Besides being one of Asia's and the world's premier financial hubs, Hong Kong is also one of their most visited destinations for both business people and leisure travelers. Always teeming with people and full of exciting things to see and do, the city may appear overwhelming to first-time visitors. But especially if you're watching your wallet, this post will help provide some tips on where to stay, where to go, and what to do to make your first trip to this magnificent and unique place easier.
Seek Out Budget Hotels
Spend less on accommodations and more on sightseeing and fun activities. Most Hong Kong tour packages will show you that the city has a long list of pocketbook-friendly hotels that are located at accessible points and reachable on foot, public transit, and taxi. Some examples of such properties are the seven room Golden Ocean in Kowloon; Central Mini Hotel with a location in Central and another in Causeway Bay; Travelodge in Central and Kowloon; and Hotel Pandora in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Always Keep an Umbrella Handy
If there's anything in life that's unpredictable, it's the weather in Hong Kong. Here between June and September it rains more than 100 days. so especially if you're visiting during the summer, receives never step out of your hotel without an umbrella. If you forget, though, there are many shops on the way that where you can easily buy one.
Enjoy Tasty Chinese Food for Less
Generally, Hong Kong can be expensive when it comes to dining out, but still there are a few places where you can eat quite cheaply. Spots particularly worth noting for great service and low prices for delicious Cantonese cuisine include five locations (in Central and elsewhere) of Tim Ho Wan, whose dim sum is even Michelin-starred. Another great one include Dim Sum Square in Shung Wan. At these you can enjoy hearty meals at under $100 HKD (about 885 rupees).
Card It!
Many locals these days use the Octopus Card to pay for transport, goods, and services, and there's a version of particular use to visitors called the Tourist Octopus, which provides a lot of value and convenience. It costs $39 to $150 HKD, depending on the amount stored; can be bought at the airport, MTR metro stations, and various shops; and you can get any remaining credit when you return the card upon leaving Hong Kong. There's also the Hong Kong Pass, which you can load onto your smartphone and includes admission to 13 top attractions (including fast-ttrack entry) plus a hop-on/hop-off bus tour; they range in price from $850 HKD adult/$700 HKD child for two days up to $1500 HKD/$1150 HKD for four days.
Take Advantage of Inexpensive Taxis
Metered, tidy, air conditioned, and cheap - what more can you ask for in a taxi? In an otherwise expensive city, low-cost cabs come as a pleasant surprise to many visitors on Hong Kong tour packages for the first time. The first two kilometers cost just $22 HKD, then each additional 200 meters is an additional $1.60 HKD. Uber also operates here, though its fares are a bit on the high side compared to taxis.
Hop the Airport Express
This is one of the world's leading airport rail systems, and makes getting to and from between the Hong Kong International Airport and rest of the city seamless and comfortable, covering 35.3km in just 24 minutes with several stops including Central and Kowloon. Board the train after you clear immigration and customs; there's one every 12 minutes, and one-way travel costs just $47 HKD (419 rupees), compared to an average taxi fare of $370 HKD to Central.
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