDan - did you try (this week ?) and update.

I didn't use the ferry service this am. Took a taxi due to time limit. The free shuttle was waiting there already as well. Sorry, no Intel on the location and stuff. Yes, very impressed with how widely available Wi-Fi is in HK.

 

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[NantahalaCruiser]

I didn't use the ferry service this am. Took a taxi due to time limit. The free shuttle was waiting there already as well. Sorry, no Intel on the location and stuff. Yes, very impressed with how widely available Wi-Fi is in HK.

 

Sent from my Alcatel_4060O using Forums mobile app

 

Unfortunately Kai Tak is not transportation friendly. We were there for 3 days last October. On embarkation/disembarkation days there are numerous taxis but also many passengers waiting - on other days, you may have to wait 10 minutes for a taxi to show up. And the problem with the free shuttles to local malls with connections to the metro is that you can sit on one for 20 minutes waiting for them to fill up!

 

Larry

[stonepebble]

We'll be docking at Kai Tak in April and want to get to Central. Meeting a tour at the Sheung Wan metro station.

I'm still not sure of the best way to get there and how long to allow time wise.

I've read that a taxi may take too long due to traffic and the metro might be better.

 

Thanks for any info.

 

Chris

[mking8288]

We'll be docking at Kai Tak in April and want to get to Central. Meeting a tour at the Sheung Wan metro station.

I'm still not sure of the best way to get there and how long to allow time wise.

I've read that a taxi may take too long due to traffic and the metro might be better ...

HK's traffic can be a nightmare, especially around peak time, despite better roadways & elevated expressways - plus there's a cross-harbor tunnel toll.

 

Either way, you will need to convert and have local HKD/currency to pay for things. Step #1 - currency exchange inside KTCT before joining the shuttle line or Public Mini Bus ***, as they go to the shopping mall & nearby MTR stations, unless the line for taxi are shorter & move faster. #2 - use your best visual judgement, no way of predicting ahead nor know their availability. I would say allow 15 to 20 minutes and another 10 minutes to MTR.

 

Once at the MTR, #3 - get your Octopus Card for travel - all station platforms/concourses have free/fast WiFi to use, "Google" any last minute directions or info as needed. Subway trains are cellular enabled if you have local/roaming data services. #4 - take a look around the station's entrances/exits - you want to remember which one is where/nearest to your dropoff area, to return to the ship (unless taking a taxi back directly from town afterward.)

 

#5 - enjoy the ride. Enter the station by swiping/hovering the OC for the platform and from, i.e. Kowloon Bay Station - go toward Yau Tong, cross the platform at that station stop for North Point Station; at NP - follow signs for Platform 2 for train to Kennedy Town; exit at Sheung Wan. #6 - check the station map for the closest exit to/near where you are meeting the tour (they should be able to tell you - almost all busy/city stations have multiple exits/entrance - minimize walking above the street level, it's air-conditioned and bright, very - very safe & signage bilingual in English.

 

The 3 subway/train ride with 2 transfers is computed at under 35 minutes, add a few minutes wait time & walking time, buying the OC and looking at maps, etc. - 45 minutes should suffice. Overall, I would allow 90 minutes to get there. Taxi ride might be a little faster or could be just as long, with wait in queue and traffic, tolled tunnel harbour crossing & "possible" language limitations with the driver, as English is not always spoken or understood - $14.20 p/p one-way on MTR with OC (that's under $2 USD or $4 for 2 adults) or somewhere around $150 to $200 HKD for a taxi ride, with toll & 10% loose change for tip/rounded up).

 

Here's that MTR Trip Planner, there's a free mobile App to download ahead & use, both iOS & Android - should see that on Play Store. http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/jp/index.php?sid=13&eid=26&attFrmCate=mtr&attFrm=13&attToCate=mtr&attTo=26

 

*** There is one (just 1) PMB Route serving KT and the MTR Station, these are licensed 16 pax mini-buses on this special route, running 7 days a week from morning until late evening - you need HKD to pay in cash and/or swipe your Octopus Card to debit the required fare, very inexpensive & easy - there should be be greeters/terminal help in directing/showing you the way .l. after getting your HKD at the Currency Exchange booths (2 of them, as others confirmed recently). The "regular" bus route also go to MTR but schedule is limited, unless it's there, waiting & running - take the shuttle or PMB or join the taxi queues.

 

HKG's weather is sub-tropical and humidity is going to be 90%+ by April and rain is not unusual - dress & plan accordingly. As always, if it works - we are loved to get feedbacks & share those few useful pictures, do a pictorial report to help others & come back here with updates, thanks. Enjoy ;)

Edited January 9, 2017 by mking8288

[stonepebble]

Thank you so much for your very clear and thorough explanation!

 

I'm afraid I didn't give you a lot of information.

We will have been in Hong Kong and will have local currency and an Octopus card by this time.

 

Our ship sails at 4pm on the day I'm trying to do this 10am-1pm tour. We will want to be back on the ship by 3 or 3:30pm.

 

I'm afraid it may just be too tight time wise especially if the tour runs just a bit late.

 

I'm thinking we will head to the Kowloon area and do some things there and then maybe visit the Nunnery & Gardens time permitting.

 

Chris

[mking8288]

... We will have been in Hong Kong and will have local currency and an Octopus card by this time.

 

Our ship sails at 4pm on the day I'm trying to do this 10am-1pm tour. We will want to be back on the ship by 3 or 3:30pm.

 

I'm thinking we will head to the Kowloon area and do some things there and then maybe visit the Nunnery & Gardens ...

I see, suffice to assume, you have some basic familiarity in getting around HK using MTR with the Octopus card and local currency - that's ahead of the curve & saving 30 minutes getting into public transit. Question is what's important to you, this 3 hour tour or just a DIY Nathan Road in Kowloon.

 

With so many things to do & see in HK, I am not sure - IMO - 2 or 3 hours to the Nunnery & Garden is a wise-use of precise time, or rushing thru it (yes, it's closer to the ship but not exactly walking distance either)

 

This 3 hour tour ending @ 1 PM will give you plenty of time to get back to the ship, and for a quick/nice lunch, plenty of good places to eat in the Sheung Wan area (ending there ?) or nearby Central ... 15 minutes walk along/near the waterfront toward Exchange Square. Probably enough to ride the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon, and looking around in Tsim Sha Tsui, go north on Nathan Road a bit & take MTR back toward Kai Tak.

Sheng Wen MRT is the next stop from Central, going toward Kennedy Town - make sure you know which Exit to use to meet your tour.

 

If your (non-mega ??) ship docks before/by 7 AM & HK authorities, including immigration & custom are typically very efficient - you should be off and inside the terminal by 8:30 or sooner. MTR is going to be faster than taking a taxi with the morning rush hour. Even with a line for the shuttle bus or taxi or what would I recommend, take the Public Muni Bus (just 1 route - to the MTR station nearby) & paid when boarding with the Octopus, then the MTR toward North Point as it's easier to go toward Sheng Wan that way vs. going toward Kowloon/Mong Kok - should have you there in about 45 minutes.

 

Use the MTR Trip Planner to plan the travel time and download the free mobile App, Kai Tak as well as MTR station concourses are all free WiFi enabled with excellent signals & speed.

 

Otherwise it's a lot of time in Kowloon & the tourist-oriented Garden/Nunnery as hightlight for the day ... and, if that's the case, weather permitting - why not (if you haven't done so already) ride up to the Peak, then back down to Central, Star Ferry & then Kowloon, etc. Kowloon Park (public) on Nathan Road in TST is just as tranquil and a popular place for locals and there are plenty of historic temples for the faithful.

 

Just my thoughts, of course - it's your cruise, your trip and your plan - feel free to do as you feel are important.

[stonepebble]

Thank you!

 

It sounds like you think the nunnery and gardens are a little touristy and not a great way to spend the whole day with our limited days in Hong Kong!

 

We will have already been to the Peak by this time. I would like to go to the Park in Kowloon.

 

Hope you don't mind if I ask your opinion on some other things as well.

 

I'm sad to hear that the cable car at Lantau will be out of service. We would be going there around 4/6. Would you go there anyways? I wonder if there's any chance it would be completed early?

 

Also Macau, would you go there instead of Lantau considering the cable car is down?

 

Would you go to Macau at all? We do not gamble. We might want to see The Wynn Casino but would be more interested in the sites.

 

We are thinking of going to Macau around 1 or 2pm and staying until 8 or 9pm, is that a bad idea?

 

We have 3 full days and 2, 3/4 days (one of which is the day we sail at 4pm) in Hong Kong.

I appreciate your input!

 

Chris

Edited January 11, 2017 by stonepebble
Add something. fix spelling error

[mking8288]

... <snip> the nunnery and gardens are a little touristy ... been to the Peak ... like to go to the Park in Kowloon ... cable car at Lantau will be out of service. We would be going there around 4/6. Would you go there anyways? I wonder if there's any chance it would be completed early?

 

Macau, would you go there instead of Lantau considering the cable car is down? Wynn Casino ... but would be more interested in the sites ... thinking of going to Macau around 1 or 2pm and staying until 8 or 9pm, is that a bad idea?

 

We have 3 full days and 2, 3/4 days (one of which is the day we sail at 4pm) in Hong Kong ...

April is Spring time in HK, humidity is high, be prepared/pack & light colors, cotton fabrics, water hydration + sunscreen. Good chance of passing showers or rain - have indoor plans, in case. With a total of 4.5 days, should be able to do quite a bit.

 

Macau is a day weekday trip, less crowded, if you can go earlier & plan to stay all day, do dinner & then back to HK - visit "Vegas" over the 2 bridges on the island w landfills. Aside from sounds (languages spoken) - almost like being off I-15's "Strip" If you do lunch, look for the casino's food court, where the masses sit & eat, with good to excellent choices & reasonable prices vs. "sit-down" upscale restaurants. In old town, Portuguese cuisine is a must - Macau has a rich Euro history/settlement of its own and a # of World Heritage sites, like the ruins of St. Paul Catholic Church, the Fortress on the Hilltop - those are must see like the Ah Ma Temple. Hydrofoil ferry ride is fast 55 minutes each way but immigration/custom formalities - are slower for visitors vs. locals as they swipe thru the digital gates. Add the "commute" from hotel to Sheung Wan's ferry terminal, looking at 3 hours - I suggest a little more time there to see just about everything, if you go to make it worthwhile. Taxis are sometimes difficult to hail or find, but ferries run 24/7 & with frequent 15 minutes schedule by 2 operators - nothing to really worry about. MTR services back in HK end after midnight but taxis will be outside the pier and everywhere else - it's a safe city.

 

Only if you have time for staying there "longer" - visit this old 17th century fortress, transformed since & better known as Pousada de São Tiago a small boutique hotel - great place for lunch, tea/coffee & snack, watch the evening sunset over the inner harbour & Pearl River Delta - far more memorable than all those casinos, especially if you are going to try your luck there. http://saotiago.com.mo/ (use TripAdvisors to read & plan ahead for a short list of things to do/see, etc.)

 

Kowloon Park in TST, off Nathan Road's shops sit on what was once the British army barrack, with a Chinese garden, lotus pond and 200 meters covered walkway. http://www.discoverhongkong.com/us/see-do/great-outdoors/city-parks/kowloon-park.jsp Nearby, part of the park is the HK Heritage Discovery Centre - and next walk toward TST's and find the 1881 Heritage, unique shops & restaurants of what was the HK Marine Police HQ and the Signal Tower nearby. The Avenue of the Stars (Bruce Lee, etc.) closed for new exhibits thru 2018 but the waterfront is open, checkout several more museums in this area - including the Space ... with IMax theater, the HK Cultural Centre (for concerts & performances) and home of the HK Philharmonic. One of the nearest MTR station entrance is within 5 to 10 minutes walk.

 

Compared to the Nunnery & Gardens, besides being fine "attractions" of their own, there isn't much nearby as you are otherwise in the middle of a mixed-use (once all industrial) and high-rise residential area ... (now, go to Google Map/Earth & do a 360 view of the areas I've described and see for yourself, plus YouTube videos for a virtual view/tour of these places.

 

Back to NP360 Cable Car & Big Budda on Lantau, my last visit was a ride up from Tung Chung (via MTR) - great views to see a good part of this city & countryside. Then a long walk thru the village of shops once on the upper hill (the "peak" still has a way to go, via hiking trails) before the Giant Budda ... Po Lin Monastery has always been there for the faithful, now - again, IMO, too touristy for me. With several days in HK and time, I think it's fine to go - take the bus or PMB from Tung Chung, transportation center (last stop) is right next to the village. With the announced work & schedule, I don't think they will be back online before June - and, it's been known to experience mechanical issues and/or closed for safety reasons due to wind & weather since it open (rather see it replaced & done right for safety & reliability.) Check the website links (I've posted that too ...) before the trip - about 1 hour each way from the city to Tung Chung.

 

Coming back down to the city - take the bus/PMB or taxi to Tung Chung for the MTR, or - go to Tai O, the historic fishing village, good for fresh seafood & walking tour of the local Hakka Chinese people. It's another option for a side trip.

 

Instead of Lantau is a short ferry trip from Central to Cheung Chau island, it's car-free and you can walk or rent to bike-ride around, it's favorite homes for many Expats living, working in HK and retirees staying behind ... also great to sample local freshly caught seafood & cooked to order. Plus, the legend of the pirates' hidden gold treaures in a mystery cave has yet to be discovered.

 

Aberdeen, another fishing village & typhoon harbour on the HK island's south side is another destination (as is nearby Ocean Park - with admission fees) and with the recent MTR line extension, is easily reached from Central. It can also be reached indirect from the top of the Peak by heading to Stanley, it has a beach (water still too chilly in April) & shopping, continuing with surface bus or PMB routes for

 

Just some ideas, you still have lots of time to read, research & plan.

[stonepebble]

More great advice! Thank you.

 

Is it possible to get to Cheung Chau island from Kai Tak?

 

We are hiking Dragon's Back on one of our 3/4 days so not as much time as it seems.

 

I'm starting to formulate a plan though!

 

Chris

[mking8288]

HK has something like 400 islands of assorted size, some inhabited but most aren't - Cheung Chau can be reached only from Central via ferry, it's about 1 hour and with the transfer & schedule - just looked it to be sure, almost 3 hours each way from KTCT. The other bigger island, closer to Central & HK island, and a shorter ferry ride - it's equally tranquil and has hiking trails as well - Lamma Island.

 

There is ferry service to/from Aberdeen as well for Lamma. Shek O area remains largely un-developed vs. most of the "urban" HK and I recalled reading about the scenic hiking, very good choice. If you leave early from your hotel to hike, you should be able to make your way over to Stanley by early/mid-afternoon for lunch, continue by bus/mini-bus over to Aberdeen (the infamous "Jumbo floating seafood restaurant" of connecting barges, still there - last visited in the mid-1980's is another tourist attraction/trap ... good for "been there" pictures on FB) - another sheltered harbour for fishing junk & luxury yatchs - all in one busy day, probably not enough time to do evening/sunset dinner on Lamma, unless you really push your schedule.

 

Some of the tallest peaks & pristine, undeveloped land are on Lantau - with the country park and numerous hiking trails of varied length ... it's another option. From Tung Chung, it heads over the hills and you actually see a lot of the paths & trails looking down riding the cable car ... some of the branches, apparently linked to rescue paths for the cable car's base towers. From time-to-time, HK's GFS (Gov't Flying Services) has to do medevac for urban travelers lost & injuried and fogs are pretty common too.

 

Lot more choices & things to do for those 3 + 2 days, huh ... what to do, what to do. Meanwhile, was looking at Gentling's newest ship, the Dream & its 5 days Vietnam cruises for pricing out of HKG ... wow, not exactly a good value with 2 stops - got our own plans to figure out for 2018, think we are going to do a longer itinerary of at least 7 to 10 days.

[ROCruiser]

mking gave some great and detailed suggestions of Hong Kong. I agree that if you have limited time in HK, skip the nunnery and explore HK/Kowloon instead. Second on the suggestion of Cheung Chau island, one of my favorite islands in HK, spent many childhood summers there before moving to the US. We hiked once on Lamma Island and it was a great hike from one end to the other.

 

We did the HOHO bus in Macau a few years back and I believe it was HKD$100pp for the day. It was very difficult to get a taxi in Macau.

 

Our last trip to HK in December, we took the bus to Stanley and then enjoyed a dim-sum lunch at the restaurant at the Stanley Plaza. Reasonable price and good food but may have to wait for table. Will post more photos on my blog but slowly since I just had surgery during Christmas.

[stonepebble]

Thank you both!

 

I did poke around on your blog a bit...will check it out more later.

 

Another quick question...

 

I'm not interested in shopping at all when we travel but I do want to see the markets which we have in our plans.

 

I think we will "see" the Causeway Bay and Times Square area in our tours. Is there any reason to plan any extra time there if I don't want to shop at all?

 

Thanks,

Chris