Going around HK with kids with no car

[Newbie_hk]

Hi everyone,

What's it like going around HK on public transport?

I know HK is fantastic in this department but just wondering how manageable is it to go around HK with a kid especially in a pram? We've travelled around Asia with a pram and some countries are not pram friendly at all (Philippines, Thailand).

We're moving from Sydney and I've managed to get around by train without much hassle but buses are a bit of a pain.

Is it easier to get a car?

Need some on-the-ground advice. Thanks

 

[TNT]

HK is not very pram friendly, but it does depend a bit where you live. On the island the major drawbacks are narrow, crowded pavements (or no pavement) and lots and lots of steps. If you are on the MTR(train) it is not so bad, but we live Southside so it is buses (mostly double decker) and it is hard work with a pram. My kids were 3 and 10 months when I arrived and I mainly used a sling for the little one and walking for the older one.
We did buy a car and have found it so much easier to get around - if our kids were older or you didn't have any, public transport is great, but i feel i have so much more flexibility with a car. A friend with an almost one year old didn't have one the first few months and couldn't believe how 'free' she felt after getting one! In Melbourne i used the pram all the time but here it is basically only used in shopping centres when i need the 1 year old to be contained and/or sleep!
But others may have a different view...

 

[sea princess]

Hi

Where we decided to live was a big factor as I wanted somewhere I could walk around on properly made footpaths with a pram, so we chose Stanley! Coming from Australia too, I understand your concerns.

There are some really narrow footpaths and ones that run out all together in HK, can be quite annoying. You can do trains but there is some lifting up and down stairs to get underground, ramps are not so common. Mini buses are easiest I find and service all areas. Others take taxi's as they are cheap and you can buy child restraints to put on the children (similar to a flight seat belt).

Depending on where you chose to live, a car is really handy and driving here is not difficult if living on the island. Public parking is inexpensive in comparison to Sydney. You can explore so much more of the place with a car.

Good luck with your relocation and feel free to PM me if needed.

 

[TNT]

Agree with Seaprincess about exploring the island, ease of driving and the parking costs compared to Sydney. All really good points!

 

[Newbie_hk]

Thanks Sea Princess & TNT!

Now I remember navigating through those crowded & narrow foot paths with a 9 month old in a pram. He just turned 3 now and we still use the occasional pram for long walks to the park or mall.

Thanks for the PM, I might just drop a line!

 

[MRC]

In short, no you do not need a car, 99% of expats do not have car as public transport includes taxis which are plentiful and cheap whereas cars are expensive to buy new, cost a lot to run and are a nightmare to park

to put this in perspective a short taxi ride (80% of rides) will cost Hk$20(Us$2.5) for first 2km (ie anywhere in central midlevels), medium distance 5-6km will cost Hk$50(Us$4.5) (any where on north side of island eg causeway bay to pok Fu lam & long distance ie 10k plus (cental to south side of island) will cost <Hk$100(us12.5) - you would need to take a lot of taxis to come anywhere close to car running costs without looking at purchase price and deval