Travel Tips for Hong Kong (HK) - Helpful Information for Visitors

Either March - April or October - early December is a good time to visit Hong Kong.

Hong Kong summers are hot and humid, and Winters are cool and dry.

 Public Transportation Tips ⇓

Hong Kong Local Transportation

Use Hong Kong public transportation like below for faster, easier, and inexpensive commute in Hong Kong.

- MTR trains,

- Buses,

- Star Ferry, and

- Minibusses

Octopus Card Hong Kong
(Smart Reloadable Card)

As soon as you get into Hong Kong, buy an Octopus Card "Smart reloadable Payment Card" ($50 HKD deposit and $100 HKD load). 

One can buy Octopus Card at any Airport Express counter, MTR train station, or Seven-Eleven (7-11) Stores.

An Octopus Card is easy to use to pay for public transportation and for purchases in many stores like 7-11!

Recharge Octopus Card in HK

Reload your Octopus card at any MTR train station or Seven-Eleven (7-11) store.

Reload can be either $50 HKD or multiples of $50 HKD ( $100 HKD, $150 HKD, $200 HKD, etc.)

Airport Express Train Hong Kong

Take a Quick and comfortable Airport Express train to and from the Airport to the City.

Purchase an Octopus Card or a ticket at an Airport Express Ticket Counter in the Airport.

Airport Express offers a discount for group travel, a single journey ticket sets for 2-4 people.
You must be traveling together in order to get the discounted fare.

Hong Kong Airport Express Ticket - $6.58

Free Hotel Shuttle Bus

Use the free Airport Express shuttle bus service from Airport Express Kowloon station or Airport Express Hong Kong station to and from major hotels in their respective areas.

City Transportation Map

Ask the hotel Concierge for MTR train map, and bus routes numbers or maps.

 Other Tips ⇓

Footwear/Shoes in Hong Kong

 Wear good and comfortable walking or running shoes as you will be walking and standing for long periods in Hong Kong

Currency Exchange in Hong Kong

Convert the minimum required currency (like US100) at the airport currency exchange counter for immediate use.

You will get a better exchange rate in the City  (in Tsim Sha Tsui area aka TST) with no Service tax.

City Check-in for your flight in
Hong Kong City

On your way out of Hong Kong use the airport Check-in counters at Airport Express Hong Kong Station or Airport Express Kowloon station to check-in and drop off your luggage.

Safety and Health in Hong Kong

Although overall Hong Kong is a safe city, still it is a big tourist city.

Keep track of all your belongings especially in crowded Public Places.

Use Sun Screen if your skin is sensitive to Sun. Nothing ruins a vacation like a sunburn.

Drink only bottled water. Bottled water is inexpensive and available at every corner in convenience stores like 7-11 in Hong Kong.

Always carry some cash as many small vendors or merchants will only take cash for small amounts of transactions.

Languages in Hong Kong

Cantonese is spoken by a majority of local people in Hong Kong and is the main language of communication by locals.

Chinese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. Both languages are also spoken in Hong Kong.

Street signs, Station names, Bus numbers, and announcements are in Chinese and English in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is a very tourist-friendly city when it comes to language and signs.

Electricity (Power) in Hong Kong

If visiting from outside, 220 Volts AC, 50Hz (as compare to U.S./Canada are 110-120 Volts) power supply.