What are Hong Kong taxi fares in 2026?

Current fares have applied since 14 July 2024: urban (red) taxi $29 for the first 2km, then $2.1 per 200m or minute of waiting, dropping to $1.4 once the fare reaches $102.5; New Territories (green) taxi $25.5 for the first 2km, then $1.9, dropping to $1.4 once the fare reaches $82.5; Lantau (blue) taxi $24 for the first 2km, then $1.9, dropping to $1.6 once the fare reaches $195.

What surcharges do Hong Kong taxis have?

Common statutory surcharges include $5 per piece of luggage, $5 per animal or bird, and $5 per trip for a telephone booking; wheelchairs and canes a passenger relies on for mobility are free. Trips using toll tunnels or toll roads, and cross-harbour taxi return arrangements, are calculated separately under the applicable rules.

How many types of Hong Kong taxi are there?

Three types by operating area: urban red taxis, New Territories green taxis and Lantau blue taxis. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and most road-connected locations in the New Territories, except Tung Chung Road and parts of southern Lantau; green taxis mainly serve designated New Territories areas, excluding Tseung Kwan O new town; blue taxis mainly serve Lantau and Chek Lap Kok.

Can a green taxi go to the airport?

Yes. Besides their permitted areas, New Territories taxis can also carry passengers to and from the Chek Lap Kok Hong Kong International Airport passenger terminal and Ground Transportation Centre along Transport Department designated routes, plus other designated points such as Tsing Yi Airport Express station, Tsuen Wan MTR station, Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, Hang Hau MTR station, Hong Kong Disneyland, and the HZMB Hong Kong Port public transport interchange.

Must Hong Kong taxis accept electronic payment now?

From 1 April 2026, all taxi drivers must provide at least two electronic payment methods, including at least one QR-code method and one non-QR-code method. Passengers may still choose to pay in cash. Supported brands vary by vehicle, so check the window signage or confirm at booking if you need a specific payment method.

Must drivers give change for cash payment?

Passengers may continue to pay in cash, and drivers must carry notes and coins worth at least HK$100 for change. However, passengers should not assume a driver can always give change for a $500 or $1,000 note, so smaller denominations are recommended.

Can I ask for a taxi receipt?

Yes. Hong Kong taxis must be fitted with receipt-printing equipment, and passengers may request a printed fare receipt; if the printer malfunctions, the driver should provide a compliant handwritten receipt. It is best to ask before arriving at the destination so the driver has time to prepare it.

What's the difference between a flat fare and an 85% off meter fare?

A flat fare is a total price agreed before a pre-booked trip begins, so the total is known in advance; a metered discount is calculated based on the final meter reading and the agreed method. For general unbooked trips hailed on the street or at a taxi stand, passengers should pay by the meter and applicable surcharges. When comparing, include tunnel tolls, luggage and booking fees in the total.

Is there a night surcharge for Hong Kong taxis?

Hong Kong's statutory taxi fare table has no general overnight or night surcharge; the meter runs on the same statutory rates. A booked flat fare is handled based on the confirmed date, time and amount, and an unconfirmed night charge should not suddenly be added after boarding.

Do I need to wear a seatbelt in the back seat of a taxi?

Yes. Under current law, if a seat is fitted with a seatbelt, both the driver and passengers must wear it, including in the back seat of a taxi. Fasten it as soon as you board, regardless of how short the trip is or how slowly the vehicle moves in urban traffic.

Can a Hong Kong taxi take me directly across the border to Shenzhen or Macau?

Generally no. Ordinary red, green and blue taxis only operate within Hong Kong and typically drop off at the Hong Kong side of a checkpoint, such as the Shenzhen Bay Port Hong Kong Port Area, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point, the San Tin Huang Ba stop, or the HZMB Hong Kong Port. Passengers must disembark to clear outbound immigration and then take a shuttle bus or walk across.

How do I identify a licensed taxi?

A licensed taxi has a TAXI sign on the roof and a body colour of red, green or blue by category, with a bilingual fare table, vehicle registration number and a valid taxi driver's identity plate displayed inside, plus a meter and receipt-printing equipment. If a vehicle lacks these markers, or someone approaches you without being able to provide this information, stay alert.

Who can I contact to complain about taxi service?

Non-emergency taxi service complaints can be directed to the Transport Complaints Unit hotline 2889 9999 or email info@tcu.gov.hk, or to 1823 or the police general enquiry hotline 2527 7177. Provide the driver's name, driver's identity plate number, vehicle registration number, date, time, location and fare receipt. Call 999 for immediate danger.

What should I do if I lose something in a taxi?

First check your fare receipt and booking record to find the plate number, date and trip, and contact the booking service or driver as soon as possible. If it cannot be recovered, report the loss to police, or register with the Taxi Lost & Found Service Centre on its public line 2385 8288. Never go alone to an unfamiliar location to retrieve an item.

What information do I need to provide when booking a taxi?

Provide the direction (pickup or drop-off), date, 24-hour time, full pickup address, destination, all stops, number of passengers, luggage count and preferred payment method. For airport trips, add the airline and flight number; for checkpoint trips, state the exact checkpoint name.

Hong Kong Taxi Complete Guide | Fares, Types, Booking, Checkpoints & Safety

Everything you need to know about taking a taxi in Hong Kong, on one page: red $29, green $25.5, blue $24 flag-fall; luggage, animals and phone booking each $5, wheelchairs and canes free; from 1 April 2026, all taxis must offer at least one QR-code and one non-QR-code electronic payment method, with cash still accepted. Plus operating areas, airport and checkpoint transfers, flat fare vs 85% off comparison, receipts, complaints and safety guidance.

Call 5584 6444 WhatsApp Booking

2026 Hong Kong Taxi Statutory Fares and Metering

Current fares have applied since 14 July 2024 and remain in effect in 2026

Fare item	Urban taxi (red)	New Territories taxi (green)	Lantau taxi (blue)
First 2km or part thereof	$29	$25.5	$24
Each subsequent 200m or minute of waiting	$2.1	$1.9	$1.9
Lower-rate threshold	After $102.5	After $82.5	After $195
Per 200m or minute after threshold	$1.4	$1.4	$1.6

Three-tier fare structure

Hong Kong taxis use a "flag-fall → higher rate → lower rate" structure. The first 2km is the flag-fall, then the meter increases per 200m or per minute of waiting; once the fare reaches a set amount, each increment drops. So the unit cost of a long trip gradually decreases.

Both distance and waiting time increase the meter

The meter runs on both distance travelled and waiting time. So peak-hour traffic, red lights, boarding/alighting and queuing at junctions all increase the fare — not just "how many kilometres travelled."

Example estimate: a roughly 46km green taxi trip

Rough distance-only estimate: $25.5 + (46 − 8) × about $7/km ≈ about $348.5. This assumes the lower-rate threshold kicks in at around the 8th kilometre, with each subsequent 200m at $1.4, i.e. about $7/km. The actual fare still adds waiting time, luggage and applicable road tolls, and the meter in the vehicle is authoritative.

See the Hong Kong Taxi Fare Guide and 2026 Taxi Fare Standard for detailed calculations and examples, or use the Ordinary Meter Calculator and 85% Off Fare Calculator.

Surcharges, Tunnels and Cross-Harbour Return

Item	Current fee	Notes
Per piece of luggage	$5	Calculated by statutory rule; a booked flat fare generally includes ordinary luggage
Per animal or bird	$5	State when booking if bringing a pet
Per trip for a telephone booking service	$5	Whether the flat fare includes this should be stated in the quote
Wheelchairs and canes	Free	Wheelchairs and canes a passenger relies on for mobility are not charged a luggage surcharge
Toll tunnels and roads	By actual route	E.g. Tsing Sha Highway toll section $8, Tai Lam Tunnel taxi $28
Cross-harbour tunnel and return	By applicable rules	Involves outbound and return arrangements when not picked up at a cross-harbour taxi stand
Payment platform fee	Varies by platform	Charged by the payment platform, not part of the taxi fare — check before paying

Not every trip involves a cross-harbour fee

For example, from Sha Tin, Tai Po, Kwun Tong or Mong Kok to the airport, the common route usually stays on the road network north of Victoria Harbour and doesn't go through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, Eastern Harbour Crossing or Western Harbour Crossing, so no cross-harbour tunnel toll or return charge applies. By contrast, trips from Hong Kong Island to the airport generally do cross the harbour.

See the Tunnel and Surcharge Guide for full details.

Three Taxi Types and Operating Areas

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Urban taxi (red)

Can travel between Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and most road-connected locations in the New Territories, and can serve the airport and designated North Lantau points, except Tung Chung Road and parts of southern Lantau.

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New Territories taxi (green)

Mainly serves most of Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tai Po, North, Sha Tin (Ma On Shan) and Sai Kung districts, excluding Tseung Kwan O new town; can also travel to/from the airport and other points along designated routes.

🔵

Lantau taxi (blue)

Mainly serves Lantau and Chek Lap Kok, including Tung Chung, the airport island, Disneyland, Mui Wo and Tai O.

Points a green taxi can serve along designated routes

Chek Lap Kok Hong Kong International Airport passenger terminal and Ground Transportation Centre.
Tsing Yi Airport Express station.
Tsuen Wan MTR station.
Prince of Wales Hospital and Sha Tin Racecourse.
Shun Lee Estate, Kwun Tong.
Hang Hau MTR station.
Hong Kong Disneyland.
HZMB Hong Kong Port public transport interchange.

Colour determines "where you can pick up"

All three colours are licensed taxis subject to the same statutory fares. The difference lies in operating area and fare rate, not service tier. Provide all pickup and drop-off locations when booking so the correct vehicle type can be arranged.

See the Hong Kong Taxi Types and Operating Areas for details.

Electronic Payment, Cash and Receipts

"1+1" electronic payment from 1 April 2026

From 1 April 2026, all taxi drivers must provide at least two electronic payment methods, including at least one QR-code method, such as Alipay, WeChat Pay or BoC Pay, and at least one non-QR-code method, such as Octopus, credit card or FPS. Passengers can still pay in cash.

Item	Key point
Electronic payment requirement	At least one QR code and one non-QR code method
Does every vehicle support all brands	No, the actual combination supported varies by driver and equipment
How to find out	Check the window payment signage, or ask the driver before boarding
Cash	Still accepted; drivers must carry at least $100 worth of change
Large notes	Do not assume change is available for $500 or $1,000 notes
Platform fee	Some payment platforms may charge a platform fee, which is not part of the fare — confirm before paying
Fare receipt	A printed receipt can be requested; a handwritten one should be given if the printer fails

An electronic payment record is not the same as a fare receipt

A payment platform record mainly proves payment was made; a taxi fare receipt records the trip and vehicle details. For company reimbursement, insurance claims or complaint follow-up, it's best to keep the booking confirmation, payment record and fare receipt together.

See Hong Kong Taxi Payment Methods and the Detailed Payment Methods Guide.

Booking, Calling a Taxi and Flat Fares

Four common ways to get a taxi

Method	Pricing	Suitable for
Hailing on the street	By statutory meter and applicable surcharges	Immediate departure in the city, easy to hail
Waiting at a taxi stand	By statutory meter and applicable surcharges	Airport, stations, malls and hotels
Phone or message booking	Meter plus booking fee, or a flat fare agreed before the trip	Airport, checkpoints, overnight, village houses, heavy luggage
Fleet app or hotline	Meter plus a pre-agreed booking fee, or a fare agreed before the trip	Need a platform record or to choose a vehicle type

Information needed to book

Direction: pickup or drop-off, or a general point-to-point trip.
Date and time: use the full date and 24-hour format for overnight bookings.
Full address: estate, block number, hotel, office tower, village house pin or airport terminal.
Destination and stops: provide all pickup and drop-off locations at once.
Passengers and luggage: adults, children, large luggage, strollers, wheelchairs, pets.
Pricing method: flat fare or metered discount, with included items stated.
Payment method: state in advance if a specific electronic payment method is needed.
Confirm the dispatch: check the plate number and meeting details before boarding.

"Read" doesn't mean "confirmed"

Just sending a message, getting an auto-reply, or seeing "read" doesn't mean a driver has accepted the order. You must confirm the date, time, pickup point, destination and price or pricing method, and receive dispatch details.

See How to Book an Airport Taxi, How to Call a Taxi and Advance Booking.

Airport Transfers and Queuing

Arrivals and pickup are at Terminal 1

Hong Kong International Airport's current arrivals and pickup process takes place at Terminal 1, with the arrivals hall split into Area A and Area B; Terminal 2 is currently mainly used by departing passengers. Check the arrivals screen first to confirm which area your flight will exit into.

Queue at the correct taxi stand at the airport

Airport taxi stands are separated by vehicle type: choose a red taxi for Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and most of the New Territories; a green taxi for designated New Territories areas; and a blue taxi for Tung Chung and designated Lantau areas. Queuing at the wrong stand may mean you cannot reach your destination.

Timing your pickup

Even after a flight shows as arrived, passengers still need to disembark, clear immigration, collect luggage and pass through customs. It's best to notify the driver only after collecting luggage, and to state whether you're at Area A or B of the arrivals hall.

Don't plan a flight around the fastest possible journey time

Roads may be very smooth overnight, but daytime peak hours, rain and road incidents can noticeably extend the journey. Plan for a flight with a reasonable journey time plus a traffic buffer, and go by the airline's check-in and baggage drop-off deadlines.

See the Airport Taxi Queue Guide, Midnight and Red-Eye Flight Taxi and Airport Transport Comparison.

Checkpoint and Cross-Border Transfers

Checkpoint	General passenger clearance	Hong Kong taxi drop-off point
Shenzhen Bay Port	Generally daily 06:30-24:00	Hong Kong Port Area public transport interchange
Lok Ma Chau Spur Line / Futian	Generally daily 06:30-22:30	Spur Line Control Point public transport interchange
Lok Ma Chau Control Point / Huanggang	24 hours	San Tin Huang Ba stop by day; the control point itself is accessible 23:00-06:30
Heung Yuen Wai / Liantang	See latest government announcement	Designated pickup/drop-off point on the Hong Kong side
HZMB Hong Kong Port	24 hours	Hong Kong Port public transport interchange

Ordinary Hong Kong taxis cannot cross the border directly

Red, green and blue taxis only operate within Hong Kong. After reaching the Hong Kong side, passengers must clear outbound immigration themselves, then walk across or take a shuttle bus such as the Huang Ba bus or the HZMB shuttle bus. Genuine direct cross-border travel requires a vehicle licensed and qualified for cross-border operation.

See Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint, Lok Ma Chau / Futian / Huanggang, Heung Yuen Wai / Liantang, HZMB Hong Kong Port and Airport to Macau Transport.

Passengers, Luggage and Special Needs

🧳

Luggage count and size

The statutory surcharge per piece of luggage is $5, but a flat fare generally includes ordinary luggage. The boot still has limited capacity, so four or more large pieces should be stated in advance.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Number of passengers

Adults and children both count toward the passenger total and must not exceed the vehicle's registered capacity. Arrange two vehicles if passengers plus luggage exceed the capacity.

🍼

Strollers

Provide the approximate folded size and the quantity of other luggage, to help confirm boot space.

♿

Wheelchairs and canes

Wheelchairs and canes a passenger relies on for mobility are exempt from the luggage surcharge by law; for a foldable wheelchair, provide the size and any boarding assistance needed.

🐾

Pets

The statutory surcharge is $5 per animal or bird. State the species, quantity and whether a pet carrier is used when booking.

🏌️

Oversized items

Golf bags, bicycles, musical instruments or surfboards may not fit an ordinary taxi, so confirm whether they can be safely placed first.

See Groups and Large Luggage Airport Taxi for details.

Travel Safety and Emergency Help

Check before boarding

Check the plate number carefully, not just the vehicle colour or model.
Look for a valid taxi driver's identity plate and vehicle registration number displayed inside.
Confirm a bilingual fare table and a meter are present inside the vehicle.
Confirm the destination and pricing method match your booking.
Refuse a vehicle that approaches you unsolicited or lacks legal taxi markings.

During the ride

If a seat has a seatbelt, both the driver and passengers must wear it, including in the back seat.
You can share the plate number, trip and live location with someone you trust.
Keep your phone charged for contact and payment.
Don't reveal your home entry code, financial details or other unnecessary information to a stranger.
If you feel unsafe, ask to stop at the nearest safe, well-lit and populated legal location.

Call 999 for immediate danger

If there is immediate personal danger, a crime, a serious threat, an injury or a traffic accident, call Hong Kong's emergency services on 999 right away. Never jump out of a moving vehicle or grab the steering wheel.

See the Night Travel Safety Guide and Avoiding Illegal Taxis.

Complaints, Lost Property and Follow-Up

Situation	Contact	Notes
Immediate danger or crime	999	Immediate assistance from police, fire or ambulance
Non-emergency taxi service complaint	2889 9999	Transport Complaints Unit hotline; also info@tcu.gov.hk by email
General government enquiry	1823	Non-emergency government service enquiries and feedback
Police non-emergency hotline	2527 7177	Non-urgent police enquiries
Transport Department enquiries	2804 2600	Taxi regulations, operations and traffic information
Taxi lost property	2385 8288	Taxi Lost & Found Service Centre public hotline

Information to keep for a complaint

The taxi's vehicle registration number, i.e. the plate number.
The driver's name and taxi driver's identity plate number.
The date, time and location of the incident.
The pickup and drop-off locations and direction of travel.
The metered amount, flat fare, or the disputed item.
The printed or handwritten fare receipt.
Screenshots of the booking and quote, and electronic payment transaction records.

999 shouldn't be used for non-emergency matters

General fare disputes, service attitude or refusal of service, where there is no immediate personal danger, should be handled through the Transport Complaints Unit, 1823 or the police non-emergency channel, after keeping evidence.

Quick Guide for International Visitors

🎨

Know the three colours first

Red taxis have the widest coverage; green taxis mainly serve designated New Territories areas; blue taxis serve Lantau. Queue by destination when departing from the airport.

💵

Bring Hong Kong dollars and electronic payment

Cash is still accepted — bring smaller denominations. Electronic payment is now mandatory, but the supported brands vary by vehicle.

🈳

Have both Chinese and English addresses ready

Hotel and new development names can sound similar — having addresses in both Chinese and English or a map pin reduces misunderstandings.

🧾

Ask for a receipt

You can request a printed fare receipt, useful for expense claims, insurance or following up a lost item.

🛂

Know which checkpoint you're using

Shenzhen Bay, Futian, Huanggang, Heung Yuen Wai and the HZMB are different checkpoints, with different hours and connection methods.

🆘

Remember 999

Call 999 for immediate danger; for general service complaints, use non-emergency channels such as the Transport Complaints Unit.

Also available in 中文, 日本語 and 한국어.

Hong Kong Taxi FAQ

First 2km: red $29, green $25.5, blue $24. Then per 200m or minute of waiting: red $2.1 (dropping to $1.4 after $102.5), green $1.9 (dropping to $1.4 after $82.5), blue $1.9 (dropping to $1.6 after $195).

$5 per piece of luggage, $5 per animal or bird, $5 per trip for a telephone booking; wheelchairs and canes are free. Toll tunnels, roads and cross-harbour return charges are calculated under the applicable rules.

Three: urban red taxis, New Territories green taxis and Lantau blue taxis, divided by operating area, each with a different fare rate.

Yes, green taxis can travel to and from the airport passenger terminal and Ground Transportation Centre along designated routes, plus other designated points such as Tsing Yi Airport Express station, Tsuen Wan MTR station, Disneyland and the HZMB Hong Kong Port.

From 1 April 2026, drivers must offer at least one QR-code and one non-QR-code electronic payment method, but that doesn't mean every vehicle supports every brand. Cash is still accepted.

Drivers must carry at least $100 worth of notes and coins for change, but this doesn't guarantee change for a $500 or $1,000 note, so smaller denominations are recommended.

Yes. Taxis must have receipt-printing equipment, and passengers can request a printed receipt; a handwritten one should be given if the printer fails. It's best to ask before arriving at your destination.

A flat fare is a total agreed before the trip begins; a metered discount is calculated on the final meter reading and agreement. Unbooked trips hailed on the street should be paid by the meter and surcharges.

Hong Kong's statutory taxi fares have no general night surcharge. A flat fare is handled based on the time and amount confirmed at booking.

Yes. If a seat has a fitted seatbelt, both the driver and passengers must wear it, including in the back seat of a taxi.

Generally no. Ordinary Hong Kong taxis only drop off at the Hong Kong side of a checkpoint, and passengers must clear outbound immigration themselves and transfer to a shuttle bus or walk across.

It has a TAXI sign on the roof, a fare table, vehicle registration number and a valid driver's identity plate displayed inside, plus a meter and receipt equipment.

Non-emergency complaints can go to the Transport Complaints Unit at 2889 9999 or email info@tcu.gov.hk, or to 1823 or the police at 2527 7177. For immediate danger, call 999.

First use your receipt and booking record to find the plate number and trip, and contact the booking service or driver; if it cannot be recovered, report the loss to police, or call the Taxi Lost & Found Service Centre at 2385 8288.

Direction, date, 24-hour time, full pickup address, destination, all stops, passenger count, luggage and payment method; add flight information for airport trips.

All Fares, Booking & Safety Guides

Airport and Checkpoint Transfers by District

Information & Disclaimer: Hong Kong taxi fares are calculated according to the rates specified in the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, and the meter displayed in the vehicle is authoritative. Current fares have applied since 14 July 2024: red taxi $29 for the first 2km, green $25.5, blue $24, with subsequent metering as set out above. The current surcharge for each piece of luggage, animal or bird, and telephone booking is $5, and wheelchairs and canes a passenger relies on for mobility are free. From 1 April 2026, taxi drivers must provide at least one QR-code and one non-QR-code electronic payment method, and cash payment remains available; some payment platforms may charge a platform fee. Taxi permitted operating areas, designated routes, tunnel tolls, checkpoint hours and airport facility arrangements may be adjusted; refer to the latest announcements from the Transport Department, Immigration Department, Airport Authority and relevant operators. Flat fares, journey times and district information on this page are for trip planning reference only; the actual fare is subject to written booking confirmation. Last updated: 31 August 2026.