The cable car closes for scheduled maintenance, 10 November 2026.

Ngong Ping Village stays open, and New Lantao Bus 23 still runs from Tung Chung up to the plateau.

Confirm your date before booking, as the cable car sometimes closes.

Which Ngong Ping Cable Car Option Fits Your Day?

Every visit starts with the same fork in the road. Either you buy a cable car ticket and explore Ngong Ping, the Buddha and Tai O on your own clock, or you book a guided day that bundles the ride with a coach, a guide and usually a Tai O boat trip. The second choice is simpler; the first is cheaper and more flexible.

Only after that does cabin type matter. Standard, Crystal with its glass floor, and Crystal+ each carry different prices and different boarding lines. The shortlist picker below holds all five options on this site, from the bare ticket to a private coach day, so you can weigh them side by side.

1. What kind of day are you after?
2. What do you want to pay per person?
3. How much time do you have?

All five options are shown below, from the cable car ticket itself to full guided days taking in the Big Buddha and Tai O. Answer any question to start narrowing them down.

Riding up only: The one-way Standard Cabin ticket at $21.15 is the cheapest way up, and you can ride New Lantao Bus 23 back down.

Round trip: The round-trip Standard Cabin at $29.39 covers both legs, with the return leg valid the same day only.

Glass floor: The Crystal Cabin round trip at $31.55 adds a full-width glass floor and a shorter boarding line than Standard.

Families: Children aged 3 to 11 pay child fares, and under-12s must ride with someone aged 15 or over.

Guided day: Five hours with the Tai O boat runs from $67.60, the six-hour tour from $70.15, the VIP day from $100.76, and the private coach day, no cable car included, from $45.92.

Where The Cable Car Runs: Tung Chung To Ngong Ping

The ropeway stretches 5.7 km between two terminals, Tung Chung at the bottom and Ngong Ping at the top, with the one-way journey taking about 25 minutes. After leaving Tung Chung it crosses Tung Chung Bay, passes the edge of Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, then climbs through Lantau North Country Park toward Nei Lak Shan, at 751 m, before arriving beside Ngong Ping Village with the Tian Tan Buddha in view.

The system runs 108 cabins continuously, and it carried 1.56 million guests in 2024, an average of 4,843 a day. It is the longest bi-cable ropeway in Asia and opened on 18 September 2006.

A cable car cabin on its cable above the bay and hills of Lantau, seen from the line

Live map, loads on tap

5.7 kmcable car length from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping
25 mintypical journey time each way
108cabins running on the line
1.56mguests carried in 2024, about 4,843 a day

The Two Terminals

Tung Chung terminal sits a 5-minute walk from Exit B of Tung Chung MTR station, next to Citygate Outlets, with the ticket office on the first floor. This is where standard e-tickets are scanned at the turnstile and where tours meet before boarding. The upper terminal deposits you inside Ngong Ping Village, the 1.5-hectare site from which the Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are each about 10 minutes on foot. The operator recommends 3 to 4 hours up top to explore and eat.

What Passes Beneath The Cabin

The sequence below the cabin is the point of the ride. First Tung Chung Bay, then the airport skyline and the bridge, then country park slopes as the line climbs. Two angle stations steer the cable along the way; at the Airport Island angle station it turns 60 degrees. Passengers cannot get off at either angle station, so every cabin runs the full distance.

Why The Ride Is Part Of The Day

Bus 23 covers the same ground in winding fashion along Tung Chung Road, and some passengers get motion sickness on it. The cabin gives you the plateau from above instead. Tour listings budget about 30 minutes including boarding, which makes the ride a scheduled stop in the day rather than dead time.

The Cable Car Ticket On Its Own

The self-guided option is the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ticket on Klook, rated 4.7 across 61,900 reviews. It starts at $21.15 for a one-way Standard Cabin and runs to $29.39 for a round-trip Standard and $31.55 for a round-trip Crystal. A Crystal private cabin for up to 10 guests is listed at $494.75, collected as a physical ticket.

Three cabin types on the same line

Standard Cabin

  • Solid floor, panoramic windows
  • Up to 17 guests, 10 seated and 7 standing
  • Departs continuously

Round trip at the gate: HK$295

Crystal Cabin

  • Full-width glass floor, three tempered layers about 4.84 cm thick
  • 10 guests
  • Departs every 3 to 7 minutes

Round trip at the gate: HK$365

Crystal+

  • Glass floor plus full-height glass side walls, over 80% transparency
  • 10 guests, 21 of the cabins
  • Departs every 7 to 10 minutes

Round trip at the gate: HK$545

Adult gate fares from the operator's published fare list, in HK$. Drawings are schematic cabin sketches, not photographs.

Standard e-tickets arrive as a QR voucher scanned at the Tung Chung terminal turnstile, with no counter exchange. The regular options carry free cancellation before redemption. The ticket is valid to 31 December 2026 on the one-way option, and the ride runs year-round except scheduled maintenance closures.

Standard Cabin, Crystal And Crystal+

The Standard Cabin has a solid floor and panoramic windows and carries up to 17 guests, 10 seated and 7 standing, departing continuously. The Crystal Cabin swaps in a full-width glass floor of three tempered layers about 4.84 cm thick and takes 10 guests every 3 to 7 minutes. Crystal+ adds full-height laminated glass side walls with over 80% transparency across 21 cabins, departing every 7 to 10 minutes, and ran above 90% utilisation at peak periods in 2024. The deeper comparison, including the boarding-line differences visitors report, is in our Crystal versus Standard guide.

Who Pays What

Infants aged 0 to 2 ride free, and the child fare applies from 3 to 11. Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone aged 15 or over under the Tung Chung Cable Car Bylaw. The senior fare is open only to Hong Kong residents holding a JoyYou Card or Senior Citizen Card; adult and child fares are identical for visitors and residents. Guests with a disability get 30% off at the ticket office with valid proof. Tickets are non-transferable and the booker must be the user.

Ages 0 to 2FreeInfants ride free
Ages 3 to 11HK$100Child fare, Standard single. Under 12 must ride with someone aged 15 or over
AdultsHK$205Standard single. Same fare for visitors and residents
SeniorsHK$105Standard single, Hong Kong residents with a JoyYou or Senior Citizen Card only

Round Trips, Same Day And Cabin Changes

Both legs of a round trip must be used the same day. You cannot stay in the cabin at the top: everyone gets off at Ngong Ping and rejoins the queue for the return. A Crystal round-trip holder may come back down in a Standard Cabin, but no refund of the difference is given. Upgrades to Crystal on arrival happen only if circumstances allow, and the operator points to its popularity, so a glass floor booked in advance is the sure thing.

On-Board Rules

Backpacks or luggage larger than 48 x 34 x 23 cm or heavier than 4 kg cannot go on board. Left luggage costs HK$100 per piece at the Tung Chung terminal and at the Ngong Ping Village information centre, collected before closing. Only water may be consumed in the cabin, and smoking is not allowed. Wheelchair users can ride with an able-bodied companion, and no pets are permitted except guide dogs.

Largest bag allowed on board

48 cm34 cm23 cm
  • 48 x 34 x 23 cmor smaller, and no heavier than 4 kg
  • HK$100 per pieceleft luggage at the Tung Chung terminal and the Ngong Ping Village information centre; collect before closing
  • Water onlyin the cabin; no smoking; no pets except guide dogs
Sketch only, not to scale. Edge lengths are the operator's published limit; larger bags are not allowed on board.

All 11 published fares are listed below, with the adult, child and senior price on every line.

TicketCabinTripGate fare in Hong Kong dollars
Round Trip, Crystal+ Both Ways Crystal+ Round trip Adult HK$545 about US$70 Child 3-11 HK$400 about US$51 Senior HK$405 about US$52
Round Trip, Crystal+ Up and Standard Back Mixed cabins Round trip Adult HK$420 about US$54 Child 3-11 HK$275 about US$35 Senior HK$280 about US$36
Round Trip, Crystal Cabin Crystal Round trip Adult HK$365 about US$47 Child 3-11 HK$220 about US$28 Senior HK$235 about US$30
Round Trip, Crystal One Way and Standard One Way Mixed cabins Round trip Adult HK$330 about US$42 Child 3-11 HK$185 about US$24 Senior HK$195 about US$25
Round Trip, Standard Cabin Standard Round trip Adult HK$295 about US$38 Child 3-11 HK$150 about US$19 Senior HK$155 about US$20
Single Trip, Crystal+ Crystal+ Single trip Adult HK$330 about US$42 Child 3-11 HK$225 about US$29 Senior HK$230 about US$29
Single Trip, Crystal Cabin Crystal Single trip Adult HK$240 about US$31 Child 3-11 HK$135 about US$17 Senior HK$145 about US$18
Single Trip, Standard Cabin Standard Single trip Adult HK$205 about US$26 Child 3-11 HK$100 about US$13 Senior HK$105 about US$13
Private Crystal+ Cabin, One WayWhole cabin, up to 10 guests, booked at least 3 days ahead Crystal+ Single trip Whole cabin HK$3,050 about US$389
Private Standard Cabin, Round TripWhole cabin, up to 10 guests Standard Round trip Whole cabin HK$4,200 about US$536
Private Crystal Cabin, Round TripWhole cabin, up to 10 guests Crystal Round trip Whole cabin HK$4,800 about US$612
  • Infants aged 0 to 2 ride free, and the child fare covers ages 3 to 11.
  • Senior pricing is limited to Hong Kong residents holding a valid JoyYou Card or Hong Kong Senior Citizen Card. Adult and child fares are identical for residents and overseas visitors.
  • Both legs of a round trip are valid on the same day only.
  • Guests with a disability get 30% off at the Tung Chung or Ngong Ping ticket office on production of valid proof, from 1 April 2026.

These are the operator's own gate fares in Hong Kong dollars, taken from its ticket page. A ticket booked ahead is priced by whoever sells it, so the amount you pay can differ from the figure in this table. US dollar figures are converted at 7.8403 to the dollar, the reference rate of 2026-09-04, and are approximate rather than official.

Check availability

Cable Car, Big Buddha And Tai O Day Tours

Four guided days pair the cable car with the Buddha, the monastery and Tai O, and they differ more in shape than in price. Two run five and six hours from Tung Chung with the boat included; a VIP version adds downtown pickup and headsets; a private coach day runs during cable car maintenance. All four allow cancellation up to 24 hours before for a full refund.

The four guided days: length and from-price

Budget Tour, Private CoachMeets at the Tung Chung terminal coach bay, no cable car5 hoursfrom $45.92
Guided 5-Hour Tour, Tai O BoatMeets at the Tung Chung terminal, round-trip cable car5 hoursfrom $67.60
6-Hour Guided Tour, Fishing VillageMeets at Tung Chung MTR station, single cable car ride6 hoursfrom $70.15
VIP Priority Boarding, 7-Hour TourCoach pickup in downtown Hong Kong, skip-the-line cable car7 hoursfrom $100.76
Lengths and from-prices are the listings' own. Each name opens that tour's page on this site.

The comparison table below sets out duration, operator, rating and from-price for each. The two tours covered here are the closest in format and the ones most visitors choose between.

Five Hours With The Tai O Boat

The Tai O and Big Buddha Tour with Cable Car is operated by Ngong Ping 360 Limited and runs about 5 hours in total, with the guided portion 3 to 3.5 hours. Meet at the Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal and redeem the digital voucher at ticket counter 14 or 15 by 11:00 AM for priority boarding. The cable car ride takes about 30 minutes, and the guided tour starts at 12:00 PM at the Information Centre at the top. From there a private air-conditioned coach runs to Tai O for the boat excursion, where pink dolphins may be spotted but are not guaranteed, followed by the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.

The five-hour tour, step by step

  1. Redeem by 11:00 AMDigital voucher at ticket counter 14 or 15 at the Tung Chung terminal.
  2. Ride with priority boardingThe cable car takes about 30 minutes.
  3. Guide meets you at 12:00 PMAt the Information Centre at the top.
  4. Coach, boat, BuddhaPrivate coach to Tai O and the boat excursion, then the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
Steps as the listing gives them. If the cable car is cancelled the guided tour is cancelled too.

It includes a round-trip cable car ticket with priority boarding, an English or Chinese speaking guide, the coach, the boat tour and the monastery visit. Tips are excluded. If the cable car is cancelled for weather or other reasons, the guided tour is cancelled too, and if the Tai O boat is suspended, guests receive a HK$20 Ngong Ping 360 souvenir shop voucher. The listing shows 4.7 across 752 reviews, from $67.60 per person. Reviews praise the skip-the-line access and the guides, while some ask for clearer meeting point and collection instructions.

Six Hours From Tung Chung Station

The 6-Hour Cable Car, Big Buddha and Fishing Village Tour, run by Hong Kong Free Tours, runs 10am to 4pm and meets at Tung Chung MTR station, finishing there. It includes a single standard cable car ride with priority boarding, then begins the walking day at the front door of Po Lin Monastery, bypassing Ngong Ping Village entirely. The guide climbs the 268 steps to the Tian Tan Buddha with the group, about 30 minutes there and 30 at the monastery, and explains the Buddha's hand gesture on the way. A quieter "secret" temple stop of 20 minutes follows.

The six-hour tour, stop by stop (10am to 4pm)

  1. Ridesingle Standard cabin, priority boarding
  2. 30 minTian Tan Buddha, guided
  3. 30 minPo Lin Monastery
  4. 20 minquieter temple stop
  5. 20 minTai O stilt houses and boat ride
  6. 45 mincoach back to Tung Chung MTR
Minutes as the listing itemises them; the cable car ride and the walking between stops are not itemised.

Private transport then runs to Kwun Yam Temple and Tai O for a stilt house visit and a 20-minute boat ride, before a 45-minute coach ride back. The listing shows 4.9 across 608 reviews, from $70.15 per person. Reviewers mention the small group size and named guides; some note that clearer transport coordination and notice of cable car closures would help. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Choosing between them comes down to the cable car and the village. The five-hour Ngong Ping 360 Limited tour rides round trip and includes the boat; the six-hour Hong Kong Free Tours day includes a single ride, bypasses the village and adds the temple stop.

VIP Priority Cable Car Versus The Standard Queue

Visitor reports collected on TripAdvisor between late 2025 and March 2026 describe Standard Cabin waits of 1 to 3 hours, including on non-holiday weekdays. One report from a November Monday put the wait at 2.5 hours. These are visitor accounts, not operator data, but the pattern is consistent.

Boarding line at Tung Chung, as visitors report it

Standard Cabin linereports include non-holiday weekdays1 to 3 hours
Crystal and Crystal+ linetheir own, shorter boarding lineabout 10 minutes
Visitor reports on TripAdvisor, late 2025 to March 2026, not operator data. A pre-bought e-ticket skips the ticket-purchase queue but not the boarding queue.

A pre-bought e-ticket, such as the cable car ticket on Klook, skips the ticket-purchase queue. It does not skip the boarding queue. Crystal and Crystal+ cabins have their own separate boarding line, and visitors report waits of around 10 minutes there against an hour or more for Standard. The official ticket office sits on the first floor of the Tung Chung terminal.

What The VIP Tour Adds

The Lantau VIP Priority Cable Car, Big Buddha and Tai O tour on GetYourGuide runs from US$100.76 per person over 7 hours, operated by GL Tours of Hong Kong Limited. It holds a 4.3 rating across 430 reviews, the lowest of the five listings on this site.

How the VIP seven hours are itemised

  • Tai O guided visit, about 1 hour
  • Po Lin Monastery, guided
  • Tian Tan Buddha
  • Ngong Ping Village
  • Return cable car, about 30 min
  • Coach back, about 45 min
  • Not itemised on the listing
Minutes as the listing gives them, in no stated order. The last block is arithmetic, 420 minus the 215 itemised. The Tai O boat cruise (about 20 minutes, HK$50 extra) and the vegetarian lunch (1 hour) are optional and not counted.

Its core promise is friction removal. A round-trip coach collects from three listed downtown pickup points, including the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Tsim Sha Tsui, with Kowloon-side hotel pickup available as an optional add-on. The skip-the-line round-trip cable car ticket is included. A private coach runs between Ngong Ping and Tai O, and the listing says this saves a 45 minute wait.

At the top, a guide with wireless headsets covers Ngong Ping Village, Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha in timed stops. The Tai O boat cruise, about 20 minutes, is optional at an extra HK$50 per person, and a VIP vegetarian lunch at Po Lin Monastery can be added. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before.

Where The VIP Tour Falls Short

Several reviewers mention an unannounced shop stop at the end of the day, one visit to a store, which is not in the advertised itinerary. One reviewer reports a tip was asked for. On the other side of the ledger, guides draw consistent praise, the wait for priority boarding was reported as not long, and the group entrance appeared to be timed.

If the cable car is suspended, travellers choose between a full refund or continuing by bus with a Tai O boat ride. That is a fair fallback, though it converts the headline attraction into a coach ride.

Is Priority Boarding Worth Paying For?

Three routes exist to a shorter line. A Crystal or Crystal+ ticket bought on its own gets you the separate cabin line without a guide or a coach. The 6-Hour Cable Car, Big Buddha and Fishing Village Tour at US$70.15 includes a single standard ride with priority boarding, a guide and a Tai O boat trip. The VIP tour at US$100.76 adds the downtown coach, the return ride and the headsets.

What the extra money buys: VIP day against the six-hour tour

Starts at
Pickup in downtown Hong Kong
Tung Chung MTR station
Cable car
Skip-the-line round trip
Single Standard ride, priority boarding
Extras
Downtown coach, return ride, headsets
Guide, Tai O boat trip, temple stop
What each day adds, as the listings describe it. Prices, ratings and lengths are in the Latest Data table below. The $30.61 gap in from-prices is arithmetic ($100.76 minus $70.15).

The honest answer depends on whether the queue or the itinerary is the pain point. If you only fear the wait, a Crystal ticket is the cheapest fix. If you want the whole day arranged, the two tours compare directly, and the US$30.61 gap buys transport from downtown, a return cable car ride and about an extra hour. Our cabin comparison guide works through the ticket-only choice.

Private Coach Lantau Tour

The Lantau Tour with Big Buddha, Tai O and Private Coach costs from US$45.92 per person, runs 5 hours from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and carries a 4.8 rating across 82 reviews. The listing names Ngong Ping 360 Limited, the cable car operator itself, as the tour operator.

How the five hours add up

  • Coach to Tai O, 45 min
  • On to Ngong Ping Village, 15 min
  • At the Tian Tan Buddha, about 1.5 hours
  • Coach back to Tung Chung, 40 min
  • Not itemised on the listing, 110 min
Minutes as the listing gives them. The last block is arithmetic, 300 minus the 190 itemised, and the listing does not say where that time falls in the day.

The pitch is simple: a coach reserved for the group, no public buses at any point, and a guide covering Ngong Ping Village, the Giant Buddha, Po Lin Monastery and Tai O with a boat excursion included. The cable car is not part of the package, and an optional one-way ride from Ngong Ping to Tung Chung is listed as excluded, bought separately if you want it.

How The Day Runs

Meet at the Tung Chung Cable Car Station coach parking bay by 11:00 AM. The coach takes about 45 minutes to Tai O, the first stop, before a 15 minute transfer to Ngong Ping Village.

Roughly 1.5 hours go to the Tian Tan Buddha, the longest single block of the day, with Po Lin Monastery alongside it. The return coach to Tung Chung takes about 40 minutes, landing you back around 4:00 pm. The itinerary can shift with weather, and the listing flags walking that may not suit guests with mobility issues.

When It Makes The Most Sense

This tour exists partly for maintenance days. The cable car closes several times a year, the listing names 10 November 2026 specifically, and the operator positions this as the official alternative. It is also the cheapest guided day on this site.

The independent fallback is New Lantao Bus 23 from Tung Chung Tat Tung Road to Ngong Ping, HK$20.40 on a normal day and HK$37.00 on Sundays and public holidays, though the winding road causes motion sickness for some. The listing's sub-ratings are guide 4.9 and value for money 4.7.

What To Know Before Booking

Tours run in English and Chinese. Walking is involved, no food or drink is allowed in the vehicle, and meals, personal expenses and gratuities are excluded. Cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund. One reviewer says a group of 3 felt almost private.

What Does The Hong Kong Ngong Ping Cable Car Cost?

The full price ladder, bottom to top: US$21.15 for a one-way Standard Cabin e-ticket, US$29.39 for a Standard round trip, US$31.55 for a Crystal round trip with the glass floor, and US$494.75 for a private Crystal cabin seating up to 10 guests. Above the ticket-only tier sit the guided days: the private coach tour from US$45.92, the Tai O and Big Buddha tour from US$67.60, the 6-hour fishing village tour from US$70.15, and the VIP priority tour from US$100.76.

Every figure here comes from the booking listings, which set final prices by date and option. The operator's own gate fares, in HK dollars, sit below as the reference point.

The Operator's Own Gate Fares

Adult gate fares, cheapest to dearest

Standard, one wayHK$205about US$26
Crystal, one wayHK$240about US$31
Standard, round tripHK$295about US$38
Crystal+, one wayHK$330about US$42
Crystal one way, Standard the otherHK$330about US$42
Crystal, round tripHK$365about US$47
Crystal+ and Standard, round tripHK$420about US$54
Crystal+, round tripHK$545about US$70
  • One way
  • Round trip
  • Mixed cabin types
The operator's published adult fares in HK$. The US$ figures are arithmetic at HK$7.84 to US$1, rounded to the dollar. Klook and GetYourGuide prices are separate, listed in the picker above.

At the Tung Chung ticket office, an adult Standard single costs HK$205 and a Standard round trip HK$295. Crystal round trip is HK$365, and Crystal+ round trip, glass floor plus full-height glass walls, is HK$545. Child fares apply from ages 3 to 11, and the senior fare requires a Hong Kong JoyYou Card or Senior Citizen Card, so visitors pay the adult rate.

The USD prices in the first paragraph are the platform's own, not a direct conversion of this list. For perspective, the adult round trip cost HK$88 when the cable car opened in 2006, against HK$295 today.

What Each Price Includes

Cheaper Ways To Spend The Day

New Lantao Bus adult fares, normal day against Sunday and public holiday

Bus 23, Tung Chung to Ngong PingHK$20.40HK$37.00 Sun/hol
Bus 11, Tung Chung station to Tai OHK$14.00HK$23.30 Sun/hol
Bus 21, Ngong Ping to Tai OHK$7.90HK$19.20 Sun/hol
  • Normal day
  • Sunday and public holiday
Fares as the operator and bus company publish them; the bars share one HK$0 to HK$40 scale.

Bus 23 runs from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping for HK$20.40 on a normal day, HK$37.00 on Sundays and holidays. Climbing the 268 steps to the Tian Tan Buddha is free. The HK$88 anniversary ticket offer on designated dates through December 2026 is for Hong Kong residents with ID, so it does not apply to visitor trips, and the HK$620 annual pass suits locals rather than a one-off visit.

Inside Ngong Ping Village, each attraction costs HK$20 as a top-up when bought with a cable car ticket at the Tung Chung ticket office or official webstore, or HK$40 for two.

Latest Data, November 2026

The table below pulls each product's current rating, review count, from-price and duration straight from the listings as of November 2026. Platforms set the final price by travel date and option, so treat the listing itself as the authority at the moment you book.

OptionPlatformRatingReviewsFromLengthCancellation
Cable Car Ticket Only, Standard CabinKlook4.761,900$21.1525 minutes each wayFree cancellation before redemption on the regular options
Guided 5-Hour Tour, Tai O BoatGetYourGuide4.7752$67.605 hoursFree cancellation up to 24 hours before
6-Hour Guided Tour, Fishing VillageGetYourGuide4.9608$70.156 hoursFree cancellation up to 24 hours before
VIP Priority Boarding, 7-Hour TourGetYourGuide4.3430$100.767 hoursFree cancellation up to 24 hours before
Budget Tour, Private CoachGetYourGuide4.882$45.925 hoursFree cancellation up to 24 hours before

Getting To The Tung Chung Terminal

The Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal sits a 5-minute walk from Exit B of Tung Chung MTR station, directly beside Citygate Outlets. The official ticket office is on the first floor of the terminal, and the cable car tours meet here or at the MTR station, and only the VIP tour collects from downtown.

Do not buy from anyone at street level. Details on that below. Our fuller Tung Chung guide covers the neighbourhood, the outlets and eating options around the terminal.

All 4 starting points are listed below. Pick one to narrow this to a single route.

From Hong Kong Station Or Central

MTR Tung Chung Line About 30 minutes, no change of line

  • Adult, Octopus HK$24.30 about US$3.10
  • Adult, single-journey ticket HK$28.00 about US$3.57
  • Child, Octopus HK$12.50 about US$1.59
  • Elderly, Octopus HK$4.90 about US$0.62

The operator quotes a taxi from Central at about HK$290 and about 30 minutes, tunnel and bridge tolls included.

From Tsim Sha Tsui Or Kowloon

MTR to Tung Chung

  • Adult, Octopus HK$18.70 about US$2.39
  • Adult, single-journey ticket HK$21.00 about US$2.68
  • Child, Octopus HK$9.40 about US$1.20
  • Elderly, Octopus HK$3.70 about US$0.47

The operator publishes a journey time for the Hong Kong Station run only, and the MTR open data carries fares rather than timings, so no minute figure is printed for this one.

Kowloon and Tsim Sha Tsui are priced the same to Tung Chung in the MTR fare data.

The operator quotes a taxi from Tsim Sha Tsui at about HK$220 and about 37 minutes, tolls included.

From Hong Kong International Airport

Road, on the same island The operator puts the Tung Chung terminal 20 minutes from the airport

No airport fare is stated here. The MTR fare data behind this block prices the Tung Chung Line, and it does not price a rail trip from the airport.

Cabin luggage is capped at 48 cm by 34 cm by 23 cm, or 4 kg, under the Tung Chung Cable Car Bylaw, which matters if you arrive with a case.

Left luggage costs HK$100 a piece at the Tung Chung terminal, no booking needed, collected before the cable car closes the same day.

Shun Tung Road bus station, where the E-route airport buses stop, is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the terminal.

From Hong Kong Disneyland

MTR, with a change of line

  • Adult, Octopus HK$15.90 about US$2.03
  • Adult, single-journey ticket HK$17.00 about US$2.17
  • Child, Octopus HK$7.70 about US$0.98
  • Elderly, Octopus HK$3.20 about US$0.41

The MTR open data prices this pair but publishes no journey time for it, so no minute figure is printed.

Disneyland Resort station sits on the Disneyland Resort Line and Tung Chung is the end of the Tung Chung Line, so the trip takes one change.

Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal sits next to Tung Chung MTR station: a 5-minute walk from Exit B, roughly 300 m. The ticket office is on the first floor of the terminal.

The Road Alternative: New Lantao Bus 23

Route 23 climbs Tung Chung Road over the mountain to Ngong Ping, 38 stops in all. It is the road fallback when the cable car is closed for maintenance or stopped by weather, and the cheap option the rest of the time.

  • Tung Chung Tat Tung Road Bus Terminus, beside the cable car terminal to Ngong Ping, 38 stops
  • Adult, normal day HK$20.40 about US$2.60
  • Adult, Sunday or public holiday HK$37.00 about US$4.72

Frequencies and first and last departures are not in the Transport Department open data feed, so none are stated here.

The last stretch from the MTR

  1. Leave through Exit BTung Chung MTR station, on the Tung Chung Line.
  2. Walk about 5 minutesThe terminal sits next to Citygate Outlets.
  3. Ticket office on the first floorPre-bought Standard e-tickets skip it and scan a QR voucher at the turnstile.
From the operator's directions to the Tung Chung terminal.
Pedestrians crossing a plaza beside a modern shopping complex in Tung Chung
Tung Chung, where the line starts. Illustrative photo.

By MTR From Central, Kowloon And The Airport

The Tung Chung Line runs from Hong Kong Station in Central to Tung Chung in about 30 minutes with no change. An adult Octopus fare is HK$24.30, or HK$28.00 for a single ticket. From Kowloon or Tsim Sha Tsui, expect about HK$18.70 on Octopus, HK$21.00 as a single ticket.

The airport is roughly 20 minutes away, and the airport-to-Buddha question comes up often enough that we keep a separate airport to Big Buddha guide with the transfer options worked through.

By Taxi, Bus Or Car

The operator quotes taxi fares including tolls at about HK$290 and 30 minutes from Central, and about HK$220 and 37 minutes from Tsim Sha Tsui. The terminal's own car park handles coach pick-up and drop-off only, so drivers should use the Citygate Outlets car park.

Airport buses on the E routes stop at Shun Tung Road bus station, a 10 to 15 minute walk from the terminal.

Bags, Touts And The Right Counter

Luggage larger than 48 x 34 x 23 cm or heavier than 4 kg cannot go on board. Left luggage costs HK$100 per piece at the Tung Chung terminal and at the Ngong Ping Village information centre, collected before closing.

Since 29 May 2026, guests holding tickets from unauthorised channels are not permitted to board. People in uniforms resembling staff have sold already-used tickets near Tung Chung, and a fraudulent ticketing website was reported in 2025. Buy from the first-floor ticket office, the official webstore or the booking platforms linked on this site, and nothing else. The operator's hotline is (852) 3666 0606.

Where To Stay Near The Terminal

Tung Chung is the practical base: about 30 minutes by MTR from Central, with the terminal a short walk from the station, and the natural spot to start early before the queues build. The hotels listed below are affiliate links.

mid-range

Novotel Citygate Hong Kong

51 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung Town Centre, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, attached to Citygate Outlets beside Tung Chung MTR

★ 8.8

The handiest full-service base for an early ride: it shares a block with Citygate Outlets and Tung Chung MTR, so the cable car terminal is a short walk with no bus or train leg to build into the morning.

Check rates
upscale

Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel

9 Yi Tung Road, Tung Chung North, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

★ 9.2

A full-service option at the comfortable end of Tung Chung, with a pool and dining, suited to travellers who want a proper hotel rather than just a bed near the station.

Check rates
budget

City Oasis Guesthouse

Ngau Au Village, Tung Chung West, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

★ 9

A modest guesthouse for travellers who would rather put the savings toward a Crystal Cabin ride, accepting a short bus or taxi hop to reach the terminal.

Check rates

When Should You Ride The Hong Kong Ngong Ping Cable Car?

Two separate weather risks shape the calendar here, and they sit at opposite ends of the year. From February to April the problem is fog: Hong Kong Observatory normals record 3.4 of the year's 3.7 fog days in those three months, with February and March combining the lowest sunshine (about 101.7 and 100.0 hours) and the highest humidity (79 and 82 percent).

The Hong Kong year at a glance

  • Months affected
  • Typhoon peak months
Typhoon signal days peak in August (4.17 days) and September (3.83). Hong Kong Observatory 1991 to 2020 normals at the urban headquarters, not at Ngong Ping itself, which runs cooler, wetter and cloudier.

From June to October the risk is the typhoon signal, and those are not rare: signal days average 15.87 a year, peaking in August (4.17 days) and September (3.83). Service can be suspended in these conditions, so a ticket bought for a fixed date carries some weather risk in that stretch.

October And November

The statistical sweet spot. October brings 197.8 sunshine hours, 120.3 mm of rain and 73 percent humidity; November is drier still at 39.3 mm and 72 percent. Mean daily maxima are 28.1 C and 24.5 C. Note these are urban headquarters figures; Ngong Ping runs cooler, wetter and cloudier than the city.

February To April

Fog season. Nearly all of the year's 3.7 fog days fall here, and sunshine bottoms out at about 101.7 hours in February and 100.0 in March. Fares are unchanged, but visibility is the gamble.

June To September

Typhoon season, concentrated June to October. June is the wettest month at 491.5 mm, August 453.2 mm, and the July mean daily max reaches 31.6 C. Suspensions are possible whenever signals or severe winds are in force. When weather stops the service, the operator offers exchanges or refunds.

Weekday Mornings And Weekends

Visitor reports describe Standard Cabin waits stretching to 1 to 3 hours even on some non-holiday weekdays, so an early start matters. Weekends are busier, which is why weekend opening moves to 09:00 against 10:00 on weekdays. Crystal and Crystal+ lines have been reported at around 10 minutes.

Maintenance Closures

Scheduled closures, 2025 and 2026

JFMAMJJASOND20254-24 Mar14-17 May2-16 Sep25 Nov202623 Jan3-5 Mar21 May22 Jun8-18 Sep10 Nov

2025

  • 4-24 Mar
  • 14-17 May
  • 2-16 Sep
  • 25 Nov

2026

  • 3-5 Mar
  • 8-18 Sep
  • 10 Nov
  • Reopened 23 Jan, 21 May, 22 Jun
  • Closed on these dates
  • Reopened on this date
Hollow circles mark reopening dates where the closing date is not given. Nothing for 2027 has been announced. Ngong Ping Village stays open and New Lantao Bus 23 still runs during closures; call (852) 3666 0606 before booking a dated ticket.

The cable car closes several times a year, announced in advance, and the pattern is consistent: one long overhaul of 10 to 20 days in March or September, plus shorter shutdowns. In 2026 that meant January (resumed 23 Jan), 3 to 5 March, May (resumed 21 May), June (resumed 22 June), 8 to 18 September, and 10 November, the date named on the private coach listing. In 2025 the closures ran 4 to 24 March, 14 to 17 May, 2 to 16 September and 25 November. Nothing for 2027 has been announced yet. During closures Ngong Ping Village stays open and New Lantao Bus 23 still runs from Tung Chung. Check the hotline on (852) 3666 0606 before booking a dated ticket.

Holidays And Crowd Days

Golden Week, 1 to 7 October 2026, brings the biggest Mainland crowds, and the operator has recorded record Mainland guest numbers during the National Day holiday. Hong Kong public holidays in 2026 include 1 October, 19 October, 25 and 26 December, and every Sunday runs busy, with weekend opening at 09:00 to absorb it. Into 2027, Lunar New Year falls on 6, 8 and 9 February, Easter on 26, 27 and 29 March, plus 1 May and 13 May, the Buddha's Birthday, reliably the busiest day of the year at Po Lin Monastery. Avoid those dates if queue length matters to you.

Dates to avoid if queues matter, October 2026 to May 2027

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay1-7 Oct19 Oct25-26 Dec6-9 Feb26-29 Mar1 May13 May
  • 1-7 Oct
  • 19 Oct
  • 25-26 Dec
  • 6-9 Feb
  • 26-29 Mar
  • 1 May
  • 13 May
  • Holiday dates named in the text
Also busy: every Sunday. Lunar New Year (6, 8 and 9 Feb) and Easter (26, 27 and 29 Mar) are drawn as one span each. 13 May is the Buddha's Birthday, the busiest day of the year at Po Lin Monastery.

Weather Suspensions

Service may be suspended in rainstorm or thunderstorm conditions. The 2006 Legislative Council reply on the system's design sets out the triggers: Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above, the black rainstorm warning, lightning, and strong winds, defined there as 90 km/h persistent or 135 km/h gusts. Observatory data cited in that reply showed such winds during operating hours on an average of 7 days a year, 23 hours. The operator publishes no current wind number. If the cable car stops, ticket holders can exchange or claim a refund at the ticket office.

A Typical Day On Lantau

What Is Open Up Top: Big Buddha, Po Lin And Tai O

The cabin door opens at the Ngong Ping terminal, on a plateau whose weather rarely matches the city below. From the terminal it is a short walk into Ngong Ping Village, a 1.5-hectare themed site that sits between you and everything else up top. The operator suggests allowing 3 to 4 hours to explore the village, see the Buddha and Po Lin Monastery, and eat.

The seated Tian Tan Buddha on its hilltop above Ngong Ping Village, with a stone-balustraded path in the foreground and the sea beyond
The Tian Tan Buddha on its hilltop; the 268 steps up to it are free to climb. Illustrative photo.
Hanging incense coils under the roof of a temple hall at Po Lin Monastery
Po Lin Monastery opens 09:00 to 18:00. Illustrative photo.
A small boat passing stilt houses in the Tai O channel
Tai O's stilt houses, passed on the 20-minute boat ride. Illustrative photo.

Distances up here are small. The Big Buddha and the monastery are each about 10 minutes on foot from the village. What catches most visitors out is the weather: the plateau is cooler, wetter and cloudier than urban Hong Kong, so bring a layer even when Central is warm.

The Big Buddha And Its 268 Steps

Tian Tan Buddha is 26.4 m tall at the body, 34 m including the lotus throne and base, and weighs 250 tonnes of bronze. It was built over 12 years from 202 bronze pieces, with the face cast as a single 5-tonne piece measuring 4.3 m by 5.8 m. It was inaugurated on 29 December 1993 and sits on Mount Muk Yue facing north. The climb, all 268 steps, is free. The Buddha's right hand is raised to impart fearlessness, the left rests open to fulfil wishes. The base platform is modelled on the Altar of Heaven in Beijing, which is where the name Tian Tan comes from. Allow about 10 minutes on foot from the village. More detail is in the Big Buddha guide.

268steps to the Buddha, free to climb
34 mtall including the lotus throne and base
250 tof bronze, built over 12 years
202bronze pieces, the face a single 5-tonne piece

Po Lin Monastery And Its Vegetarian Kitchen

Construction of the monastery began in 1906, and it took the name Po Lin in 1924. It opens 09:00 to 18:00, sitting about 10 minutes on foot from Ngong Ping Village, directly beside the Buddha steps. The vegetarian kitchen serves from 11:30 to 16:30, a fixed communal set meal; no price is published. There is also a snack shop, known for bean curd dessert and mango glutinous rice dumplings, though the dumplings are made in small quantities only. The full background is in the Po Lin Monastery guide.

A day up top on one clock

Cable car, weekdays10:00 to 18:00
Cable car, weekends and holidaysmay vary at festive times09:00 to 18:30
Po Lin Monastery09:00 to 18:00
Po Lin vegetarian kitchenfixed communal set meal11:30 to 16:30
Opening hours as the operator and monastery publish them. The last boarding time on normal days is not published.

The Wisdom Path Is Closed

The Wisdom Path has been closed for refurbishment since 5 June 2025. The Tourism Commission expects the works to finish in the last quarter of 2026, with reopening gradual after that. A viewing platform on the nearby Lantau Trail stays open. Do not plan an itinerary around the path itself; check the current status before relying on it.

Ngong Ping Village

The village holds the Cable Car Discovery Centre, Motion 360, the Ngong Ping Nature Centre and Fengyun Pavilion. Attractions cost an HK$20 per-attraction top-up when bought with a cable car ticket at the Tung Chung ticket office or the official webstore, or HK$40 for two. Food outlets include Starbucks, Subway and Mountain Cafe. The village stays open even during cable car maintenance closures, reachable by New Lantao Bus 23.

Tai O Fishing Village

Tai O is Hong Kong's oldest fishing village, built on stilt houses over the water. The boat excursion runs about 20 minutes past the stilt houses, General's Rock and the Tai O Heritage Hotel, the former police station. Pink dolphins may be spotted, though sightings are never guaranteed. The village's Dragon Boat Water Parade has been on China's national intangible heritage list since 2011. Bus 21 from Ngong Ping takes about 20 minutes and costs HK$7.90 on a normal day, HK$19.20 on Sundays and public holidays; the operator also describes it as a 15-minute drive. The Ngong Ping bus terminus is a 5-minute walk from the village. Our Tai O guide covers the village in full.

Hiking Up From The Plateau

Lantau Peak, Fung Wong Shan, stands at 934 m, Hong Kong's second-highest summit, and the start of the sunrise hike from Ngong Ping. Lantau North Country Park, established 1978, covers 22 square km. Route notes are in the hiking guide.

What Riders Say About The Cable Car

“We really enjoyed the cable car experience. The Crystal+ Cabin gave us amazing views, and the Standard Cabin ride was smooth and comfortable. Everything was well organized, and the ticket redemption process was easy. Definitely worth trying when visiting Hong Kong.”

SamBernard, operator-listing review of Cable Car Ticket Only, Standard Cabin

“Booked the crystal cabin for a nice view. It also saved us a plenty of time, as the lines in standard cabin were quite long when we got there. I suggest if you have a budget, booked the crystal or crystal+ cabin. So worth it!”

Bettina, operator-listing review of Cable Car Ticket Only, Standard Cabin

“Choosing a round trip cable is the best choice. It gave me plenty of time to go around the last stop (Giant Buddha) and 3 hours to hike Lantau Peak. Map says it's a 30minute hike up but it took me 2hrs to climb and 1hr to get back and catch the 6pm last trip cable car. This made my last day in Hong Kong memorable.”

Bon, operator-listing review of Cable Car Ticket Only, Standard Cabin

“Excellent way of seeing the side of Hong Kong that’s outside the hustle and bustle of the city itself. Being able to experience the wonderful nature, picturesque Buddhist mountain monastery, and a real-life fishing village where friendly locals greet you with their fresh produce, took us to a place of how Hong Kong territory used to be a few decades ago. Our guide, Lisa, was absolutely wonderful, patient and accommodating, making our overall experience that much more enjoyable.”

Bojan, South Africa, operator-listing review of VIP Priority Boarding, 7-Hour Tour

“Do not have to redeem ticket from the counter. Go straight to the queue and there is a scanner to scan the QR code. After passing thru the scan you will proceed to one of the lane based on the type ticket purchased. The standard ticket has the longest queue while the Crystal+ ticket has shortest queue. If you do not wish to waste time queuing, then buy Crystal+ ticket.”

Boon, operator-listing review of Cable Car Ticket Only, Standard Cabin

“This tour well and truly exceeded our expectations! Hody our guide was superb, she was knowledgeable, funny and cared for the group very well. We would 100% recommend this tour for anybody wishing to visit Hong Kong for the first time, or maybe if you just missed Lantau Island the first time around. Thank you once again Hody!!!”

Adey, United Kingdom, operator-listing review of 6-Hour Guided Tour, Fishing Village

“The cabin can accommodate upto 8 people so you’ll have to share the cabin. Queue was pretty longer for the standard cabin, so I’m glad I booked the crystal one. Overall, I’m so happy with this experience!”

Raquel, operator-listing review of Cable Car Ticket Only, Standard Cabin

“Alfred was a star! His knowledge was impressive and his instructions really clear. Without a group we’d never have managed to do half these things and it was a well-organised and very memorable day. The trip to Tai O felt very special (and we saw a dolphin!) and was something we never would have tried without a guide. Fantastic trip and felt like very good value.”

Hannah, United Kingdom, operator-listing review of Guided 5-Hour Tour, Tai O Boat

“Ivan was a brilliant guide. Super knowledgeable, funny and interesting! I’d recommend this to anyone, it’s great value and on our trip, we even managed to see a dolphin! Highly recommended”

Callum, United Kingdom, operator-listing review of Budget Tour, Private Coach

Quotes are copied as written from these operators’ public listing reviews; we do not collect, select or edit them for tone.

More On The Cable Car And Lantau

Hong Kong Ngong Ping Cable Car FAQ

How long is the Hong Kong Ngong Ping Cable Car ride?

The ropeway is 5.7 km long and the journey takes about 25 minutes one way, or about 30 minutes including boarding as the tour listings put it. Cabins leave continuously from both terminals, Tung Chung and Ngong Ping. The route crosses Tung Chung Bay, passes Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, then climbs through Lantau North Country Park toward Nei Lak Shan.

How much is a Ngong Ping Cable Car ticket?

At the operator's gate, an adult Standard single is HK$205, a Standard round trip HK$295, a Crystal single HK$240 and a Crystal round trip HK$365. On Klook, a round-trip Standard Cabin ticket is US$29.39, a Crystal round trip US$31.55 and a one-way Standard US$21.15. Child fares apply from ages 3 to 11, and infants aged 0 to 2 ride free.

Is the Crystal Cabin worth the extra money?

The Crystal Cabin has a full-width glass floor of three tempered layers about 4.84 cm thick, carries 10 guests and departs every 3 to 7 minutes, against up to 17 guests in Standard. Crystal floors carry an anti-slip film and no footwear restriction is published. Visitor reports put the Crystal boarding line at around 10 minutes, versus an hour or more for Standard. The price gap is modest, so the shorter queue alone often justifies it.

Do pre-booked tickets skip the queue?

Only the ticket-purchase queue. A pre-bought e-ticket is scanned as a QR voucher at the Tung Chung terminal turnstile, with no counter exchange, but you still join the boarding queue. Visitor reports describe Standard Cabin waits of 1 to 3 hours, including on some non-holiday weekdays. Crystal and Crystal+ cabins have their own shorter boarding line. Tours with priority boarding, such as the Tai O and Big Buddha Tour, skip more of it.

What time does the Ngong Ping Cable Car open and close?

Weekday hours are 10:00 to 18:00. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays the cable car opens earlier and closes later, 09:00 to 18:30, because weekends are busier. Hours may vary at festive times. The operator does not publish a last-boarding time for normal days, so aim to arrive well before the 18:00 or 18:30 closing, and check festive-period hours before you travel.

When does the cable car close for maintenance?

The cable car closes several times a year, announced in advance, typically one 10 to 20 day overhaul in March or September plus shorter closures. In 2026: January (resumed 23 Jan), 3 to 5 March, May (resumed 21 May), June (resumed 22 June), 8 to 18 September and 10 November. The hotline is (852) 3666 0606. Nothing for 2027 has been announced yet, so check before booking a dated ticket.

How do I get to the Tung Chung cable car terminal?

Take the MTR Tung Chung Line from Hong Kong Station, about 30 minutes with no change; adult Octopus fare HK$24.30, single ticket HK$28.00. From Kowloon or Tsim Sha Tsui it is about HK$18.70 on Octopus. The terminal is a 5-minute walk from Exit B of Tung Chung station, next to Citygate Outlets, with the ticket office on the first floor. Taxi from Central costs about HK$290 including tolls.

Can I take a suitcase on the cable car?

No, not a full-size one. Luggage or backpacks larger than 48 x 34 x 23 cm or heavier than 4 kg are not allowed on board. Left luggage costs HK$100 per piece at the Tung Chung terminal and at the Ngong Ping Village information centre, collectable before closing. Only water may be consumed in the cabin, and smoking is prohibited.

Do children and seniors pay full fare?

Children aged 3 to 11 pay child fares, for example HK$100 on a Standard single. Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone aged 15 or over under the Tung Chung Cable Car Bylaw, and infants aged 0 to 2 are free. The senior fare applies only to Hong Kong residents holding a JoyYou Card or Senior Citizen Card. Visitors with a disability get 30% off at the ticket office with valid proof.

Is climbing the Big Buddha free?

Yes. The 268 steps up to Tian Tan Buddha cost nothing to climb. The statue itself is 26.4 m at the body, 34 m including the lotus throne and base, and 250 tonnes of bronze, inaugurated on 29 December 1993. It is about 10 minutes on foot from Ngong Ping Village, next to Po Lin Monastery.

Is the Wisdom Path open?

No. The Wisdom Path has been closed for refurbishment since 5 June 2025. The Tourism Commission expects works to be complete in the last quarter of 2026, with reopening happening gradually. A viewing platform on the nearby Lantau Trail remains open. Check the current status before relying on the path in your itinerary.

What can I do if the cable car is closed?

Ngong Ping Village stays open during maintenance closures, and New Lantao Bus 23 still runs from Tung Chung Tat Tung Road to Ngong Ping, HK$20.40 on a normal day, HK$37.00 on Sundays and public holidays. If the service is suspended for weather, ticket holders can exchange or claim a refund at the ticket office. The operator also runs a private coach tour positioned as the official alternative on closure days.

Which Lantau day tour suits first-time visitors?

Three mid-priced options cover the essentials. The Tai O and Big Buddha Tour, from US$67.60, rated 4.7 across 752 reviews, includes priority boarding, a guide, Tai O boat ride and monastery tour. The 6-Hour Cable Car, Big Buddha and Fishing Village Tour, from US$70.15, rated 4.9 across 608 reviews, adds a stilt house visit and a quieter temple stop. The Lantau VIP tour, from US$100.76, rated 4.3, adds downtown coach pickup and headsets but makes the boat optional. First-timers wanting the highest rating and the fullest itinerary lean toward the 6-hour tour; those wanting round-trip cable car included lean toward the Tai O option.

Ride the Hong Kong Ngong Ping Cable Car

Standard Cabin one-way tickets start at $21.15 per adult, with round trips from $29.39, and the regular listing options carry free cancellation.

See The Five Options →