Hong Kong Taxis

Plentiful supply of taxis
Flag fall starts at HK$18
Hail on the street or book by phone
Red color in HK; green in NT; blue on Lantau
All taxis are metered

Hong Hong's taxis are plentiful and comparatively cheap. Taxis are licensed and metered and the cab displays the driver's ID number. Taxis are color coded: red in Hong Kong, green in the New Territories and blue on Lantau Island. There are over 18,000 taxis currently operating in Hong Kong.

Taxis can be hailed on the street, or booked by phone. Major hotels in Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport and main MTR stations also have taxi ranks.

Passengers are required to wear seat belts and it is advisable to accept a receipt in case you leave something in the cab, so the driver can be traced.

Flag fall is presently HK$18 on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon and HK$1.50 for every subsequent 200m; in the New Territories the prices are HK$14.50 and HK$1.30, on Lantau HK$13 and HK$1.30

Extra charges are levied for luggage stowed in the trunk, calling a taxi by phone and passing through the Cross Harbour Tunnel or the Eastern or Western Harbour crossings. Taxi fares from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to Tsim Sha Tsui are presently around HK$225, Central is approximately HK$280 and Sha Tin HK$250.

Taxis have a light on top of the cab which is illuminated when the taxi is for hire. Models tend to be Japanese cars, with the Toyota Crown a common choice.

Most drivers may not speak English, so it is a good idea to carry the name of your destination in Chinese characters or know the pronunciation of your destination in Cantonese. Tipping is not necessary, though rounding up to the nearest dollar is usually the done thing.