HKG — Hong Kong — Taxi Fare Guide

Hong Kong operates a colour-coded taxi system, and you queue at the official taxi rank outside Terminal 1 Arrivals. Red urban taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, green taxis cover the New Territories, and blue taxis serve Lantau Island. For the city centre you want a red taxi. All Hong Kong taxis are strictly metered, so there is no flat rate and no negotiation.

The metered fare from the airport to Central is typically around HK$270-350, and with the fixed HK$25 cross-harbour tunnel toll (the passenger's share is fixed regardless of which tunnel) the total lands near HK$335. Fares are based on the government rate last adjusted in July 2024. There is also a luggage charge of about HK$6 per large bag, and separate tolls apply for crossings such as the Western Harbour Crossing and the Tsing Ma / Lantau Link.

Journey time to Central is usually 35-45 minutes depending on traffic. Kowloon destinations such as Tsim Sha Tsui are a little cheaper and closer. Drivers may not always speak English, so having your destination written in Chinese or shown on a map helps.

Ride-hailing via Uber is available in Hong Kong but operates in a legal grey area and pickup at the airport is less straightforward than the taxi rank; for most arrivals the metered red taxi remains the simplest door-to-door option.

Practical tips: Use only the official taxi rank, insist the meter is running, and keep small cash or an Octopus card ready as some drivers prefer cash. Expect the HK$25 tunnel toll and a per-bag luggage fee to be added on top of the meter.

Hong Kong — Highlights in photos