Getting about by taxi in Hong Kong

There are plenty of taxis in Hong Kong that can take you to a multitude of destinations. Perhaps you are off to Disneyland or a happening Karaoke Bar in China Town. Maybe you are just visiting the market. A taxi can get you there. Taxis can usually be hailed on the street or alternatively you can order one by phone. All the taxis are metered, air conditioned and well-priced. Covering the majority of Hong Kong taxis are a great way to experience the city at your leisure.

There are three types of taxi services in Hong Kong and can all be identified by their colour.

The red taxis are Urban taxis and start at HK$20.00 on the meter. Urban taxis operate in most areas in Hong Kong, including the airport and Disneyland, with the exception being Tung Chung Road and roads in south Lantau.

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The green taxis are known as New Territories taxis and are fundamentally confined to the rural areas, the airport and Disneyland. The meter starts at HK$16.50.

The blue taxis are Lantau taxis and operate solely on the island of Lantau (except Discovery Bay) and Chek Lap Kok. All taxis are allowed to provide services at Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Disneyland. These taxis start at HK$10.00

The scale of fares for the hiring of taxis in Hong Kong is specified in the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations. Taxis are installed with a taximeter to calculate the fare based on the distance travelled together with any waiting time incurred while the taxi is hired. The fare on a taximeter is in Hong Kong dollars and cents. Passengers shall pay taxi fare as recorded by the taximeters in accordance with the law. Also, passengers are required to pay additional charges according to the circumstances.

Quality Taxi Services
Transport Department plays active role in encouraging taxi trade to improve the quality of taxi services. Apart from co-operation with the Quality Taxi Services Steering Committee (QTSSC) through the Taxi Driver Commendation Scheme to give commendation to those taxi drivers who have shown good conduct and quality performance, Transport Department also produces self-learning kits of the Taxi Operation Self-learning Video Programme and the Workplace English / Putonghua Programme for Taxi Drivers to enhance the service standard and language proficiency of taxi drivers. On the other hand, Transport Department publishes "A Guide to Taxi Services in Hong Kong" (*Printable Version) and erects information plates and LED display panels at major taxi stands to provide information about taxi services to taxi drivers and passengers.

Advice when using a Hong Kong taxi
Please record the taxi registration number or information on the Taxi Driver Indetity Plate (e.g. taxi driver identity plate number) if you have compliment or comment on taxi service. On the other hand, you can ask for a machine-printed fare receipt. It is an offence if taxi drivers refuse, without reasonable excuse, to issue receipts to passengers upon request. In case the receipt printing device fails to operate, the taxi driver should issue a hand-written receipt. Please note that passengers shall pay taxi fare as recorded by the taximeter in accordance with the law.

More information on taxi services on the Transport Department Website>>