Taxi Troubles in Hong Kong: What Tourists Need to Know Before They Hail

① Hong Kong’s Unique Transportation

These days, many travelers are heading to Hong Kong. Hong Kong captivates the hearts of travelers as a unique overseas destination with a distinctive atmosphere. Bustling streets reminiscent of a scene from a Hong Kong movie and old-fashioned local restaurants make it an attractive destination. Hong Kong is also a great overseas destination to visit without much hassle. The well-developed public transportation system makes it easy for travelers to enjoy their trip without a car.

Various modes of transportation are available in Hong Kong. You can use multiple public transport such as taxis, buses, trams, and ferries.

Among them, Hong Kong’s taxis are synonymous with Hong Kong itself. You can see taxis of the same model everywhere you go in Hong Kong.

Most taxis are Japan’s Toyota Crown Comfort and Nissan Cedric. This is because they adopted a fleet of vehicles produced as dedicated taxi models. With their vintage feel, color, and design, Hong Kong taxis contribute to Hong Kong’s unique urban atmosphere.

Taxis in Hong Kong are color-coded by region. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula taxes are red, New Territories are green, and Lantau Island is blue. The fare is usually the most expensive for red taxis and the cheapest for blue taxis.

Upon arrival at the Hong Kong airport, you can see taxis lined up by color. You should board a taxi after confirming the area you will visit. When you wave your hand towards the cab, it stops.

② Check the Fare System in Advance

First-time visitors to Hong Kong are often surprised by the taxi fare system. In Hong Kong, an additional fee is charged if you put a suitcase in the trunk. They charge about $0.90 per piece.

The fare for Hong Kong taxis varies by section. You must pay a tunnel toll when passing through an underwater tunnel. You also have to pay a separate toll for highways. For example, when you pass through the Western Underwater Tunnel connecting Central and West Kowloon, an additional toll of about $10.80 and a return toll of about $2.25 are added. Locals usually tip about 1 or 2 dollars.

The minimum fare for Hong Kong’s red taxis is 27 Hong Kong dollars, which is about $4.05. The additional fare is 1.9 Hong Kong dollars per distance, about $0.29. From 93.5 Hong Kong dollars, an additional 1.3 Hong Kong dollars is added per minute.

The minimum fare for green taxis is 23.5 Hong Kong dollars, and for blue taxis, it is 22 Hong Kong dollars. The minimum fare for red taxis is the most expensive. Hong Kong taxis do not accept credit cards, so you must always carry cash. Also, if you pay a large bill, they may not give you change, so preparing change in advance is a good idea.

Some taxis have introduced the Octopus card payment system, which is used for public transportation in Hong Kong. However, since it only applies to some taxis, cash is essential.

If you find it difficult to use local taxis, we recommend using Uber. You can set your desired destination and check the fare in advance, making it more convenient. However, it is a bit more expensive than regular taxis.

③ Communication Difficulties with Local Taxis

In Hong Kong taxis, English often does not work well. Taxi drivers who mainly operate on Hong Kong Island may understand English, but in most cases, communication is difficult. Knowing a few simple Cantonese phrases before getting in is a good idea. Showing your destination on Google Maps is the most accurate way to communicate. There are also taxi drivers who take advantage of communication difficulties to overcharge. They may take a detour or charge much more than the actual fare.

Last year, a famous Chinese influencer said she was overcharged after using a Hong Kong taxi. She said she traveled about 5km and was in the cab for about 8 minutes. The meter read 60 Hong Kong dollars, but the taxi driver repeatedly asked for 200 Hong Kong dollars.

The Chinese influencer said, “The woman I was with didn’t know how to speak Cantonese, which locals commonly use, and the driver tried to take advantage of this to overcharge. However, we were able to negotiate with the taxi driver and ultimately only paid 100 Hong Kong dollars to use the taxi.” She added that she was refused by four taxis in a row before getting into the cab in the story.

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, according to local traffic regulations, taxis that overcharge or refuse passengers can be sentenced to a maximum fine of about 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $1,530) and imprisonment for 6 months if found guilty.