Getting Around Wong Tai Sin
Wong Tai Sin is a district and neighbourhood in Hong Kong named after the Taoist deity Wong Tai Sin, and it is home to the Wong Tai Sin Temple, which draws worshippers and tourists from around the world every day. The area also gives its name to an MTR station, which makes it easy to reach and easy to use as a base for exploring the rest of the city.
How Visitors Move Around the City
Hong Kong's public transport is dense, frequent and well integrated, so most visitors never need to drive. The main options are the MTR metro system, buses, trams on Hong Kong Island, and taxis. Fares are generally low, and you can pay per journey or use a stored-value travel card for convenience across multiple modes.
Rail and Metro
The MTR is the backbone of the network. It is a metro-style system with frequent trains and easy transfers between lines at interchange stations. Wong Tai Sin has its own MTR station, so the temple and the surrounding district are directly accessible by rail.
If you are coming from Central on Hong Kong Island, there is no direct train to Wong Tai Sin. The standard route is to take the Tsuen Wan Line from Central to Prince Edward, then transfer to the Kwun Tong Line to Wong Tai Sin. Trains run frequently, roughly every few minutes, and the whole trip takes around half an hour. Fares on this route are inexpensive.
For buying tickets, you can purchase single-journey tickets at station machines, or use a stored-value card that you tap on entry and exit. The MTR is operated by MTR Corporation, which also provides customer service if you need help planning a route.
Trams
Trams are a traditional way to travel on Hong Kong Island, offering a slow but scenic ride along the northern shore. They are not part of the journey to Wong Tai Sin, which is in Kowloon, but they are a pleasant option if you are spending time on the island side of the harbour.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Buses fill in the gaps where the metro does not go directly. Several bus routes connect Central and other parts of Hong Kong Island to Wong Tai Sin. Bus 111, operated by Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB), runs directly from Pottinger Street to Wong Tai Sin Police Station on Choi Hung Road, with services roughly every fifteen minutes. Bus 113, also KMB, runs from Douglas Street on Des Voeux Road Central to Lung Wai House, with less frequent service. Bus journeys take longer than the metro but can be a direct, sit-back option if you prefer not to transfer.
Fares on these buses are low, and you can pay with a stored-value card or exact change. Buses are a good fallback when you want a direct connection without changing lines.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful and metered. Hong Kong has three types: Urban Red taxis, New Territories Green taxis, and Lantau Blue taxis. For trips within Kowloon and to Wong Tai Sin, you will typically use an Urban Red taxi. A taxi from Central to Wong Tai Sin Temple is the fastest option, taking only around ten to fifteen minutes depending on traffic, and the fare is modest.
Ride-hailing apps are also available in Hong Kong, though taxis remain the most common on-demand option. If you are in a hurry or carrying shopping, a taxi is a convenient choice.
Walkability
Wong Tai Sin itself is compact and walkable around the temple and the MTR station. The station exits put you within easy walking distance of the temple and nearby streets. For longer hops within the district, walking combined with the MTR or a short taxi ride works well. Outside the immediate area, Hong Kong's districts are connected by the transport network rather than by long walks, so plan to use the metro or buses for cross-city trips.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Hong Kong International Airport is connected to the city by the MTR's Airport Express, which is the quickest rail link into central areas. You can also take regular buses from the airport, or a taxi. For Wong Tai Sin, the simplest rail approach is to take the Airport Express into the city and then transfer to the MTR lines that serve Wong Tai Sin, or take a taxi directly to your accommodation. If you are using a stored-value card, it works on the Airport Express and on the regular MTR network, though the Airport Express is priced separately from ordinary metro journeys.
Practical Tips
- Use the MTR for the fastest, most predictable trips; trains are frequent and fares are low.
- From Central, take the Tsuen Wan Line to Prince Edward and transfer to the Kwun Tong Line for Wong Tai Sin.
- Bus 111 offers a direct, inexpensive alternative from Central to Wong Tai Sin Police Station.
- Taxis are metered and quick; Urban Red taxis serve Kowloon and Wong Tai Sin.
- A stored-value travel card is the easiest way to pay across the MTR, buses and other transport.
- The Airport Express is the fastest rail link from the airport into the city; buses and taxis are also available.
- Wong Tai Sin Temple and the MTR station are close together, so the area is easy to explore on foot.