Train Galore
Hong Kong is one of my favorite destinations abroad. I had been there thrice and it was during my second trip when I began feeling comfortable in the city - at home baga, parang Manila lang. In fact, moving around the city had been easy for me - thanks to its efficient train transportation system.
I experienced the city's train service for the first time in 2009 during our second visit. Since the first time we went there was through travel agency so they already arranged for our transportation and all we had to do was to ride in a bus. While on our second visit, we went there on our own (with the help of some acquaintances who picked us up at the airport) and learned to use the train map and ticketing machine for single journey.
Octopus card versus ordinary fares:
Months before our latest trip in December 2014, I already prepared our itinerary which included train routes and fares. And then I came across the octopus card. The octopus card is worth HK$300 inclusive of round trip ride from and to the airport plus. three days unlimited use of train (any line). Upon return of the card, there is also HK$50 refund. Comparing these with what we would have spend using single journey tickets (listed below) - panalo kami ng HK$40.20!
And by the way, octopus cards are available at the concierge booth in Hong Kong International Airport.
Different train coaches, different experiences:
There are around 10 MTR lines in HK transport system with (at least?) three types of coaches: the airport express, the Disneyland Resort and the regular ones (other MTR lines).
Airport Express: the seats are baliktaran! Half of them are facing forward and the other half are facing backward.
HK Disneyland Resort: it's filled with Disney images and hidden Mickeys - the most obvious ones are the windows.
I experienced the city's train service for the first time in 2009 during our second visit. Since the first time we went there was through travel agency so they already arranged for our transportation and all we had to do was to ride in a bus. While on our second visit, we went there on our own (with the help of some acquaintances who picked us up at the airport) and learned to use the train map and ticketing machine for single journey.
Octopus card versus ordinary fares:
Months before our latest trip in December 2014, I already prepared our itinerary which included train routes and fares. And then I came across the octopus card. The octopus card is worth HK$300 inclusive of round trip ride from and to the airport plus. three days unlimited use of train (any line). Upon return of the card, there is also HK$50 refund. Comparing these with what we would have spend using single journey tickets (listed below) - panalo kami ng HK$40.20!
| Arrival on December 12, 2015 | |
| HK International Airport to Central Station via Airport Express | 90.00 |
| Central Station to Tsim Sha Tsui Station via Tsuen Wan Line | 9.40 |
Disneyland Day |
|
| Tsim Sha Tsui Station to Central Station via Tsuen Wan Line | 19.80 |
| Central Station to Sunny Bay Station via Tung Chung Line | |
| Sunny Bay Station to Disneyland Resort via Disneyland Resort Line | |
| Sunny Bay Station to Disneyland Resort via Disneyland Resort Line | 19.80 |
| Central Station to Sunny Bay Station via Tung Chung Line | |
| Tsim Sha Tsui Station to Central Station via Tsuen Wan Line | |
Citygate/Tian Tan Buddha Tour Day |
|
| Tsim Sha Tsui Station to Central Station via Tsuen Wan Line | 16.50 |
| Central Station to Tung Chung Station via Tung Chung Line | |
| Central Station to Tung Chung Station via Tung Chung Line | 16.50 |
| Tsim Sha Tsui Station to Central Station via Tsuen Wan Line | |
The Peak/Departure on December 15, 2015 |
|
| Tsim Sha Tsui Station to Central Station via Tsuen Wan Line | 9.40 |
| Central Station to Tsim Sha Tsui Station via Tsuen Wan Line | 9.40 |
| Tsim Sha Tsui Station to Central Station via Tsuen Wan Line | 9.40 |
| Central Station to HK International Airport via Airport Express | 90.00 |
T O T A L |
290.20 |
And by the way, octopus cards are available at the concierge booth in Hong Kong International Airport.
Different train coaches, different experiences:
There are around 10 MTR lines in HK transport system with (at least?) three types of coaches: the airport express, the Disneyland Resort and the regular ones (other MTR lines).
Airport Express: the seats are baliktaran! Half of them are facing forward and the other half are facing backward.
 |
| HK Disneyland Resort |
 |
| MTR train at Tung Chung Station |
MTR (the regular ones): it is well-ventilated and spacious. It is not air-conditioned but air comes back and forth from the outside (anlinis ng hangin nila!) and although, the trains are full with standing passengers, hindi sya yong tipong magkakapalit kayo ng mukha na parang sa Pinas.
 |
MTR also has reserved seats for Senior Citizens and Persons With Disabilities. Those seats are the ones beside Lanie - yong me Smiley!
Kaya my friendly advice when exploring Hong Kong, train ride pa more!!!
Kaya my friendly advice when exploring Hong Kong, train ride pa more!!!
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