Hong Kong MTR: A guide to travelling around the city

If you're new to the city, the MTR map might be a tad overwhelming to look at. There are nine MTR lines that will get you to various neighbourhoods in the city – Island Line (blue), Tsuen Wan Line (red), Kwun Tong Line (green), East Rail Line (light blue), Tseung Kwan O Line (purple), South Island Line (lime), Tuen Ma Line (brown), Tung Chung Line (orange), and Disneyland Resort Line (pink) – along with four other transit lines that indicate the Airport Express, Light Rail, High-Speed Rail, and Shenzhen metro network stations in Hong Kong.

Check out the latest Hong Kong MTR map below:

Photograph: Courtesy mtr.com.hk

If you're visiting Hong Kong for a short period, there are two ticket options you can consider. You can buy a Single Journey Ticket, which allows you one ride to a pre-selected station on the day of purchase; or go for a Tourist Day Pass, which grants you unlimited travel for 24 hours. 

Every station has ticket machines for you to purchase Single Journey Tickets, while the Tourist Day Pass can be purchased at Customer Service Centres within MTR stations or online.

For those who frequent Hong Kong or prefer slightly cheaper fares, the Octopus card is a convenient option. You can obtain an Octopus card from Customer Service Centres and top it up whenever needed. Numerous Octopus service providers, including 7-Eleven, McDonald’s, and Starbucks, offer top-up services for your convenience.

Stations with connecting circles on the MTR map are where you can interchange between different lines on separate platforms without any additional fees, except for those linked with a dotted line and the Airport Express. To ensure you're heading in the right direction, always check the signs on each platform, which indicate the direction of where the train is going as well as upcoming stations.

Since all the lines are connected one way or the other, there are often multiple routes to reach a particular destination. To find the one that suits you best, use the trip planner on MTR website or MTR Mobile app.

Most MTR stations have multiple exits, so it's important to check which ones are closest and most convenient for reaching your destination. Keep an eye out for signboards indicating notable buildings and locations accessible from each exit. Additionally, you'll typically find a map of the station and its surroundings highlighting where each exit leads. If you're unsure which exit to take, check Google Maps to identify your nearest exit, use the MTR mobile app for guidance, or simply ask for assistance at the Customer Service Centres located in the stations. needs.

In general, the larger the MTR station, the more shops you're likely to find – ranging from food and snacks to accessories and beauty products. However, do note that eating or drinking is not allowed on trains and platforms.

MTR stations also offer 15 minutes of free Wi-Fi service, where each device can connect to the 'MTR Free Wi-Fi' network for up to five sessions per day.