I have been living in Hong Kong since 2021, and these are my top tips for getting around easily in this fantastic city.
First thing: get an Octopus Card, a contactless stored value card widely used in Hong Kong. Simply tap to pay. It covers all forms of public transport (the MTR (subway), trams, buses, and ferries) as well as convenience stores and restaurants. It almost totally eliminates the need for cash or coins. You only need cash (Hong Kong dollars) for taxis and some small/street vendors.
You can find info on the different types of Octopus Cards for tourists and where to get them here. TIP: the queues at the airport counter can get long, but there are also vending machines in the arrival hall.
You need one Octopus card per person. Each person has to tap his/her/their own card. Here’s ‘the tap dance guide’ for public transport:
MTR: IN and OUT. You must tap your Octopus card at the fare gates when entering and exiting the MTR stations. This deducts the fare based on the distance travelled.
Buses: IN. You tap your Octopus card when boarding the bus at the front. There’s no need to tap again when you get off, as most bus fares are a flat rate.
Ferries: IN. For ferries, you pay with your Octopus card before boarding.
Trams: OUT. You board the tram through the back and only need to tap your card when you exit at the front. The fare is typically a fixed amount of HK$3, regardless of distance travelled.
The public transport system in Hong Kong is considered one of the best in the world, which is why many locals choose not to own a car. The majority of vehicles in Hong Kong are taxis and rideshare services like Uber.
Upon arriving at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), you have several options to go to the city.
Airport Express Train
Time: Approximately 24 minutes
Cost: HK$110.00 (EUR12.5) (one way/person). Pay with Octopus when you exit at your station.
The Airport Express is the fastest and most efficient way to get to Central. Trains depart every 10 minutes from the Airport station, which is located within the terminal, just a short walk from the arrivals hall. The train offers comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi, and luggage storage space. For Hong Kong Island (Central) disembark at Hong Kong Station, where you can easily access Central via air-conditioned walkways or take a taxi to your destination.
Taxi
Time: Approximately 30-40 minutes (depending on traffic)
Cost: HK$250 - HK$400 (EUR29 - EUR46)
Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall. Take the line for the red taxis to go to Hong Kong Island (central) (red taxis= urban, HK island, Kowloon; green taxis= New Territories; blue taxis= Lantau). Ensure the driver uses the metre and be aware that there are additional charges for luggage.
You will need cash. You can find ATMs (HSBC) in the arrivals hall.
Hong Kong is a vibrant financial hub and welcomes a variety of (international) payment methods.
Octopus Card.
Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, … are widely accepted.
Mobile Wallets: Apple Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, … are increasingly popular.
Taxis are cheap, especially by Belgian standards. Currently, a test program for mobile payments is running in some taxis, but most taxi drivers still only accept cash. Taxi fares are metered, and there are additional charges for tolls, luggage or late-night rides.
Take Taxi: an app to translate addresses into Cantonese. For iOS app: here. For Android: here.
Most people speak English fluently or at least have a basic understanding; only in some local establishments you might occasionally need to use Google Translate.
Free Wi-Fi is available in many public areas, including the airport, parks, beaches and shopping malls. Services and apps like Google, maps, Facebook, Instagram, … work smoothly. TikTok has discontinued service in Hong Kong.
Use Google Maps offline: download offline maps of Hong Kong on Google Maps before your trip; this can help you navigate even without internet access.
Hong Kong's weather can be unpredictable. Carry an umbrella during the rainy season (May to September) and dress in layers during winter months (December to February) as temperatures can drop unexpectedly. Even during the hotter months, bringing a sweater/vest/… can be a good idea, as it can get very cold due to strong AC in some places.
HK Observatory (the local KMI/weather service). Their forecasts are much more accurate than those from standard weather apps. They also provide interesting alerts during the rainy season and send notifications (and specific codes) during typhoons, heavy rain, or heat. You can download their app here.
Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated. In most restaurants, a service charge may be included; if not, rounding up the bill is customary (10%).
I love my spicy food. But locals really can take it to another level. Especially when you go for a hot pot, ask for the milder option. Trust us. We can take some heat. But even for me there’s ‘too spicy’.
There are lots of Public Restrooms. But not all provide toilet paper. It’s a good idea to carry a small pack of tissues with you just in case.
When shopping at local markets like Temple Street Night Market, haggling is expected. Don’t hesitate to negotiate prices, it’s part of the experience.
If possible, visit popular attractions during weekdays to avoid large crowds typically seen on weekends.
Hong Kongers are very disciplined about queuing (it’s almost a national sport here). Always wait your turn in lines at restaurants, bus stops, and MTR stations.
Disclaimer: Fares, currency conversions and opening hours provided on this site are for informational purposes only and should be considered as references or guidelines. Prices and other data may have changed since publication, so we recommend checking with official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.