Hello, I’m Mike Wang, a China travel expert with over 20 years of experience. During these two decades, I’ve traveled extensively around the world. I have a particular passion for exploring the history, culture, and in-depth experiences of different places. Today, I’ll take you through the Big Bus Hong Kong sightseeing tour in China—a easy way to explore the city’s top spots. It mixes flexible routes with informative guides, letting you see Victoria Harbour, M+ Museum, and more at your own pace. Here’s your go-to guide for this great trip.
Introduction
The Big Bus Hong Kong tour is a convenient hop-on hop-off sightseeing service in China that lets you explore the city’s top attractions from an open-top double-decker bus. It offers multiple routes covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and Stanley, with informative audio commentary in 12 languages.
The service includes 3 main routes (Red, Blue, Green) visiting over 30 stops including Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, Temple Street Night Market, and Aberdeen. Tickets are valid for 24-48 hours and include complimentary boat rides and walking tours. It’s the perfect way for visitors to see Hong Kong’s famous skyline, harbors, and cultural sites at their own pace while learning about the city’s history and culture through engaging commentary.
Tickets & Opening Hours
Opening Hours
Big Bus Hong Kong, a top sightseeing choice in China, operates different hours for day and night routes:
- Day routes (Red: Hong Kong Island; Blue: Kowloon; Green: Stanley): 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (Red/Blue); 10:30 AM–4:30 PM (Green) . Buses run every 60 minutes.
- Night route (Kowloon): Departs at 7:00 PM daily, with additional 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM slots for Hong Kong Island night tours . Each tour lasts 1–2 hours.
Ticket Purchase & Payment
- Online: Book via official website, Klook, or Ctrip. Enjoy discounts (up to HK$166 off packages) . Pay with credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), Alipay, WeChat Pay, or HKD transfers. Get a digital ticket (no need to print) .
- On-site: Buy at kiosks (Central Pier 7, Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier) or mobile carts (Avenue of Stars). Accept cash (HKD), credit cards, Octopus Card, Alipay, and WeChat Pay .
- Prices & Packages:
- 1-day day-tour (single route + Star Ferry single trip): ~HK$290 (adult), ~HK$250 (child 3–11) .
- 2-day combo (all day routes + Star Ferry + 1 of 3 extras: Peak Tram/Water Taxi): ~HK$540 (adult), ~HK$500 (child) .
- Night tour: ~HK$170–212 per person .
- Free entry: Children under 3 (with adult) .
Transportation
You can start the tour from any of the 20+ stops across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Key stops and access:
- Central Pier 7 (Red/Green Route start):
- By MTR: Take Island Line to Central Station (Exit A), walk 10 minutes.
- By Star Ferry: Take ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central, arrive directly at the pier.
- Avenue of Stars (Blue Route start):
- By MTR: Take Tsuen Wan Line to Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Exit E), walk 8 minutes.
- By Bus: Take 1, 2, or 6 to “Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier” stop.
- All stops: Taxis work for any stop—tell the driver the stop name (e.g., “Central Pier 7”) and expect HK$50–100 from most areas .
How to Buy Bus Tickets
- No extra transport tickets needed for the tour—your Big Bus ticket covers all rides on the route(s) you choose.
- For connecting transport (e.g., MTR to stops), use Octopus Card (rechargeable card for Hong Kong transport) or buy single tickets at MTR stations/bus stops.
Experience & Activities
Night Tour (Booking Recommended)
- Book online via Klook or the official website 1–2 days in advance (popular on weekends).
- Or buy on-site at the Tsim Sha Tsui information centre (1st floor, Star Ferry Pier) from 9:30 AM . The tour ends at Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for the “Symphony of Lights” show .
Combo Activities (Pre-book Required)
Packages with Peak Tram or boat tours need advance booking:
- Book via GetYourGuide or Klook when buying your Big Bus ticket.
- You’ll get separate vouchers for Peak Tram/boat—redeem at their counters with your Big Bus ticket .
Practical Tips & Etiquette
- Seat Choice: Upper open deck has the best views—avoid noon (hot sun) and bring sunscreen/hat . If it rains, the upper deck closes; move to the air-conditioned lower deck.
- Voice & Behavior: Speak softly on the bus—loud noise disturbs others’ audio guide experience. No eating/drinking on board (keep it clean).
- Audio Guide: Ask staff for free headphones at any stop. Choose from 10+ languages (English, Mandarin, Japanese, etc.) to learn about landmarks .
- Ticket Validity: Starts when you first scan to board, not the purchase date. 1-day ticket expires 24 hours later, 2-day ticket expires 48 hours later .
- Weather Check: Cancel or reschedule (24-hour advance notice for full refund) if there’s a typhoon or heavy rain.
Food
- Lan Fong Yuen (Near Central Pier 7): 8-minute walk. Classic “cha chaan teng” with milk tea (HK$20) and pineapple buns (HK$18).
- Tim Ho Wan (Near Avenue of Stars): 5-minute walk. Famous dim sum (shrimp dumplings: HK$45; pork buns: HK$38).
- Temple Street Night Market Food Stalls (Near Blue Route Temple Street Stop): 2-minute walk. Try fish balls (HK$10) and egg waffles (HK$15)—open 6:00 PM–midnight.
- The Cheesecake Factory (Near Causeway Bay Red Route Stop): 3-minute walk from Sogo stop. Western food (pasta: HK$80; cheesecake: HK$65).
Q&A
Q: Can I use the ticket on multiple routes?
A: Yes—combo tickets (1-day multi-route or 2-day) cover Red, Blue, Green, and night routes. Single-route tickets only cover one .
Q: Is the bus wheelchair-accessible?
A: Most buses have wheelchair ramps. Call the hotline (+852 2723 2108) 1 day in advance to confirm the accessible bus schedule .
Q: Do I need to reserve seats for the tour?
A: No—seats are first-come, first-served. Arrive 5 minutes early at stops during peak hours (weekends, holidays) .
Q: Can I get a refund if I change my mind?
A: Online tickets: Full refund if canceled 24+ hours before first use. On-site tickets: Non-refundable unless the tour is canceled due to bad weather .
Q: Does the ticket include entry to attractions like M+ Museum?
A: No—the ticket only covers bus rides and included extras (e.g., Star Ferry). You need separate tickets for museums/attractions .
Mike Wang
Mike Wang is a 40-something Chinese travel expert, has explored the world,
hosting numerous foreign visitors. He’s deeply interested in and knowledgeable
about ancient cultural architectures, enriching journeys with his insights.