Cross Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry

What the experience is

The Star Ferry is a passenger service across Victoria Harbour. The main route runs between Tsim Sha Tsui, at the tip of Kowloon, and Central on Hong Kong Island. A second route links Tsim Sha Tsui with Wan Chai, and the company also runs dedicated harbour tours.

The crossing is short, and it is ordinary public transport used by tens of thousands of people a day. It is also the simplest way to see the harbour, with the towers of Central ahead and the hills behind them.

A little history

The service was founded in 1888 as the Kowloon Ferry Company by Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala, a Parsee merchant. His boats were named Morning Star and Evening Star, and the company took its present name in 1898. The ferries are all named after stars.

When the Cross-Harbour Tunnel opened in 1972 the ferry ceased to be the main link between the two sides, but it has continued ever since. In 2006 the Central terminal moved from Edinburgh Place to a new pier on reclaimed land further out.

When to go

The ferry runs all year, from early morning until late evening. The best crossings are at dusk, when the buildings light up, and after dark. From Tsim Sha Tsui to Central the skyline is ahead of the boat for the whole journey.

Good to know

The boats have an upper and a lower deck, and the upper deck has the better view. Payment is by Octopus card at the turnstile. The Tsim Sha Tsui pier is beside the clock tower and a few minutes on foot from The Peninsula. The Central pier is Pier 7.

Why OKYTO recommends it

It costs almost nothing, takes a few minutes and shows the city as it was first seen by those who arrived by sea. Combine it with the Peak Tram for the view from above.