How to get to Cheung Chau

Being an island of course the only way to get to Cheung Chau is by boat!  There is a very regular ferry service running from the Central Pier #5 on Hong Kong Island which is operated by Sun Ferry Services Company.

Coming over for a festival day? See getting to the dragon boat races on Tuen Ng at the Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter.

Heavy rain alone does not stop the ferries — for what the weather warnings mean for the beaches and trails, see Cheung Chau in heavy rain.

How to get to the Beach

A person took a video for us on how to get to the beach from the Pier, with editing. Check the video out down below.

From Hong Kong Island

To reach the pier take the MTR to Central station or Hong Kong station and walk towards the sea using the elevated walkway system.  The piers are numbered from 1 though 10 in sequence so it is easy to find the #5 that goes to Cheung Chau.

Two kinds of boats are operated, a larger three level boat known as the "slow" or "ordinary" ferry which takes about 55–60 minutes. While a smaller faster boat, known as the "fast ferry" takes about 35–40 minutes.  Both types can be taken from the same ferry pier in Central and arrive at the same pier on Cheung Chau. 

While the fast ferry is, obviously, faster the slow ferry has the advantage of having outside areas from which to enjoy the view, so unless you are in a great hurry do consider taking the slow ferry either to or from Cheung Chau.  On hot days air-conditioning may be appreciated and this is available on the top deck of the slow ferries, and on the whole of the fast ferries.  A supplement is payable to go to the top deck of the slow ferry, the "deluxe class", which also gives access to the back observation deck on the majority, but not all, of the slow ferries.

Even the smaller fast ferries are quite large seating many hundreds of people in comfortable padded seating similar to airline seats but have no outside access. The slow ferries have a mix of seating styles including chairs and tables on the upper decks.  Automated drink machines sell soft drinks on the ferries and the slow ferries have instant cup noodle machines, but otherwise it is best to take your own refreshments for the journey.

During the day the fast and ordinary ferries alternate, and there are more sailings at commuter times because the boats also carry residents who work elsewhere in Hong Kong. The timetable below lists every sailing; the ★ and ◆ markers pick out the ones that run only Monday to Friday or only on Saturday.

Typhoons and the ferry

In a tropical cyclone the ferry service can be suspended or changed. Whether the boats run is a sea-condition decision by the operator, Sun Ferry, not an automatic trigger at a particular signal number. See typhoons and the Cheung Chau ferry for what each signal means and the hotline to check before you set out.

For those visiting Cheung Chau in a group another option is to hire a private junk, not as expensive as it may sound if your group is large enough this option gives you great flexibility and is highly recommended when visiting Cheung Chau for the Bun Festival Parade as at that time the regular ferries are very busy and long waiting times may occur.

From Lantau

The same ferry company operates a circular Inter-island ferry route that takes in Mui Wo on Lantau, Peng Chau, and Cheung Chau. This is a great option for those wanting to see more than one of the outlying islands, or perhaps wish to mix a visit to the Lantau Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha with a seafood meal on Cheung Chau.

From the Po Lin Monastery take Lantau Bus No.2 which goes to the bus stop in Mui Wo which is right beside the Mui Wo ferry pier, from there take the inter-island ferry to Cheung Chau.  The trip is on a smaller two deck ferry with an outside observation deck.

For the full picture on arriving from Lantau, Peng Chau or Chi Ma Wan - the inter-island timetable, the piers, the fare and the local kaito to Sai Wan - see getting to Cheung Chau from the other outlying islands.

From the airport to Central Pier 5

The Airport Express from Hong Kong International Airport ends at Hong Kong Station, next to Central station. From either station, follow the elevated walkway system towards the water: the piers are numbered 1 to 10 in sequence, so Pier 5 is easy to find. A taxi can set you down at the Central piers directly. Whatever you take, buy the ferry ticket at the pier – there is nothing to reserve in advance.

Cheung Chau ferry FAQ

What time is the last ferry back from Cheung Chau?

11:45 PM on the fast ferry Monday to Saturday, and 11:30 PM on the ordinary ferry on Sundays and public holidays. The 12:30 AM sailing runs the other way, from Central.

What time is the first ferry to Cheung Chau?

1:30 AM – the first fast ferry from Central Pier 5, on both day types. The first ordinary ferry leaves at 6:10 AM Monday to Saturday and 6:30 AM on Sundays and public holidays.

How much is the ferry to Cheung Chau?

HK$16.70 to HK$47.60 for an adult single. Ordinary class costs HK$16.70 Monday to Saturday and HK$24.80 on Sundays and public holidays; deluxe class HK$26.10 and HK$38.00 for the same two day types; the fast ferry HK$32.90 and HK$47.60. Concessions run from HK$8.30 to HK$23.80. The two fare tables above carry every cell.

Do I need to book the ferry in advance?

No. Sun Ferry sells no advance tickets, takes no reservations, and boards first-come, first-served.

Can I pay by Octopus or Alipay?

Octopus and Hong Kong dollar cash on every sailing. AlipayHK "EasyGo", Alipay "Transport QR Code" and UnionPay "Transit QR Code" are scanned at the pier gates for single-journey fares only: they cannot buy a multi-ride or holiday return ticket, and UnionPay's code cannot be used for a child or senior fare.

Can I take a pet or a suitcase on the ferry?

Pets travel in the designated areas of fast ferries or in the ordinary class of ordinary ferries, never in the deluxe class, for HK$26.30 per pet. One piece of luggage up to 32 in (W) × 23 in (H) × 12 in (D) travels free; anything more pays a freight charge, and a bicycle costs HK$27.60.