TRIP PLANNING
There's not too much you need to do in advance of a Hong Kong visit. Most nationalities have a visa-free arrival typically between thirty and ninety days while others, the British Commonwealth group, can stay for up to a year. You do have one of the foremost Hong Kong travel experts at your service, however, there are some additional sources that I rely on to scour the city. Here's a list of useful online and smartphone/tablet apps I frequently use.
OPEN RICE - WEBSITE AND APP
Hong Kong's version of Yelp; limited to dining only. The website is fairly useful but I use the app much more often. The app has functionality to filter by location, cuisine, and restaurant type. Whenever I am exploring a new area of the city I use this app to make sure I do not miss any top rated restaurants or try to find undiscovered coffee shops.
Hong Kong's version of Yelp; limited to dining only. The website is fairly useful but I use the app much more often. The app has functionality to filter by location, cuisine, and restaurant type. Whenever I am exploring a new area of the city I use this app to make sure I do not miss any top rated restaurants or try to find undiscovered coffee shops.
HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD - WEBSITE
This is an impressive tourism site that provides information on all of Hong Kong's major attractions and upcoming events. The only area where the site is a bit weak is with the Top Ten Attractions. Based upon this listing you wouldn't think there is much to see, however, once you begin looking at other site areas, such as, Culture and Heritage or Self-Guided Walks, you begin to realize how much the city has to offer.
This is an impressive tourism site that provides information on all of Hong Kong's major attractions and upcoming events. The only area where the site is a bit weak is with the Top Ten Attractions. Based upon this listing you wouldn't think there is much to see, however, once you begin looking at other site areas, such as, Culture and Heritage or Self-Guided Walks, you begin to realize how much the city has to offer.
HK MAGAZINE - WEBSITE AND WEEKLY MAGAZINE
HK Magazine skews a little "expatish", although not as much as Timeout Hong Kong, and contains a lot of information on new restaurants and events. Typically there's an interesting cover story, that from a newcomer's perspective, provides local insight into current affairs. You can pick up a free copy of the magazine from a few coffee shops or restaurants. A new edition is released on Friday making it a good read if you want to know what's taking place for the upcoming weekend.
HK Magazine skews a little "expatish", although not as much as Timeout Hong Kong, and contains a lot of information on new restaurants and events. Typically there's an interesting cover story, that from a newcomer's perspective, provides local insight into current affairs. You can pick up a free copy of the magazine from a few coffee shops or restaurants. A new edition is released on Friday making it a good read if you want to know what's taking place for the upcoming weekend.
- HK Magazine also has a very useful Bookstore App that grants you access to back issues - some of these issues, the Best of Dining, Best Hikes, etc. come in handy when deciding where to eat and what to do.
Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world, however, many of the city's top attractions are free. Here's my list of "Hong Kong's Best Free Attractions".
TRANSPORTATION
TO / FROM HONG KONG
Unless you are visiting from mainland China or Macau, you will be arriving to Hong Kong via an airplane. Hong Kong has many long-haul flights and fares tend to be quite competitive given the high volume flights for business travelers. Increased competition from the Arab Airlines - Qatar, Emirates, Etihad - also helps to keep fares low. Unfortunately, all of the long-haul flights leaves little room for the Asia low-cost carriers to operate at the airport, thus airfare within Asia can be quite high...a two hour flight to Hanoi may be $200, while a half-way around the world flight to New York may be $700, because Aeroloft, Russia's state carrier, is opening a new route.
Unless you are visiting from mainland China or Macau, you will be arriving to Hong Kong via an airplane. Hong Kong has many long-haul flights and fares tend to be quite competitive given the high volume flights for business travelers. Increased competition from the Arab Airlines - Qatar, Emirates, Etihad - also helps to keep fares low. Unfortunately, all of the long-haul flights leaves little room for the Asia low-cost carriers to operate at the airport, thus airfare within Asia can be quite high...a two hour flight to Hanoi may be $200, while a half-way around the world flight to New York may be $700, because Aeroloft, Russia's state carrier, is opening a new route.
- It is possible to arrive at Hong Kong's airport and catch a ferry to Macau without passing through Hong Kong immigration. I have not done this myself but have seen signs and read online that this is possible. It's worth noting that if you do plan to go to Macau for a day trip you need to bring your passport - from a traveler's perspective they are two different countries, different currency, etc.
- Most trains from China arrive at Hong Kong's Hung Hom Station in Kowloon. After passing through immigration there's a metro station nearby that connects you with the rest of the city.
TO / FROM HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The easiest option is to catch the Hong Kong express metro train. The train stops at a few stations in Kowloon before terminating at the Hong Kong MTR Station. This station connects with three other metro lines that run close to most accommodations. The express ride costs $100HKD plus a smaller fee once you transfer to the local metro lines. Trains run every ten minutes from 6:00 - 0:48.
The easiest option is to catch the Hong Kong express metro train. The train stops at a few stations in Kowloon before terminating at the Hong Kong MTR Station. This station connects with three other metro lines that run close to most accommodations. The express ride costs $100HKD plus a smaller fee once you transfer to the local metro lines. Trains run every ten minutes from 6:00 - 0:48.
- The cheapest option is to catch a bus which will cost about $40HKD depending upon your final destination. If you are familiar with the city and know your hotel is located in proximity to a bus line this is an easy option. Buses run less frequently (~ fifteen minutes) but operating similar hours. ***The buses only accept exact fair, so if you've just arrived and taken cash out of the ATM, you'll need to break a $100HKD note at a 7-11, etc.***
- Taxis are available at all times
- You can check the Hong Kong International Airport for more detail and up-to-date price information.
PURCHASE AN OCTOPUS CARD
If you are in Hong Kong for more efficient travel it makes sense to pick up an "Octopus" Card to make for an easy in and out swipe at Hong Kong metro stations. It is also very useful on buses, which only accept exact fare, if you plan to travel to further afield locations such as Stanley Beach / Repulse Bay or Tai O. The card requires an initial $100HKD load and a $50HKD deposit, which unfortunately can only be paid in cash. Before you leave you can return your card to a metro office ticket window for a return of your deposit and remaining balance.
If you are in Hong Kong for more efficient travel it makes sense to pick up an "Octopus" Card to make for an easy in and out swipe at Hong Kong metro stations. It is also very useful on buses, which only accept exact fare, if you plan to travel to further afield locations such as Stanley Beach / Repulse Bay or Tai O. The card requires an initial $100HKD load and a $50HKD deposit, which unfortunately can only be paid in cash. Before you leave you can return your card to a metro office ticket window for a return of your deposit and remaining balance.
- The streamlined metro process is the initial benefit of the Octopus card but once you begin to engage in various day to day activities you realize how indispensable the Octopus card truly is. In addition to paying for metro fares the Octopus card can be used at a wide range of retail operations from Starbucks to QB House, a local hair cutlery. For some retailers, such as a "coin" laundromat, the Octopus card is the only form of accepted payment.
- The easiest way to add value is at a Metro Station, however, several retailers (7-11, Starbucks, etc.) allow you to add value when making purchases at their stores. It's also possible to link a credit card to automatically fill your Octopus card, although the credit card linkage appears to be limited to Hong Kong financial institutions' issued credit cards.
- For additional information on the automatic value add and additional information see the Octopus Card Official Website.
DINING
Hong Kong is renowned for it's sheer volume of dining establishments and the quality of those restaurants. The variety ranges from a $20HKD macaroni noodle breakfast to Avant-Garde, Michelin Three Star restaurants that only the super wealthy can afford to patronize. When deciding where to eat, I'd consider what Hong Kong does differently than focus on that cuisine type.