Hong Kong has no general holidays in November 2026, so from Monday to Saturday the Cheung Chau ferries keep to their weekday timetable all month. The Sunday pattern returns on Friday 25 December and again on Saturday 26 December, which is also a general holiday, so that Saturday has no Saturday-only sailings. On those two days a fast-ferry single costs an adult HK$47.60 rather than HK$32.90.
The timetable has been in force since 1 April 2026. Ordinary ferries take about 55–60 minutes and fast ferries 35–40, and the timetable marks which is which. On weekdays the day starts with fast ferries from Central at 01:30 and 04:15 and the first ordinary ferry at 06:10. The last regular boat back from Cheung Chau leaves at 23:45, followed by night sailings at 02:20 and 05:10.
On Sundays and public holidays the list is easier to remember: from 06:30 to 23:30 an ordinary ferry leaves each pier at half past the hour and a fast ferry on the hour. Sun Ferry's two published timetables and the Transport Department's list match departure for departure.
What decides the price: the boat, the class and the day
On any one day there are three prices for the same crossing. Monday to Saturday, an adult pays HK$16.70 in the ordinary class of an ordinary ferry, HK$26.10 in its deluxe class and HK$32.90 on a fast ferry. On Sundays and public holidays those figures rise to HK$24.80, HK$38 and HK$47.60. Children aged 3 to 11, over-65s and holders of the government's disability registration card pay the concession fares in the table; a child under three travelling with an adult and not taking a seat rides free.
Upgrades are not sold on board: the deluxe fare is paid at the pier, and Octopus users collect a deluxe voucher at the turnstile. The holiday return is aimed at islanders heading to town, since its first leg must start on Cheung Chau.
| Ordinary ferry, ordinary class – adult | HK$16.70 |
| Ordinary ferry, deluxe class – adult | HK$26.10 |
| Fast ferry – adult | HK$32.90 |
| Ordinary class – child 3–11, 65+, disabled | HK$8.30 |
| Deluxe class – child 3–11, 65+, disabled | HK$13 |
| Fast ferry – child 3–11, 65+, disabled | HK$16.40 |
| Ordinary ferry, ordinary class – adult | HK$24.80 |
| Ordinary ferry, deluxe class – adult | HK$38 |
| Fast ferry – adult | HK$47.60 |
| Ordinary class – child 3–11, 65+, disabled | HK$12.40 |
| Deluxe class – child 3–11, 65+, disabled | HK$19 |
| Fast ferry – child 3–11, 65+, disabled | HK$23.80 |
| Adult, ordinary class | HK$32 |
| Adult, deluxe class | HK$50.80 |
| Adult, fast ferry | HK$64.40 |
| Child 3–11, 65+, disabled, ordinary class | HK$16 |
| Child under 3 with an adult, no seat | Free |
| Bicycle, each | HK$27.60 |
Fares in force since 1 April 2026 (Transport Department fare table and Traffic Advice annex; Sun Ferry fare table) · checked 30 October 2026 Transport Department – Central – Cheung Chau fare table · 2026-10-30
Pier 5 in Central and the pier on San Hing Praya Street
Both piers are listed by the Transport Department with their street names; the map uses the department's own coordinates.
Central Pier 5
Every Cheung Chau departure in the timetable leaves from Pier 5 on Man Kwong Street. The Mui Wo ferries normally use Pier 6 instead, so check the number on the pier front before you tap your Octopus. Sun Ferry runs a customer and Octopus service centre at Pier 5, where monthly tickets are sold.
Cheung Chau Ferry Pier
The island pier stands on San Hing Praya Street. It is the only place that sells the holiday return ticket, and its self-service machines sell multi-ride tickets between 06:00 and 00:30, Octopus only.
The crossing on the map
The line on the map joins the two piers and is not the course the boats steer. No distance appears in the Transport Department's listing or in Sun Ferry's. Sun Ferry gives 35–40 minutes by fast ferry and 55–60 by ordinary ferry, and says harbour speed limits, traffic and the weather affect it.
Before you tap in at Pier 5
- Choose the boat first
A ticket is valid only for the sailing you buy it for and cannot be bought in advance or for friends still on their way. The gates close at the departure time printed in the timetable.
- Octopus or cash
Octopus works at the turnstiles. The concession for people aged 65 or over and the disability concession are paid in cash with proof, while the JoyYou Card discount needs Octopus.
- One bag free
Sun Ferry's Cheung Chau page lets a single suitcase or bag measuring no more than 32 by 23 by 12 inches travel without a freight ticket. Sun Ferry's general notes mention up to two per passenger, so ask at the pier before counting on a second free one.
- Bikes ride the slow boats
Freight, including a bicycle at HK$27.60, goes in the ordinary class of the ordinary ferries. Fast ferries take only folded bikes, on the Xin Ming Zhu series with a luggage area, after the freight fare is paid.
- Pets
Register and pay for the animal at the ticket office before boarding. It must be in a cage, bag or pet stroller, or leashed and muzzled, and may not use a seat or enter the deluxe class. Sun Ferry quotes HK$26.30 per pet as a reference charge.
- Signals and special days
Typhoon and rainstorm signals can stop the service. Sun Ferry posts special arrangements in the News Update section of its website and answers on 2131 8181.
- Step-free travel
Neither source confirms step-free boarding on every vessel. Call Sun Ferry before relying on it.
Holidays, the Bun Festival and the other Sun Ferry boats
Cheung Chau's Jiao Festival, Sun Ferry's notes say, is held on the Birthday of the Buddha, a public holiday that falls on Thursday 13 May in 2027; if the present timetable is still running then, the Sunday list applies that day. In 2026 the company announced an extra sailing after the bun-scrambling competition in a separate notice.
Cheung Chau is also on Sun Ferry's Inter-islands route to Chi Ma Wan, Mui Wo and Peng Chau, so you can continue to Lantau without returning to Central. Ferries from Central to Mui Wo leave from Pier 6 and have their own timetable and fares: see the Central – Mui Wo ferry.
Cheung Chau ferry questions, answered from the timetable
How much do I save by taking the slow boat?
From Monday to Saturday an adult pays HK$16.70 in the ordinary class of an ordinary ferry against HK$32.90 on a fast ferry. On Sundays and holidays the two fares are HK$24.80 and HK$47.60.
Is there a boat to Cheung Chau after midnight?
Yes. After the 23:45 fast ferry (23:55 on Sundays and holidays) Central has departures at 00:30, 01:30 and 04:15. Coming back, the island has sailings at 02:20 and 05:10.
Can I buy a return ticket at Central?
No. Tickets are singles valid for one sailing. The holiday return is sold only at Cheung Chau Pier, on weekends, public holidays and their eves, for journeys that start on the island.
Which sailings should I take with a bicycle?
Those shown as ordinary ferries in the timetable note, paying HK$27.60 per bike. Fast ferries accept only folded bicycles, and only on the vessels with a luggage area.
Which timetable runs on Saturday 26 December?
The Sunday and public holiday one, at holiday fares, because the day after Christmas is a general holiday in 2026.
Do young children need a ticket?
Under-threes travelling with an adult and not using a seat ride free. Sun Ferry treats a child 95 cm or taller as aged three or over unless you can prove otherwise; from 3 to 11 the child fare applies.