Day Trips from Hong Kong: Outlying Islands and Beyond
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Known forcheung chaulamma islandlantaubig buddha
Hong Kong's best-kept secret: 30-60 minutes by ferry from Central and you're on car-free islands with seafood, beaches, and hiking. Cheung Chau for temples and street snacks, Lamma for an easy coastal walk, Lantau for the Big Buddha. One honest caveat — Sunday ferries are packed and cost more; go on a weekday.
Key facts
| Hours | Hours not verified |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Central Ferry Piers 4-6 (MTR Hong Kong or Central Station, exit A/E); Lantau also via MTR Tung Chung Station |
| Time needed | Half day minimum per island; full day for Lantau |
| Best time to go | Weekdays October-March; avoid Sundays and public holidays |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
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Frequently asked questions
- What happens to ferries in bad weather?
- Ferries stop when typhoon signal 8 goes up, and fast ferries can be suspended in rough seas even before that. If a storm is brewing, don't island-hop — you can get stranded overnight. Check the Hong Kong Observatory app and the operator's site before setting out.
- How much is the ferry to Cheung Chau?
- From Central Pier 5: ordinary ferry HK$16.70 weekdays or HK$24.80 on Sundays and public holidays; fast ferry HK$32.90 and HK$47.60 respectively (fares from April 2026). Tap Octopus and go — no advance booking needed or possible.
- Which outlying island is best for a first-timer?
- Cheung Chau, for the density of stuff: temples, a pirate cave, beaches, and famous fish balls and mango mochi within a small walkable harbor town. The ordinary ferry from Central Pier 5 takes about an hour (fast ferry roughly 40 minutes) and the slow boat's open deck is half the fun.
- Can I do two islands in one day?
- Technically yes — an inter-island ferry links Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, and Peng Chau — but you'd shortchange both. Better plan: one island per day, morning start, long seafood lunch, sunset ferry back. The islands reward slowness.
- Are there cars on the outlying islands?
- Essentially no — Cheung Chau, Lamma, and Peng Chau are car-free apart from tiny emergency vehicles, which is a big part of their charm. Lantau has buses and taxis. Expect to walk everywhere or rent a bike on Cheung Chau.
- How do I get to the Big Buddha on Lantau?
- Take the MTR to Tung Chung, then either the Ngong Ping 360 cable car (25 minutes, standard cabin round trip HK$295 — book online to skip the queue) or bus 23 for a fraction of the price. The Tian Tan Buddha itself is free; go early, mist rolls in by afternoon.
- Is Cheung Chau's Bun Festival worth planning around?
- If you're in town in late April or May (dates follow the lunar calendar), absolutely — bun-scrambling towers, a parade with children floating above the crowd on hidden rigs, and the whole island goes vegetarian. But ferries are jammed; go very early and expect a crush.
- Is Lamma Island worth visiting?
- Yes, if you want the mellowest option: the Family Trail from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan is a flat-ish 4-5 km walk past beaches, ending at waterfront seafood restaurants. Ferries from Central Pier 4 take 25-30 minutes and cost HK$24.90 weekdays, HK$34.70 Sundays and holidays.
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