Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the most intense cities on earth in the best way. It’s vertical. Buildings stack on top of each other, escalators climb entire hillsides, and the skyline is one of the most recognisable in the world. But it’s also surprisingly accessible. The MTR metro system gets you everywhere fast, English is widely spoken, and the food is some of the best and cheapest in Asia.

The common misconception is that Hong Kong is expensive. Hotels can be, especially on Hong Kong Island. But food is absurdly cheap if you eat where locals eat. A bowl of wonton noodles at a dai pai dong (street food stall) costs $3-4. A full dim sum breakfast for two costs $15. And many of the best experiences (Victoria Peak on foot, the Star Ferry, temple visits, hiking) cost next to nothing.

Hong Kong also has a nature side that most visitors miss entirely. 75% of Hong Kong is green space. There are serious hiking trails, beaches, and islands just a short ferry ride from the city centre.

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When to go

October to December is the best time. Cool, dry, clear skies, and comfortable temperatures (18-25C). The air quality is at its best and the city looks spectacular.

March to May is warm and increasingly humid but still pleasant. Cherry blossoms appear in late January to March.

June to September is hot, humid, and typhoon season. Temperatures hit 33C+ with high humidity. Typhoons can shut down transport and close businesses. Accommodation is cheaper but the weather can be miserable.

Chinese New Year (January/February) is festive with fireworks and parades but hotels are expensive and many local restaurants close for several days.

What it actually costs

Hong Kong is mid-range overall. Hotels are the biggest cost. Food and transport are cheap. All prices in USD.

Budget ($50-70 USD/day per person) Guesthouse or hostel ($20-40/night, rooms are tiny), local restaurant meals ($3-8), MTR for transport ($1-2 per ride), free hiking and temples, Star Ferry ($0.40).

Mid-range ($70-180 USD/day per person) Hotel ($60-140/night for a double), mix of local food and restaurant meals, some paid attractions (Peak Tram, Big Buddha cable car), occasional taxis.

Comfortable ($180-350+ USD/day per person) Harbour-view hotels, fine dining, private junk boat trips, rooftop bars at places like Ozone (highest bar in the world).

Rooms are small by Western standards. A “standard” hotel room in Hong Kong is 15-20 square metres. This is normal, not a downgrade. If space matters, book a suite or stay in Kowloon where rooms tend to be slightly larger.

Flights to Hong Kong from within Asia are very cheap ($50-200 return). From Europe $400-700. From North America $500-900. From Oceania $300-600. HKG is one of the busiest airports in the world with connections everywhere.

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Where to go

Central and the Mid-Levels (Hong Kong Island). The financial district, the longest outdoor escalator in the world (the Mid-Levels Escalator), SoHo for bars and restaurants, and the start of the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak. Walkable, steep, and full of character.

Victoria Peak. The number one attraction. The view over the harbour and Kowloon is extraordinary, especially at sunset. Skip the Peak Tram queue and walk up the Morning Trail instead (about 45 minutes, mostly shaded). The tram down is usually less busy.

Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon side). The harbourfront promenade with the skyline view, the Avenue of Stars, Temple Street Night Market, and easy access to the MTR. Many of the best-value hotels are here.

Mong Kok (Kowloon). The most densely populated neighbourhood on earth. Ladies Market, Goldfish Market, Flower Market, and street food stalls crammed into every lane. Intense, loud, and genuinely exciting.

Lantau Island. The Tian Tan Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are the main draws. Take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for dramatic views or the bus (cheaper, scarier road). Tai O fishing village on the west side of the island is worth the extra trip for stilt houses and local seafood.

The Outlying Islands. Lamma Island (hiking trails, seafood restaurants, no cars), Cheung Chau (mini island with beaches and temples), and Peng Chau (tiny, quiet, local). All reachable by ferry from Central Pier in 30-60 minutes.

Sham Shui Po. The most local neighbourhood that tourists rarely visit. Street food, electronics markets, fabric shops, and some of the cheapest and best dim sum in the city.

What to skip

Madame Tussauds at the Peak. A wax museum at the top of one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Asia. Just look at the view.

The Peak Tram at peak times. The queue can be 60-90 minutes on weekends and holidays. Walk up instead (Morning Trail from Central) or take the bus.

Nathan Road shopping for electronics. Aggressive touts, questionable merchandise, and tourist markup. Buy electronics from authorised retailers or at Fortress/Broadway stores instead.

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Must-do experiences

Eat dim sum. Tim Ho Wan (Michelin-starred, $5-8 per person), Lin Heung Tea House (old-school trolley service), or One Dim Sum in Mong Kok. Go for breakfast or early lunch. Point at what looks good from the carts.

Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. $0.40 for one of the best views in the world. Take it at sunset from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central. The 8-minute ride is better than any harbour cruise.

Hike the Dragon’s Back. An easy 2-hour ridge walk on the south side of Hong Kong Island with ocean views the entire way. Rated one of the best urban hikes in Asia. Free, well-marked, accessible by bus from Central.

Walk through Mong Kok at night. Neon signs, food stalls, market chaos, and more people per square metre than you’ve ever experienced. Best after 7pm when the night markets are in full swing.

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Practical tips

The currency is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). $1 USD is roughly 7.8 HKD. Cards and contactless accepted in most places. Cash needed for street food stalls, markets, and minibuses.

Most Western passport holders get 90-180 days visa-free.

Get an Octopus card at the airport or any MTR station. It works on the MTR, buses, ferries, 7-Eleven, and most food courts. Top up as you go.

The MTR is the best metro system in Asia. Clean, fast, cheap, runs until midnight. Google Maps works perfectly for routing.

Tipping is not required. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge.

Tap water is technically safe but most people drink filtered or bottled.

Planning your trip

3 days essential: Day 1: Central, Mid-Levels Escalator, Victoria Peak. Day 2: Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Temple Street Night Market). Day 3: Lantau Island (Big Buddha, Tai O).

5 days complete: Add: Dragon’s Back hike, Lamma Island, Sham Shui Po food crawl, and a junk boat trip.

Book your trip

Use the search tools above to compare prices on flights, hotels, and tours in Hong Kong.

More destinations from travlperks: Pair Hong Kong with Singapore or Japan. For cheaper Asian cities, see Vietnam or Thailand.