Place · Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront
Star Ferry (Central to Tsim Sha Tsui)天星小輪
A ten-minute harbour crossing between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui on a green-and-white ferry that has run since 1888: cheap, open-air, best near sunset, and the easiest way to see the skyline from the water.
Key facts
- Time on site
- 20–25 min
- p95 40 min
- Price
- about HK$4–7 (≈ under US$1)
- adult, 2026 estimate
- Hours
- unknown
- see note below
- Best time
- unknown
- 28″ bags
- Painful
- Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront: painful
- Getting there
- Walk to Central Pier 7 from Central MTR (about 10 minutes), or to Tsim Sha Tsui pier from the promenade
- Cheap
- Open-air
- Skyline
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 9Large suitcases on MTR at 07
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Hong Kong ↗Hong Kong has its own immigration control: entry to Hong Kong does not permit entry to mainland China, and the reverse. Check the Immigration Department list for your passport.
- Hong Kong ↗Buy an Octopus card or use a contactless bank card at MTR gates; single-journey tickets cost the same but queue at machines.
- Hong Kong ↗When Typhoon Signal No. 8 or a Black rainstorm warning is issued, most public transport and many businesses stop: stay where you are and re-plan the next day.
- Hong Kong ↗CBD products are a dangerous drug in Hong Kong since February 2023, and bringing e-cigarettes or heated-tobacco devices into the city is banned: leave both at home.
- Hong Kong SAR ↗Outlying-island ferries run on fixed timetables and are cancelled in typhoon signals: check the return sailing before you go.
- Hong Kong Island and Kowloon ↗Large suitcases on MTR at 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:30 are a fight for space and stairs: use the Airport Express racks or a taxi with bags.
- Hong Kong Island and Kowloon ↗Urban taxis are red and cover most of the territory; green and blue taxis serve only their own areas and will not take you across.
Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, what it costs, what to know, how long it takes
Go now?
hours and prices: check on the day- Open
- Hours unknown
- Crowds
- MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Quietest Mon–Sun · desk estimate
- Tickets
- Adult: about HK$4–7 (≈ under US$1) (2026 estimate)
- Time to spend
- 20–25 min · up to 40 min if you linger
Know before you go
- Pay with an Octopus card or a contactless card at the turnstile; a token is also possible.
- The upper deck costs a little more; both decks give a view.
- Service pauses under typhoon signal 8 or higher.
Weather here, next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Time on site
Minimum
15min
Worthwhile
20min
Typical
25min
p95
40min
Frequent crossings through the day and evening; service hours and exact timetable are not printed until verified.
Tickets & entry
- Where to buy
- Buy at the entrance on the day.
- Buy from the official site or the ticket desk; resellers add a fee for the same ticket.
- Free days
Free entry days in Hong Kong (pick Hong Kong in the tool; check)
- What's closed
- Typhoon signal 8 or higherService is suspended.
| Ticket | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| One crossing | about HK$4–7 (≈ under US$1) (2026 estimate) | — |
Inside, in order
A wooden-benched ferry with open windows
Harbour views both ways
On the ground
Getting in, crowds, and where to go if it does not work
Getting in
- Stop
- Walk to Central Pier 7 from Central MTR (about 10 minutes), or to Tsim Sha Tsui pier from the promenade
- Exit
- —
- Ticket
- on site · official site
- Stairs
- Level pier and a gangway
- Shoes
- Shoes on.
Crowds and switching
- Crowd clock
- Rush hours (about 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:30) are busy with commuters; midday and evening are calmer.Rush hours (about 7:30 AM–9:30 AM and 5:30 PM–7:30 PM) are busy with commuters; midday and evening are calmer.
- Sensory load
- 2/5
- Exposure
- medium
Bailouts
rain
Take the MTR across the harbour instead
Nearest rescue anchor: A — Star Ferry pier (WC, seating; field-verify)
Step-free check
- Step-free entrance: partly · partlyLevel pier and a gangway
- Accessible toilet: check · check
- Wheelchair: yes · yes
- Stroller: yes · yes
A gangway and a step onto the boat; staff assist; check with the operator for wheelchairs.
Combine with
- 5 minTsim Sha Tsui Promenade
- 10 minCentral Pier
Walk the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront area · the cluster page has the walking order, rescue stops and after-dark notes
Best photo time today
Sun times for today load in your browser.
More on the groundFacilities · Who it suits · Skip it if · Rules on site · With kids
Rules on site
- Rule 1
- No eating or drinking on some decks (check the sign).
With kids
- with kids
- Kids love it; keep them seated during the crossing.
Facilities on site
| What | Status | Where / note |
|---|---|---|
| Benches | ||
| Toilets at the piers (check) |
Who it suits
| Traveler | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A cheap harbour view | good | — |
| Crossing between the two sides without the MTR | good | — |
Skip it if
- You are in a hurry at rush hour: the MTR is faster
Deep dive
Questions, what is nearby, photos and sources
Questions and answers
How long does it take?
About 10 minutes.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
What does it cost?
A few Hong Kong dollars (2026 estimate, check).
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
Sources
- officialStar Ferry (official)
- secondaryWikivoyage — Hong Kong