Hong Kong:The Ultimate Guide and Saving Tips for First Time Travelers to Hong Kong

Maybe by now you’ve already booked that plane ticket, well congratulations to you! but what are you going to do now? I have listed some of the things that you need to know before travelling to Hong Kong especially if it’s your first time, Let’s Start!

1. Accommodation
It’s practical to stay at Tsim Sha Tsui area because everything you need can be easily accessed from there.  A lot of shops from local to High end brands can be found, convenience stores and restaurants are also all over the place, and did I mention transportation can easily be accessed from there?

Photo courtesy of xenonart.com

Photo courtesy of Agoda.com

Saving Tip:
Hostels are an amazing option if you want an affordable place to stay. You can search using Hostelworld, Agoda, or other booking sites. When I was at Hong Kong with my friends, we stayed at Canada Hotel located at Chung King Mansion. (Despite the reputation of Chungking Mansion which made me nervous at first) Our stay there was comfortable, we felt safe and the staff was very nice to us, they change the towels and clean our room every day, We even got a bottled water for free which we appreciated more while touring around Hong Kong, and later you will find out why!

2.Food
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to food in Hong Kong, from Local, Japanese, Persian, American, and the list goes on! Just don’t be afraid to order just because you are not familiar with the food, and try to explore the area where you will be staying (even the small streets because sometimes that is where you can find gems.) Just take note that food in the airport is a bit pricey just like in some attractions like Disney Land and Ngong Ping Village. ( HKD 48-180)

Saving Tip:
Skip that familiar fast food restaurants, Have a true feel of Hong Kong through food and eat at the local restaurants that offer more affordable meals. (price starts at HKD 28)

Share meals with your friend! while food in Hong Kong is a bit pricier from where I’ve come from, the serving is twice as much, especially in local restaurants, even at 7-Eleven.

BRING A WATER BOTTLE! Most of the time, the place you are staying provides free drinking water, you can just fill it up and save money because a bottled water in Hong Kong can be pricey! (But if you forgot yours, buy from stores other than 7-Eleven because they sell it at a higher price.)

3.Transportation
“Very efficient” That is how I describe Hong Kong’s transportation system. Trains, Buses, Trams, and Cabs can be easily accessed and it can bring you to anywhere you want to go. Just don’t forget to have yourself an Octopus card for easy breezy trips especially on trains and buses.

Saving tip: While train rides can get you to the places that you wanted to go, faster than other modes of transportation, it can be pricier. Bus rides on the other hand are very comfortable, you can also have a better view of the city while travelling, and most importantly it is cheaper! (Fare from airport to Tsim Sha Tsui was only around HKD 13)

4.Clothing
Before planning what to wear, it is best to do research about how the weather is going to be. Comfort before style! Since you will be walking a lot, wear comfortable shoes such as sneakers and flats, also bring an umbrella just to be sure in order to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Fashion Tip: Don’t be shy to dress up at Hong Kong! Most of the people who you will be encountering is dressed to nicely, From locals, who even wears suit and tie, to foreign visitors who are dressed to impress! so do yourself a favor and look extra cute in those tourist-y photos you will take.

6.Communication
You don’t have to learn how to speak the local language! Most of the locals know how to speak English and sometimes very accommodating enough to walk you to your destination when you’re asking for directions. Though some of the locals find it more challenging to speak English, you can just use the good ol’ pointing especially at restaurants and street markets.

5.Where to go?
Shopping
I recommend shopping at Tsim Sha Tsui and Mongkok area, there are a lot of shops and I repeat, A LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! Shop your heart’s desire and help yourself by saving time and energy, and don’t bother going to other areas anymore since most likely, you will be able what you’re looking for in this areas.

Saving Tip:

Don’t be shy to practice your bargaining skills especially in the night market at Mongkok. Initially, the sellers will try to offer you their products at a very high price sometimes even twice the amount.
Some of the branded goods at Hong Kong can cost more than how much it cost in the at your country, so try to list down the prices of the things you wanted to buy and compare it to the price at Hong Kong, if it’s cheaper then what are you waiting for? Buy it!

Theme Parks

Hong Kong Disney Land is always a good idea, it is the happiest place in the world after all, but if you’re more on the extreme side, don’t forget to visit Ocean Park! I wasn’t able to visit it though, because me and my friends decided to go to Macau instead. Know more about it HERE.

City Tour

There are a lot of places you can go to in Hong Kong. We visited The Ngong Ping Village at Lantau Island and it was beautiful, you can also ride a cable car instead of riding a bus to go to the village from Tung Chung, the view was amazing. We also went to the avenue of the stars, Victoria Harbour and 3D museum at Tsim Sha Tsui all by foot.

Saving Tip: Just like plane tickets, most of the tickets for theme parks, museums, cable cars, and etc. can be booked online, They offer great discounts and you’ll also be able to avoid long ticket lines and save time. (Thank me later!) Learn more about the free attractions in Hong Kong HERE!

I would like to thank my friend Louie for letting me use some of her pictures, MWAH!

Do you have any questions, or amazing tips and experiences you want to share? Don’t forget to comment below!

Till next time!
Camille ❤