Hong Kong Attractions

Discover the city's most iconic landmarks and hidden gems

← Back to Attractions

Star Ferry

Hong Kong's Iconic Harbour Crossing Since 1888

Star Ferry

Overview

The Star Ferry is the single best tourist experience in Hong Kong per dollar spent, and I will die on this hill. For HK$2.90-6.50 — literally less than a bottle of water at 7-Eleven — you get to cross Victoria Harbour on a boat that's been doing the same 1.8 km route since 1888. The ferries themselves are these squat, green-and-cream double-deckers with names like "Morning Star" and "Twinkling Star" painted in both English and Chinese on the bow. They're not sleek. They're not fast. They smell faintly of diesel and salt and decades of humidity trapped in wood, and they are absolutely perfect. I've taken this ferry in driving rain, in 35-degree heat, at midnight after too many drinks in Central, and at 6:30 AM when the only other passengers were construction workers heading to Kowloon. It's never let me down.

The main route runs Tsim Sha Tsui to Central, with some services stopping at Wan Chai. The crossing takes about eight to ten minutes. That's eight to ten minutes of the best skyline view money can buy, with the added bonus of wind, seagulls, and the occasional container ship that makes you feel very small. Grab a seat on the upper deck — it costs more (HK$5.00 on weekdays, HK$6.50 on weekends and public holidays) but the open sides make all the difference. The lower deck is enclosed and about a dollar cheaper, which is fine when it's raining but otherwise feels like you're missing the point. One thing I learned the hard way: the benches on the upper deck have reversible backrests so you can always face forward regardless of which direction the boat is going. Took me four rides to figure that out. Don't be me.

Essential Info

💡 Local Pro-Tip

Ride the Star Ferry at sunset — obviously. But here's the move nobody tells you about: take it from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui (not the reverse) around 5:45 PM in autumn or winter. The sun sets behind the Kowloon side, so traveling west means you're chasing the sunset the whole way. The light turns everything gold and the Island skyline behind you becomes a silhouette. It's the better direction, photographically speaking. Also, buy a soft-serve ice cream from the kiosk at Tsim Sha Tsui pier before boarding — it's about HK$8 and the combination of cold ice cream and warm harbour wind and skyline is a memory that'll stick. I did this once while mildly sunburned and slightly hungover and it was still the highlight of my day. And if you're doing the 8 PM crossing specifically to catch the Symphony of Lights from the water, board at Tsim Sha Tsui at 7:55 PM. The ferry pushes off right as the show starts and you'll be in the middle of the harbour when every building lights up at once. It's genuinely ridiculous and I grin like an idiot every time.

What to Explore

Tsim Sha Tsui Pier

The Kowloon-side pier sits right next to the Cultural Centre and the Avenue of Stars. It's busy, chaotic, and highly photogenic — a place where you can watch arriving ferries while eating egg waffles from a nearby stall and dodging selfie sticks. The clock tower at the end of the pier is one of Hong Kong's most recognizable landmarks, a leftover from the old Kowloon-Canton Railway terminus that somehow survived when the station itself was demolished. Stand under it at sunset and you'll understand why it's been on a thousand postcards.

Central Pier

On the Island side, the pier opens into the heart of Central's business district. You'll step off the ferry and immediately be surrounded by men in suits checking their phones. It's a jarring transition — from the gentle rock of the boat to the most efficient business district on earth in about thirty seconds. From here you can walk to the IFC Mall (overpriced but gloriously air-conditioned), the revitalized Central Market, or catch the Central-Mid-Levels escalators. I've done the morning version of this: ferry from TST at 8 AM, then walking the escalators uphill through Soho while the city wakes up. It's a weirdly cinematic way to start a day.

Upper Deck Experience

Don't sit inside. The upper deck is the real experience. Wind in your face, the smell of harbour water (which is... distinctive — not unpleasant exactly, but not something you'd bottle as a fragrance), the sound of seagulls competing with ferry horns. In summer the ride is breezy and refreshing in a way that air conditioning can't replicate. In winter it's cold enough to make your eyes water but invigorating in that "I'm alive" kind of way. Standing at the rail and watching the city spread out like a circuit board is one of those simple moments that reminds you why you travel. I've done this crossing maybe fifty times now and I still put my phone away for the middle three minutes just to watch.

Night Ferry

Here's something most guides skip: take the ferry after 10 PM. The crowds are gone, the air is cooler, and the skyline at night from the water is a completely different animal than the daytime version. The buildings reflect off the harbour in long streaks of gold and blue and green. It's quiet on the boat — just the engine chugging and maybe four other passengers. I did this once after a late dinner in TST and it felt like I'd stumbled onto a private tour of the harbour. If you're traveling as a couple, this is as close to a romantic Hong Kong cliche as you'll get without paying for a sunset junk boat cruise (which I actually don't recommend — they're overpriced and the free beer is terrible).

Best Time to Visit

Sunset (check sunset time for your dates): The sky and harbour do something ridiculous together. The water turns metallic, the buildings catch the last direct sunlight, and the whole city looks like it's been dipped in gold. This is the classic slot and it earns its reputation.

Early Morning (6:30-8 AM): My personal favorite, and I know this sounds insane for a vacation. But the 7 AM ferry has maybe eight people on it, the light is soft and clean, and the harbour feels like it belongs to you. The commuters are quiet, the air hasn't heated up yet, and there's something deeply satisfying about starting your day on a boat while everyone else is still in bed. Plus, you land in Central just as the breakfast spots open.

Late Night (after 10 PM): City lights reflected on the water, no crowds, cooler temperatures. The skyline at night from water level is a totally different experience — more intimate, more dramatic. Good for couples, good for solo travelers who want a quiet moment, good for anyone who just needs ten minutes of peace in a city that never slows down.

Skip if: It's a typhoon signal 3 or above. The ferry still runs in light rain and that can actually be fun in a moody, atmospheric way, but once the waves pick up and the boat starts rocking, the romance evaporates fast. I did this once in a T3 and spent the entire crossing staring at a fixed point on the horizon trying not to lose my lunch.

Official sources: Star Ferry official website, Hong Kong Tourism Board

Practical Tips for Visitors

Last updated: 2026