Hong Kong Cruise Terminal Guide 2026: Kai Tak Cruise Terminal vs Ocean Terminal (Tsim Sha Tsui) — Getting There & Private Transfers
When the cruise season gets busy, embarkation and disembarkation day is often the most stressful part of a Hong Kong stopover. Hong Kong has two cruise terminals, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, and both are in Kowloon. Which one your ship uses is decided by your cruise line, so check your cruise documents before you plan anything. This guide covers the location of each terminal, public transport, taxis and parking, and explains how Luxury Gateway private transfers work and what they cost. For official transport information, see the terminal’s Getting Here page; general visitor information is available from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Hong Kong cruise in numbers: 2025 and the 2026 outlook
According to a Legislative Council paper, Hong Kong recorded 189 cruise ship calls in 2025 from 22 international cruise brands, up 26% on 2024. Total cruise passenger throughput was 630,000, of which 430,000 were visitors.
For 2026, the Hong Kong Tourism Board reported increased planned deployments, with more than 30 cruise brands worldwide, including luxury liners and mega ships. In March 2026 the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism said that cruise ships berthed in Hong Kong every day during the 2026 Chinese New Year Golden Week, and that triple and even quadruple berthing are often seen. In a November 2025 press release, the Tourism Board also described Hong Kong as entering the peak season for cruise tourism.
With several ships often in port at once, demand for buses, taxis and cars around the terminals is concentrated, which is why it helps to plan your transfer in advance.
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal: location and key facts
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is at 33 Shing Fung Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It sits at the tip of the former Kai Tak Airport runway, in Victoria Harbour, with views of the city skyline. It is operated by Worldwide Cruise Terminals. It is in Kowloon, not on Hong Kong Island.
- Commissioned: June 2013
- Berths: 2
- Apron length: 850 m
- Vessel size: up to 360 m length overall and 220,000 gross tonnage
Getting to and from Kai Tak
Kai Tak station is on the Tuen Ma Line of the MTR. Note that the MTR does not run to the cruise terminal and the terminal is not a walk from the station; the official guidance is to take bus 22S from Kai Tak MTR station. The table below comes from the terminal’s official Getting Here page. Service details may change, so check operators such as Citybus before you travel.
| Mode | Route | Service hours | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citybus 22S | Kai Tak MTR Station (Airside mall) ↔ terminal | Daily 06:00–23:30 | HK$7.30 |
| Citybus 20X | Jordan / Tsim Sha Tsui ↔ terminal | Daily 06:00–23:00 | HK$10.30 |
| Citybus 20A | High Speed Rail West Kowloon Station ↔ terminal | See official page | HK$7.5 |
| KMB 5R | Terminal ↔ Ngau Tau Kok and Kwun Tong MTR stations | Mon–Sun 07:00–22:00 | HK$8.1 |
| Green minibus 86 | Terminal ↔ Kowloon Bay MTR Station (Telford Gardens) | 06:40–23:00 | HK$7.1 |
Taxis
Taxi pick-up and drop-off is in front of the terminal. A taxi to the airport costs approximately HK$310 plus baggage surcharges. On turnaround days, when ships disembark and embark on the same day, taxi supply is limited, so do not assume a taxi will be waiting.
Parking
The private car park has 112 spaces and is open 07:00–23:00. Rates are HK$20 per hour Monday to Friday and HK$24 per hour on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Spaces fill quickly, and the terminal does not recommend trying to park before embarking on a cruise.
Distances by road
- Hong Kong International Airport: 42 km
- Kowloon Station (Airport Express) or West Kowloon Station (high speed rail): 10 km
- Hung Hom station: 5 km
Paying for transport
The Octopus App for Tourists works on most public transport. Public buses accept most major credit cards and mobile payment, and the MTR accepts Visa. Most taxis require cash in Hong Kong dollars.
Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui
Ocean Terminal is at Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, and is part of the Harbour City complex. Like Kai Tak, it is in Kowloon, not in Central or on Hong Kong Island. On the roof is the Ocean Terminal Deck, which offers a 270-degree view of Victoria Harbour and was designed by Foster + Partners.
According to the MTR, the walk to the Ocean Terminal Deck takes about 11 minutes from East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit L5, or about 16 minutes from Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit A1. With large suitcases, that walk may not be convenient, and many travellers prefer to be taken door to door.
Practical tips for embarkation day
- Confirm your terminal first: rely on the terminal and boarding time in your cruise documents.
- Carry Hong Kong dollar cash: most taxis do not take cards.
- Install the Octopus App for Tourists: it works on most public transport.
- Allow for taxi shortages: supply at Kai Tak is limited on turnaround days.
- Do not plan to park and board: the car park fills quickly and the terminal advises against it.
- Consider a private car if you have luggage: with several bags, or with children or older relatives, a pre-booked car avoids changing between buses and carrying cases.
Luxury Gateway cruise transfers: fleet, rates and booking
Luxury Gateway operates 24/7 with English-speaking chauffeurs and holds hire car permits. We track flights, and airport pickups include 60 minutes of complimentary waiting. The fleet includes the Toyota Alphard / Vellfire for up to 6 passengers with luggage, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Mercedes-Benz V-Class.
2026 rates (HK$, per booking, from)
| Route | Rate |
|---|---|
| Ocean Terminal (Tsim Sha Tsui) ↔ Hong Kong International Airport | from HK$650 (bridge & tunnel fees included) |
| Kai Tak Cruise Terminal ↔ Hong Kong International Airport | from HK$700 (bridge & tunnel fees included) |
| Kowloon hotel ↔ Ocean Terminal | from HK$500 |
| Hong Kong Island hotel ↔ Ocean Terminal (cross-harbour) | from HK$600 |
| Kai Tak Cruise Terminal ↔ hotel (non-airport) | quoted per trip |
| Hourly hire (Toyota Alphard), urban area, minimum 3 hours | HK$450/hour (bridge/tunnel tolls and parking at cost, not included) |
Planning to sightsee before boarding or on a port day? See our Hong Kong hourly chauffeur hire guide for sample Island and West Kowloon itineraries and hourly rates.
Rates are subject to change, and the following surcharges apply:
- Name-sign meet & greet at the cruise terminal: free
- Name-sign meet & greet at the airport: HK$150
- Midnight 23:00–07:00: HK$200 per transfer
- Waiting after the complimentary waiting time: HK$100 per 15 minutes
- En-route stop: HK$100
- Child seat: HK$100 (24 hours’ notice)
- Black Rainstorm / Typhoon Signal 8+: HK$500 per trip
How to book: WhatsApp +852 6160 0170, hotline +852 2116 0675, or email Info@luxurygatewayltd.com. Please send the terminal, the embarkation or disembarkation date and time, the number of passengers and the amount of luggage, and we will quote accordingly.
FAQ
Conclusion
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Ocean Terminal are both in Kowloon, but getting to them is quite different. Kai Tak depends on buses, taxis or a private car, taxis are scarce on turnaround days, and parking is not recommended. Ocean Terminal is in Tsim Sha Tsui, about 11 to 16 minutes’ walk from the MTR stations listed above. Check your cruise documents and the official transport information before you travel, and if you have luggage, a pre-booked Luxury Gateway car can make embarkation day more straightforward.
