There are so many amazing things to see and do in Hong Kong. Here are our best travel tips for first-time visitors.

1ST TRAVEL TIP – USE OCTOPUS CARD IN HONG KONG

Octopus card is a multipurpose card to use in Hong Kong. You can buy it at any 7/11 store but can only top up the card with cash.

You can use the Octopus card for all public transport and most attractions. This card will make your time in the city easier. If you visit the city often it is great to have this card.

2ND TRAVEL TIP – BUY A LOCAL SIM CARD

Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere but if you are not familiar with Hong Kong and need to use Google Maps for navigation, then a local sim card is a must-have.

You can buy a local SIM card at Klook or any 7/11 store in the city.

3RD TRAVEL TIP – USE KLOOK IN HONG KONG

I was not familiar with Klook app before travelling to Hong Kong. Many attractions have better prices if you buy tickets through Klook.

Waiting times for attractions are shorter if you buy your tickets in advance. It is the best app to use in the city and one of our most important travel tips. 

You can also buy an Octopus card, local sim card, and Airport Express ticket through Klook. Do not forget to download the app before traveling to Hong Kong.

4TH TRAVEL TIP – USE AIRPORT EXPRESS

Airport Express is the best way to get in and out of the city. It is fast and efficient, and you do not have to worry about the traffic.

It takes about 24 minutes to get from the airport to the city.

5th TRAVEL TIP – HAVE CASH IN HONG KONG

In most cases, you can pay with a credit card but there are some cash-only examples. Taxis are cash only and if you need to top up your Octopus card you can only use cash. 

There are many ATMs available all around the city.

6th TRAVEL TIP – MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR POPULAR RESTAURANTS

Hong Kong is a city with a large population. If you have a special restaurant in mind for your dinner date, make a reservation upfront. At weekends, most of the popular restaurants are full or have long waiting lines.

7TH TRAVEL TIP – GOOGLE MAPS IS GREAT FOR NAVIGATION AROUND HONG KONG

Google Maps was our best friend in Hong Kong. It is familiar with MTR stations and timetables, so it always helped us find the most efficient way to our destination.

To use Google Maps in the city – do not forget to buy a local SIM card.

8th TRAVEL TIP FOR HONG KONG – TRAVEL ADAPTER

Most electrical outlets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged UK-style plug. So do not forget your travel plug adapter if you need one. If you are staying in a fancy hotel there is an option that your hotel will provide an adapter. 

9TH TRAVEL TIP – WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES

You have a lot of walking to do, sometimes even uphill, so wear shoes that you are comfortable in. A good pair of sneakers or my favourite for hot weather – the Birkenstocks.

If you are visiting Hong Kong in a rainy season wear waterproof shoes.

10TH TRAVEL TIP – HAVE A HOTEL NEAR MTR STATION

It is not a must, but it makes your life much easier.

If you are visiting Hong Kong for just a few days and have limited time to squeeze in all the important sightseeing, you do not want to make any extra steps to get to the MTR.

BEST HOTELS NEAR MTR STATION IN HONG KONG

Hotels in Hong Kong are expensive. There are many good hotels but not all of them are near the MTR station. We compared hotel prices and found out that Agoda has the best deals for the city.

Here are our best recommendations:

AFFORDABLE – THE CITYVIEW

The Cityview is in a great location in Hong Kong that is close to the Temple Street Night Market. The rooms are comfortable, clean, and reasonably priced. 

Check the hotel availability here.

AFFORDABLE – OCEAN INN

Ocean Inn is the most affordable option we could find in a great location. The rooms are clean and simple and the location is right next to the MTR station. The reviews are also amazing. If you are low on a budget for your Hong Kong travel this is a great accommodation to choose.

Check the availability and price here.

MID-RANGE – HOTEL CORDIS

Hotel Cordis is located in Kowloon. It is directly linked to the MTR station and the Langham Place shopping mall. The location is amazing, and most of the rooms offer incredible views of the city.

Breakfast is delicious, and there is also a rooftop pool with views. Do not miss out on this amazing hotel; check the availability here. 

MID-RANGE – HOTEL ICON

This hotel is a little bit more expensive than the mid-range, but we loved staying there. The rooms in Hotel Icon are spacious and comfortable. Every room also has a drinking water tap. Because of that, you do not need to buy plastic water bottles.

Some of the rooms have amazing views, and there is also a pool with a skyline view. If you have the option to go to this hotel, I would not think twice.

Check the availability on Agoda here.

EXPENSIVE – THE RITZ-CARLTON

It is located in the heart of Kowloon in Tsim Sha Tsui. The Ritz-Carlton hotel has world-class service, and it is one of the best accommodations in the city if you have the budget for it. 

Because the hotel starts at the 102nd floor, every room has a spectacular view of the city.

You can check the prices here.

SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Hong Kong: Top 10 Things to Do on Your Next Adventure in the City

The post Experience Hong Kong Like Never Before: The Ultimate Top 10 Travel Tips for an Unforgettable Trip appeared first on Vegan Friendly Travel.

I recommend staying for at least 4 nights, if you have time, ideally would be to stay at least one week, because there is so much to see and do.

The easiest way to travel around the city is with an Octopus card. You can use the card for all public transport and entrances. If your accommodation is strategically located, you can also do a lot of sightseeing on foot. Here are my top 10 things to do in Hong Kong:

AVENUE OF STARS

Avenue of Stars is a walking promenade and one of Hong Kong’s iconic sights, with a beautiful view of the skyline. It honors those who have greatly contributed to the Hong Kong movie theatre. It is a great place to soak up some sun and beautiful views.

There is also a Bruce Lee statue, and every night at 8 PM, you can watch a Symphony of Lights, which is a 10-minute light and sound show.

THE PEAK TOWER – SKY TERRACE 428

Sky Terrace 428 is one of the must-visit places in Hong Kong. You can go there by taxi or the Peak Tram. I loved my experience with the Peak Tram. It is just a short ride uphill on a beautiful tram with glass ceilings, so you can see the amazing view.

The view from the top is breathtaking, and you get many beautiful photo opportunities. You can buy tickets for Sky Terrace and the Peak Tram in advance with Klook and avoid waiting in line. 

My top tip for visiting the Sky Terrace 428 is to pick a day with clear skies so you will have the best view possible.

LUGARD ROAD IN HONG KONG

When you are visiting the Sky Terrace 428, you can also visit the Lugard Road. The walk on Lugard Road is easy, and you do not need any special equipment, just a comfortable pair of sneakers, a bottle of water, and mosquito repellent.

It is a stunning walk that offers an amazing view of Hong Kong.

MAN MO TEMPLE

Man Mo Temple is a beautiful temple in Hong Kong. It is hidden among all the tall skyscrapers. It is a peaceful temple in the middle of the city. There is no entrance fee. 

LANTAU ISLAND – BIG BUDDHA

It is a must when visiting Hong Kong. The best way to get there is with Ngong Ping 360 gondola. There is a cheaper option to take the bus, but it takes longer to get there.

On Lantau Island, you will find the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. For this activity, you will need at least half a day.

1-DAY TRIP FROM HONG KONG TO MACAO

The best way to do a daily trip to Macao is with TurboJet. It is a fast Jet that will take you from one destination to the other in about one hour. The ride is smooth and comfortable. Do not forget that you need to bring your passport.

Macao is a unique destination where you will find modern hotels with big casinos, and in the city centre, you will find a true Portugal vibe.

DIM SUM IN HONG KONG

When visiting Hong Kong, you have to try dim sum. Dim Sum refers to small, sweet, and savory dishes combined with drinking tea.

There are many dishes to choose from, and usually, the menu includes dumplings and steamed buns.

CHI LIN NUNNERY AND NAN LIAN GARDEN

If you have some extra time in the city and want to visit a scenic garden, this is the place to go. The garden is full of beautiful Bonsai trees. There is also a vegetarian restaurant right in the park.

You can also visit Chi Lin Nunnery, a beautiful Buddhist temple just across the street from the Nan Lian Garden.

TAKE A RIDE WITH HONG KONG TAXI

I know it is just a taxi ride, but in Hong Kong, every taxi ride is special. The taxis are iconic, and they are affordable, so do not be afraid to jump in one.

CENTRAL-MID-LEVELS ESCALATORS

It is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. It covers about 800 metres in distance. We did not expect it to be this long. It is a fun activity to do in Hong Kong.

Just remember that you have to walk all the way down when you reach the top.

SHOPPING – K11 MUSEA

Luxurious shops are everywhere in Hong Kong. If you love all the big and famous brands, this is the city for you. One of the most luxurious shopping centres in the city is K11 Musea.

WHERE TO STAY IN HONG KONG

Accommodation in Hong Kong is not very affordable, but there are many great hotels to choose from. We compared hotel prices and discovered that Agoda has the best deals for the city.

AFFORDABLE – THE CITYVIEW

The Cityview has comfortable rooms and is in a great location close to the Temple Street Night Market. The Cityview hotel has world-class green eco standards, and it is a good accommodation in Hong Kong.

Check the hotel availability here.

MID-RANGE – CORDIS

Hotel Cordis offers amazing views from most of the rooms available. It is in a great location and right next to the MTR station. The breakfast selection is great, and it also offers a rooftop pool.

The location, views, and price are the main reasons we chose the Hotel Cordis for our next visit to the city. You can check the availability here.

MID-RANGE – HOTEL ICON

The rooms in Hotel Icon are spacious. Every room has a drinking water tap, so there is no need for plastic water bottles. The view from the pool is beautiful, with a skyline view of the city. If you have the budget to go to this hotel, do not think twice.

Check the availability on Agoda here.

SEE ALSO: From Temples to Tropical Paradise: The Ultimate 14 Day Thailand Itinerary for Every Traveller’s Dream

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