The Star Ferry connects Tsim Sha Tsui with Central and Wan Chai across Victoria Harbour. It is both public transport and a short harbour experience, with no advance booking or assigned seat. The operator’s current adult fare on the classic Central–Tsim Sha Tsui route is HK$4.00–HK$6.50, depending on deck and day.
For most visitors, the simplest plan is to take the Central–Tsim Sha Tsui route, use an Octopus card at the gate, and check the official timetable if the crossing sits close to another reservation. Fares and schedules below were checked against the Star Ferry’s official service page on 30 August 2026.
Quick answer: Central–Tsim Sha Tsui runs daily from 06:30 to 23:30. Weekday adult fares are HK$5.00 upper deck and HK$4.00 lower deck; weekend and public-holiday fares are HK$6.50 upper deck and HK$5.60 lower deck.
Star Ferry fares for Central and Tsim Sha Tsui
The official adult fare table currently shows:
| Central ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui | Monday–Friday, excluding public holidays | Saturday, Sunday and public holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Upper deck | HK$5.00 | HK$6.50 |
| Lower deck | HK$4.00 | HK$5.60 |
The upper deck costs slightly more and gives a higher view across the harbour. The lower deck is the cheaper option and is also the boarding level identified by the operator for wheelchair users, subject to capacity limits.
Child, senior and disability-related fares have eligibility rules, and Hong Kong’s government concession scheme uses designated personal cards. International visitors should not assume an age-based free ride from an old guide. Check the current official table and carry any required proof if you intend to use a concession.
The operator also lists a four-day tourist ticket for HK$50, sold at the Tsim Sha Tsui pier control centre. It covers unlimited rides on both regular routes for four consecutive days. Compare the pass price with the number of crossings you will actually make; a single return trip normally costs much less.
The two regular Star Ferry routes
Star Ferry currently publishes two cross-harbour passenger routes:
- Central ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui: the most frequent and straightforward choice for Central, the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and the harbour skyline.
- Wan Chai ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui: useful for the Wan Chai waterfront and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre area.
Both routes use the Tsim Sha Tsui pier on the Kowloon side. On Hong Kong Island, the Central service uses Central Pier 7, while the other route uses Wan Chai Pier.
The Central route is easier to use without planning because the published daytime frequency is commonly every six to eight minutes, with wider gaps early and late. The Wan Chai route has longer and more variable intervals. Check the live official table rather than copying a departure time from a static article.
Current Star Ferry timetable
The Central–Tsim Sha Tsui route currently runs from 06:30 to 23:30 in both directions. Frequency changes through the day:
- weekday peak periods can be as frequent as every six minutes;
- much of the day is shown at six- or eight-minute intervals;
- early morning and late evening gaps can extend to ten or twelve minutes.
Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui use a different schedule. First and last departures vary by direction and day, and the interval can extend to twenty minutes. Use the official ferry service page for a time-sensitive connection.
Published sailing times can change because of harbour traffic, weather or vessel deployment. If you are heading to the airport, a train or a booked attraction, leave a buffer instead of treating the timetable as a guaranteed arrival time.
How to pay at the Star Ferry gates
Octopus is the fastest option. Tap the card at the terminal gate and proceed to the waiting area. Star Ferry notes that it does not sell Octopus cards at its gates, so obtain or set up your preferred Octopus option separately.
Hong Kong dollar cash is also accepted. The operator’s current payment page says change is provided for accepted denominations, correcting older advice that passengers always need exact coins.
Self-service ticket machines at the terminals accept a wider range of electronic payments. The official list includes credit cards, UnionPay QuickPass, Alipay, AlipayHK, WeChat Pay and WeChat Pay HK. A machine purchase produces a ticket for the gate.
No seat reservation is available. Once through the gate, board when instructed and choose an available seat. Follow crew directions and remain seated until the ferry is securely docked.
Finding the three piers
Tsim Sha Tsui Pier sits on the Kowloon waterfront near the Clock Tower and Hong Kong Cultural Centre. It is a practical starting point if you are already walking the promenade.
Central Pier 7 is part of the Central ferry-pier group on Hong Kong Island. Follow signs specifically for the Star Ferry because the neighbouring piers serve other destinations.
Wan Chai Pier is on the Wan Chai waterfront near the convention-centre area. Use this route when Wan Chai is your actual destination; otherwise Central generally offers the simpler visitor connection.
Allow extra walking time between an MTR exit and the pier. Elevated walkways and large waterfront buildings can make the final approach look shorter on a map than it feels with luggage.
Choosing the best crossing for the view
For a first ride, Central–Tsim Sha Tsui gives the clearest combination of convenience and skyline context. Daylight shows the harbour traffic and building forms. An evening crossing adds illuminated towers, but visibility and weather still determine the view.
You do not need to buy a harbour tour merely to see the skyline from the water. At the same time, the regular ferry is not a narrated sightseeing cruise: it is a point-to-point service with a short ride and ordinary commuter seating. Choose it for transport plus the view, not for commentary or a long loop.
If the harbour is rough or a weather warning is active, follow official transport notices. Do not lean beyond barriers or stand on steps for a photograph; the operator’s passenger notice requires travellers to remain seated until docking.
Connecting the ferry to a wider trip
The ferry works well between a Kowloon waterfront walk and Central or Wan Chai. If you are arriving by air, the Hong Kong Airport guide covers the separate journey between HKG and the city.
For onward travel to mainland China, rail planning is a different task from the harbour crossing. Read the foreign-visitor guide to China’s 12306 rail system and allow time to reach West Kowloon station and complete its departure formalities. The Hong Kong destination archive groups the site’s current Hong Kong guides without adding an unrelated visa section here.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Star Ferry in Hong Kong?
For Central–Tsim Sha Tsui, current adult fares range from HK$4.00 to HK$6.50 depending on deck and whether the trip is on a weekday or a weekend/public holiday. Check the official page for concessions and changes.
Do I need to book the Star Ferry?
No. The regular service has no advance booking or assigned seating. Pay at the gate or ticket machine and board the next available sailing.
Can I use a credit card?
Yes, at the self-service ticket machines listed by Star Ferry. The gates also accept Octopus, and Hong Kong dollar cash is available as another option.
Which route is best for a first-time visitor?
Central–Tsim Sha Tsui is usually the simplest choice because it is frequent and connects two areas that many visitors already plan to see.
Does the ferry run late at night?
The Central–Tsim Sha Tsui route currently publishes last departures at 23:30. Wan Chai finishes earlier and varies by direction, so check the official timetable before a late crossing.
Check the official table, then enjoy the crossing
The Star Ferry Hong Kong remains easy to use when you separate stable choices from live details. Pick Central or Wan Chai based on destination, choose your deck and payment method, and recheck the timetable if timing matters. The harbour view is the bonus; the ferry’s primary job is still getting you across the water.
Sources checked
- Star Ferry — official services, fares, timetables and payment methods, checked 30 August 2026.
- Hong Kong Tourism Board — Star Ferry Pier, checked 30 August 2026.
Image credits
- Featured image: Star Ferry on Victoria Harbour. Image by Tore Sætre, via Wikimedia Commons. — CC BY-SA 4.0.
- First inline image: Star Ferry pier and Victoria Harbour in September 2005. Image by Syced, via Wikimedia Commons. — CC0.
- Second inline image: Victoria Harbour and a Star Ferry. Image by Clark Sui, via Wikimedia Commons. — CC BY-SA 4.0.
