How to Take the Ferry to Cheung Chau from Central Pier 5

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Cheung Chau is my favourite outlying Hong Kong island, and easily my favourite ferry ride. I’ve been visiting Cheung Chau for years, and I still make a point of going back every time I’m in Hong Kong.

This guide walks you through exactly how to take the ferry to Cheung Chau: which pier to go to, what ferry to catch, how to pay, and what to expect when you arrive.

No need to pre-book or overthink it. Just turn up, pay, and enjoy one of Hong Kong’s best outlying island ferry rides.

✨Quick answer: How to get to Cheung Chau

To get to Cheung Chau, go to Central Pier 5 on Hong Kong Island and take either the Ordinary Ferry or Fast Ferry to Cheung Chau.
The Ordinary Ferry takes about 55–60 minutes and the Fast Ferry takes about 35–40 minutes.
You can pay with an Octopus card at the turnstile or buy a ticket at the pier.
I usually just turn up and take the next ferry, but I prefer the Ordinary Ferry if I have the choice because the upper deck feels more scenic.

👉 If this is your first time using Hong Kong ferries, my Hong Kong day trip ferries guide explains how Lamma, Cheung Chau and Lantau compare.

1. Where to find the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier

Blue sign at Central Ferry Piers in Hong Kong showing directions to outlying island ferries, including Pier 5 for Cheung Chau. — This is the entrance to the Central Pier if you are coming from the MTR and the IFC mall. Go left down the stairs to reach the Cheung Chau ferry pier.

To catch the ferry to Cheung Chau, you’ll first need to head to the Central Ferry Pier on the Hong Kong Island side (not to be confused with the Star Ferry pier on Kowloon).

The Central Pier is a short walk from popular landmarks like the IFC Mall and the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. The outlying island ferries leave from the numbered piers along from the Central Pier.

How to get to the Central Pier from Kowloon

There are two main ways to get to the Central Pier from Kowloon:

Catch the Star Ferry across (from Tsim Sha Tsui).
Catch the MTR to Central Station and follow the signs to the Central Pier. This route takes you up into the IFC mall and then outside on the overbridge to Central Pier. The walk from the station to the pier is well-signposted and should take about 10 minutes.

👉 If you’re nervous about the train system, my guide to how to use the Hong Kong MTR walks you through stations, exits and payment step by step.

How to get to Central Pier from Hong Kong Side

Depending on where you’re staying, the easiest way to get to the Central Pier is via taxi or the MTR.

If you’re taking the MTR, get off at Hong Kong Station and follow the signs to the Central Piers. Like the Kowloon directions above, this route takes you up into the IFC mall and then outside on the overbridge to Central Pier. The walk to the pier is well-signposted and will take you about 10 minutes.

🚶‍➡️If you want to make a day of it, you can pair the ferry piers with my Central Hong Kong walking guide before or after your Cheung Chau trip

Once at the Central Pier, take the stairs down to the waterfront on your left, then continue walking along the waterfront for about five minutes.

Man runs along the Central ferry promenade. There are red flags along the shelter walkway and a sign that directs people to the Hong Kong day trip piers. — At the foot of the stairs is this walkway. Follow it and you will find the different day trip piers along the waterfront.

You’ll soon see the different piers, each serving a specific destination (in this order):

Pier 6: Lantau Island (Mui Wo)
Pier 5: Cheung Chau
Pier 4: Lamma (Yung Shue Wan & Sok Kwu Wan – these are different ends of the Lamma Island)
Pier 3: Lantau Island (Discovery Bay)

Cheung Chau Ferry Pier 5

Crowds of passengers line up at Pier 5 of the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier, beneath signage for Sun Ferry with options for ordinary and fast ferries. School students in uniforms and families with children gather at the entrance, while a sign on the right highlights the 35–40 minute fast ferry journey to Cheung Chau.

From Central Pier (Star Ferry) go left and walk along the waterfront for about 5 minutes until you reach Pier 5.

2. Choose between the Cheung Chau Ordinary or Fast Ferry

A man walks toward the entrance of the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier’s Ordinary Ferry gate under a sign reading “CKS Sun Ferry.” A large poster on the left displays the ferry schedule, stating the journey to Cheung Chau takes about 55 to 60 minutes, with air-conditioning in Deluxe Class only.

Cheung Chau is served by two types of ferries: the Fast Ferry and the Ordinary Ferry.

The Fast Ferry takes about 35-40 minutes and costs a bit more, while the Ordinary Ferry takes about 55-60 minutes but is more affordable.

Both ferries depart from Pier 5, and you can choose the one that best suits your schedule and budget.

Fast Ferry: Air-conditioned with comfortable seating, ideal if you’re short on time or prefer a quicker journey.
Ordinary Ferry: More traditional, with open seating and an upper deck that offers great views. It’s a slower ride but perfect if you’re in no rush and want to soak in the scenery.

📍 My advice to you, and what I do, is simply turn up at the Cheung Chau ferry pier, and hop aboard whatever ferry is about to depart, and don’t worry too much about ferry schedules. If both types of ferries are there, I would opt for the Ordinary Ferry. It just has a little more “I’m on holiday” feel rather than the fast ferry, which feels more like just a form of transport that gets you from A-to-B.

3. Cheung Chau Ferry Schedule

Passengers, including students in uniform, line up inside the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier under a ceiling of exposed pipes and fluorescent lights. An overhead screen displays departure times and prices for the fast ferry to Cheung Chau, with signage for Octopus card payment and safety reminders visible along the walkway.

Ferries to Cheung Chau run from around 1:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m., with one leaving roughly every 30 minutes.

The official timetable lists late ferries from Cheung Chau back to Central, including 11:45 p.m. on Mondays to Saturdays and 11:30 p.m. on Sundays/public holidays.

That said, I don’t worry too much about the Cheung Chau ferry schedule. I just show up, and if a ferry’s not there, I grab a drink, people-watch, and wait.

Don’t stress too much about getting back: Cheung Chau is not a “one ferry a day” kind of island. There are regular ferries back to Central throughout the day and into the evening. That said, if you are staying late for dinner, check the official timetable before you sit down so you know your last convenient ferry back.

4. Cheung Chau Ferry Fare

A hand holds an Octopus card above a blue and yellow ferry turnstile at the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier, with a green arrow and “Please Enter” displayed on the screen. The digital display shows a fare of $27.5 HKD, indicating the price for the Cheung Chau ferry.

Tickets can be purchased at the Cheung Chau Ferry pier. There are separate ticket counters for the Fast and Ordinary ferries, so be sure to get in the correct line.

If you have a Tourist Octopus card or a standard Octopus card, you can skip the ticket counter and use it directly at the turnstiles.

If you are still deciding how to pay for transport, my Tourist Octopus Card guide explains whether it is worth getting before you arrive.

Current Cheung Chau Ferry Fares (as at June 2026)

Ferry type	Mon–Sat adult fare	Sunday/public holiday adult fare
Ordinary Ferry, ordinary class	HK$16.70	HK$24.80
Ordinary Ferry, deluxe class	HK$26.10	HK$38.00
Fast Ferry	HK$32.90	HK$47.60

*Fares can change, so check the official Sun Ferry timetable and fare page before you travel if exact pricing matters.

👉 I wrote a detailed guide on how to pay for public transport in Hong Kong if you want to read more.

5. Boarding the Cheung Chau Ferry

A crowd of passengers, including a man with a green backpack and a woman in a floral dress with a visor, boards the Cheung Chau ferry via a ramp leading into the cabin. The scene captures the busy atmosphere of ferry embarkation under sunlight, with the vessel's partially visible name "XIN MING" on the side.

Boarding usually starts around 10 minutes before departure. There’s no allocated seating on the Cheung Chau ferry so you can sit anywhere you like.

Choose to sit inside the cabin or, on the Ordinary Ferry, outside on the upper deck for fresh air and panoramic views.

I recommend you go up to the upper deck. You’ll be surprised at how many people stay indoors for the ride, and I always manage to find a seat outside.

6. Enjoy the Ferry Ride to Cheung Chau

A scenic view of Hong Kong’s skyline from the Cheung Chau ferry, featuring tall skyscrapers clustered along the waterfront with lush green mountains in the background. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue, and the calm harbor water reflects the urban landscape.

The ferry ride to Cheung Chau gives you some lovely harbour views and a glimpse of a few smaller islands along the way.

There are toilets on board, but don’t count on snacks. They used to sell them, but that seems to have quietly disappeared. If you’re prone to ferry hunger, bring your own.

Cheung Chau is one of several great Hong Kong day trip ferry rides worth checking out.

7. Arriving at Cheung Chau Island

A man pedals a red trishaw taxi with a green and white striped canopy through a wet brick-paved street near the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier. Surrounding him are pedestrians, some holding umbrellas, and food stalls with colorful umbrellas under a bright sky after rainfall.

The ferry drops you off right in the middle of things. No shuttle. No long walk.

Step off the boat and you’ll be on the main promenade, surrounded by seafood restaurants, bike rental shops, and stalls selling everything from snacks to souvenirs. It’s busy, a bit chaotic, and very local.

From here, you can wander to the beach, check out the Cheung Po Tsai Cave, or just follow your nose and see where the island takes you.

When I arrive on Cheung Chau, I usually don’t rush off to a specific attraction. The best first move is to walk along the waterfront, let the crowds thin, then decide whether you want beach, snacks, seafood or a hike.

📷 If you’re up for a bit of exercise, I’ve included a couple of easy Cheung Chau hikes in my guide to Hong Kong’s hiking trails.

Want to explore more Hong Kong outlying islands by ferry?

If this Cheung Chau trip sounds like your cup of tea, there’s more where that came from. Each of Hong Kong’s outlying islands has its own feel, and the ferry rides are part of the fun.

Here are my other step-by-step guides to help you plan:

✔️ How to Take the Ferry to Lamma Island (Tourist Guide)
✔️ How to Take the Ferry to (Mui Wo) Lantau Island (Tourist Guide)
✔️How to Take the Discovery Bay Ferry (even if you’re not a local)

They’re all easy, low-cost day or half day trips with great views, fresh air, and a totally different side of Hong Kong.