Star Ferry 天星小輪
Star Ferry tour is must-try for tourists. It takes about ten minutes and let enjoy the Victoria Harbour view along the way. You board the ferries from Tsim Sha Tsui Pier and Central Pier. As part of Hong Kong heritage, Star Ferry services have a history over 133 years starting in 1888.
Star Ferry TST Pier
You can go from Central MTR Station Exit A, take the escalator next to the World-Wide House, walk up the pedestrian bridge towards the sea, and you will reach the Star Ferry Pier. As part of Hong Kong heritage, its services have a history over 133 years starting in 1888.
Enjoy the Victoria Harbour view along the way. It takes about ten minutes.
There are also different routes from the Central Pier, going to Ma Wan, Discovery Bay, Hung Hom, etc.
The fare to Tsim Sha Tsui Pier is only $6.5. You can choose the upper deck, where half of the boat is air-conditioned.
You can also take Tsim Sha Tsui L3 Exit is the closest to Star House and is located on Middle Road. If you board the ferries from Tsim Sha Tsui Pier, there will be many tourists.
Basic Design
Sometimes we forget the most basic things of design. First of all, the seat back can be pushed forward or backward, which is a great design.
Whether passengers are sitting face to face or one-way, whether you are looking forward or towards the stern, you can change the direction of the seat by simply pushing the seat back. It is simple and convenient. Although the ferries have a long history, the early designers were very clever.
Another issue is mood. While taking the subway is convenient and fast, the gray subway cars offer no scenery, only the speed of the train and the announcements.
On the other hand, taking a ferry allows you to see endless sea views, the distant horizon, the sound of motors on the boat, and the smell of diesel fuel.
With each wave, you are interacting with the sea, maintaining your balance while sitting. Or you might suddenly have an inspiration while riding the ferry and solve a problem in life or work.
Less crowded on weekdays
On weekdays, especially after holidays, waiting times are significantly reduced.
On Monday afternoons, for instance, there are usually only twenty or thirty people, and one ferry can accommodate all the waiting passengers.
Besides the Central Ferry Pier, another route runs between Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai Ferry Piers. The journey to Wan Chai Ferry Pier takes approximately 8 minutes, about the same as the trip to Central Ferry Pier. It seems the journey is longer on the map, however.
The pier is located at the Convention and Exhibition Centre MTR station, next to Harbour Centre, where you can access the Convention and Exhibition Centre directly via the mall’s platform.
Environmental Issue
Another point is that some ferries have been converted to hybrid power, meaning their engines are powered by a combination of low-sulfur diesel and electricity to reduce the black smoke emitted when using diesel engines. Currently, there are two such environmentally friendly ferries.
According to the ferry company’s website, the conversion cost HK$16 million, of which HK$6 million was subsidized by the government.
How to get there:
Address:
Wan Chai Ferry Pier, Hung Hing Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island
Central Ferry Pier 7, Man Kwong Street, Central, Hong Kong Island
Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, Salisbury Road, Kowloon
Website: https://www.starferry.com.hk/en/home
Service Hours: 6:30 am to 11:30 pm
References:
Ship Particulars. (2025 access). The “Star” Ferry Co., Ltd. URL: https://www.starferry.com.hk/en/node/430#:~:text=Ship%20Particulars&text=With%20the%20introduction%20of%20the,the%20boat%20to%20the%20other.
