Transport and Communications

• International transport
• Transport within Hong Kong
• Telecommunications
• Postal Service

Location, location, location! Hong Kong is not only sitting at the door of the world's biggest latent market as it develops, it is within 5 hours flying time of half the world's population. Hong Kong 's connectivity is maintained as second to none, so the city fully capitalises on its physical location through its roles in supply chains, and as a service centre and tourism hotspot.

For more details about the superlatives of Hong Kong 's transportation sector, click here

Air Transport

The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is consistently ranked as one of, if not the top airport in the world. Based at Chek Lap Kok, on the island of Lantau, it is also one of the most convenient city airports, being a 3 stop-35km-23 minute train journey away from the heart of the city on the Airport Express.

Over 75 scheduled airlines fly from Chek Lap Kok (airport abbreviation HKG), providing over 5,000 flights per week to some 140 locations. This includes a non-stop service between the east coast of US and Hong Kong - the New York-Hong Kong flight is one of the longest commercial routes in the world and has a scheduled flying time of just under 16 hours!

Hong Kong's flagship people carrier is Cathay Pacific (flight prefix CX), which has a comprehensive regional and international service.

Budget airlines are a relatively new phenomenon in Asia, and to date only a few have incorporated Hong Kong in their flight schedules.

Flying in Asia is particularly cheap the further in advance you book and if you travel in off peak season. It is possible to provisionally book tickets and then decide nearer the time whether you require the flights. Flights around peak times, like around general holidays, get fully booked well in advance. Organisation and forward planning is key!

In terms of cargo, HKIA is also one of the busiest airlines in the world in terms of international air cargo. Furthermore, there are plans to triple the annual cargo capacity to 9 million tonnes.

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Hong Kong International Airport

Cathay Pacific

Dragon Air

Sea Transport

In the past few years Hong Kong has more often than not been the busiest port in the world. The volume of ocean-going and river vessel traffic in Hong Kong is huge, with one arrival or departure almost every minute.

This affords those who need to ship items great efficiency, flexibility and economies of scale. For example, given the volume handled by Hong Kong and the vast range of destinations served expensive partial container shipments are seldom an issue.

There are currently nine fully operational container terminals. Further expansion plans are in the pipeline.

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Besides direct flights between Hong Kong and some 40 cities in the Mainland, there are several daily through trains to and from various commercial centres just over the border (like Guangzhou and Dongguan and Foshan) and further afield like Shanghai and Beijing.

Hong Kong's flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, is associated with Dragonair (flight prefix KA), an airline serving many destinations in China and Asia. There are several other airlines serving China, with varying levels of tailoring for the overseas business executive.

Road connections between Hong Kong and the rest of southern China are improving with the development of new roads like the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Superhighway. It currently takes three hours to drive from hong Kong to Guangzhou, although this will shorten considerably once the planned Hong Kong - Zhuhai -Macau Bridge is complete (construction is due to start in 2006).

There are frequent scheduled ferry services and cruise liners between Hong Kong and cities in the Mainland, both those up the Pearl River (like Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shekou) and those along the coast, like Xiamen and Shanghai.

Transport within Hong Kong is easy and affordable. Schedules are generally frequent, punctual and reliable. And like the Star Ferry, Peak Tram and trams on Hong Kong island, when they are not super fast, they are full of charm and elegance- a throw back to years gone by.

Train

The principal and largely underground commuter train is the Mass Transit Railway or so-called MTR . There are six lines, one of which only serves Hong Kong Island and has several tunnel connections underneath the harbour to Kowloon and beyond, to the New Territories and Lantau.

The MTR line that serves the airport is the Airport Express. It is a high speed 35km and 3 stop service from the airport on Lantau to the heart of Hong Kong Island 's business district that takes 23 minutes. A businessman's dream! It is not uncommon for individuals to be at home within 90 minutes of touchdown!

To access the border with Mainland China , you need to take the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR). Cutting through from its north and south extremeties at the border and harbour, this line also serves commuters who live in more remote Hong Kong .

Tram

Hong Kong has two tram systems:

• The world famous, and over 100 year old Peak Tram - a funicular railway that goes up to near the top of Victoria Peak .

• A network of electric trams that serve various routes on Hong Kong Island .

Ferries

Hong Kong has a full timetable of boats serving many of its over 200 islands. Not to forget its timeless classic, tourist favourite and Hong Kong icon, the Star Ferry.

Road

Hong Kong boasts some 2,000 km of roads. Many taxis, buses and light buses operate good value journeys on these routes so that no corner of Hong Kong is ever inaccessible or too expensive to reach.

Hong Kong 's telecommunications infrastructure is one of the most technically advanced in the world. Facilities and services have great reach and take up rates. For example virtually all commercial buildings and households can have broadband coverage.

Hong Kong is Asia 's regional telecommunications hub due to a fully liberalised and open market plus effective regulatory regime resulting in real choices for users and consumers with competitive prices for top quality services.

For more about the superlatives of Hong Kong 's telecommunications sector, click here .

Local network

The local fixed telephone network in Hong Kong is completely digitalised. There are five companies operating (telecom operators offering) local telephone services: PCCW HKT Limited, Hutchison Global Communications Limited, Wharf T&T Hong Kong Limited, New World Telecommunications Limited and Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited. Three of these local operators offering triple-play services of telephony, broadband Internet accesss (up to 10 Mbit / sec) and IP TV services at very affordable costs.

Telecommunications connections can be installed in less than a week and there is a one off installation fee. All local business and residential fixed services are based on flat rates per month. Mandatory number portability for both mobile and fixed services enables users to feely switch service providers.

Dialling overseas

The international direct dial service in Hong Kong is among the most economical in the world.

IDD service now connects Hong Kong to more than 230 countries around the world and over 1,300 cities in the Mainland China.

With the liberalisation of the IDD service market, international calls have become even cheaper in Hong Kong . To make a call to the US , the charge is less than HK$1 per minute!

Mobiles

Three of the four 3G licensees have already launched services and the costs of service plans are quite affordable due to the competitive environment in Hong Kong .

There are more mobile phone subscriptions in Hong Kong , than there are people! In is very much the norm for all adults and even older children to have some form of mobile communication.

Hong Kongers are early adopters for the latest models in handsets and services. All consumers are therefore spoiled for choice.

Other telecommunication services such as paging and value-added network services are provided by a number of operators at competitive prices.

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