Our best travel tips for Hong Kong – 2024
We never really planned to visit Hong Kong during our long-stay trip in Asia. We haven’t even searched for any tips to travel to Hong Kong; however, in the end we ended up visiting this amazing city.
For this reason we also decided to create this post with Hong Kong tips that can be useful if you’re thinking of traveling to this city in the near future.
After our visit, we can say that Hong Kong has it all for any type of traveler willing to embark on a memorable experience.
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It’s true that Hong Kong may seem like a challenging destination, and it can be difficult to enjoy if you have a tight budget. And we won’t lie: Hong Kong is not a cheap city.
Despite that, if you are considering, or simply dreaming of traveling to Hong Kong, we invite you to read this post with the best tips to travel to Hong Kong on a budget.
In this post you’ll find useful information to save some money on your upcoming vacation there and enjoy it more without constantly worrying about your budget.
We hope that you find this information useful for your next trip to Hong Kong.
1. Security – Tips Hong Kong
Let’s start our travel guide to Hong Kong with a simple question:
Is it safe to travel to Hong Kong in 2024?
Hong Kong is a very safe destination for all types of travelers who decide to visit this place. The people are friendly, and the fact that most individuals have a good level of English helps to resolve any problems you may encounter during your trip.
However, as in any city, it’s essential to be cautious about petty crime, as there have been a few cases of minor theft targeted at tourists.
Therefore, it’s important, not only here but in any destination, to take precautions while traveling and respect local customs and rules. Always remember to be careful with your belongings when you travel.
In general, if you follow basic precautions and remain vigilant, Hong Kong will be a safe place to visit in 2024. Nevertheless, it’s always advisable to stay informed about the current situation and any security updates before planning your trip.
If you want more information about travel safety, here’s our post on the topic that we hope you find helpful.
Grab our Travel Checklist and Let the adventure begin!
2. Visa – Tips Hong Kong
Our next tip to your trip to Hong Kong is to understand that Hong Kong is a region of China but it is not subject to the same immigration rules.
Although it is technically part of China since 1997, it is a Special Administrative Region and, therefore, has its own laws (you might be familiar with the motto “One country, two systems“). With that said, if you decide to visit both Hong Kong and China, you will need two different visas, with the second one being much more difficult to obtain.
What do you need to obtain a visa to visit Hong Kong?
It will depend on your country of origin and the relations it has with the Hong Kong government. It’s recommended to check this information in detail on the official government website, which we provide here.
In our specific case (Italy and the Czech Republic), we were provided an entry stamp upon arrival with a maximum stay of 90 days. The only two requirements were to have a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity and a return ticket within those 90 days.
3. Vaccines – Tips Hong Kong
We also want to mention vaccinations in our travel guide to Hong Kong since its important topic. At this point no mandatory vaccinations are required, and despite the strict rules during the three years of the pandemic, currently, they do not request any vaccination documents or a negative COVID-19 test (January 2024).
This was one of the positive factors that led us to decide to visit Hong Kong after being in Taiwan. We’re not saying this because we haven’t been immunized, but because it was possible to be quarantined upon arrival in the country and pay for lodging in a five star hotel.
Fortunately, all these restrictions have been lifted, and as we have witnessed, Hong Kong is once again filled with tourists who wish to go on trip to this amazing city.
Regardless of the season you visit Hong Kong, we recommend that you bring a good mosquito repellent with you.
If you want to obtain updated information on possible changes by the Hong Kong government, we invite you to visit their official website at this link.
4. Coins and Exchange – Malay – Tips Hong Kong
What are our next travel tips to Hong Kong? Let’s talk about money and currency exchange.
The official currency of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), and its value at the time of writing this article is 1 euro = 8.7 HKD or 1 dollar = 7.81. To know the updated exchange rate during your visit to this beautiful place, we recommend using the platform Xe.com.
Are you wondering how to pay on your next trip to Hong Kong?
This is likely one of the minor problems you’ll have during your visit, as the region of Hong Kong is one of the most efficient and technologically advanced financial centers in the world.
Therefore, we assure you that if there is a payment method in the world, you can probably use it there (including cryptocurrencies).
Here are the main methods to obtain Hong Kong dollars on your next trip:
Exchange money from your currency to Hong Kong dollars:
This is the most traditional method and is still widely used by travelers worldwide. We employ this method when we need to change money left from other countries we have previously visited (if there’s any left ;-)).
Our tip is that if you decide to opt for this method, avoid exchanging money at the airport, as the fees are usually very high. Instead, take advantage of the currency exchange offices in the city, which offer better rates and lower fees, based on our experience.
The ones with better rates are located in the Tsim Sha Tsui area. Try to avoid the black market for money exchange to avoid being scammed, especially if you’re not familiar with the country and its local currency.
Withdraw money directly from an ATM in Hong Kong:
If you withdraw money from any local ATM in Hong Kong, you won’t have any extra fees from local banks, making this the best option for you.
Here are some points to consider if you decide to withdraw money from ATM:
- Inform your bank that you’ll be visiting a foreign country to avoid them blocking your card due to suspicious activity.
- Be aware that your bank may charge internal fees for withdrawing money abroad or in a different currency.
- Although we mentioned there are no fees for withdrawing money from an ATM, carefully check the information provided by the bank on the ATM screen.
- If you withdraw money from an ATM that is not connected to a physical bank, in 90% of cases, you’ll be charged a fee for the transaction.
- It’s also recommended to withdraw money from ATMs located in banks that are open to the public, so you can resolve any issues if the machine swallows your card or doesn’t dispense the money.
- Your bank may charge additional fees for withdrawing money on weekends (for example, Revolut, our virtual bank, does this). Take a look at this aspect of your contract.
Pay directly with credit or debit cards in Hong Kong:
In a place like Hong Kong, you can choose to use this payment method for most of your expenses. Keep in mind that in 2023, over 70% of payments are made with credit or debit cards in Hong Kong.
However, it might be challenging to use cards in local markets and some restaurants. Additionally, you won’t be able to use a card to purchase or top up the Octopus card (refer to the Transport section).
For these reasons, we recommend that on your next trip to Hong Kong, you carry some cash to pay when cards are not accepted.
What credit/debit cards work in Hong Kong?
The major international cards are accepted (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, and American Express), so we believe you won’t have any problems using any of your cards during your trip to Hong Kong.
Remember some important details before using any of your cards:
- When paying with a card in Hong Kong, merchants won’t charge you any extra fees; however, your bank may apply fees for currency exchange operations.
- Notify your bank that you will use the card abroad.
- When paying with a card abroad, always pay in the local currency to avoid additional fees from your bank.
To minimize these banking fees, we advise you to use virtual banking cards available on the market, which are fantastic. During our travels, we use Wise online banking and we are very happy with it. It’s a virtual banking service with an incredibly good exchange rate and low fees, perfect for traveling.
Paying with apps and mobile phones on your trip to Hong Kong:
Paying with apps, specifically using your smartphone, is an option you should consider if you decide to visit Hong Kong and want to feel at ease while making payments.
If you’re wondering about the technological systems you can use in Hong Kong, we’ll mention in this travel guide what we remember.
We know that Google Pay and Apple Pay are very common payment options in the region. Alipay and WeChat Pay also exist, and it’s likely that other options will enter the market in the coming years.
The best thing about using QR codes and apps is that many stores and restaurants are using them because they don’t have a way to pay with a card.
Our advice: Wise is an excellent card designed to make your life easier when traveling to a foreign country that has a different currency than yours. We always use your physical card during our travels and never had a problem, even in some of the most remote parts of the world.
5. Internet and Sim Card – Tips Hong Kong
Knowing that Hong Kong is, in a sense, a “region” of China, you might think that on your next trip there, you’ll have trouble connecting or using the apps you typically use during your travels.
However, nothing could be further from the truth. Hong Kong, being a special region, has its own laws and regulations, including those related to telecommunications.
During your trip to Hong Kong, you won’t have any limitations on using your apps; in fact, you can freely access the internet by either purchasing a local SIM card or taking advantage of the free wifi available throughout the city.
What’s the best SIM card for internet access on my next trip to Hong Kong?
There are many companies that offer SIM cards upon your arrival in the country, and they all have more or less the same offers and prices. We bought a SIM card from the company 1010, and we didn’t experience any connection issues during our entire stay. The card we purchased cost 80 HKD and had 12 GB of data for one week of use. It’s not particularly cheap, but it worked very well.
Upon arrival at the airport, you also have the option to rent a portable router and use it according to your needs. We think this option might be a bit pricier than buying a SIM card, but it could be a good choice if you’re visiting the region for work and require a reliable, constant connection. We didn’t opt for this option simply because we brought our own portable router, which works wonderfully “Check it out here“. Likewise, we usually use it with a local SIM card from the place we visit when we have online meetings and require a strong connection.
If you want to save some money when buying a SIM card, you can wait until you arrive in the city and purchase one at local markets. In these markets, many people sell cards from different companies, allowing you to save some money.
Viajar a Taiwán – Servicio y tarifas en el aeropuerto
Do I have another option if I would rather not buy a SIM card in Hong Kong?
Being such a modern and tech-savvy city, you won’t have difficulty finding free Wi-Fi in restaurants, cafés, shopping malls, and accommodations during your next trip to Hong Kong.
If you decide to use this method of connection, we recommend downloading a good VPN to be as protected as possible and avoid potential hacks. We use this VPN and it’s really great for any traveler. Check this link for more options and choose the right plan for your trips.
During our trip through Asia, we discovered that E-SIMS are also available on the market. Essentially, with the use of an app, you can get a number, data, and calls without having a physical SIM card in your phone.
However, for now, they are only compatible with some of the latest-generation smartphones (iPhone, Samsung, and a few more). Unfortunately, our mobiles are not on the list of compatible smartphones, so we haven’t had the chance to try this card in person. Despite that, we consider this E-SIM to be a great invention and it will likely be a complete game-changer when it comes to traveling from one country to another.
Here’s a link that other travelers have suggested to us to find more information about it.
6. Transportation – Tips Hong Kong
Although it may seem small compared to other places in the world, getting around Hong Kong can take hours if you don’t opt for the right mode of transportation.
What are the main means of transportation to get around Hong Kong?
Below, in our travel guide to Hong Kong, we’ll list all the ways to move around the city:
OCTOPUS CARD
As a modern city, Hong Kong couldn’t miss having a card that facilitates payments and travel throughout the territory. Just like the Easy Card in Taiwan or the T-money in Korea, the Octopus Card is essential if you decide to visit Hong Kong. You can easily purchase it at the international airport (at the train station ticket booth).
You just need to buy it, load it, and use it as you like. The base purchase price is 200 HKD (23 USD/EUR), but keep in mind that it’s an investment you should make for your trip to Hong Kong. This is because the card itself costs 50 HKD, which will be refunded if you return the card within 90 days. The remaining 150 HKD is the money you can use to travel on all public transport in Hong Kong.
Extra tips on Octopus card in Hong Kong:
- When returning the card, there will be a fee of approximately 10 HKD.
- Transport fares are cheaper with the Octopus card.
- You can only load it with cash.
BUSES
Buses are the most economical means of transportation in Hong Kong, so we recommend using them if you’re on a tight budget and want to save some money.
As you can imagine, buses take you everywhere, not just within the city but throughout the region, at a reasonable price.
Keep in mind that the fare is fixed, meaning you pay the total price when boarding the bus.
You don’t need to tap out again when getting off (unlike in South Korea or Taiwan). The positive thing about buses in Hong Kong is that they are double-decker buses, which allows you to, if you’re lucky, sit in the front and enjoy a view of the city from above.
Extra Tips for Hong Kong buses:
- Use an app like Google Maps to figure out which mode of transportation to use and how to get around.
- You can use the Octopus card.
- If you want to save some money, you can use buses to travel from the airport to the city; there are many lines, and they are much cheaper than the train. Just keep in mind that they might be a bit slower.
TRAINS
We haven’t had the need to use any trains, although the entire region is connected by high-speed trains that can save you a lot of time. For example, the train from the airport to the city takes only 24 minutes (over 1 hour by bus). In addition to Google Maps, you can check train routes (and more) using the Citymapper app.
TAXIS
If you need a taxi to get around Hong Kong, we recommend downloading Uber app if you don’t have it already. Another widely used and functional app is HK taxi.
FERRIES
Before visiting Hong Kong, we didn’t think that using a ferry to move around the place could be so useful and economical. Yes, surprisingly, it’s the most budget-friendly mode of transportation among all we used during our stay there.
Imagine that a trip to Hong Kong wouldn’t be complete without using the famous ferry that connects Hong Kong Island to the Kowloon Peninsula at least once. The iconic company is called Star Ferry; remember it for your next trip there. You can also use other ferry lines to go to different islands in the region or to some beaches.
METRO / UNDERGROUND
We add it to this list, even though it doesn’t need an introduction. It’s the fastest transportation system in the city, connecting all major locations and points of interest very well. It’s a bit pricier than buses, but it’s faster and more comfortable. The only drawback is that you pay based on the distance you travel, so keep that in mind if you have a tight budget.
TRAMS
Coming from Europe, we are used to using and seeing trams on city streets. Nevertheless, they are very scenic and useful, depending on where you want to go in Hong Kong. Even if you don’t use them, we’re sure you’ll be tempted to take a photo.
PLANE
Unless you enter from the Chinese border or travel by boat (although we don’t know if it’s possible as a tourist), the plane is the only way to travel to Hong Kong. We use Google Flights or Skyscanner to find the best deals on our trips.
7. Accommodation – Tips Hong Kong
This is the most important reason why you should consider not going on a trip to Hong Kong if you have a tight budget.
The city is expensive, or rather, extremely expensive. There’s no middle ground, and it’s challenging to find interesting accommodation options at a good price.
Another downside is that the rooms are really small unless you’re willing to spend thousands of euros per night on a five-star hotel.
Undoubtedly, the room we chose was the smallest we’ve ever been in during all our travels, and when we say “all” we mean the more than 50 countries we’ve visited.
According to our search, there’s no decent double room with air conditioning for less than 40 EUR per night. And at the very least, you’ll have to spend between 15 and 20 euros /dollars per night for a bed in a shared hostel room.
What are the best pages to search for a hotel in Hong Kong?
To book accommodations in advance, we recommend using online booking platforms. In our case, for our trip to Hong Kong, we found the best price using Booking.com, thanks to an additional discount they offered during those dates (fortunately).
Other apps we tried for finding cheap accommodations were Agoda, Booking.com, and Hostel world.
Another option could be using the Couch-surfing app and staying with someone who lives in the city. However, we don’t know if Hong Kong’s residents are very active on this app and whether they use it frequently, especially considering it was closed for almost three years due to the global health emergency.
8. Food – Tips Hong Kong
We won’t lie to you when we say that the biggest motivation that drove us to visit Hong Kong was the food.
It might seem like we’re crazy (and maybe we are a little), but the idea of finding every type of food from around the world, especially from various regions of China, led us to book our tickets and travel to Hong Kong to indulge in its gastronomy.
So, what’s the typical food in Hong Kong?
Of course, we can’t answer that question without starting with Chinese dumplings. Yes, Hong Kong is a paradise if you love this type of food. We’ve eaten dumplings in all shapes and with all kinds of fillings, so starting with these delicacies is a great way to dive into the city’s culinary scene.
Another must-try during your trip to Hong Kong is the famous pineapple bun, which has become a city emblem. We promise you, we’ve never had such a delicious bun in all the other Asian countries we’ve visited (and we’ve visited many countries). The Pineapple Bun has it all: it’s cheap, tasty, addictive, and satisfying, although, despite its name, it doesn’t actually taste like pineapple.
Other highlights include duck, the myriad of soups (try at least one), and the various street food dishes you’ll come across, like skewered offal or cold octopus and curry fish ball skewers, which are delightful.
In addition to this, you can find all kinds of food on your next trip to Hong Kong, most likely from any region of China, making it a nearly infinite gastronomic experience.
Now, what’s the average cost of a full meal in a typical restaurant in Hong Kong?
It’s both difficult and easy to answer this question.
In Hong Kong, you can find a wide range of prices; you just need to decide what you want to eat. Visiting this city allows you to dine with a couple of euros or dollars or spend thousands at some of the most expensive restaurants on the planet.
However, if you’re wondering whether you can find affordable food in the city, the answer is yes. It might not be as cheap as in some Southeast Asian countries, but it’s much more cost-effective than eating in most European cities.
During our trip to Hong Kong, we happened to celebrate one of our birthdays, and we decided to have lunch and dinner at two Michelin-starred restaurants in the city. Surprisingly, despite their Michelin status, these restaurants were quite economical, offering delicious classic dishes in quite different environments compared to the Michelin level one might expect in the West.
However, if you’re looking for something more modern, romantic, and therefore expensive, rest assured you’ll find it during your trip to Hong Kong.
What is the variety of international food restaurant options in Hong Kong and what types of foreign cuisine can be found?
Regarding the variety of international cuisine options in Hong Kong, as you can imagine, the city has an extensive selection of different international restaurants. However, keep in mind that international food can often be pricier due to obvious reasons, so take that into account if you’re on a tight budget.
If you are looking for an app to help you find restaurants, we recommend two, the classic and always useful Google maps, and the most used by locals, Open rice.
9. Insurance – Tips Hong Kong
In our opinion, one of the most essential and useful things on your next trip to Hong Kong (or any destination) is travel insurance. While many countries no longer require it as a mandatory requirement, many people choose not to invest in it, which is a serious mistake.
One of our most important travel tips to Hong Kong (to everywhere really) is to have travel insurance. We can assure you that having insurance beforehand will be a lifesaver in case of health issues or other inconveniences during your trip to Hong Kong, and it will save you a lot of money.
In our case, we use TrueTraveller, and we highly recommend it. It’s a very reputable and well-organized company with favorable terms and conditions. Moreover, it’s one of the few insurance you can purchase even while you’re already on your trip, which is perfect for travelers and digital nomads like us. So, if you’re planning to travel to Hong Kong, don’t forget to get suitable travel insurance to ensure your peace of mind and safety throughout your stay in the country.
10. Cultures and Habits – Tips Hong Kong
As a cosmopolitan metropolis and an area with a rich history of colonization and immigration, you can imagine what awaits you. It’s not hard to understand that when you decide to go on a trip to Hong Kong, you’ll immerse yourself in each one of these cultures without even realizing it.
However, the majority of the population has Chinese origins, mostly from the Cantonese region, and that is evident in the abundance of restaurants offering regional Cantonese cuisine, which is what we often associate with Chinese food in Western countries.
Nevertheless, Hong Kong is the most cosmopolitan city in Asia with the most cultural diversity that we have visited so far, along with Singapore.
Regarding religion, it’s not surprising to find that the most widely practiced religions have Asian-Chinese cultural influences.
Buddhism and Taoism are the most well-known throughout the territory, and you’ll notice numerous ancient temples amidst modern skyscrapers, adding a touch of magic to this city.
Due to the many years of British colonization, Christianity also has a significant following, with many Catholic schools dedicated mainly to the children of expatriates working in the city.
Though in smaller numbers, many ethnicities freely coexist and practice their religions, such as Muslims, Hindus, and various other minority religions.
11. Other tips and curiosities – Tips Hong Kong
Lets complete our travel guide to Hong Kong with some extra tips and curiosities we found here.
- Throughout the city, you’ll find buses and double-decker trams (English-style), which offer a great view of the city.
- Hong Kong is more than just a city; in fact, 75% of its territory is green and filled with hiking trails and excursions to explore.
- The official languages are Cantonese (Chinese) and English. Probably, along with Singapore, Hong Kong has one of the highest levels of spoken English in all of Asia.
- Known as a shopping paradise, Hong Kong has no sales tax, making it a perfect destination for shopping enthusiasts.
- As we mentioned in the food section, this city is also a gastronomic haven; if you have a craving for something, chances are you’ll find it in Hong Kong.
- Hong Kong boasts the record for having the most skyscrapers in the world.
- Speaking of skyscrapers, thanks to over 50 of these buildings, every night at 8:00 p.m. in Victoria Harbor, you can witness one of the world’s most spectacular light shows. Don’t miss it!
- Hong Kong experiences two seasons throughout the year: the wet season and the dry season. The dry season lasts from November to March and is considered the best time to visit Hong Kong.
- We visited the city during the wet season, which spans from April to October, and to be honest, it didn’t rain that much. However, it was quite hot and humid.
12. General prices – Tips Hong Kong
The prices are based on our Visit in Hong Kong. When we wrote these prices, the change was equal to: $1 = 7.81 HKD or €1 = 8.76 HKD. We remind you that due to various factors, prices could change (up or down) and that these types of prices are for information only, since they are based on an approximate average.
If you are wondering how much does a coffee cost in Hong Kong? Or How much does a bottle of water cost in Hong Kong?
Here you will have the answer:
Street food: 10 – 50 HKD or $1.28 – $6.41 USD
Classic Local Restaurant: 50 – 130 HKD or $6.41 – $16.65 USD
Chinese dumplings: 25 – 90 HKD or $3.20 – $11.53 USD (michelin star menu 20-30 € x2 pax)
Pineapple bun: 10 HKD or $1.28 USD
International restaurants (pizza, burger, etc.): HKD 130 or > $16.65 USD
Water 0.5 lt: 8 HKD or $1.02 USD
Water 2 lt: 13 HKD or $1.67 USD
Espresso coffee: > 30 HKD or > $3.84 USD
Beer (supermarket): > 30 HKD or > $3.84 USD
Beer (bar): > 70 or > $8.97 USD
Bus (airport): 35 HKD or $4.49 USD
Bus (Local) start from: 8 HKD or $1.02 USD
Subway Ticket: 35 HKD or $4.49 USD
Octopus Card: 50 HKD + money to travel or $6.41 USD
(HKD 40 refund, plus the remaining money if you return the card within 90 days)
Fast train (Airport): 110 HKD or $14.09 USD
Gasoline x lt: 23 HKD or $2.95 USD
Cheap accommodation 2 pax/day with a/c and private bathroom: > 350 HKD or > $44.83 USD
Bunk bed in a shared room: > 175 HKD or > $22.41 USD
SIM card (7 days / 12 gig): 80 HKD or $10.24 USD
Laundry (automatic wash): HKD 50 or $6.41 USD
Conclusions – Tips Hong Kong
Without looking too much into it, we’re sure that the week we spent in this city was the most expensive of our entire last year of travel. Nevertheless, we believe it was worth visiting Hong Kong, since we have a soft spot for big cities.
Hong Kong, in particular, has its own charm that is impossible not to appreciate; the mix of East and West is fascinating and surprises even the most experienced traveler. Few cities in the world have such a charming and photogenic blend, which is why we think it’s always worth traveling to Hong Kong and exploring this side of the world.
If we were to mention something not so positive about this city, it’s that it’s definitely not a budget-friendly destination, but we think that point was already clear from all the information we provided earlier.
We hope our tips for your next trip to Hong Kong will be useful for your visit there. We wish you a safe journey and hope to see you soon on the pages of our beloved blog.
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