Menu
Hong Kong is home to one of the most iconic skylines in the world. It’s a melting pot of eastern and western cultures and it’s hard not to fall in love with the atmosphere that runs through the streets.
If you have never traveled to Asia, Hong Kong is an ideal gateway. It’s what I call a ‘welcome destination’; a city which is perfect for introducing a traveler to a new continent.
Although all cities across the world can be similar, it’s good to have some tips that will ensure your first trip to Hong Kong is a success!
Travel requirements have become more intense in recent years, especially since the pandemic. You will be very happy to know that most tourists to Hong Kong do not need a visa.
Always double-check in case this has changed, but most citizens from Europe, Southeast Asia and America do not need to apply for any entry permits. Please remember to check current covid-19 restrictions no matter where you are travelling to!
Your passport will be stamped (yes, I love a stamp in my passport too!) and you can stay up to 90 days.
I often hear that the most stressful part of any holiday is the airport transfer. Luckily, Hong Kong has invested millions into making it as simple and quick as possible.
It runs every 15-30 minutes between 05:54am and 00:48am. The journey lasts 24 minutes and a return trip costs $115 HK Dollars. If you have opted for a Hong Kong City Pass, it’s usually included (see further down for more details on this).
When it’s time to leave Hong Kong, the city has gone one step further and offers an “in-town check-in” which is exactly what it sounds like. The service enables you to get your boarding pass for your flight and drop your luggage off at a terminal in the centre of Hong Kong, rather than keeping it with you if you have a late flight.
I was very impressed with the entire setup and hope other cities will think about installing this!
The Airport Express is a direct train from the terminal to Central, Kowloon, and Tsing Yi stations.
The first time I ever used a city pass was in Hong Kong. I was a little sceptical at when buying it, thinking it was too good to be true, but I had no reason to be.
It gave me access to all the sites I wanted to visit, and it lasted for the length of my stay (4 days). I was able to skip the line in a lot of the attractions which is always a nice feeling. As mentioned above, the Airport Express is included so it saves you money but also takes the stress away from buying a ticket after a long flight.
Just make sure to screenshot the code, book ahead on any attractions that require it and follow the simple instructions for each venue.
Don’t activate the pass too early! Wait until the very last minute!
Sadly, the company I used have been sold, but the good news is that they are bringing out their own version. I’ve been told it should include the same attractions, and maybe even some new ones, keep an eye on their website.
The MTR is the equivalent of the tube/subway/metro in Hong Kong. It’s really simple to navigate, extremely clean and incredibly safe. I used it a couple of times to save time or get back to the hotel. Furthermore, it runs like clockwork.
The main piece of advice I’d give is to avoid using it at rush hour, especially in the morning. It makes London platforms look like a breeze…
A one-way, standard adult ticket costs on average $1 US dollar, with the most expensive being just over $4 for a full north to south trip.
To plan a specific trip use their planner – MTR Trip Planner
My personal recommendation is not to get a weekly or even day pass unless you know you are going to use it. Hong Kong is small enough to walk, the Star Ferry is a more exciting way to cross the harbour, and, if you go for a City Pass, the hop-on/hop-off bus should get you to most places.
This is probably the most important thing not to miss during your first trip to Hong Kong.
Asia is famous for its food markets and Kowloon is no exception. This being said, you do need to prepare yourself;
Locals and tourists eat outside and they are my fondest memories of my time in Hong Kong! The staff will come up to you with menus, but trust me, you don’t need them; instead, look at the dishes on the tables. If it looks good, sit and enjoy!
If you can’t decide on a place, go with the restaurant that offers the best looking spring rolls. Back to basics right?
I tried to be smart the first time I saw the show trying to avoid the crowds and sadly it didn’t work.
In order to get the full experience, I recommend going here (up the stairs). You get a fantastic view, can hear the music clearly and there’s a lovely atmosphere among the crowd where everyone seems to stop for 10 minutes.
It starts at 8pm each night come rain or shine. Have a read some information about it while you wait for it to start.
There are a lot of harbour cruises that leave in time to be well-positioned for the show; try booking one of them or rocking up a couple of minutes before it leaves for a last-minute deal. You never know!
I know these buses can get a bad reputation for being “uncool” but honestly… I love them! City experts have done all the work for you, what’s not to like?!
You sit (not walk, sit!) and get escorted around listening to detailed facts along the way with a great view. Personally, I highly rate them and think it’s a safe place to start when discovering a new city.
Regarding Hong Kong specifically, the green line is not to be missed. Yes, it’s longer, but it’s lovely to see the other (by ‘other’ I mean green) side of the state and what the rest of the island looks like. I did it at the end of the day and got some stunning views of the sunset as a bonus!
Here’s a direct link to their website to check out times, prices and routes
The weather can be extremely unpredictable.
To be clear, when it decides to rain, it hammers it down! This being said, it’s also very hot, humid and, to most peoples surprise, on a hill.
You want to plan to wear light clothes that are comfy to walk around in and will dry quickly if you get caught in the rain. You may also want to carry an umbrella with you, although it comes down so hard, that it may not make a difference!
Tip. As much as I want to be comfortable, I also love photos, so wearing full-on tourist clothes is not usually for me. When city hiking, I recommend planning your outfits from the shoes up!
Check the weather here so you know what to pack.
Along with the food markets I mentioned earlier, crossing Victoria Harbour on the Star Ferry was probably my favorite moment during my trip.
The famous route is the fastest and cheapest way to travel between Hong Kong and Kowloon. It takes just shy of 10 minutes to cross and the exact route has been operating since 1880.
It offers spectacular views of the Hong Kong skyline and harbour for less than a dollar. There is also something very special about getting on the boats that have so much history and use impeded into the wood.
I encourage you to have a read through this page on your way to Hong Kong so you know the history of these boats, it’s fascinating!
Do not take it during rush hour (8am to 9:30am & 6pm to 7pm). It’s still the main mode of transport for the locals heading to/from work and trust me… you don’t want to get in their way!
Hong Kong may be one of the most influential financial hubs in Asia; however, nearly all transactions are still done in cash. If you are doing Hong Kong on a budget or looking to experience the markets and local hangouts, make sure you bring enough cash to cover it.
Personally, I got money out of the ATM as it was simpler and at the same rate as going to a booth before leaving or in Hong Kong.
You want small notes and keep the coins for the Star Ferry, as they are still very old-school about tickets.
These tips combined with my other posts below should ensure you are prepared and have a great itinerary for your stay! I’m always here to answer questions as well!
Subscribe to the WWW newsletter for the latest travel, food and home design updates!
