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Hong Kong > Public Transport > Taxi
There are so many taxis in Hong Kong that tourists sooner or later start to suspect that red Toyotas are planning to take over world supremacy and are therefore furtively breeding somewhere. Especially towards evening or during the night, it may happen that every vehicle in the street is either (i) a taxi or (ii) some sort of public bus.
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Taxi town Hong Kong |
Fare: Taking a taxi is comparatively cheap. There is an initial charge of HK$ 15 for the first 2 kilometers. After these, the meter will add a charge of HK$ 1.20 for every 0.2 kilometers. Additional charges are due for luggage, and bridge and tunnel tolls. The fares and regulations regarding taxi service are usually displayed on information stickers within the taxi. By law, passengers are required to wear a seat belt.
Tipping: It is suggested that you round up the fare to the next HK$. Change is given.
Service Level: Generally, the service is very good. Passengers may feel secure, although taxi drivers make full use of the speed limit whenever possible, and, owing to the traffic congestion, are quite pushy when changing lanes.
Language Skills & Map-Reading Ability: While many Hong Kong citizens speak excellent English, do not expect such skills from taxi drivers. It is a good idea to ask your hotel staff to write down the Chinese place name for you so that you can show it to the taxi driver. By the way: Experience will teach you that it is usually a very bad idea to show an Asian person a desired destination on a map (unless it really is the name of the place or unless you have lots and lots of time). This may originate in a natural difference between the Asian and the Western mindset.
General Safety Tip: Should you ever feel dubious about taking a taxi for whatever reason anywhere in the world, it is always a good strategy to write down the taxi's license number before boarding. Use your common sense to assess the situation and to decide whether to do this furtively or in plain sight of the driver. The city of Macau, e.g., recommends this as a general precaution to all its visitors.