How to Enjoy the Hong Kong Tram Experience Like a Local
If there’s one experience that truly captures the heart of Hong Kong, it’s the tram ride. Known lovingly as the “Ding Ding” because of its cheerful bell sound, this double-decker tram has been running since 1904 and is still one of the best ways to explore the city.
Slow, scenic, and full of local life, it’s a ride that lets you see Hong Kong from a different view from up close and personal.
A Glimpse of the Hong Kong Tram🌆
The Hong Kong Tram glides along the northern part of Hong Kong Island, linking Kennedy Town in the west and Shau Kei Wan in the east. The route stretches across vibrant districts like Sheung Wan, Central, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay, showing both modern skyscrapers and old colonial streets in one go.
Locals use it daily for work, while travelers enjoy it for sightseeing. You’ll see office workers checking their phones, elderly residents gazing out the window, and visitors snapping photos of the colorful city streets. It costs less than a cup of milk tea and feels like a time machine that takes you through old and new Hong Kong in one ride.
Flights to Hong Kong
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Hong Kong Tram Operating Hours⏰
You can ride the tram almost any time of day. It starts early and ends late, making it convenient whether you want to catch the sunrise or enjoy the glittering skyline at night. Most routes start service before dawn and end just before midnight. The intervals between trams are short, so you won’t have to wait long at the stop.
Day | Operating Hours |
Monday – Sunday | Around 5:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight |
Hong Kong Tram Schedule🕐
Trams come frequently and run throughout the day, though timings can vary slightly depending on traffic. The trams are labeled by destination at the front. You’ll see signs like Kennedy Town, Happy Valley, or Shau Kei Wan. Just check the direction before hopping on.
Time of Day | Frequency |
Morning Peak (7:00 AM – 9:30 AM) | Every 1–2 minutes |
Midday (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) | Every 2–4 minutes |
Evening Peak (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM) | Every 1–3 minutes |
Late Night (9:00 PM – 12:00 Midnight) | Every 5–10 minutes |
How to Use the Hong Kong Tram🚋
Riding the Hong Kong Tram, or “Ding Ding” as locals call it, is one of the most charming ways to explore the city. The trams have been running since 1904 and still glide along Hong Kong Island’s busiest streets, offering a nostalgic yet practical travel experience.
Enter from the Back Door
All passengers board from the back. Simply wait at any tram stop, and once the tram arrives, step on board calmly. There’s no need for a ticket before entering.
Find a Seat, Preferably Upstairs
Head upstairs if there’s space, the upper deck gives you a beautiful view of Hong Kong’s bustling streets, neon lights, and a mix of old and new buildings. It’s quiet, breezy, and perfect for photos.
Enjoy the Ride and Take in the Scenery
The tram moves at a gentle pace, passing through lively areas like Central, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay. It’s a perfect way to soak in the city’s atmosphere without rushing.
Exit Through the Front Door and Pay Before Leaving
When your stop arrives, move to the front of the tram. Fares are paid as you exit just tap your Octopus card or drop exact change into the fare box. It’s quick, easy, and part of the fun of the ride.
Best Hotels in Hong Kong
5 star
6418 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|2.67km from downtown
Upon entering the room, there was a strange odor. After a patient explanation from the staff, I understood that this is a 1960s hotel, so I decided to make do. The non-seaview room offered no scenery at all from the window – just three walls as far as the eye could see. The hotel breakfast was mainly Western and Italian, with the Chinese options not being particularly extensive, and the taste was very average. However, getting to Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier was incredibly convenient, just a two-minute walk.From€113
3362 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|2.13km from downtown
Service: The service was impeccable, and communication was smooth.
Facilities: It seems to be a renovated hotel, as the facilities are quite new.
Environment: Perhaps because my room was next to the emergency exit, there was constant noise from people coming and going, and doors closing. The most unbearable part was the sound of chairs being dragged upstairs at midnight, and then again at 8 AM. This severely affected my sleep. I was too tired after a long day to bother changing rooms for just one night. I hope the hotel is aware of this issue.From€113
Very Good5488 Reviews
Mong Kok Hong Kong|0.18km from downtown
This hotel is super convenient for shopping, haha! You can directly access it from the mall, which I absolutely love. The staff are also very enthusiastic. The only downside to this hotel is the lack of laundry facilities. With the weather getting hotter and hotter, travelers won't bring a lot of spare clothes, so it becomes quite an inconvenience. After just a short walk outside, your clothes stick to you with sweat. You'll want to quickly shower and change when you get back to the hotel, and then you'll need to wash and dry your clothes quickly. I really hope they have laundry facilities next time I visit; that would be amazing!From€129
Very Good8393 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|2.59km from downtown
Traveling with a child, we chose the Kowloon Shangri-La and were absolutely delighted from check-in to check-out. The staff were incredibly warm, attentive, and paid great attention to detail. I celebrated my 30th birthday there, and the hotel surprised me with a tiramisu, birthday decorations, and a handwritten card – thank you! We'll definitely choose Kowloon Shangri-La again on our next trip to Hong Kong. Looking forward to our next visit!From€196
Very Good8185 Reviews
Mong Kok Hong Kong|0.73km from downtown
Great location above the Moko Mall and literally exit D of Mong Kok East line. Station is inside so no need to dodge rain if weather is bad.
We took a larger taxi from the airport as a family of four plus one family member who picked us up including our cases cost approx 320HKD. On the return to the airport we asked the concierge to help us organise a taxi back to airport and cost us 299HKD including our cases.
Hotel staff are friendly and welcoming, speak Cantonese and English very well
House keeping staff are very polite and friendly and rooms were cleaned daily to a great standard.
We used the swimming pool a number of times and I used the gym a few times. Always well kept and clean.
The swimming pool provides towels as you go outside on the right hand side. There are swimming times divided into three sessions and is open until 9pm - the kids loved it.
The gym is well equipped for the size of the hotel too.
Just need to let the reception know your room number before using the pool or gym.
We stayed in the family room on the 11th floor in room 1173.
Rooms are spacious for Hong Kong. There is a lovely window seat as well which is a plus. My photos don't do it justice as I did them last minute.
The only downsides of the rooms I would say is that the wardrobe space isn't enough to accommodate a family of four, and despite being on the 11th floor you can hear/feel the running of trains underneath. If you're a light sleeper I would recommend you ask for a higher floor.
Rooms come with disposable slippers - don't last very long but they provide new ones every so often. There is a kettle in the room and packaged tea and coffee, creamers to make a drink. Rather than wooden stirrers which can be flimsy- steel teaspoons would be more sustainable and easier to use.
Bathrooms come with hand wash, shampoo, shower gel, body wash. There are also disposable toothbrush sets with toothpaste, a comb and ear buds provided. Hairdryer in bathroom as well.
There is also an iron and ironing board in the wardrobe which is very handy.
The hotel is literally within walking steps from the flower market and bird market/garden. This is easily accessible by going through the front of the hotel down the stairs on the right of the exit.
Ladies market, Sneaker street, Goldfish street are all within 5-10 mins walk from the hotel. Just go through the shopping mall onto the foot bridge and follow the signs.
There are tons of eateries and shops in the mall, good mix of western and eastern restaurants. If you fancy going across the border to Shenzhen for a spot of shopping it is approx 30-40mins on the train from MongKok East. Just remember to fill in your arrival card online to save time at the border.
If you're feeling up to it you could easily walk all the way to TST ferry. It's about 45-50 mins down Nathan Road depending on how often your kids want to stop and look in shops or you can easily get a bus or metro there.
Overall fabulous hotel and would recommend others to stay here and I would stay here again. It's very convenient, the staff are friendly and helpful.From€112
5287 Reviews
Wan Chai and Causeway Bay Hong Kong|4.81km from downtown
The hotel's location is excellent, making it very convenient to explore Causeway Bay. The front desk staff were great; they proactively upgraded my room to the top floor. The room itself was spacious and beautiful, with a view of Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon across the harbor. The hotel's decor could be described as grand and opulent, though it is a bit dated. The only major issue was that the room had a lot of glass, and the curtains didn't close tightly. This led to significant light leakage after sunrise, causing me to wake up very early and preventing me from getting a good night's sleep for two days.From€90
Business travel
5428 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|2.14km from downtown
Kimberly Hotel has the access to all the tourist spot in Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong! We are happy that we have chosen Kimberly Hotel. We will surely go back again in this hotel. Thank you!❤️From€83
7519 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|2.64km from downtown
Great location just behind the Peninsula Hotel and only 5 minutes walk to victoria harbour hk and to the most famous/luxurious road in HK and near to Kowloon Mosque. Marvellous and very delicious buffet style breakfast. Vegetarian and halal food options available here, they made us special fried rice to suit our needs as the one on the buffet wasn't halal. Definitely recommend and I would definitely come back to this lovely luxurious hotel.From€83
7728 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|1.85km from downtown
One of my favorite hotels in HK. Very good location and near Kowloon express station. Rooms are big and beds confortable. Toiletries are provided as well. Buffet breakfast is also good and staff are all nice. Will always be a good choice to stay whenever we are in Hongkong.From€89
Very Good3772 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|2.27km from downtown
Spacious room and clean.. suitable for family stay..From€85
3548 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|2.23km from downtown
Newly renovated rooms, clean and comfortable. Daily housekeeping service provided. Excellent location, just a short walk to the BTS/MRT. Beautiful room with a stunning view.From€47
6750 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|2.53km from downtown
The room is big enough for 4 of us. The room is very clean and spacious. The service is good and feel at home, especially the kidsFrom€101
Breakfast
Good3851 Reviews
Yau Ma Tei Hong Kong|1.27km from downtown
The room was tiny, but for a place like Hong Kong where space is at a premium and given the excellent location, the size was actually pretty good. Getting around by MTR, bus, or taxi was very convenient. A taxi from the high-speed rail station was only about thirty Hong Kong dollars. It was also easy to get an Uber downstairs. The hotel occupies an entire building and has many rooms. There's a gym and a swimming pool on the rooftop, but the pool was closed during my stay. The gym had treadmills, exercise bikes, yoga mats, and kettlebells, which were decent for a quick workout. I usually went in the morning, and it wasn't too crowded, just about three or four people exercising.
**Cleanliness:** The room was cleaned daily. They even folded my messy clothes neatly. Overall, the room was quite clean, but there was a distinct scent, perhaps like freshly washed laundry? Anyway, it was very noticeable, and I wasn't a big fan.
**Facilities:** The facilities were a bit dated. The air conditioning was also quite noisy. However, there was a small table next to the bed, which was enough for some simple work. There were plenty of power outlets, but the hairdryer was a very old model. The shower water was good, and the toiletries were decent. They provided shampoo and conditioner, but no toothbrush or toothpaste. The disposable slippers were also very thin, so I recommend buying your own comfortable slippers for showering. The Wi-Fi speed was fast, and the signal was good, with coverage in most parts of the hotel. The elevator was a bit slow, leading to longer waiting times during peak hours.
**Service:** The staff at the front desk, in the elevator lobby, at baggage storage, and in the restaurant were all very polite and helpful. The free luggage storage was a real bonus; I stored my bags for the whole day after check-out as I still had plans. No deposit was required.
Overall, it's a great hotel with a distinctive interior design. The breakfast was abundant, offering both Western and Hong Kong styles, and I always ate my fill. If you're traveling, you might not need to have breakfast at the hotel. The price is a bit high on weekends and holidays, but if you can get it at the weekday rate, it offers good value for money.
I'd like to give a special shout-out to Trip.com. I encountered a small issue between booking and check-in, and the customer service representatives were very proactive in helping me resolve it. They were truly excellent, responding promptly to both in-app messages and phone calls. It's reassuring to know that customer rights are well protected. I felt very secure.From€83
3690 Reviews
Prince Edward and Tai Kok Tsui Hong Kong|0.78km from downtown
I booked this hotel because it advertised laundry service, but it turns out they charge an extra 40 yuan per wash... why wasn't this clearly stated on the details page? The hotel itself is decent; I was mentally prepared for small rooms since it's in Hong Kong, and honestly, it wasn't as bad as I expected. I booked a double room, but when I arrived, they told me only triple rooms with two separate beds were left. The third bed was right next to the window, which looked quite precarious and was a bit noisy. One thing to note: the air conditioning is incredibly powerful, really cold. If you're staying in the summer, remember to adjust the temperature...From€70
2382 Reviews
Yau Ma Tei Hong Kong|1.32km from downtown
I was impressed with this hotel. Truly, value for money. The location is convenient with MTR Jordan station, bus stops and restaurants nearby. Also near TST, K11 Musea, Avenue of Stars.
The check in and check out process is smooth. The people at the reception area are accommodating. They even upgrade our room.
The room is spacious and clean. The bathroom is separated from the toilet and is very clean. Thanks to the house keeping.
They provide free water in can and other basic toiletries.
Overall, an amazing stay at Nathan Hotel. Highly recommended hotel. 👌🏻👌🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻From€90
4396 Reviews
Yau Ma Tei Hong Kong|1.69km from downtown
I really looked at so many hotels before coming to Hong Kong, worried that a bad stay would spoil my trip, but the Prudential Hotel truly didn't disappoint! It's actually not far from West Kowloon, just a few blocks away. Plus, the Jordan MTR station exit is right next door, and downstairs you'll find bus stops, the Airport Express, Mannings, and Jollibee fried chicken – it's incredibly convenient! It's also super close to West Kowloon Park, making it easy to visit the big purple fountain. In fact, it's quite close to the Star Ferry and the Victoria Harbour observation deck too; we walked there the first time, and then took a bus (just 4 stops) to see the night view. There was even a film crew shooting downstairs, though we didn't see any celebrities, it was still pretty cool. There are lots of great restaurants in the area. The check-in service was very welcoming, and I noticed staff near the escalator helping women with large suitcases down, showing a strong awareness of safety.From€81
Good9501 Reviews
Sha Tin Hong Kong|8.21km from downtown
Extremely satisfied with this hotel! The facilities are quite new and well-designed with the guest in mind. The service was even better – warm, professional, and very quick to respond. The buffet food was also good. While the surroundings aren't super bustling, there are plenty of dining options and transportation is convenient. There are two subway stations within a few minutes' walk, and Shimen station has lots of food choices. Plus, there's a river nearby where you can go for a run, and I even saw dragon boat training! New Town Plaza is just 3 or 4 subway stops away. All in all, highly recommended!!From€63
Good14720 Reviews
Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon West Hong Kong|2.11km from downtown
The hotel's location is fantastic, surrounded by a lively area with an abundance of diverse food options and attractions. Kowloon Park is also nearby, making it perfect for shopping and sightseeing. The hotel itself is excellent; the front desk staff are incredibly welcoming. While we waited for our room assignment, the concierge even offered us milk tea. Due to our work, we had to retrieve and return several toolboxes from storage daily, and the baggage staff were very patient, meticulously helping us register and count them each time. This hotel provides outstanding service, and I will definitely be staying here again for my business trip next year.From€56
What Is an Octopus Card🌟
The Octopus Card is a rechargeable smart card that stores electronic money. You simply tap it on the reader to pay for rides, food, or shopping. It’s fast, simple, and widely accepted across the city. You’ll see locals using it everywhere from MTR stations to bubble tea shops.
How to Use the Octopus Card🚋
Using the Octopus Card is easy:
- Buy the card at any MTR station, 7-Eleven, or Circle K store.
- Tap the card on the reader when boarding or paying. You’ll hear a “beep” sound to confirm payment.
- Check the balance on the screen after tapping.
- Reload the card at MTR stations, convenience stores, or add-value machines whenever needed.
Octopus Card Price💰
Type | Initial Cost | Includes Refundable Deposit | Initial Stored Value |
Adult Card | HK$150 | HK$50 | HK$100 |
Child Card (Aged 3–11) | HK$70 | HK$50 | HK$20 |
Elder Card (65 and above) | HK$70 | HK$50 | HK$20 |
If you no longer need the card, you can return it at any Octopus Service Centre to get a refund of your deposit and remaining balance (a small handling fee may apply if returned within 90 days).
Benefits of Using the Octopus Card🎁
- Convenience – No need to carry coins or buy tickets for every ride.
- Speed – Just tap and go, perfect for busy travelers.
- Discounts – Some transport modes and stores offer small fare discounts when using Octopus.
- Multi-purpose – Works not only for transport but also in restaurants, supermarkets, and vending machines.
- Reload Anywhere – Easily top up at MTR stations, 7-Eleven, and many shops across the city.
Smart Tips for Riding the “Ding Ding”💡
- Sit upstairs in the front row. You’ll get the best view of the narrow streets and trams passing by.
- Avoid rush hours if you want a peaceful ride. Try mid-morning or early afternoon.
- Bring small coins if you don’t have an Octopus Card.
- Ride during sunset. Watching the city glow while the tram rolls through Causeway Bay is pure magic.
- Take the full route from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan if you want to see all sides of the island in one trip.
International eSIM to Stay Connected
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287007 booked
Why Everyone Loves the Tram🌇
The “Ding Ding” is more than just a tram. It’s a symbol of old Hong Kong still alive in today’s busy city. The sound of the bell, the wooden seats, and the gentle rumble of the tracks remind everyone that some traditions never fade. Whether you’re a traveler looking for a local experience or a local wanting a quiet moment to watch the world go by, the Hong Kong Tram offers a simple joy that never gets old.
So next time you’re in Hong Kong, skip the taxi, skip the subway, and take the “Ding Ding.” Sit back, relax, and let the tram show you the true heartbeat of the city. 🚋✨
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FAQs about Hong Kong Tram
Where can I board the Hong Kong Tram?
You can board the tram from any stop along Hong Kong Island’s north side, between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan.Do I need to buy a ticket before getting on the tram?
No ticket is needed in advance. Simply enter from the back door, ride to your stop, and pay when you exit through the front using coins or an Octopus Card.Can I use the Hong Kong Tram with luggage?
Small bags are fine, but large luggage isn’t recommended because trams can get crowded and space is limited, especially on the lower deck.How long does it take to ride the full tram route?
A full journey from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan takes about 80 to 90 minutes. It’s a relaxing ride if you want to enjoy the view and take photos of the city streets.Is the tram air-conditioned?
Most trams are traditional and not air-conditioned, keeping the nostalgic feel alive. However, there are a few modern trams with air conditioning, which are clearly marked on the outside.
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