Why go
Red, green and blue taxis identify different service areas, making the destination more important than the first available car. At the airport or a taxi rank, establish which vehicle serves your address. Having the precise destination ready also helps when English place names are difficult to communicate.
The full story
The distinction between taxi colours is a geographical one. Urban red taxis, green New Territories taxis and blue Lantau taxis are not interchangeable for every trip. Check the Transport Department’s current service-area guidance or ask at the rank before joining a queue for an unfamiliar destination. Use the full address rather than a district name alone. A hotel or attraction name may be helpful, but the street and locality make the destination clearer. If communication is difficult, showing the written address can be more reliable than attempting an unfamiliar pronunciation. Check the current fare information and possible additional charges, including luggage or road tolls, before estimating the cost of the journey. Ask for a receipt if you need a record of the trip. For a complaint, retain the vehicle and driver details and use the official transport complaints channel rather than trying to reconstruct the journey afterwards.