Taxis can be found everywhere and at the taxi pick up points located in convenient areas. Taxis are regulated and required to display both their car numbers and names on the dashboard. Most taxi drivers understand the English names for major streets, hotels, and numbers. Anything more complicated could be a problem. Having your destination written in Chinese characters can help.

At night a lighted roof dome indicates availability; in daytime a red “for hire” flag on the dashboard can be seen at a distance. Off-duty or pre-booked taxis will display an “Out of service” sign.

Taxis in Hong Kong are relatively inexpensive; a trip from Central to Mid-Levels costs approximately $18.00-$35.00. A trip from Mid-Levels to the airport will cost approximately $500. Drivers do not give small change. If the fare is $18.20, the driver will most likely give you $1 or $1.50 change from $20. Tipping in the form of rounding up is common practice; a larger tip is discretionary. You will also incur additional expenses if you use the trunk of the taxi to store your luggage HK$5, as well as extra charges for tunnel tolls.

Taxis come in different colours, indicating the area they are allowed to service.

• Red Hong Kong Island and Kowloon
• Green New Territories
• Blue Lantau Island