How to take Red Mini Buses
Karen Chan
A Beginner’s Guide to Red Minibuses in Hong Kong
Love them or fear them, red minibuses – more formally known as ‘Public Light Bus (Non-scheduled) Service’ – are probably the most flexible and convenient way of getting around the city.
Certainly, they’re not the most tourist-friendly mode of transportation. Most minibus drivers are notorious for their bad temper, and usually know very basic English. Unlike buses, minibuses can also stop wherever they like on the streets (as long as it’s legal), which means you have to know the route pretty well in advance in order to signal to the driver to stop.
So if you’re up for a challenge, here are six popular routes between common tourist spots:
From Central to Mongkok
An overnight minibus service departing from Lan Kwai Fong, this route is a godsend for party animals staying out until the wee hours of the night.
Starting point: Lan Kwai Fong (On the corner of Queen’s Road Central and D’Aguilar Street)
End point: Langham Place
Key Stops: Pottinger Street, Harcourt Road, Gloucester Road, Diocesan Girls’ School, Sino Centre, Grand Plaza
Operating Hours:
23:55 – 6:00 (Including Sundays and Public Holidays)
Fares:
From Central to Mongkok
$15 (Mondays to Fridays, excluding Public Holidays)
$20 (Weekends and Public Holidays)
From Cross-Harbour Tunnel to Mongkok $7
From Causeway Bay to Sai Kung
Heading for a day out in the countryside? Take this route for a quick and easy ride to Sai Kung Pier.
Starting Point: Times Square (Corner of Canal Road and Tang Lung Street)
End Point: Sai Kung Pier Public Minibus Terminus
Key Stops: Choi Hung MTR Station, Clearwater Bay Road, Nam Pin Wai, Marina Cove, Pak Sha Wan, Lakeside Garden, Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall
Operating Hours:
18:00 – 01:00 (Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays)
18:00 – 01:30 (Fridays, Saturdays and Public Holidays)
Fares:
From Causeway Bay to Sai Kung $23
From Causeway Bay to Shun Lee Disciplined Services Quarters $17
From Tseng Lan Shue to Sai Kung $4.5
From Shek O to Mongkok
Operating only on weekends, this overnight route will quickly whisk you from the bustling streets of Mongkok to the serene beaches of Shek O.
Starting Point: Shek O Beach
End Point: Langham Place
Key Stops: Shek O Bus Terminus, Shek O Police Station, Cape Collinson, Shau Kei Wan MTR Station, Sai Wan Ho MTR Station, Taikoo Place, Fortress Hill MTR Station, Sino Centre, Grand Plaza
Operating Hours:
From 0:00 onwards (Weekends and Public Holidays only)
Fares:
From Shek O to Mongkok $21
From Shek O to Shau Kei Wan $10
From Shau Kei Wan to Mongkok $11
From Wanchai to Mongkok
Missed the last train and don’t want to fork out for a taxi? This overnight route is perfect for you.
Starting Point: Corner of Hennessy Road and Tin Lok Lane
End Point: Pioneer Centre
Key Stops: Lockhart Road, Gloucester Road, Diocesan Girls’ School, Dundas Street, Shan Dong Street, HSBC Building Mong Kok, Mong Kok Road
Operating Hours:
0:00 — 6:00
Fares:
From Wanchai to Mongkok $12
From the Cross Harbour Tunnel to Mongkok $6
From Sai Wan to Mongkok
Get across the harbour in a flash with this super-fast minibus route.
Starting Point: Corner of North Street and Catchick Street
End Point: Pioneer Centre
Key Stops: Kwong Wah Hospital, Yin Chong Street, Soy Street, Shantung Street, Macpherson Playground
Operating Hours:
06:30 – 01:00 (Mondays to Saturdays)
07:00 – 01:00 (Sundays and Public Holidays)
Fares:
From Sai Wan to Mongkok $14
From Western Harbour Tunnel onwards to Mongkok $7
From Aberdeen to Central
The southern side of Hong Kong Island may seem inaccessible, but this route is a quick and direct way to get to Central.
Starting Point: Aberdeen Centre
End Point: Exchange Square
Key Stops: Pokfulam Road, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfield Road, Centre Street, Shun Tak Centre, Connaught Place
Operating Hours:
07:00 – 24:00 (All Days)
Fares:
From Aberdeen to Central $8
From Pokfulam Road to Central $5
Karen Chan is a local English copywriter who churns out social posts and taglines for a living. Inspired by her fellow copywriter, she has discovered the joy of working out, and is currently on a quest to live as healthily as her sweet tooth allows. In her spare time, she also loves trying new cafés and restaurants around the city.