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Hong Kong MTR: One Epic Journey Across All Lines

Hong Kong: All the metro lines in one trip, how long will it take ?

Destination:ChinaCity:Hong KongPopulation: 7.4 million
Hong Kong: All the metro lines in one trip, how long will it take ?
Tim Chambers17 min

Hong Kong: All the metro lines in one trip. This was filmed by Tim Chambers. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

I travel on all the lines in the Hong Kong metro system in one trip, how long do you think it will take? The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is a major public transport network serving Hong Kong. Operated by the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), it consists of heavy rail, light rail, and feeder bus service centred on a 10-line rapid transit network serving the urbanised areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. The system included 240.6 km (149.5 mi) of rail as of 2022 with 167 stations, including 98 heavy rail stations, 68 light rail stops and one high-speed rail terminus.

Under the government's rail-led transport policy, the MTR system is a common mode of public transport in Hong Kong, with over five million trips made in an average weekday. It consistently achieves a 99.9 per cent on-time rate on its train journeys. As of 2018, the MTR has a 49.3 per cent share of the franchised public transport market, making it the most popular transport option in Hong Kong. The integration of the Octopus smart card fare-payment technology into the MTR system in September 1997 has further enhanced the ease of commuting on the MTR.

Hong Kong is officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta in South China. With 7.4 million residents of various nationalities in a 1,104-square-kilometre (426 sq mi) territory, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world. Hong Kong is also a major global financial centre and one of the most developed cities in the world.

--- Tim Chambers
June 19, 2023, Summer in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Tim Chambers attempts to travel across all ten standard lines of Hong Kong’s MTR system in one continuous journey. He begins at Hong Kong Station and starts the route at the themed Disneyland Resort station, then moves through the Tung Chung line, Airport Express and island lines. An unexpected issue with the Airport Express forces him to adjust the plan. He comments on station design, train length, passenger levels, smooth transfers and clear signs, and helps a passenger with heavy luggage. The journey ends at Quarry Bay after around two hours, with Tim sharing historical context about the MTR’s origins in the 1960s and its daily ridership.

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Hong Kong: All the metro lines in one trip, how long will it take ?

Starting the all-lines MTR trip

Tim Chambers sets out to travel across all ten standard lines of Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway in one continuous journey. He begins at Hong Kong Station, outlines the route and compares the plan with a similar trip he made in Shanghai. He expects the journey to take around two and a half hours. Tim references transit specialist Reese of RM Transit, acknowledging the depth of knowledge transit-focused creators bring to these systems.

The first ride starts at Disneyland Resort station, a themed stop with an almost empty, driverless train. Tim maps transfers between lines, including the Tung Chung line and Airport Express. An unexpected problem appears when the Airport Express does not connect to the city center in the way he expected, so he revises his route. This adds time and makes the journey less predictable than the map suggested.

Stations, transfers and MTR history

Tim continues through the Island line and other routes, noting differences in train length and passenger numbers. Stations include Admiralty, Ocean Park and Quarry Bay, offering views of varied parts of Hong Kong. He comments on clear signs and smooth transfers, while also describing how the system’s architecture differs between older and newer lines. He helps a passenger struggling with heavy luggage, a small interaction in the middle of the transit challenge.

The trip takes around two hours, slightly shorter than Tim expected. At Quarry Bay he reflects on the MTR’s development, which began with planning in the 1960s, and its current scale and daily ridership. He praises its on-time performance and its role in Hong Kong’s transport network. The episode combines a route challenge with practical observations about planning, unexpected limitations and the experience of moving across the city by rail.

Tim also notices how trains differ in length and how passenger numbers change between routes. At Admiralty and Ocean Park, he sees different station styles and urban settings. Clear signs help him transfer, though the Airport Express assumption forces him to rethink the order of his ride. He helps a passenger with heavy luggage, a small act that stands out amid the station crowds. After arriving at Quarry Bay, he reflects on the MTR’s reliability and the way its lines serve daily travel.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: How long did it take Tim to travel all the MTR lines?
A: Tim says the journey took around two hours, a little shorter than he expected. The route covers the ten standard lines and includes an adjustment when the Airport Express connection does not work as he had assumed.
Q: What was the most challenging part of the trip?
A: The Airport Express route is the main complication. Tim expects it to connect to the city center differently, so he has to adjust his plan and find another way to continue the all-lines journey.
Q: What was Tim’s overall impression of the Hong Kong MTR?
A: He finds the system efficient and well organized, with smooth transfers and clear signage. He also notes polite and helpful passengers and discusses the MTR’s long history and high on-time performance.

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Hong Kong MTR: One Epic Journey Across All Lines

Tim Chambers' Hong Kong MTR adventure: Exploring all lines in one epic journey. Efficient, popular, and a testament to the city's dynamic energy.

Hong Kong MTR: One-Day Journey Across All Lines

Tim Chambers embarked on an epic journey across Hong Kong's extensive MTR network, exploring all its lines in a single trip. His adventure unveils the efficiency and reach of this vital public transport system, a key component of Hong Kong's infrastructure. He documents the sheer scale of the MTR, highlighting its impressive on-time record and widespread usage, making it a beloved mode of transport for millions of Hong Kong residents. The video also touches upon Hong Kong's unique history and status as a bustling global financial center, showcasing its blend of modern development and rich cultural heritage. This is a must-watch for anyone planning a visit to Hong Kong or simply curious about one of the world's most efficient and popular metro systems.

Attractions in this video: Disneyland Resort, Ocean Park