Hong Kong Public Bus - Helpful Information for Visitors

Hong Kong Bus Services

Public Bus services in Hong Kong are provided by five private companies and minibuses by independent operators.

These local buses are clean, air-conditioned, efficient, comfortable, and connect different sections of Hong Kong, including remote areas.

Hong Kong Bus Number Display & Fare

Hong Kong Bus Number and Final Destination Display :

Bus numbers and final destination names are displayed in English and Chinese in front of each bus in Hong Kong.


Hong Kong Bus fare Information :

Hong Kong Bus fares are variable based on distance travelled.  

The majority of bus route Fares are based on where you board to the last stop of the bus route and not where you get off.  

If you are going a short distance, make sure to ride a bus that ends at your destination or nearby.  

Otherwise, you will end up paying more because fares are based on the end destination. 

In some cases like Minibuses, fares are standard one fixed amount in Hong Kong irrespective of distance travelled.

Exact change is required if paying Cash in any Hong Kong Bus.

All Buses in Hong Kong also accept Fare payment using Octopus card which is easy, and convenient for all Hong Kong Public Transport.

Hong Kong Bus Companies Information

Hong Kong has five privately owned bus companies providing Bus transport service to Locals and Visitors :

1) Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories routes are covered by:

     - “Kowloon Motor Bus Company Limited”,

     - “New World First Bus Services Limited”, and

     - “Citybus Limited” buses.

2). The “New Lantao Bus company Limited” provide services on Lantau Island.

3). The “Long Win Bus company Limited” provides services to north Lantau Island and the airport.

For individual Hong Kong bus route information use their online tool

Go to KMB bus information

Go to City Bus Company

Go to New Lantao Bus Co.

Go to Long Win Bus

How to Ride Bus in
Hong Kong

Riding Bus in Hong Kong :

- All Hong Kong Bus stops clearly display the Bus numbers and route maps encased in a plastic box.

- Once at your bus stop in Hong Kong wait in line (if any), enter from the front.

- On buses, you enter from the front entrance.

- At the front, Bus Entrance Pay with exact change or tap your Octopus card if you have one. Prices are displayed on the farebox.

- Bus rides themselves can be an experience especially on the top in the front row of a double-decker bus coming from places like Stanley or the Victoria Peak.

- Look for your stop on the Display screen inside the bus.

- To exit your bus, Make sure to press the red button to tell the driver to stop before your destination.

- Exit the Bus at your stop from the back door

Minibus in Hong Kong

Minibus in Hong Kong :

Minibuses in Hong Kong are also called as Public Light Bus (PLB).

Hong Kong Minibuses are small buses that can carry up to 16 people.

There is two types of Minibus in Hong Kong:

1). Green Roof-Top Minibus in Hong Kong :

Green minibuses (Green roof) operate on specific routes at fixed prices. 

You can pay by exact change or Octopus card. on Green Minibus.

Green Buses have a nameplate at the top front stating the destination in Chinese and English (English writing is usually in a small font and hard to read)

A bus number is always displayed but not always obvious.

The driver may also put a "full" notice in the front window if the bus is full.

2). Red Roof-Top Minibus in Hong Kong :

Red minibuses (Red roof) operate on routes that are flexible and passengers can get on and off anywhere on its route.

They act more like a shared taxi.  You can pay by exact change.

Only a few Red Minibus in Hong Kong accept octopus card.

Once full, minibuses don’t stop until a seat becomes available.

Hong Kong Minibus are slightly more expensive but they offer faster and more efficient transportation due to :
 - their smaller size, and
 - operates on diverse routes.

Many Hong Kong Minibus routes run 24 hours a day.

Hong Kong Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Bus

Hong Kong Hop-on Hop-off Tour Bus :

A convenient option for Tourists is the Hop on Hop off Bus run by Big Bus.

Hong Kong Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off tour operates 3 routes in Hong Kong.

1). Red Tour explores the Hong Kong Island Side

2). Blue Tours explores the Kowloon Island Side

3). Green Tours explores the Aberdeen and Stanley Area.

Although not the cheapest option, these buses come regularly, you don't have to figure out bus numbers, and you can hop on hop off any of its stops.

FYI:  You may see Panda Buses on the Kowloon side.  

        These Panda buses are for Tourist from Japan and tickets must be purchased in Japan through a tour company before arrival.

Big Bus Hong Kong Hop-On Hop-Off Tour - $56.43