Sarah N.
Yelp
There is virtually little to no way around the lines of this tourist trap, but if you are visiting Hong Kong, it is also an absolute must do.
Help yourself and do your best to avoid peak times (no pun intended)....don't go on weekend! I think there is always a line and thus the nature of the beast. We went at like 5:30PM on a Wednesday and we endured the hot summer wait. We hate lines and also hate the heat, so we did indeed buy the $320 combo ticket (different line that gets you on the tram faster, access to the upper deck up at the peak (which to me is worth it, because if it is a one day tournament for you...then go all in and see the best view you can!) and access to Madame Tousseau's Wax Musuem. If you buy the combo ticket that does not include the upper deck, which is like $40-50HKD cheaper I think, know that you will still have view of Hong Kong to take in...but again, if you are going to do this once in your life, then live large!. If you arrive and there are no lines, take it as a lucky sign and after you go on tram, buy a lottery ticket, because it is your super lucky day!
For the $320 ticket, know that you too will be waiting, but you probably cut your wait time by an hour plus (depending on amount of people in line). Line under road is the regular line. Line on the other side of the street where red signs are is combo ticket lline. It is kind of an insane mess when you get there, so I am sure this will mean nothing to you upon arrival because your head will be spinning on the length of the line!
It is like a crazy, mad, pushing, hot mess to wait in the line and then to get on the tram. Be prepared to be shoved, offended a bit, smell the ridculously awful scents of people who you are entirely crammed too close to during the wait and subsequent 4-5 minute steep ride to the top.
Life is about managing expectations. As it pertains to transportation, simply be aware of the hot mess of waiting and keep your bar low and you will be fine...but again, it is worth it if you have never gone up this route and have never seen the peak before. Check it off your bucket list and go up! OH AND DON'T FORGET...all those people in those lines to go up you will see again in the lines to come down. What goes up, must come down, such is life!