Hong Kong Travel Guide: Where to Spend & How to Save
Last Updated : Sept. 28, 2016, 5:23 a.m.
From Disneyland to Ocean Park, Hong Kong has all that we dream of! But, the place is so much more than just an expensive holiday destination. Hong Kong Island has the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and of course the most popular shopping places. Downtown Hong Kong has best shopping places, Lan Kwai Fong is the place for drinkers, Soho is full of entertainment and Sheung Wan hides in itself the secret of the colonial past when the Britishers were ruling.
Hong Kong is definitely not a place where you can save on everything so easily. But, is you will do a little research in advance, a budget trip is possible. Here are some of the travel tips for Hong Kong that will guide to spend when needed and save when you can!
Hong Kong Holiday Planning
A trip to Hong Kong in peak time (between October & December) would definitely cost more. But, a little smartness is going to save a lot of your money.
Here are some dos & don'ts to keep in mind before planning your trip:
Dos
- Plan your trip in advance
- Choose round trip tickets
- Get back to the same airport
- Opt for connecting flights
- Carry light luggage
- Check essential documents
- Get Travel Insurance
- Inform your bank about your international trip
- Travel in the night
- Pack essentials in handbag
Don'ts
- Exchange money on airports
- Choose direct flights
- Book an expensive hotel
- Carry heavy luggage
- Travel during Day
Money in Hong Kong
Hong Kong receives payment in HKD and 1HKD = 8.56INR . Keeping in the mind the difference between the two currencies, make sure you exchange money where exchange charges are cheaper. Airports usually charge more, so research in advance about the cheap exchange charges and avoid frequent cash withdrawals.
Budget Accommodation in Hong Kong
Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront in Hong Kong is very popular among backpackers due to the wide range of budget hotels it has. Some of the hotels that you can choose are:
S.No | Hotels | Facilities | Languages Spoken | Distance from city centre | Charges/Per Night for 1 room |
1. | Dragon Hostel Hong Kong |
|
| 10 Km | Rs 1,100/- onwards |
2. | Loi Loi Guesthouse |
|
| 0 Km | Rs 1,700/- onwards |
3. | Book Strawberry Guest House |
|
| 0.1 Km | Rs 1,800/- onwards |
Budget Shopping in Hong Kong!
Hong Kong is given the name of 'shopping heaven' on earth, and hence it costly. But, before shopping for big brands, you must know that almost all the big brands deliver online as well. So, instead of shopping for the sake of just following the cliche travel rules, choose 'Ladies Market' in Mong Kok as your shopping destination in Hong Kong. This famous street market is full of cheap knock off items for low-cost clothing. You can reach there by bus or by MTR.
What about the Food?
Even if your hotel offers you great food, they charge more also especially the breakfast is costly in most of the hotels. Waking up in the morning and eating in a typical way is surely not more exciting than taking a walk to the streets and trying something there. You also get the chance to interact with the locals and know the real Hong Kong. If your hotel provides a private kitchen, cooking for yourself can be a real fun!
Travel in Hong Kong is Cheap!
Public Transportation is cheaper and convenient to travel in Hong Kong. You have the option to go via bus or sometimes walk as well. Getting in touch with the local people will be the best way to know Hong Kong. A little walk is a good option to observe little things and for clicking pictures. Here are some budget-travelling options:
- Star Ferry – Rs 19 per ride
- Ding Ding Tram – Rs 20 per ride
- MTR – charges according to the distance.
- Walking the streets of Hong Kong
Free Sights in Hong Kong
The best way to know the culture of any place is to go to museums, art galleries, etc. Here is the list of the cheap sightseeing places in Hong Kong:
1. Bug Buddha
You can reach Bug Buddha by using NLB buses operated by New Lantau Bus Company. The bus terminus is between City gate and the cable car terminus and easy to find. Though there are no direct buses, but the journey is surely comfortable and on the budget. You can get a full day bus pass for Rs 400/-.
2. Lantau Island
One of the popular sightseeing places in Hong Kong is Lantau Island. The travel to this Island is easy, but you must be careful from getting pulled into the other theme-park-inspired tourist scams that circle the around the Island. To avoid the crowd, travel through bus instead of Gandola Cable Car.
3. Countryside of Hong Kong
Within an hour from the urban Hong Kong, the major portion is officially countryside – rolling hills, country parks, surf-beaten coastlines. Hiking, cycling, and sightseeing are totally free for everyone.