The Peak Tram is on the top list of almost every visitor to Hong Kong. If one says the Victoria Peak, or the Peak, is one of the most visited, popular and photographed sights in Hong Kong, then Hong Kong Peak Tram is a must-experience and fun way to go up to the Peak (it’s the fastest and oldest way too).
As one of the three remaining historical public transport in Hong Kong, the Peak Tram is undoubtedly the best way going up to and returning from Victoria Peak. Passengers can enjoy the great views along the ride and its unique riding experience. It is also the fastest way to reach the Peak, especially important for those layover visitors and those with limited time. Take it and feel how it was 135 years ago traveling to the Peak by this engineering masterpiece.
As one of the most visited attractions, the Peak Tram can end up with very long waiting lines. Try to avoid weekends and holidays if possible. Otherwise, it’s better to get there earlier in the morning or late at night.
All you need to know about Peak Tram
- Peak Tram – the best and fastest way to the Peak
- Ticket prices,discounts, fast lane and where to buy tickets?
- Opening hours of Peak Tram
- The best time to visit Peak Tram to avoid crowds?
- Two Peak Tram Terminus – Where are they?
- How to get to Peak Tram Terminus?
- The Entertainment Zones
- General Info (contact info, official link)
- Inside Tips (Best seats, Stations inbetween, Fun facts, Other tips)
Why choose the historical Peak Tram
– the best and fastest way to Victoria Peak with style
Peak Tram is not the only way getting up to the Peak. However, it is definitely the best. Not only because of the great city view, the fastest way to the Peak, but also due to its long history and the remarkable riding experience as extra bonus.
Facts about Hong Kong Peak Tram:
- Hong Kong’s oldest form of public transport (135-year old);
- Fastest way travelling to Victoria Peak;
- Manage 370-meter height difference and 1.35 km distance;
- Slope is at 4-25.7 degree to vertical;
- 210 passengers each ride: 167 seated and 43 standing;
- Keep to the origin design;
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The fastest way to Victoria Peak – Only 8 minute ride
There are many ways for going up to the Victoria Peak: bus, minibus, taxi and of course the Peak Tram. The Peak Tram ride itself takes only 7- 8 minutes each way conquering about 370-meter height differences while buses need at least one hour along the winding hill roads. Be prepared that the 1.4km journey is quite steep and a truly unique experience.
Let’s do some comparison of different transportation on travelling to the Peak:
- Time for Peak Tram: 7- 8 minutes; Every 15-20 min a tram;
- Time for Bus and Minibus: 50-60 minutes (traffic dependent); Every 10 – 20 min a bus;
- Time for Taxi: 30-40 minutes (traffic dependent);
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Great views and visual illusion along the ride
The remarkable and astonishing views from the ride is another reason that you should not miss this experience. The Peak Tram ride offers spectacular panoramic views of Hong Kong.
On the journey, you will travel between Hong Kong’s majestic skyscrapers and sometimes can get a glimpse of the local people’s living room. Further up the way, views of Victoria Harbour as well as the condensed skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island side will be gradually unfolded.
Moreover, when travelling up and down, passengers will experience a visual illusion and feel all the skyscrapers along the way being tilted and falling toward the Peak.
Did You Know
Where are the best seats on Peak Tram?
Although you can enjoy spectacular views from any side of the tramcar, the best seat is on the right when going up and on the left when coming down. This will ensure you to the breathtaking views with the best angle to take photos or videos.
If you cannot get a seat on the correct side, just wait another one. Every 15 minutes will have one tram. It worths waiting.
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Exciting riding experience
Peak Tram is actually a funicular railway with a cable dragging the compartment up and down. It manages a height difference of 400m and the whole journey will be like a slow motion roller coaster.
Most of the seats or wooden benches just faces one direction to prevent passengers from rolling down. Be prepared that due to the steepness, you will be pressed into the wooden benches.
If possible, get a comfortable seat because the 1.4km journey can be quite steep. In case you have to stand (which I don’t recommend at all), hanging on to the rails and/or handlebars.
Did You Know
Can you get on and off in-between?
As one of the public transportation, Peak Tram will pass four intermediate stations before arrival at the Upper Terminus inside the Peak Tower. They are Kennedy Road, Macdonnell Road, May Road and Barker Road (from lower to higher station).
Simply press the buttons to signal the conductor if you need to get off in-between, you. Station names will show on the LCD screen right top of each compartment.
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The historical and oldest transportation system since 1888
The Peak Tram is the existing oldest transportation in Hong Kong since May 30th 1888 as the first cable funicular in Asia. It connects the today’s Central district with a direct route to the Peak Tower.
If you have already checked out The Peak, you should know that the Peak served (and still serves today) as an exclusive residential area for expatriates and affluent residents due to security, great views as well as its cooling effect during the humid months.
Before the Peak Tram started its operation, the access to the residential area was very limited. Reaching the Peak depended on a team of coolies carrying the sedan chairs. As you can imagine, the paths were steep and quite exhausting. Traveling to and from the Peak was neither fast nor convenient. The increasing popularity on the Peak made it necessary to find an alternative way. When Hong Kong’s Governor Des Voeux unveiled the Peak Tram, this was a sensation and represented an engineering height back at that time.
Hong Kong’s British Governors used to travel between Government House and their summer residence on the Peak called the Mountain Lodge. The Peak Tram management had to keep a special seat with an inscription bearing the words “This seat is reserved for his Excellency, The Governor” just in case the Governor would show up unexpectedly. Anyhow, you can enjoy and experience the historical flair of the ride the same way as the Hong Kong Governor did.
Did You Know
Info for movie fans
Some unique information for all of you who love movies and TV soap operas: the Peak Tram has been features in such famous movies such as “Soldier of Fortune” (starring Clark Gable in the 1950s) as well as in the popular soap opera “Love Boat”.
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The new 6th generation Peak Tram
After 16-month upgrading project, the brand-new designed Peak Tram starts to serve since August 2022. The new tramcar also has two compartments and is much longer than the last generation. Each ride can carry 210 passengers each ride instead of only 120 passenger before. It may shorten the waiting time in the busy hours.
The 6th generation Peak Tram is in green color as the 3rd and 4th generation. With a glass ceiling, the light inside is not as dim as before, which is much better for selfies on board.
In case you wonder why there are pictures online with the red Peak Tram, it is the 5th generation Peak Tram retired in 2021. It served over 30 years from 1989 till 2021.
Ticket information: prices, available discounts, Where to get tickets of Peak Tram?
All the tickets (single or round trip) of Peak Tram and combo tickets (The Peak Tram Sky Pass) can be purchased directly from the ticket counters of Garden Road Lower Terminus. You can also book the tickets directly from the official website. In addition, some other providers give further discounts on Peak Tram Sky Pass or Madame Tussauds combo tickets for express entry.
How much is Peak Tram ticket?
The uphill ride starts from the Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus. When you get there, you have two options:
Peak Tram ticket prices are HK$ 62 (single trip) and HK$ 88 (round trip) for adults on weekdays. Prices for children and senior are HK$ 31 for single trip and HK$ 44 from round trip on weekdays. On peak days (weekends and holidays), adult ticket will be HK$ 76 (single trip) and HK$ 108 (round trip). check details);
If you plan to enjoy the view from Hong Kong’s highest outdoor observation deck, the Sky Terrace 428 Observation Deck, it’s better to get a ticket combo including both tram ticket and Sky Terrace entrance for saving. The official prices are HK$ 122 (single trip) and HK$ 148 (round trip) on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, ticket prices are HK$ 136 (single trip) and HK$ 168 (round trip). (check details).
No matter Madame Tussauds is in your original plan or you simply want to skip the waiting line of Peak Tram, the combo tickets are a good option. Ticket holders are entitled to use the fast lane for the tram ride (check details);
There are different combos available. Although you will not save money, some of them can entitle you using the Peak Tram express entry.
Official Price for Peak Tram ride:
The Peak Tram Tickets |
Single Trip |
Round Trip |
Adult |
HK$ 62 / HK$ 76 |
HK$ 88 / HK$ 108 |
Child (3–11 years) |
HK$ 31 / HK 38 |
HK$ 44 / HK$ 54 |
Senior (65 years+) |
HK$ 31 / HK$ 38 |
HK$ 44 / HK$ 54 |
Official Fare for Peak Tram Sky Pass:
Peak Tram Sky Pass includes The tram ride (single or round trip) and the Sky Terrace 428 entrance ticket.
Peak Tram Sky Pass |
Single Trip |
Round Trip |
Available Discounts |
Adult |
HK$ 122 / HK$ 136 |
HK$ 148 / HK$ 168 |
Adult |
Child |
HK$ 61 / HK$ 68 |
HK$ 74 / HK$ 84 |
|
Senior |
HK$ 61 / HK$ 68 |
HK$ 74 / HK$ 84 |
Official Price of Sky Terrace 428 is HK$ 75 for adults and HK$ 38 for children and seniors.
Official Fare for Madame Tussauds Combo tickets
In case you also want to visit Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, there are ticket combos you can choose with some extra savings on your entrance fees as well as privilege for fast boarding. When there are too many visitors, staff will open the special fast lane for Madame Tussauds combo ticket holders. Check the guide of Madame Tussauds Wax Museum for more details.
2-in-1 Combo Fares |
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|
Adult |
Child & Senior |
From ticket box or official site |
HK$ 310 / HK$ 330 |
HK$ 220 / HK$ 230 |
3-in-1 Combo Fares |
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|
Adult |
Child & Senior |
From ticket box or official site |
HK$ 380 / HK$ 400 |
HK$ 250 / HK$ 260 |
Get extra discounts and entry privilege tickets
Besides official site, extra discounts are available from authorized retailers. Discount prices are subject to change of promotion period.
Discounted Peak Tram Sky Pass
(Peak Tram + Sky Terrace Combo)
Single Ride: HK$ 136 HK$ 120
Round Trip: HK$ 168 HK$ 140 + HK$ 50 coupon
(child & senior tickets are available)
Guided Tour in Central + Victoria Peak
(plus Peak Tram + Sky Terrace Group Access Privilege)
Guided tour in Central Financial District & Sky Terraces 428
Peak Tram Single Ride + Sky Terrace: HK$ 180
Peak Tram Round Trip + Sky Terrace: HK$ 210
Entry privilege? You read right. As one of the most popular and convenient way getting up to the Peak, it’s not hard to imagine how often it’s getting crowded with a long waiting line. Queuing for 20-40 mins on weekdays is common. It takes even longer in the afternoon, on holidays and weekends.
If you have only limited time, a ticket with express entry sounds a good option, which can save the pain of waiting as well as the stress of unexpected waiting time.
In the past there were many types of fast pass tickets. However due to the impact of pandemic, most of them are temporarily not available now. For the moment, you still can buy a combo ticket of Madame Tussauds (with/without Sky Terrace) or join the guided tour to enjoy the fast lane boarding.
Where to buy admission tickets of Peak Tram? – Get tickets at the Garden Road Lower Terminus
In general, the tickets are available from both the ticket counters and online booking. Keep in mind that the ticket prices from the ticket counters and online are different. Usually the latter is cheaper.
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From Official Ticket Counters
Peak Tram tickets and combo tickets can be purchased directly from both Garden Road Lower Terminus and The Peak Upper Terminus.
Be aware that the combo ticket is not available at the Peak Tram Upper Terminal. But you still can buy Peak Tram tickets there.
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From Online Booking – Official sites and authorized retailers
Online booking is available from their official website as well as from the above online discount providers. Booking tickets online from discount providers gives further more discounts and express entry line.
Opening Hours of Peak Tram
Serving as the public transportation, Peak Tram starts operation very early in the morning daily. From 7:00 am to 12:00 midnight (Mon to Sun including holidays), visitors can use the service of Peak Tram traveling between the Peak and Central.
When is the best time to visit Peak Tram to avoid waiting ?
The Peak Tram can get to unbelievably crowded. When is the best time to go Peak Tram to avoid pushing, cutting lines and hours waiting?
Technically, whenever there is a great weather or view from the Victoria Peak, the Peak Tram will get crowded. Especially if you would like to get there during the afternoon time with both day lights and night views, it’s hopeless that you will have the luck. If possible, also avoid weekends and holidays.
Before the upgrade project of Peak Tram, sometimes hundreds of visitors had to queue outdoor for over an hour. It’s a horrible experience during bad weather or hot summer. Although the new generation Peak Tram has enlarged the waiting areas up to 1300 people and claims to shorten waiting time by over 70%, you may still be caught up by large group of visitors.
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Arriving around 7:00 – 9:30 am or after 9:00 pm is one way to dodge the waiting disaster.
Usually early in the morning or late at night, tourists, especially those with large groups and travel agencies haven’t been there yet or have already left. Or during the rainy days when the visibility is not ideal, people usually wait out to see how the weather gonna change. But I guess you don’t want to go there under such situation either. -
Getting combo ticket allows you to use the express entry.
If you cannot make it during the time frame or you have only short stop-over time, buying ticket in advance with boarding privilege is another solution.
Where to take the Peak Tram – Two Peak Tram Terminuses
The Peak Tram has two terminuses: the Garden Road Lower Terminus and the Peak Upper Terminus. Most visitors will start with the uphill ride from the Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus. If you decide to take a round trip ride, then it’s better to come downhill from the Upper Terminus.
The Peak Tram Lower Terminus is located at the Garden Road Central. It’s in the center of the city and close to the St John’s Cathedral and Hong Kong Park.
The Peak Upper Terminus is located inside the Peak Tower for both getting off and hopping on.
How to get to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus?
You can either take Bus 15C which takes you directly to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus or get there on foot from MTR Central station.
Option 1:
Get to Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus by bus 15C
The Peak Tram Lower Terminus is located at Garden Road on Hong Kong Island. The most convenient way aside from taking a taxi is to catch Bus No.15C. It is a shuttle bus traveling between the Star Ferry Central Pier 8 and Garden Road Lower Terminus.
Did You Know
Make sure to take Bus 15C, NOT the Bus No.15. Bus 15 will take you directly to the Peak with one-hour winding ride.
The route of Bus 15C has only three stops: Central (Star Ferry Pier), City Hall and Garden Road Peak Tram Station. The traveling time takes about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic situation. You only need to stay till the final stop.
Fare for a single ride is around HK$ 5. Make sure to tender the bus driver the exact fare (no change will be given back) or use the Octopus Card to pay.
If you finish visiting the Peak, Bus 15C is a good option to bring yourself back to Central from the Lower Terminus. It stops at Pedder Street and IFC Tower 2 before reaching the terminal at Central Star Ferry Pier.
Bus 15C operation time
Bus 15C runs from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (daily). The Frequency is about 30min daily. It’s not an option if you want to pay an early visit to Peak Tram (Peak Tram starts 7:00 am).
Did You Know
In case you take MTR to Central, the closest exit to the Bus No.15C route is Exit J3 or Exit L. From there you can catch Bus No. 15C at Hong Kong City Hall stop. Otherwise, simply follow Option 2 below to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus on foot.
Option 2:
Get to Peak Tram Lower Terminus on foot
Since the Peak Tram gets crowded every day, getting there as early as possible is the best way to avoid waiting. However, since bus 15C serves only after 10:00 am, if you start earlier than that, you may have to walk. It’s a pleasant walk to pass through many Hong Kong’s iconic skyscrapers and landmarks.
The easiest way is to travel by MTR to Central Station and take Exit K (Statue Square exit). Then make your way toward and through HSBC building, cross Queen’s Road Central and take Garden Road to the Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus.
Be aware that this walk can take about 10-15 minutes, but you have a great chance to experience some famous landmarks along your way (e.g. Bank of China, Citybank Tower and St. John’s Cathedral).
The Peak Tram Entertainment Zones
If you have to wait a long time before getting on tram, there are some entertainment zones on the right of waiting area, which will help you to bridge the waiting time. After you pass the barriers and enter the Peak Tram platform, you will spot the replica of 1st generation tramcar display.
You are able to admire some key moments of Hong Kong history and the Peak Tram while waiting. The documentary on the giant LCD screen will take you back to Hong Kong and its colonial times.
Did You Know
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In case you are traveling with a baby stroller, make sure it is foldable. Due to safety reasons, baby strollers are not allowed onto the Peak Tram. The alley inside the Peak Tram is rather narrow and steep with some “curvy” steps. Simply ask the staff for assistance.
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If you would like to take a better photo with the tram for memory, there is an old tram displayed right outside the Peak Tower. It is used as the Tourism Board Information Center, opening from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. You can get on and take a photo, or ask help if needed.
General Info and Details
Location: Garden Road, Central
Opening Hours: 7:00 am to 12:00 midnight (Mon – Sun & Public Holidays)
Ticket Fare: See price details and discounts
Contact No.: +(852) 2522 0922
Official Site: https://www.thepeak.com.hk/en
How to get to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus?
By Bus 15C or walking there on foot: See details above
More Attractions around The Victoria Peak