Hong Kong Bus Overview
According to the Transport Department 2023 data, more than 3 million passengers ride buses in Hong Kong every day, with over 700 routes—the second largest public transport option after the MTR. Buses are important primarily because they have the widest coverage, serving almost all corners of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories, particularly areas like Tung Chung, Ma On Shan, and Tseung Kwan O that lack direct railway access.
Hong Kong buses are mainly operated by five companies: Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) has the most routes in Kowloon and the New Territories, with over 400 routes; visit KMB's official website for details. Citybus focuses on Hong Kong Island North routes and cross-harbour tunnel services—check Citybus's dedicated page for more information. New World First Bus serves both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, with particularly famous airport and North Lantau routes; find New World First Bus information here. Long Win Bus specializes in North Lantau and Airport Express routes, making travel to the airport very convenient. New Lantau Bus serves the southern part of Lantau Island and residential areas like Discovery Bay.
For tourists or people newly moved to Hong Kong, it is recommended to download real-time arrival apps such as "BusGB" or "590" to accurately estimate waiting times. Before boarding, always note the route number and destination, as buses with the same number traveling in different directions may go to different places. Hong Kong drivers generally announce stops in Cantonese; if you are not familiar, press the stop button in advance or set a reminder in the app.
For more District Bus Overviews and Long-Distance Route Recommendations, visit the topic category to find the option that best suits your itinerary.
Complete Comparison of Selected Bus Operators
The Hong Kong bus market is dominated by 5 franchise bus operators, with total passenger volume exceeding 1.1 billion in 2023. KMB (Kowloon Motor Bus) holds approximately 55% of the market share, while Citybus and Newbus combined account for about 30%, with Long Win Bus and Island Bus comprising the remaining 15%. Each company has its own strengths in route networks, service quality, and fare structures, allowing passengers to choose the most suitable operator based on their travel needs.
Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) leads in terms of route numbers, operating over 400 regular routes covering all districts of Hong Kong. KMB introduced full-fleet air-conditioned buses in 2023 and launched the "KMB Journey" real-time arrival information app, which provides estimated arrival times with accuracy generally within 3 minutes. For more details, please visit the KMB official website.
Citybus primarily operates routes on Hong Kong Island's northern shore and cross-harbour tunnel routes, with over 90 routes. Several airport routes designated with the letter "A" are market leaders. Citybus's "Citybus App" offers multiple features, including next bus estimated waiting times and seat availability, receiving relatively high service ratings within the industry.
Newbus also focuses on the Hong Kong Island route network, operating approximately 50 routes. Newbus uniquely offers multiple tourist attraction loop routes, such as Route 54 from Kennedy Town to Mount Kellett. In terms of fare structure, Newbus and Citybus apply identical cross-harbour tunnel section fares, and transfer discounts can be used in conjunction.
Long Win Bus is the only operator providing comprehensive airport transportation services, operating over 30 Airport Bus routes and night N-line services. Long Win Bus's "Long Win Easy APP" integrates airport pre-check-in service functions, which is relatively convenient for travelers. However, fares are approximately 15% to 20% higher compared to other operators.
Lantau Bus (Island Bus) specializes in Lantau South routes connecting Tung Chung and Discovery Bay. Although it operates only approximately 20 routes, it monopolizes transportation in that region. Island Bus offers several express routes with direct access to the airport, with fares 40% to 60% lower than Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge shuttle buses.
In terms of selection recommendations, for daily commuting, KMB or Citybus are preferred choices due to frequent departures and comprehensive coverage. For airport transfers, Long Win Bus A-line routes are recommended. For Lantau residents, Island Bus is the only option. Through transfer combinations, passengers can utilize transfer discounts offered by two or more operators, typically enjoying HK$0.5 to HK$2 discounts on the second journey. For more transportation options, please refer to the Hong Kong Transport Guide special feature.
District Distribution and Transportation Recommendations
Hong Kong's five franchised bus companies each dominate different regions. In 2023, Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) accounted for approximately 55% of total bus passenger volume across the territory, with its route network covering all 18 districts. Routes in Kowloon East and New Territories East are most densely distributed, with over 2 million daily passengers using KMB services in Kowloon City, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Tai Po, and North District.
Hong Kong Island is primarily served by Citybus and New World First Bus, covering Central and Western District, Eastern District, Southern District, and Wan Chai. Citybus focuses on cross-harbour tunnel routes and tourist attraction routes, such as Route 6 connecting Central to Stanley. New World First Bus concentrates on the Eastern Corridor and Tseung Kwan O connections. For island residents traveling to and from Kowloon, cross-harbour buses are recommended as the fastest option, reaching Tsim Sha Tsui from Causeway Bay in just 35 minutes.
New Territories is divided among KMB, Long Win Bus, and New Lantao Bus. KMB controls major trunk roads in the northwest, such as Routes 69C and X97 series providing direct services from Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai to the city center. Long Win Bus specializes in North Lantau and Airport routes, with Route A31 traveling between Tsuen Wan and the Airport in only 45 minutes. New Lantao Bus monopolizes South Lantau and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car station connections.
Cross-Harbour Options include 15 Citybus cross-harbour tunnel routes, with the Cross-Harbour Tunnel being the busiest. Travel time through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel during off-peak hours is approximately 25 minutes, while the Eastern Harbour Tunnel is relatively smoother. To avoid congestion, consider using Eastern Harbour Tunnel routes or MTR instead.
- Travel between urban areas and New Territories: KMB express routes are recommended for time savings and available seating
- Departing from the Airport: Long Win Bus operates fixed schedules with pre-check-in service available
- Local tours on Lantau: New Lantao Bus offers day passes allowing unlimited rides
For more New Territories transportation tips, please refer to our special topic page to find the travel option that best suits your needs.
In-Depth Reviews of Major Operators
Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) maintains its position as Hong Kong's largest franchise bus operator, carrying over 700 million passengers throughout 2023, with an average daily ridership of approximately 2.1 million, representing a 55% market share of the entire territory's bus services. KMB currently operates over 400 routes covering all 18 districts, with Kowloon City, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Tai Po, and the North District serving as its primary service areas.
KMB's route network is most densely concentrated in East Kowloon and the New Territories East. The Kwun Tong Line, East Rail Line feeder services, and the Sha Tin to Tai Po district lines are most relied upon by commuters. KMB introduced 100 new energy buses with low-floor access pilot programs in 2022, and currently has over 300 low-floor buses operating on major urban routes, providing better accessibility for elderly passengers and wheelchair users. Passengers traveling from Kowloon City to Kwun Tong can take Route 11C or Route 5M, with a journey time of approximately 25 minutes at a fare of $4.2.
Citybus holds a dominant position on Hong Kong Island, operating over 90 routes including more than 30 cross-harbour tunnel routes. Citybus Route 6 runs between Central and Stanley, passing through Repulse Bay Beach, making it the only franchise bus service connecting local residents and tourists to the Southern District beaches. Citybus also operates the Airport Express A11 route, running from Tung Chung in North Lantau to North Point on Hong Kong Island at a fare of $55. Citybus piloted a real-time arrival prediction system covering all routes in 2023, allowing passengers to checknext bus arrival times via mobile app with accuracy exceeding 85%.
New World First Bus (NWFB) primarily serves the trunk routes in the Eastern District and Tseung Kwan O, with the Tseung Kwan O Tunnel Route 790 series providing the fastest connection between Hang Hom Toi and Eastern Hong Kong Island, taking only 20 minutes. NWFB's elderly concession applies to passengers aged 65 and above, offering free rides on all routes every Monday through Saturday, with over 8,000 passengers using the elderly concession daily. Elderly passengers traveling between the Eastern District and Wan Chai are advised to take Route 2A or Route 18 at a fare of $5.1.
Long Win Bus primarily serves the New Territories West and North Lantau areas, with Route R33 connecting Tuen Mun, Yuen Disney Disneyland being the most popular among family travelers, operating at 15-minute intervals during holidays. Route A33 from Tuen Mun Town Centre to the airport costs $14 and offers seat reservation services. MTR Buses serve feeder routes for the East Rail Line and West Rail Line, with Route S64 series operating between Yuen Long and Sheung Shui at a fare of $5.5, allowing passengers to transfer directly within MTR stations without re-entering the gates.
Each company has different fare standards, service frequencies, and levels of low-floor bus coverage. KMB's strength lies in its most comprehensive route network, making it suitable for passengers needing to travel to multiple different districts; Citybus is most competitive on cross-harbour tunnel routes and tourist attraction routes; and NWFB provides greater convenience for Eastern District residents. For airport transfers, passengers in North Lantau should prioritize Citybus Route A or Long Win Bus Route E, as these offer more frequent services and fewer stops. When choosing the appropriate bus company, factors such as route coverage, personal needs, age, and other considerations should be evaluated to ensure a smoother riding experience.
Selection Recommendations and Considerations
When selecting routes with the highest passenger volume on KMB, it is recommended to avoid the morning peak hours (7:30-9:00) and evening peak hours (5:30-7:00). According to 2023 data, the maximum passenger capacity on KMB's busiest routes already exceeds 85%, meaning passengers often need to wait for several buses before being able to board. If your schedule allows, the off-peak hours from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM see an approximately 60% decrease in passenger volume, providing a much more comfortable riding experience.
For travel between the city centre and the New Territories East, KMB's 268X Express and 69X series are known for "fewer stops, faster speed"; Citybus's 680 and 980 series excel in "covering Hong Kong Island." New Lantau Bus Route A is suitable for airport travellers, while Long Win Bus's S64 series is ideal for passengers travelling to and from Disneyland.
Before boarding, it is recommended to use apps to check real-time arrival information for various routes, or call App26681111's official hotline to confirm route details. You may refer to the "Hong Kong Bus Routes" feature for the most recommended route options across different districts.
