THE MOST VITAL OF ALL information on Hong Kong Taxis:
1. Red taxis are found in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island
2. Green taxis are found in the New Territories.
3. Blue taxis are found on Lantau Island.
Most taxis stick to their region. So, if I'm in Central, it'd be pretty hard to flag down a RED taxi that'll take me all the way up to Yuen Long. I would have to find a GREEN taxi probably to take me from Central back to Yuen Long.
So, it is possible to flag down taxis that will take you to any destination that you want, but it's best to find a TAXI STAND. Around the city there are RED and GREEN taxis that do line up at the taxi stands of some pretty popular places (IFC mall, Disneyland and bigger MTR stations, e.g.) that are there to drive people to any destination outside of their jurisdiction!
ONE THING TO NOTE is that if you put things in the trunk of ANY TAXI, that's an extra fee. But, most of the taxis that I've ridden in have a standard charge that they stick to and they also have a meter that they charge by.
A SECOND THING TO NOTE is that when you cross Victoria Harbour, there is an extra charge, which all vehicles have to pay when passing through the Cross Harbour Tunnels.
Getting around by taxi is probably the best when traveling around at night past MTR hours. There are night buses, but taxis are quicker and more convenient!
Even getting around Yuen Long by taxi might be more convenient at times…when I have to get to the other side in a hurry…
This afternoon, we had a meeting at the other side of Yuen Long, for example. Instead of walking through the 3pm crowds, it was better to just hop in a taxi and drive over to Yoho Mall. It took about 10 minutes opposed to 20 minutes of walking through people. So, I think it was worth it (in this instance!).
***Views of Yuen Long from a Green Taxi's Window***
Going along one of the back roads, avoiding the main street (Castle Peak Road)…
Continuing onto On Ning Road, which runs pretty much parallel to some of Yuen Long's Castle Peak Road section…
Going along another back road, near the Golden Peach Bakery, which has another branch in Causeway Bay and has some of my favorite egg tarts!
Passing one of Yuen Long's many pharmacies that often are crowded with mainland tourist patrons…why are they so popular? What are they buying? Are pharmaceutical things not found on the mainland? I've got to get these questions answered one of these days!
Driving up and around the KOLOUR Mall, which is at the end of Kau Yuk Road...
A look at one of the many multi-story commercial buildings in Yuen Long town…
A look at some of the buildings that are in the city…
Driving along another back road, Hop Yick Road, which is a way to avoid the traffic of Castle Peak Road (again!)…
Another look at some of the residential buildings in the city…
It's nice riding a taxi sometimes…rather than walking. I feel like I look around more…and feel more like a tourist too!
