Star Ferry crowds.
On my most recent visit to HK I wanted to take the Star Ferry to Kowloon but gave up after I saw the massive queue. It seemed more a tourist attraction than a practical commute.
This was however n a Saturday evening around 7PM.
How crowded should i expect the ferry to be on a weekday, especially during the day?
Thanks for any insights you may be able to share.
The Star Ferry in Hong Kong is both a practical mode of transport and a popular tourist experience. Crowds can vary significantly depending on the day, time, and purpose of travel.
Weekday daytime travel is generally much less crowded than weekends and evenings. Most commuters use the ferry during peak hours in the morning (7:30–9:30 AM) and evening (5:30–7:30 PM), but even then, the lines are usually shorter than on weekends.
Here are some points to consider:
- Morning and early afternoon (10 AM – 4 PM): The ferry is typically quite empty, with plenty of seating both inside and on the upper deck. This is an ideal time for a leisurely ride and photos.
- Weekday peak hours: The ferry can get moderately busy, especially on the Kowloon to Central route, but queues are usually manageable. Unlike weekends, you rarely need to wait more than one or two ferry departures.
- Evenings and weekends: As you experienced, Saturday evenings see the highest tourist crowds. Queues can be long, and the upper deck for sightseeing may fill quickly.
Tips:
- Check the ferry schedule online; departures are frequent, typically every 10–15 minutes for the main routes.
- For minimal crowds and a more relaxed experience, aim for late morning or early afternoon on weekdays.
- Consider taking the ferry from the less tourist-heavy terminals (e.g., Tsim Sha Tsui pier versus Central), which can slightly reduce waiting times.
In summary, on a typical weekday during daytime, you can expect light to moderate crowds, making it a comfortable and convenient way to cross Victoria Harbour without the stress of long tourist queues.
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