Victoria Peak, or 'The Peak,' is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hong Kong. Like many tourists, my husband and I made sure to include it in our trip. In this article, I'll share our journey to The Peak on the iconic Victoria Tram. Keep reading!
Opened in 1888, the Victoria Peak Tram is one of the world's oldest funicular railways. Funiculars are railways that go up and down steep hills, perfect for mountainous areas.
The tram was originally built by Alexander Findlay Smith. His goal was to make it easier to reach the summit, which back then was a posh area for British expatriates and other wealthy residents.
As time passed, the tram evolved into a symbol of Hong Kong. It's been updated several times for safety and comfort, but it still retains its historic charm.
You can reach The Peak in a few different ways - by tram, bus, or even hiking. However, the tram is the most popular choice (and we weren't planning to hike), so I'll talk about the tram journey in this article. Here are the details:
Entrance to The Peak itself is free, so you only pay for the tram ride if that's how you choose to go up. Once at the top, just enjoy the view!
Inside The Peak Tower, there are attractions like Madame Tussauds and the Observation Deck Sky Terrace 428, which do charge entrance fees. Here's what you need to know about tram ticket prices:
| Category | Round Trip | One Way |
| Adults (12 - 64 years old) | HKD 52 | HKD 37 |
| Children (3 - 6 years old) Senior (65+ years) | HKD 23 | HKD 14 |
There's also a combo ticket for The Peak Tram and Sky Terrace 428, which is great value. My husband and I didn't visit Sky Terrace 428, but here are the prices if you're interested:
| Category | Round Trip | One Way |
| Adults (12 - 64 years old) | HKD 148 | HKD 122 |
| Children (3 - 6 years old) Senior (65+ years) | HKD 74 | HKD 61 |
You can buy tickets at the site, online through apps like Traveloka or Klook, or use an Octopus Card. We used our Octopus Card, which was much easier and hassle-free.
Just tap your Octopus Card at the entrance gate, and you're ready to line up for the tram. This way, you skip the ticket-buying queue. Honestly, the Octopus Card was a big help!
The tram travels along a 1.4-kilometer route. It starts at the lower station, Peak Tram Lower Terminus on Garden Road, and ends at the upper station at The Peak terminus.
The journey takes about 8-10 minutes. During this time, passengers can enjoy amazing views of Hong Kong city, including the harbor and skyscrapers.
The tram moves at a moderate pace, allowing you to take photos and videos, or simply soak in the scenery.
What's the tram ride like? Well, when it started moving, I felt a bit overwhelmed - it's a bit like when an airplane takes off. Since the tram climbs uphill, there's a momentary fear of it rolling backward lol.
An interesting fact: The University of Hong Kong conducted a study which found that passengers on the Peak Tram experience a visual illusion. As the tram ascends, the tall buildings on the right seem to lean over.
This happens because the tram is moving uphill and we're sitting at an angle. So, the buildings aren't really tilting – it just looks that way from our perspective in the tram.
Once the tram ride ends, you step off and can start exploring The Peak area. The first thing you'll likely see is the souvenir shop.
Here, you'll find all sorts of souvenirs like fridge magnets, keychains, postcards, bags, t-shirts, and more. Feel free to browse, or if you prefer, head straight to another area.
Next up, if you have the budget, consider visiting Madame Tussauds, the famous wax museum with branches worldwide. It's known for its lifelike wax figures of celebrities, political leaders, athletes, and historical personalities.
Apart from Madame Tussauds, there's The Peak Tower, Sky Terrace 428, restaurants, and a kind of shopping mall. My husband and I enjoyed gelato at a shop in The Peak area – ice cream is great even when it's cold!
We didn’t visit Sky Terrace 428 as we were content with the view from The Peak Tower.
However, if you're curious, there's a ticketing area for Sky Terrace. For those who've bought combo tickets, just show them to the staff.
When you’re done sightseeing, head back to the station near the Burger King. You can use your Octopus card or show your ticket’s barcode to enter.
While waiting for the tram, my husband and I lined up at the front to get good seats. The return journey is similar to the trip up, giving you another chance to enjoy the view and take photos.
That’s the story of our tram ride to Victoria 'The Peak'. Are you thinking about trying it?
