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You’ve just booked or are about to book your plane tickets! Exciting! I’m actually very jealous… but let me help you start planning your trip to Hong Kong.
Although several ‘controllable’ factors come into play when planning a trip. The weather is usually the first ‘uncontrollable’ element we will look at before booking the flights.
The best season to visit Hong Kong is in Autumn, from the end of September until November. A close second is Spring; it has the same temperature as Autumn but can be a little foggy, which is annoying when visiting one of the most beautiful skylines in the world.
Summer can be extremely hot and humid which very quickly leads to extreme rain. Winters are mild, but usually the busiest time of year therefore, higher prices.
I have been during Christmas & New Year, so it’s not the end of the world in terms of crowds, but the prices are painful to look at.
The city is seen as a stopover in order to reach a further destination. I agree with this; however, I believe the perfect amount of time in Hong Kong is 4/5 days.
However long you go for, you can make an itinerary work, but to really get a feel for the city you want to be there for just under a week.
If you want to include day trips, like Disneyland, Macau or Big Buddha, then add an extra day or two.
Hong Kong has invested millions into making the trip to and from its main transport hub as simple as possible. The Airport Express is a direct link from the terminal to Central, Kowloon, and Tsing Yi stations.
It runs every 15-30 minutes between 05:54am and 00:48am. The journey lasts just under half an hour and a return trip costs $115 HK Dollars.
When leaving, the city offers an “in-town check-in”. This is a service where you get your boarding pass and drop off your luggage at a terminal located in the centre of Hong Kong rather than keeping your bags with you if you have a late flight.
It’s one of the best airport systems I’ve ever used! Could this become mandatory at all airports, please?
The currency is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). The exchange rate isn’t great and cash is king, so I would only suggest changing enough to cover your trip.
I usually opt for exchanging currency before departing, however, in this situation, I recommend withdrawing money from an ATM when you get there as the exchange rates are the same, just make sure to tell your bank about your trip beforehand.
The city can cater to any budget, and although we’d all love to stay at the Peninsula overlooking the harbour, it is always within our reach. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a view over the water, though!
HK is divided into Kowloon and Hong Kong Island; the latter is the financial hub with higher-end accommodation. Kowloon is more traditional, offering a mixture of high-end, boutique, and affordable hotels.
I’m currently working on a more detailed post about where to stay in Hong Kong. Sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss it!
The network in Hong Kong is called the MTR. It’s a simple system, extremely clean, and safe It also runs like clockwork. I would avoid using it at rush hour, however, especially in the morning. It gets super busy!
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.
Don’t forget to try the Star Ferry which crosses the harbour! It’s the traditional route on boats that have been in use for over 100 years.
Like all places, this destination has a mixture of free and paid things to see. Contrary to other cities, the free attractions are the best.
It’s a town where walking down the street, is just as interesting as visiting Victoria Peak. I’ve made a separate list of things to do, definitely check it out before you head off on your adventure! Follow this link to head straight there.
Hong Kong is a fantastic city and will inspire any traveller who visits to come back time and time again!
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