One of the world’s great cities by any measure, Hong Kong is an amazing combination of things in one compact space. Things are changing in Hong Kong, however, and it’s best to keep an eye on the news. Since the 1997 independence from Britain, the city had been run as an independent part of China until it wasn’t so independent starting in 2018 or so.
Hong Kong was once thought of as a cheap destination, but that is not really the case anymore. Compared to most other large cities in Asia it’s fairly expensive, though there are definitely a fair amount of cheap options for those on backpacker budgets.
| Population | 7,000,000 |
| Area | 7,000,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+8 |
| Currency | Hong Kong dollar |
| Airports | Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) |
Hotels in particular can be pricey in Hong Kong, especially if you want to stay on the island itself. Staying in the southern part of Kowloon will save you some money while keeping you in the center of the action. Hostels in Hong Kong offer good bargains as well, and private rooms are often quite a bit cheaper than 2-star hotels, but with similar services. Strangely enough, the hostels in Hong Kong almost all tend to get horrible reviews, so don’t expect much.
Hong Kong is loaded with Michelin-star restaurants and some very pricey options, but it’s also home to thousands of neighborhood noodle joints that are good and cheap. Alcohol in proper bars here is very expensive so it’s poor value for budget travelers. Instead you can do like the locals and buy cheap drinks at 7-Eleven and consume them (legally) on the streets in the nightlife districts.
Hong Kong is one of the world’s major business capitals, which contributes to it having steady visitor traffic all year round. At some Hong Kong hotels you’ll find a slight dip in rates during the June through August rainy season, which is also when fewer business travelers are on the move, but don’t expect a great bargain. In general it’s always best to book as far in advance as possible here, as deals are usually easier to find a month or more in advance.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 14.14 - 57.84 |
| 33.42 - 95.24 |
| 66.58 - 148.07 |
| 104.11 - 191.00 |
| 189.46 - 569.02 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 18.64 - 33.42 |
A trip up the funicular to Victoria Peak is a huge highlight of any first visit to Hong Kong, and the photos you’ll take at the top will be amazing.
Taking a Star Ferry across the water will also provide spectacular views and an unforgettable experience.
Hong Kong has been a shopping mecca for hundreds of years and you can still find just about anything you are looking for in one of its many shopping centers.
The free (tips-based) walking tours of Hong Kong are highly recommended since there are so many great attractions within a small space and the city is mostly pedestrian friendly.
Bus tours of Hong Kong will obviously take you to areas that you won’t see otherwise, and some of them are very worth a look.
| Location | Description | Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Disneyland | Open since 2005, this Disneyland is very popular in spite of its somewhat remote location. | adults ages 3-11 ages 65+ | 79.56 58.87 12.85 |
| Victoria Peak tram (return) | This famous tram takes you to an entertainment complex on top of Hong Kong Island for great views. The observation deck adds a bit to the price. | adults ages 3-11 ages 65+ | 12.72 6.04 6.04 |
| Sightseeing bus tour | The standard 24-hour hop-on, hop-off bus tours are popular here, and a good way of seeing a lot in a short time. | adults child family | 55.01 49.10 197.17 |
As long as you don’t plan on going to Disneyland or the other super-commercial options then the attractions in Hong Kong are reasonably priced. If you are coming to Hong Kong for the first time and you want to see the main sights and also spend a day in Macau then you should read our review of the Hong Kong Pass. More good news is that food can be quite cheap if you stick more to street stalls and other places where locals eat, but if you go to places that cater mostly to Western tourists you can spend a bundle. The Hong Kong Free Walking Tour is a great way to see a lot of the city in a few social hours.
| Food Type | Description | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget breakfast | Eating local favorites like noodle or rice dishes can be cheap for breakfast. | 3.86 - 6.43 |
| Budget lunch | There are plenty of street stalls and casual dining options available all day and night. | 5.40 - 9.00 |
| Budget dinner | Proper sit-down restaurants can be found in all price ranges, so these are typical of only the cheaper ones. | 9.00 - 15.42 |
| Beer (pint) | A proper pint in a expat pub won't be cheap. Local bottled beer in restaurants is a better deal. | 4.37 - 7.71 |
| Cocktails (glass) | Mixed drinks in most bars can get pricey, of course. | 4.50 - 7.71 |
| Beer (.5L can) retail | Beers in the ubiquitous convenience stores are cheap and you can drink them as you walk around. | 0.77 - 1.16 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi from airport to city center | 32.13 - 44.99 |
| Airport Express train to city center | 9.00 - 15.42 |
| Bus to city center | 1.29 - 6.17 |
| 3km taxi ride in Hong Kong | 3.47 - 5.01 |
| Star Ferry from Kowloon to HK Island | 0.26 - 0.39 |
| Tram ride in Hong Kong | 0.26 |
Hong Kong International Airport is one of the world’s largest and busiest, with excellent fares from within Asia as well as from North America and Europe. It’s an excellent hub for exploration of Asia because you can get connecting flights to any large airport from here.
Airport transportation is very well organized and the high-speed trains are the best option for most visitors.
Hong Kong has a modern metro system that is affordable and connects the Island with Kowloon and many of its neighborhoods.
The Star Ferry is a cheap and memorable way to get from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island or several other areas.
The tram system is popular with locals, but it can be a bit confusing for new visitors.
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 66 | 57 | 1.0 |
| February | 66 | 58 | 2.1 |
| March | 71 | 62 | 2.8 |
| April | 77 | 69 | 7.4 |
| May | 83 | 75 | 13.0 |
| June | 87 | 79 | 15.3 |
| July | 88 | 80 | 14.7 |
| August | 88 | 80 | 17.5 |
| September | 86 | 78 | 11.3 |
| October | 82 | 74 | 6.0 |
| November | 75 | 67 | 1.4 |
| December | 69 | 60 | 1.4 |
Hong Kong is barely tropical, so the temperatures are generally pleasant all year round, though it’s also quite humid most of the time, and especially during the summer. As with most tropical locations, the rain tends to come in bursts rather than a long and slow grind, so it’s usually simple enough to find shelter for an hour or so until it clears up. During the worst rainy months from June through August the city does have a tendency to get flooded, so if you get unlucky you might have a tough time moving around.
| 21 Mar | 6:27am | 6:35pm |
| 21 Jun | 5:40am | 7:10pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:12am | 6:21pm |
| 21 Dec | 6:58am | 5:44pm |