How to Take the Ferry to Lantau Island (Mui Wo)
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Lantau (Mui Wo) doesn’t get the same love as Cheung Chau or Lamma, and to be honest, that makes sense. It’s quieter, sleepier, and doesn’t have the same village charm or lineup of cute restaurants and shops. But if you’ve already ticked off the bigger-name islands and you’re looking to stretch your legs on a solid hike, or just want to see a different side of Hong Kong, Mui Wo is a good next step.
I went back on my most recent trip to see how it holds up. While it’s not one I’d call essential for short-term visitors, it’s got its place, especially if you’ve got more time and want to get off the usual trail.
This guide walks you through exactly how to take the ferry to Lantau (Mui Wo): which pier, which ferry, how to pay, and what to expect when you arrive.
✨ Quick answer: How to take the ferry to Lantau Island / Mui Wo
1. To take the ferry to Lantau Island, go to Central Pier 6 on Hong Kong Island and take the ferry to Mui Wo.
2. This is the ferry for Mui Wo, Silvermine Bay Beach and nearby Lantau hiking trails.
3. The Central to Mui Wo ferry takes about 35–40 minutes and you can pay with an Octopus card at the turnstile or buy a ticket at the pier.
4. I would choose this route if you want a quieter, more local side of Lantau rather than the big-ticket tourist sights.
👉 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.
📝 Quick Note: Lantau Island Has Three Main Spots, and It Can Be Confusing
Lantau Island is huge by Hong Kong standards, and when people say “go to Lantau,” they might mean three totally different places:
Ngong Ping & the Big Buddha This is where the Ngong Ping 360 cable car takes you up to the Tian Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, and Ngong Ping Village. It’s on the northwest side of Lantau, near the airport. (You don’t get here by ferry).
Mui Wo A quiet, beachy village on the eastern coast of Lantau. This is the one you reach by ferry from Central (Pier 6). It’s great for rural walks, coastal views, and escaping the crowds.
Discovery Bay A residential expat enclave on the northeastern side. Think beachside restaurants, tidy plazas, and families with strollers. You can only get to Discovery Bay by private ferry from Central (Pier 3).
So yep, three totally different vibes, in three different parts of the island, with different transport options. Make sure you’re heading to the right one.
👉 If you’re actually hoping to visit the Big Buddha, Ngong Ping or Tai O, I’d book a proper Lantau day tour instead of taking the Mui Wo ferry, because this route is for Mui Wo, Silvermine Bay and hiking.
1. Where to find the Ferry to Lantau (Mui Wo)
To catch the ferry to Lantau (Mui Wo), head to the Central ferry pier on the Hong Kong Island side. Just a heads-up, don’t mix this up with the Star Ferry pier from Tsim Sha Tsui. That’s on the Kowloon side, across the harbour from where the outlying island ferries depart.
Getting to Central Ferry Pier from Kowloon
- Take the Star Ferry across from Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s a scenic hop over the harbour and lands you near the piers.
- Or take the MTR to Central Station, head through IFC Mall, and follow the overbridge out to the waterfront. It’s about a 10-minute walk, clearly signposted the whole way.
Getting to Central Ferry Pier from the Hong Kong Island Side
- Hop in a taxi, or take the MTR to Hong Kong Station, then follow the same route through IFC to reach the ferry piers.
👉 If you want to understand how to the train system in Hong Kong works, my practical guide how to use the Hong Kong MTR walks you through stations, exits and payment step by step.
Once you’re near Central Pier, follow the blue signs for “Outlying Islands”. They’ll take you right where you need to go.
You’ll see the numbered piers lined up in order:
- Pier 6 → Mui Wo (Lantau Island)
- Pier 5 → Cheung Chau
- Pier 4 → Lamma (Yung Shue Wan & Sok Kwu Wan)
- Pier 3 → Discovery Bay
Lantau Ferry Pier 6
From Central Pier go left and walk along the waterfront for about 5-7 minutes until you reach the Mui Wo (Lantau Island) Pier 6.
2. Lantau Ferry Schedule
Ferries from Central to Mui Wo run throughout the day and into the evening, with more frequent sailings than you might expect for a quieter island route. I still recommend checking the official Sun Ferry timetable before you go, especially if you are travelling early, late, or on a Sunday/public holiday.
You can check the official Lantau ferry schedule here if you want to be precise.
That said, I don’t stress about the schedule. I just head down to the pier and catch whatever’s next. If there’s a bit of a wait, I grab a drink, watch the harbour, and let the time pass. No need to overthink it.
3. Lantau Ferry Fare
You can buy tickets at the Lantau ferry pier, with separate counters for the Fast and Ordinary ferries, just make sure you’re in the right line.
But if you’ve got a Tourist Octopus card or regular Octopus card, you can skip the entire ticket thing completely. Just tap your card at the turnstile and walk right through. It works on both ferry types and saves you having to fumble with cash or guess which counter to use.
If you’re visiting Hong Kong for the first time, my guide to the Hong Kong Tourist Octopus Card explains whether it’s worth getting before you start using ferries, trams and the MTR.
Current Mui Wo Ferry Fares (as at June 2026)
| Route | Ferry type | Adult fare |
|---|---|---|
| Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo, Monday–Saturday | Fast Ferry | HK$33.50 |
| Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo, Sunday/public holiday | Fast Ferry | HK$48.50 |
*Fares were checked against the official Sun Ferry fare table. Always check the official timetable before travelling, especially on Sundays and public holidays.
4. Boarding the Lantau Ferry
In my experience, the Lantau ferry is one of the quieter routes, nothing like the crowds you’ll find heading to Cheung Chau or Lamma. Even though the seats are on a first come, first served basis, there’s no need to stress about getting there early or fighting for a seat.
On board, you can choose between the air-conditioned cabin or outdoor seating. The upper deck is especially nice: fresh air, harbour views, and a slower pace that makes the ride feel like part of the day out, not just transport.
5. Enjoy the Ferry Ride to Lantau
The ferry to Lantau is one of the more peaceful rides out of Central. It’s less crowded, slower paced, and with plenty to look at along the way.
I love to sit upstairs on the open deck. It’s open-air, breezy, and a good spot to zone out as you sail past the skyline and toward the hills of Lantau.
Just a heads-up: there’s nowhere to buy snacks or drinks on board, so bring your own if you want something for the ride.
The journey takes about 35–40 minutes, although Sun Ferry notes that actual journey time can vary depending on harbour speed restrictions, sea traffic, weather and sea conditions.
👉 If you haven’t sorted transport yet, I recommend getting a Tourist Octopus card before you arrive. It makes ferries, the MTR, buses, trams and convenience store payments much easier, especially if you’re doing several self-guided day trips.
6. Arriving at Lantau
The ferry pulls into Mui Wo Pier, which drops you right in the centre of the small township. No buses or transfers needed.
From here, it’s an easy walk to Silvermine Bay Beach, a handful of local restaurants, and the starting points for several of Hong Kong’s most popular hiking trails if you’re feeling active.
It’s a laid-back spot—nothing fancy—but a good base for exploring this quieter side of Lantau.
👉 If you’re planning your itinerary and trying to decide whether Lantau belongs on it, my guide to things to do in Hong Kong will help you compare Mui Wo with the city’s bigger attractions.
Final Thoughts: A Quiet Slice of Hong Kong
Mui Wo is a quiet, slower side of Hong Kong, and that is exactly its appeal. It is not flashy, and I would not put it at the top of the list for a first-time visit if you only have a few days in the city.
If this is your first trip to Hong Kong, I would usually choose Cheung Chau or Lamma Island before Mui Wo. Both feel a little easier to enjoy as a classic outlying island day trip, with more obvious places to wander, eat and explore.
But if you have already seen the main sights, want a quieter ferry ride, or like the idea of beaches, local villages and low-key walks, Mui Wo can be a lovely change of pace. It is the kind of place you go when you want to slow down rather than tick off another major attraction.
If you’re interested in exploring more of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, I’d start with my guides to the ferry to Cheung Chau and the ferry to Lamma Island next.
➡️ How to Take the Ferry to Lamma Island – great for easy hikes, a laid-back village vibe, and a swim or a seafood lunch.
➡️ How to Take the Ferry to Cheung Chau – my top pick for island day trips. Coastal walks, busy village life, and one of my favourite temples in Hong Kong.
