Insider tip - The Peak Tram Hong Kong how to get to guide
Ultimate how to get to guide - Peak Tram Terminus Garden Rd
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Insider tip - The Peak Tram Hong Kong - how to get to guide
Ultimate how to get to guide - Peak Tram Terminus Garden Road
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Yes, it would be fair to say that I know a bit about the iconic Peak Tram in Hong Kong, I have been on it many thousands of times since 1972, so below is my own revised Ultimate How To Get To Guide for the Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road
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The iconic Peak Tram in Hong Kong since 1888 - capacity 210 people | 2025
This guide supersedes any and all previous versions I might have written and published over the past couple of years
Taking the Peak Tram to or from Victoria Peak in Hong Kong is for many tourists a must do and whilst I agree with that assessment I would also say you only have to do it one way and for me going down is much more exciting than going up!.. and yes, I have been on the Peak Tram many thousands of times since 1972
Some estimates by the Hong Tourism Board put the number of people who use the Peak Tram at anything north of 7 million people a year of which I contribute a miniscule fraction.
I have always felt my previous posts on the subject where not in depth enough, lacking in detail and suggestions, hence this new post.
I should also point out that I have sent messages to the Peak Tram Company and the have never replied., I find that odd as I am a huge fan of the Peak Tram (Not the Peak Tower!) and love to take my guests on it.
I do a lot of car photography and have a favourite spot which just happens to be on Garden Road and a short walk to the Garden Road Peak Tram Terminus I have been doing photography there since 2010. My spot is some distance away from the Peak Tram Terminus and I have lost count of the number of times I have been asked by tourists how to get there, somehow they had ended up walking up a very steep circular set of stairs (outside Chater Garder) to my spot (?) luckily the terminus is visible from my spot and an 8 - 10 minute walk away (uphill), it was this that got me writing about this issue in the beginning.
But in the past year I have given the matter a lot more thought, it is not just about riding the Peak Tram, for the vast majority of visitors a big issue is how to get to the Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road, honestly it is in quite an inconvenient location as Garden Road can get pretty steep and is quite the walk from the nearest MTR (Subway Station)
I have also been thinking about another component which is these days lines for the Tram are out of control and much worse than Pre Covid times and it is only going to get worse, none of this is an issue if you book a Private Tour with me but a lot of people who walk up to the Peak Tram are in for a very rude surprise, you can easily wait for 1 - 2 hours and there is no visual aid as to the length of the line until you get there, it really is about time that the Peak Tram Company installed camera’s in the main building to do an online cam visual of the line so people can choose to go at another time but that is another story for another day
The image above shows the Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road, that building can hold 1,300 passengers (not visible from the entrance) in air conditioned comfort (standing only) and if you take into account tram frequency, passenger count for each tram, turnaround time you will understand why you can wait for ages to get on the Tram.
Back to the business at hand.
I do a lot of research and a while back The Peak Tram Company spent time to produce a colourful map | visual how to guide to get to the Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road in Central and not before time, it will certainly help people navigate a very tricky route and they have also added in places and attractions to see to enhance the experience of walking there.
For a company that operates one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the world, they do not understand people very well and this data is from their website, it is a long walk to the Peak Tram Station, the least they can do is suggest the most interesting route and that does away with having to walk up 50 steep steps when you simply do not have to!
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Riding the iconic Peak Tram - The Best Way to get to the Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road from the Central MTR (Subway) Station on Hong Kong Island and trust me the Peak Tram Company instructions shown above are pretty useless - read on
Precise and Updated Instructions July 2025
This has been prepared because instructions given by the Peak Tram Company are woefully inadequate even though they provide a very detailed map and instructions on there website, clearly nobody in the Peak Tram Company actually bothered to walk the 2 walking options, the one they promote means climbing up 50 steep steps to exit Central MTR Station into the concrete monstrosity that is Chater Garden and those steps would tax even the fittest people.
Walking from Central MTR Station to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus on Garden Road is a manageable but challenging journey due to the deceptively steep incline and urban navigation. Below, I’ve outlined three ways to get to the Peak Tram Terminus, each starting from Central MTR Station, tailored to balance time, physical demands, and opportunities to enjoy tourist landmarks.
The routes account for the steep incline of Garden Road, the needs of older travellers or families with young children, and the chance to pass notable sites and sights.
Timings are realistic, factoring in a moderate pace, potential crowds, and brief pauses to navigate or enjoy landmarks.
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Exit K at Central Station, Escalators leading directly into Statue Square
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Exit K at Central Station, Escalators leading directly into Statue Square
Route 1: Via Exit K (Statue Square and Landmarks) - absolutely the BEST option
Description:
This route takes you through Statue Square and past iconic landmarks like the HSBC Building, 3 or 4 other iconic buildings and St. John’s Cathedral, offering a tourist-friendly path with plenty to see and take selfies. It’s straightforward and scenic but involves a steady uphill climb on Garden Road.
Instructions:
• Exit Central MTR Station via Exit K (signposted for Statue Square). You’ll emerge directly into Statue Square, a historic public space with fountains and the Statue of Sir Thomas Jackson and the Court of Final Appeal Building and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the atmosphere, right in the heart of the historic Central Business District
• Walk through Statue Square, passing close to the Court of Final Appeal building you will also have passed the Sir Thomas Jackson - Statue you are looking to cross the road to the iconic HSBC Headquarters Building
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3 reasons to take exit K at Central MTR Station, Statue Square and the HSBC Lions are Hong Kong Icons and if you take Exit J2 you will miss seeing them
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After rubbing the paw of the angry lion, this is the concourse you walk though in the HSBC Building, walk to the top and turn left for say a 3m walk to the pedestrian crossing
• Cross Des Vouex at the pedestrian crossing next to the Court of Final Appeal and head towards the HSBC Building (distinctive with its lion statues). Rub the paws of the Angry Lion, note the shrapnel marks from the Second World War and walk through the open passageway to Queens Road Central that will take 30 seconds unless you stop and read the information signs about HSBC (which are quite interesting)
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Another 3 reasons to take exit K at Central MTR Station, you will miss seeing image 1 on the left and 2 in the centre - image 3 is St. Johns Cathedral which is an amazing place
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This is the pedestrian crossing on Queens Road Central,you have 2 options to get to Garden Road, cross the road and go left and keep walking until you hit the giant building with all the flags, at the corner simply turn right and walk up Garden Road, or you could use the escalator next to the flags and walk in a straight line for less than a minute and turn right onto Garden Road which leads uphill to the Peak Tram Terminus.
• Exit the passageway, cross the road at the traffic lights and pause to admire the Former French Mission Building with a red brick exterior, currently being used by the Justice Department and then turn left and walk briefly along Queen’s Road Central past Cheung Kong Centre then turn right onto Garden Road (you’ll see the Bank of China Tower on your left as a landmark)
• Follow Garden Road uphill. Pass St. John’s Cathedral on your right (a colonial-era Anglican church, one of Hong Kong’s oldest, from 1849)
• Continue straight on Garden Road. The incline gets steeper, but the sidewalks are wide but often crowded . You’ll eventually see the Peak Tram Lower Terminus on your left at 33 Garden Road, marked by a modern building with a blue sign and chrome pillars which is St. Johns Building and the very large statue, oh and the US Consulate is over the road and on the right
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This is an image of Garden Road at the half way mark after starting at Cheung Kong Centre, it is deceptively steep, St. Johns Cathedral is on the right
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This is an image of Garden Road at the beginning mark after starting at Cheung Kong Centre, it is deceptively steep, the silver building in the far background with many squarish windows sits on top of the Peak Tram Station - despite what some reports say, there are NO seats on Garden Road!
Estimated Time: 15 – 25 minutes
The Peak Tram Company’s claim of 10 minutes to get from Central MTR Station to the Peak Tram Terminus is optimistic even for a brisk walker with no stops. A realistic pace, accounting for the uphill climb, navigation, and brief pauses to admire landmarks (e.g., HSBC Building or St. John’s Cathedral), brings it closer to 15 – 25 minutes. Families with young children or older travelers may take 25 –30 minutes if they pause frequently.
Physical Demand: Moderate
The first part through Statue Square and Queen’s Road Central is flat and easy and suitable for all ages. Garden Road’s incline (rising ~33 meters over ~0.5 km) is steep and may be tiring for older travelers or those with young children. Sidewalks are wide, but there are no escalators or ramps for strollers, so families may need to plan for slower progress.
Tourist Appeal: High
This route passes Statue Square (great for photos), the HSBC Building (a modernist architectural icon), and St. John’s Cathedral (a peaceful colonial building). The Bank of China Tower’s design is visible as you turn onto Garden Road along with the new and amazing iconic building called the Henderson adding to the sightseeing experience. Tourists will enjoy the blend of history and modern skyscrapers.
Best For: Tourists who want to combine the walk with iconic sights and sites and don’t mind a moderate uphill climb.
Source: Adapted from web information emphasizing Exit K for its proximity to landmarks like HSBC and St. John’s Cathedral.
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Who, unless you are super fit person or a health nut would walk up 50 steep steps and miss out on Statue Square, when Exit K has an escalator and leads directly into Statue Square! older people and families with strollers and kids might balk at doing this
Route 2: Via Exit J2 (Chater Garden Route)
First of all exit J2 in Central MTR Station is probably the worst exit you could have picked, you have to walk up almost 50 steep steps to get out of the station, imagine if you are elderly or have kids in strollers and such, this is a bad idea and I think even regular folk would curse at being asked to walk up those steps when there is simply no need.
Description: This route goes through Chater Garden, a pleasant but mainly concrete park, and is commonly recommended but involves a steep staircase at the MTR exit, which may be challenging for many particularly in the hot and humid summer - It’s scenic to a point but less landmark-heavy than Route 1 and this is the only route stated by the Peak Tram Company on their website and how to instructions, what on earth were they thinking
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I am not a fan of Chater Garden since they relocated the magnificent Hong Kong Cricket Club in the mid to late 1970’s to turn it into a Park which is basically just a huge patch of concrete and a few trees and bushes, what an absolute waste of space and it cannot be compared to Statue Square
Instructions:
• Exit Central MTR Station via Exit J2 (signposted for Chater Garden). You’ll ascend ~50 very steep steps to street level, emerging at Chater Garden, a green | concrete garden with fountains and seating and not much else
• Walk straight through Chater Garden, keeping the Bank of China Tower in front of you as a guide.(it is tall glass tower, huge, angular and has lots of triangles and what look like rugby posts at the top.
• Exit Chater Garden onto Queen’s Road Central, cross the road, and turn right briefly.
• Turn left onto Garden Road (look for the Cheung Kong Building as a marker). Follow Garden Road uphill, passing St. John’s Cathedral on your right.
• Continue straight on Garden Road’s incline until you reach the Peak Tram Lower Terminus on your left (33 Garden Road).
Estimated Time: 15 – 25 minutes
Similar to Route 1, the walk takes 15 – 25 minutes at a moderate pace, including navigating the 50 exit steps and the uphill section of Garden Road. The staircase at Exit J2 may slow down families or older travelers, potentially pushing the time toward 20 – 30 minutes if breaks are needed. It is doubtful anyone in the Peak Tram bothered to actually walk this route, had they done so, they would have never have approved going out at exit J2 when exit K has escalators and Statue Square is way more interesting than Chater Garden.
Physical Demand: Moderate to High
The steep staircase at Exit J2 (approximately 50 very steep steps) is a significant barrier for older travellers, those with mobility issues, or parents with strollers and small children. Once past the steps, Chater Garden is flat and basically a huge mass of concrete with a relatively small garden on the left, but the Garden Road incline is quite demanding. The route is strenuous and requires decent stamina.
Benches in Chater Garden do offer rest points and shade and you may wish to avail yourselves of these prior to going up Garden Road.
Tourist Appeal: Moderate
Chater Garden has trees and bushes but really it is just one large mass of concrete, ideal for a quick rest or taking photos of the surrounding buildings, but it’s a lot less iconic than Statue Square and the HSBC Building. St. John’s Cathedral is the main landmark on Garden Road, and the Bank of China Tower and Cheung Kong Centre and the Henderson are all visible, but this route has fewer “must-see” spots compared to Route 1.
Best For: Those who enjoy a park-like setting and are comfortable with steep steps and an uphill walk. Oh and to repeat myself for 100 years up until the late 1970's Chater Garden was home to the Hong Kong Cricket Club and was a lush green cricket pitch! Again, what where they thinking!
Source: Based on critiques and blog posts of Exit J2’s steep steps and the route through Chater Garden.
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All 3 images are of Chater Road which is 20 seconds walk from Exit K, Central MTR Station, if you look at the middle image stick to the left side of Chater Road, this is Princes Building, walk for 20 seconds (ish) heading toward the 2nd pedestrian overhead bridge and cross at the lights at Ice House Street, the building after you cross the road is now Alexandra House and this is where the taxi stand is, Chater Road is ONE WAY
Option 3: Taxi from Exit K | Alexandra House (Fastest and Most Convenient) - but no sightseeing unless you have a quick look around Statue Square.
• Distance: ~1 km by road
• Time: ~5 - 7 minutes (depending on traffic)
• Cost: ~HKD 30 - 40 (affordable for short trips in Hong Kong)
• Exit Central MTR Station via Exit K (escalator access).
• Walk ~1 minute to Alexandra House (nearby office building with a taxi stand). Basically Alexandra House is on Chater Road and 30 seconds walk from Princes Building and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel both of which border Statue Square and directly opposite Graff Jewellers, the taxi stand is on the left ide of the road (Chater Road is one way traffic)
• Take a taxi to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus at 33 Garden Road (instruct the driver: “Peak Tram, Garden Road”).
Why Choose This?:
Fast, cheap, and avoids walking or navigation challenges, especially for those with luggage or mobility concerns however you are missing out on a lot of sight seeing.
Best Option:
Route 1 (Exit K) is the top choice for the vast majority of most visitors. It offers the best balance of time (15 – 25 minutes), moderate physical demands (flat start, uphill finish), and high tourist appeal with iconic landmarks like Statue Square, HSBC Building and the iconic HSBC Lions, and St. John’s Cathedral. It’s suitable for most travellers, though families with strollers or older individuals should pace themselves on Garden Road’s deceptively steep incline.
Notes:
Quick Tips
Timing Tips: Start early in the day (before 10:00 AM) to avoid Peak Tram crowds and heat, especially in summer. Avoid 5 – 6 PM for shorter queues.
Physical Considerations: Garden Road’s incline is steep (33m elevation gain) and it can be very crowded with throngs of people heading to and from the Peak Tram Terminus. Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and take breaks if needed. For those with strollers or wheelchairs, you can always take a taxi.
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The simply magnificent iconic building called The Henderson, this image was taken on Garden Road coming down from the Peak Tram Station, this is why you do not take a taxi!
Quick Overall Summary
So to summarise, option 1 really is the very best option with great sight seeing options along the way
Option 1: Via Exit K and Statue Square (Recommended for Ease and Sightseeing)
Distance: ~600 meters (~0.37 miles)
Time: ~15 - 25 minutes
How to Steps:
Exit Central MTR Station via Exit K (escalator access, no stairs, ideal for accessibility).
Emerge in Statue Square, a vibrant, open area with historical significance and photo opportunities (e.g., the nearby Henderson building, a new iconic landmark).
Walk through Statue Square, keeping the HSBC Building in view on your right.
Cross Des Voeux Road Central at the pedestrian crossing. Please be aware of fast moving buses and street trams head towards the HSBC Building (distinctive with its Bronze Lion Statues). Rub the paws of the Angry Lion and walk through the open passageway to Queens Road Central that will take 30 seconds - the Lions are Hong Kong Culture 101
Turn left and walk briefly along Queen’s Road Central for about 1 minute, then turn right onto Garden Road (you’ll see the very distinctive Bank of China Tower on your left as a landmark)
Proceed along Garden Road for ~400 meters. The Peak Tram Lower Terminus will be on your left at 33 Garden Road, identifiable by the St. John’s Building (modern structure with a blue sign and chrome pillars). With the American Consulate on the right hand side
Why Choose This?: Escalator access avoids stairs, scenic route through Statue Square, HSBC etc, and a chance to see the Henderson building. Most straightforward for tourists.
Option 2: Via Exit J2 and Chater Garden (Alternative, but Less Recommended and more for people that do not mind steps and are not interested in sight seeing)
Distance: ~650 meters (~0.4 miles)
Time: ~ 15 - 25 minutes
How to Steps:
Exit Central MTR Station via Exit J2 (note: requires climbing ~50 steep steps, not ideal for those with mobility issues, kids in strollers or the less pysically active).
Arrive in Chater Garden, a large open area with more concrete than greenery, less visually appealing than Statue Square.
Walk through Chater Garden, go across Queens Road Central at the lights cross again on the right onto Garden Road.
Continue along Garden Road for ~400 meters. The Peak Tram Lower Terminus will be on your left at 33 Garden Road, in the St. John’s Building, you can miss it as there is a huge statue at the entrance.
Why Choose This?: Only if Exit K is crowded or closed. (Never an issue by the way) Be prepared for the steep stairs and less engaging scenery in Chater Garden.
Option 3: Taxi from Exit K (Fastest and Most Convenient)
Distance: ~1 km by road
Time: ~5 - 7 minutes (depending on traffic)
Cost: ~HKD 30 - 40 (affordable for short trips in Hong Kong)
How to Steps:
Exit Central MTR Station via Exit K (escalator access).
Walk ~1 minute to Alexandra House (nearby office building with a taxi stand).
Take a taxi to the Peak Tram Lower Terminus at 33 Garden Road (instruct the driver: “Peak Tram, Garden Road”).
Why Choose This?: Fast, cheap, and avoids walking or navigation challenges, especially for those with luggage or mobility concerns or perhaps it is too hot and humid or it is raining.
Key Notes:
Accessibility: Exit K is strongly preferred over Exit J2 due to escalator access, avoiding the 50 steep steps at Exit J2.
New Landmark: The Henderson building, a new architectural icon, is a short walk from Statue Square or Chater Garden and worth a photo stop.
Peak Tram Terminus: Located at 33 Garden Road, marked by the modern St. John’s Building with a blue sign and chrome pillars and very large statue and is directly over the road from the American Consulate
Avoid Confusion: Some how to guides make a reference to walking past the Helena May building on Garden Road to get to the Peak Tram Terminus, this is quite incorrect - The Helena May building is ~2 minutes past the Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road. If you reach it, backtrack to the St. John’s Building at 33 Garden Road
Final Point: Des Vouex Road, Queens Road Central and Garden Road are very busy with fast moving traffic and you have to cross all of them and you have to have your wits about you and do NOT try and take on the lights - Garden Road is always very crowded with people heading to and from the Peak Tram Terminus and all of the surrounding office buildings - despite the wide sidewalks! and you can get frustrated!
Final Point:
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This unfortunately is a fairly typical crowd for the Peak Tram, the terminus holds 1,300 people, if there are crowds outside like this you are going to be waiting for a very long time.
My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
© Jamie Lloyd | J3 Consultants Hong Kong | J3 Private Tours Hong Kong |
| 2010 - 2025 All rights reserved. |
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