Star Ferry

With a history of over 100 years, the Star Ferry is a witness to the many changes that have taken place in Hong Kong over the years. As both a vehicle and a tourist attraction it is a symbol of Hong Kong. The Star Ferry Company came into existence around 1898 and since then its ferries have been shuttling busily between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The Star Ferry now owns 12 double-deck ferries and each ferry has a cabin on the upper deck that is equipped with air conditioning. All of its ferries have the word 'star' in their names, such as Night Star, Morning Star, Gold Star, and Heaven Star.

The Star Ferry operates on four routes: between Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, Central and Hung Hom, and Hung Hom and Wanchai. Service times and ticket prices vary with the different routes. On weekdays ferries operate from about 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Hung Hom and Wanchai, and Hung Hom and Central and from about 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. between Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. On weekends these schedules change. The ticket prices between Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui are the cheapest: adults cost HK$2.20; children and the disabled cost HK$1.30 and seniors are free. On the other three routes adults cost HK$5.30; children and the disabled cost HK$2.70 and seniors are free.

The Star Ferry is a favorite among the local people because it is affordable, convenient and quick. Its ticket prices are the cheapest in Hong Kong; ferries run very frequently; and it takes only about 10 minutes to travel across the harbor. In the evening, passengers can enjoy the gentle breeze from the sea and the world-famous sights of Victoria Harbor. Far from the hustle and bustle, a ride on the Star Ferry provides a rare chance to relax.

In 2003, the Star Ferry Company designed a custom-built ferry to use for tours of Victoria Harbor. This ferry is a reproduction of a ferry of the 1920s and features a coffee house and a deck for sunbathing. It has proved to be very popular with tourists who can enjoy a cup of coffee or just relax while feasting their eyes on the sights of Victoria Harbor.