Hong Kong taxis are metered on a government tariff, so you know how the fare is built. So when does a private transfer make sense? Here is the breakdown.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Taxi | Private Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to Central | Metered on the government tariff, plus tolls and luggage | Fixed price, quoted before you book |
| Booking | Not needed | Required |
| Meet & greet | No, you take a taxi from the stand | If included in your booking (driver in arrivals) |
| Vehicle | Standard taxi | Sedan, MPV, or larger on request |
| Luggage | HK$6 per piece | Specified in advance |
| Child seats | Not available | On request |
| Payment | Meter; drivers must offer at least two e-payment means since 1 April 2026 | Pre-paid |
Fixed-price private transfer
HKG Hong Kong City Center
From€68for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €84 per vehicle, about €21 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
Hong Kong taxis
The tariff is set by the Transport Department: HK$29 for the first 2 km, then HK$2.1 per 200 m, dropping to HK$1.4 once the fare passes HK$102.5 (effective 14 July 2024). Luggage is HK$6 per piece. A harbour crossing adds a HK$25 toll plus a HK$25 return toll, unless you board at a cross-harbour taxi stand or end on the same side of the harbour. The meter is the authority and tariffs are revised from time to time.
Taxi colours matter: red urban taxis cover most of Hong Kong, green New Territories taxis serve mainly the north-east and north-west New Territories, and blue Lantau taxis serve Lantau Island and the airport island only. All taxis may serve the airport passenger terminals. From the airport you will normally want a red taxi unless you are staying on Lantau.
Have your hotel name and address written in Chinese characters (a screenshot works) to show the driver.
When a taxi suits you
- You are going to a standard destination and want to leave immediately without booking
- You are a group of 3-4 sharing one fare: compare the meter tariff above with the Airport Express group ticket (from Hong Kong Station HK$230 for 3, HK$280 for 4)
- You are going somewhere not near an Airport Express station
When a transfer is worth it
- Child car seats needed: taxis do not carry them
- Large family or group: book an MPV in advance
- Lots of luggage: you can specify the vehicle size
- Fixed price wanted: the price is shown before you book, so you can compare it against the tariff above
- A specific address: the driver already has your hotel details
Do not forget the Airport Express
For Central and Kowloon, the Airport Express at HK$120 with an Octopus card takes 24 minutes to the city centre, with trains every 10 minutes. Taxis and transfers earn their place when you are going somewhere not near a station, have too much luggage for the train, are travelling with small children, or arrive after the last train.
Sources (checked 2026-10-17)
- Urban taxi tariff (HK$29 first 2 km, HK$2.1 per 200 m, HK$1.4 after HK$102.5, HK$6 per bag, harbour crossing tolls and return toll): https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/taxi_fare_of_hong_kong/index.html
- Taxi colours and operating areas, e-payment rule from 1 April 2026: https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/index.html
- Airport Express fares (Octopus, single journey ticket, round trip, child), children under 3 free: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/tf_index.html
- Airport Express 24 minutes to the city centre, free in-town check-in, hotel shuttle service listed: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/airport_express_index.html
- Airport Express runs every 10 minutes: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/train_service_index.html
- Airport Express group tickets (2 to 4 people): https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/promotions_4persons.html
When a private transfer from HKG is the right choice
- You want the price settled before you land: fixed, confirmed in writing, no meter, no night or luggage surcharge at the kerb.
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Hong Kong City Center is from €84, about €21 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Flight delays: the driver follows your flight number; 60 minutes of waiting are included, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before pickup.
HKG → Hong Kong City Center from €68Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Hong Kong taxis accept credit cards?
From 1 April 2026 taxi drivers must offer at least two e-payment means, including one QR code option and one non-QR code option, and may display stickers showing which they accept. Carry some cash in HKD as a backup.
Why are there different colored taxis in Hong Kong?
Red taxis serve most of Hong Kong including Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Green taxis serve mainly the north-eastern and north-western New Territories. Blue taxis serve Lantau Island and the airport island only. From the airport you will almost always want a red taxi unless staying on Lantau.
Is there a time-of-day surcharge on Hong Kong taxis?
The Transport Department tariff lists the flagfall, the per-200 m increments, luggage, telephone booking (HK$5) and tolls; it does not list a night surcharge. The meter is the authority.