The Hong Kong Tram (Ding Ding): Routes, Fares and How to Ride
Double-decker trams have rolled along Hong Kong Island since 1904. Where they go, what they cost and how to pay.
At a glance
- Where: along the north shore of Hong Kong Island, between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, with a loop around Happy Valley.
- Adult fare: HK$3.30 a ride, however far you go.
- Pay: when you get off, at the front exit, by Octopus, e-payment or exact cash.
- Hours: the earliest trams leave at 05:00 and the last around midnight; one route runs until 00:45.
Fares and times from Hong Kong Tramways and the Transport Department, checked on 28 October 2026.
What is the ding ding?
Hong Kong's trams have run on Hong Kong Island since 1904; regular service began on 30 July that year. The Transport Department says the company's 165 passenger trams make up the world's largest double-decker tram fleet in service, and they carried about 138,000 passenger trips a day in 2025.
Locals call the tram the ding ding. The nickname comes from the double ring of the bell that trams use to warn people on the road.
Routes
The line runs on about 13 km of double track along the north of the Island, plus about 3 km of single track around Happy Valley. Hong Kong Tramways runs six main routes:
- Kennedy Town ↔ Shau Kei Wan
- Kennedy Town ↔ Happy Valley
- Western Market ↔ Shau Kei Wan
- Happy Valley ↔ Shau Kei Wan
- Shek Tong Tsui ↔ North Point
- Shek Tong Tsui ↔ Causeway Bay
Check the sign on the front of the tram before you board, because trams on different routes share the same track.
Fares
| Passenger | Fare (HK$) |
|---|---|
| Adult (12 and over) | 3.30 |
| Child (3 to 11) | 1.60 |
| Senior (65 and over) | 1.50 |
These fares took effect on 12 May 2025. A monthly ticket costs HK$260, though most visitors simply pay per ride.
How to ride and pay
- Pay as you leave. You pay when you get off, at the front exit of the tram.
- Octopus or e-payment. Hong Kong Tramways accepts Octopus cards, credit cards, mobile payments and QR codes. See our Octopus guide.
- Cash: drop it in the coin box. No change is given, so carry the exact fare.
- Sit upstairs for the view down onto the street.
Food stops along the line
- Central: step off for Graham Street Market, one of Hong Kong's oldest street markets, which climbs from Queen's Road Central to Hollywood Road.
- Wan Chai: the trams once crossed the old Bowrington Bridge over the "goose neck" canal. Read the story, and visit the market and cooked food centre named after it, in our Bowrington Road Market guide.
- Anywhere on the line: look for a cha chaan teng for milk tea and a set meal.
Crossing to Kowloon after your ride? Take the Star Ferry from Central or Wan Chai.
Part of our Hong Kong guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Hong Kong tram?
HK$3.30 for adults, HK$1.60 for children aged 3 to 11 and HK$1.50 for people aged 65 and over, whatever the distance. The fares took effect on 12 May 2025.
Why is it called ding ding?
The nickname copies the double ring of the bell that trams sound to warn people on the road.
Where does the Hong Kong tram go?
Along the north side of Hong Kong Island, between Kennedy Town in the west and Shau Kei Wan in the east, with a loop around Happy Valley. There are six main routes.
Can I use Octopus on the tram?
Yes. Tap your Octopus when you get off at the front exit. Hong Kong Tramways also takes credit cards, mobile payments, QR codes and exact cash.
- Hong Kong Tramways, Schedules and Fares: https://www.hktramways.com/en/schedules-fares
- Transport Department, Tram: https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/tram/index.html
- HKSAR Government press release, tram fare increase from 12 May 2025: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202504/08/P2025040800291.htm
- Wikipedia, Hong Kong Tramways (history and the ding ding name): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Tramways
All checked 28 October 2026. Facts were taken from these sources and written in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.