At a glance

  • At Central, look for the Tsim Sha Tsui sign at Pier 7. Don’t confuse it with the outlying-island piers along the same waterfront. In Tsim Sha Tsui, ferries to Central and Wan Chai go to different destinations, so choose the turnstile that fits your hotel or next stop.
  • The Central–Tsim Sha Tsui route runs from 06:30 to 23:30. During the day, ferries are generally listed every 6–8 minutes; early in the morning and late at night, every 10–12 minutes. The crossing itself is short, but plan around 30 minutes for reaching the pier and waiting, or 60–90 minutes if you’re adding sightseeing.
  • You choose the upper or lower deck by following the corresponding boarding route at the pier. You can sit and enjoy the harbour from either deck; you don’t need an upper-deck ticket to see the evening lights. If you use a wheelchair, check with the operator about lower-deck boarding on the Central–Tsim Sha Tsui route.

Day by day

Suggested itinerary

See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.

Your first harbour crossing

Central Pier 7 → follow signs for Tsim Sha Tsui and choose a deck → pay → take an open seat → disembark in Tsim Sha Tsui → enjoy the views around the Clock Tower

Before you board and after you get off

A short crossing isn’t a sightseeing cruise

The regular Star Ferry is public transport: you get off at the pier across the harbour. It has different tickets and service from the Harbour Tour, which stays on the water and loops around the harbour. One one-way ride is enough for a first look at the city’s layout. If you’re already staying in Tsim Sha Tsui, cross to Central to explore the side streets or have a meal, then plan your return separately.

You can ride without an Octopus card

Tap your Octopus card at the turnstile. If you’re using another payment method, buy a ticket from a self-service machine before entering. The machines list credit cards and supported electronic payments. Having a small amount of Hong Kong dollars on hand can help if payment is delayed. Seats aren’t reserved; board and sit wherever there’s an open seat.

Save your skyline views for after you get off

Cross around sunset to see the harbor while it is still light, then wait along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront for the lights to come on. Don’t count on seeing a particular show all the way through from the boat. After disembarking, find a spot around the Clock Tower or Cultural Centre. Add a walk all the way to the end of the Avenue of Stars only if you have the time and energy. If it’s very windy, skip the harbor walk and head indoors nearby.

How to fit it in

Central Pier 7 → regular Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui → views by the Clock Tower and Cultural Centre → meal or return to your hotel. Take the ferry in the opposite direction as part of a Hong Kong Island itinerary.

Reality check

Transport

The ferry connects Central Pier 7 and the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier. Allow extra walking time from Central Pier to Hong Kong or Central Station, and from Tsim Sha Tsui Pier to the MTR station.

Time

Allow 60–90 minutes for arriving at the pier, waiting, crossing the harbor, and taking a short walk after disembarking. Add 30 minutes around sunset.

Cost

One-way adult fares are HK$5 upper deck and HK$4 lower deck on weekdays, and HK$6.50 upper deck and HK$5.60 lower deck on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Pay twice for a round trip. Two adults taking a weekday upper-deck round trip pay HK$20.

Safety

Move when the crew signals that it is time to board or disembark. Stay seated until the ferry has docked; don’t stand on the upper deck or stairs. Keep your arms and body inside the ferry.

If plans change

If the ferry stops running or boarding is difficult

Enjoy the views and a meal on your side of the harbour. If you need to cross, check which MTR route is operating.

If it’s crowded during nighttime viewing

Don’t leave it until the last ferry; cross one or two sailings earlier. Instead of walking the entire promenade, enjoy the view near the pier.

Small tip

Central ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui are different routes. If you’re heading to Central, double-check the destination at the ticket gates before entering. If you want a view of the water, check the fare difference between the upper and lower decks on site.

Final check before departure

  • Choose Central Pier 7 or Tsim Sha Tsui Pier as your departure point.
  • Check the upper- and lower-deck fares and destination, then get your Octopus card or ticket-machine payment ready.
  • Leave time for the walk to the station separately from your meal or return to your hotel after disembarking.

These are the Central–Tsim Sha Tsui route details checked on 2026-10-03. Service frequency may change with marine traffic and weather. The Wan Chai route has a different schedule and deck setup.

Information checked: 2026-10-03

Google Maps

Check the location on the map

Use Google Maps to review the location and nearby route. Recheck opening hours and prices with the official source before visiting.

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