Hong Kong is likely one of the most visited locations for Pinoy vacationers. It’s even the first-time worldwide vacation spot for a lot of. Its accessibility is a large motive because it’s solely round two and a half hours away. There’s additionally no visa requirement in Hong Kong for Filipinos.
You’ll discover quite a lot of issues to do that you may embrace in your itinerary to make an unimaginable journey. Among the hottest locations to go to in Hong Kong are Mong actually, Victoria Peakand naturally, Hong Kong Disneyland. You possibly can even do a aspect journey to Macau!
We are able to all agree that each journey requires planning. Whereas no journey is ever utterly good, being ready — particularly if it’s your first time — may also help issues go extra easily. Our group has been to Hong Kong a number of occasions, however on one among our latest journeys, we had been stopped by the police. They searched all our belongings, nevertheless it’s a superb factor we’re ready. What must you do on this scenario? We’ll let you know extra about that and different ideas, together with errors to keep away from.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Hong Kong Journey Errors
1. Underestimating Hong Kong costs.
It’s true that Hong Kong could be fairly dearparticularly when it comes to eating and lodging. Even with its allure, the price of residing right here has positively elevated over time, making it one of the vital costly cities globally. Even we had been shocked about this. We’ve been to Hong Kong a number of occasions earlier than the pandemic, and so far as we are able to bear in mind, it’s not that costly. However on our final go to, we observed how costs have skyrocketed, particularly for inns and eating places.
- Meals. To provide you an thought and to make a comparability simply, let’s do the Massive Mac take a look at. Massive Mac alone prices round HKD 28 (P200), however should you go for a full meal with fries and drink, it jumps to HKD 46 (P325). In the meantime, their 2-piece rooster with fries and drink prices HKD 51.50 (P365).
- Drinks/Drinks. Drinks aren’t low cost both. At a comfort retailer, a bottle of soda will price round HKD 10.50 (P75), whereas a can of soda is barely cheaper at HKD 8.50 (P60). As for bottled water, it may be anyplace from HKD 9-10 (P60-70), so be ready to pay for hydration!
- Lodging. Mid-range inns within the metropolis middle can go as excessive as P5000 per evening, whereas finances choices begin from P3000 however are usually farther from central sights. For those who’re staying nearer to town middle, be prepared for a extra premium price ticket, particularly throughout peak journey seasons.
- Points of interest. For those who plan to go to Disneyland, the essential entrance charge ranges from P4250 to P6066 per individual, relying on the day and whether or not there are any promotions. Availing add-ons like early entry would require a separate charge on prime of the doorway charge.
NOTE: The HKD to PHP change charge used for this publish is predicated on knowledge from June 2025.
2. Choosing the incorrect space to remain.
Hong Kong’s geography is exclusive and considerably sophisticated. Points of interest are unfold out throughout completely different districts and even separate islands, so choosing the proper place to remain is essential. Choosing a resort in the correct space can prevent each money and time on transportationmaking your journey way more handy.
- Lant had been Island Space. In case your itinerary focuses on Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360 Cable Automotive, or a day journey to Macau, it’s finest to remain in Overlook or Hong Kong skycity. These areas present easy accessibility to Lantau Island’s main sights, and plenty of inns provide free shuttle companies to the airport and MTR stations. Staying within the metropolis middle, however, means longer commutes, which could be expensive and time-consuming.
- Buying and Meals Hubs. For many who love buying and exploring evening markets, Mong actually is a superb choice. It’s residence to a few of Hong Kong’s hottest road markets, such because the Women Market and Sneaker Avenue. If meals is an enormous a part of your journey expertise, Central and Sheung Wan are wonderful selections. These areas are filled with genuine Hong Kong eating places, native diners, and classy cafés.
- Inexpensive Lodging. For budget-conscious vacationers, Tsim sha tsui (TST) is value contemplating. This district affords a mixture of inexpensive and mid-range inns whereas maintaining you near main sights just like the Avenue of Stars, Victoria Harbour, and Harbour Metropolis Mall.
The perfect space to remain actually is determined by your itinerary, however you may take a look at our The place to Keep in Hong Kong article for a extra in-depth clarification.
For fast reference and proposals, listed here are a number of the prime lodging in Hong Kong primarily based on on-line consumer critiques.
- Iclub Sheung Wan Lodge, Hong Kong Island. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
- Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan Lodge, Hong Kong Island. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
- Mini Central, Hong Kong Island. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
- B P Worldwide, Kowloon. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
- Stanford Hillview Lodge, Kowloon. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
- Metropark Lodge Mongkok, Kowloon. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
- Dorset Mongkok Hong Kong, Kowloon. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
- Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Lodge, New Territories. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
- 4 Factors By Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung, New Territories. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
- Regal Airport Lodge, New Territories. Examine Charges & Availability! ✅
Seek for extra Hong Kong Lodges!
3. Anticipating spacious rooms within the metropolis middle.
Hong Kong’s most urbanized areas — Kowloon Peninsula and Central on Hong Kong Island — are identified for his or her restricted area. Lodge rooms in these districts are usually small and compact, with little or no additional room to maneuver round. Whereas some inns maximize their layouts with intelligent designs, most lodging, particularly finances guesthouses in locations like Mirador Mansions or Chung King Mansion, can really feel extraordinarily cramped. In lots of circumstances, there isn’t even sufficient room to correctly retailer baggage.
If having extra space is a precedence, think about staying in different districts. The farther you go from town middle, the extra spacious and inexpensive the lodging are usually. For instance, whereas resort rooms in Central are sometimes fairly small, close by areas like Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay provide bigger rooms at decrease costs, offering a greater stability between consolation and comfort.
4. Dismissing Central’s hilly terrain.
Whereas Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok are comparatively flat, Central is extra hilly, with many areas that includes steep inclines and stairs. That is why it’s residence to the world’s longest outside lined escalator system — the Central Mid-level Escalators. Nevertheless, not all areas have escalators, so getting round usually includes uphill walks and quite a few steps.
This may be difficult should you’re touring with seniors or these with mobility pointsas strolling in Central could be extra bodily demanding. An excellent instance is the route from Central Station to the Peak Tram, the start line for Victoria Peak, which includes an uphill trek. Even when a vacation spot appears shut on the map, it’s usually finest to take public transportation to save lots of vitality and keep away from pointless pressure.
5. Leaving your passport on the resort.
Some vacationers choose to depart their passports on the resort, fearing they could get misplaced or broken, particularly in unhealthy climate. Nevertheless, in most international locations, it’s finest follow to hold your passport if you’re out. In Hong Kong, it’s particularly necessary.
Cease-and-search procedures are widespread in Hong Kongthe place law enforcement officials might method people and request identification. For foreigners, this implies presenting a passport. In accordance with the official Hong Kong Police web site, Part 17C states: “A police officer has energy to examine the proof of identification of any individual. Any one that fails to provide this for inspection as required by the legislation will commit an offense.”
We’ve seen this firsthand whereas strolling in Central, and we additionally skilled it ourselves. Whereas at Tung Chung Station, getting back from Disneyland, 4 law enforcement officials stopped us and requested for our passports. One officer entered our info into a tool, two completely searched our baggage, and one other questioned us about our goal within the space, the place we had been from, and the place we had been headed. One among them was well mannered and even apologetic as soon as it grew to become clear we had been simply vacationers.
To keep away from any points, all the time carry your passport whereas exploring Hong Kong. For those who’re frightened about it getting moist, retailer it in a water-proof case for defense.
6. Ignoring the climate.
Hong Kong is a kind of locations the place the climate can considerably influence your expertise. Whereas that is true for a lot of locations, it’s particularly noticeable right here. Take Victoria Peakfor instance. The panoramic view from the highest is completely beautiful on a transparent day, making the tram experience up properly value it. Nevertheless, on foggy days, you would possibly see nothing however a wall of white, which could be disappointing should you got here for the skyline. Though there are different sights on the Peak, the principle draw is the breathtaking view, and unhealthy climate can utterly change that.
The identical goes for Disneyland. We’ve visited 4 occasions below completely different circumstances — sunny, cloudy, and wet — and the expertise varies dramatically. When you can nonetheless benefit from the park within the rain, it’s not fairly the identical as a shiny, sunny day when every part feels extra magical.
To profit from your journey, we suggest maintaining your itinerary versatile. That means, if the climate doesn’t cooperate, you may modify your plans and save weather-dependent sights for a greater day.
7. Forgetting to convey money and get Octopus Card.
Hong Kong is quickly transitioning right into a cashless metropolisand essentially the most useful gizmo for vacationers right here is the Octopus Card. It’s extremely handy. You should use it for MTR trains, buses, comfort shops, and even in lots of different institutions. There’s additionally a cell model out there by way of an app, however having a bodily card continues to be the higher choice because it received’t run out of battery like your telephone would possibly.
However, it’s nonetheless necessary to hold some money. Many smaller retailers and native eateries function on a cash-only foundation. Plus, as with all digital system, technical points can generally happen, and it’s all the time good to have a backup. In case your Octopus Card runs out of credit score, remember that some top-up areas solely settle for money, so having some Hong Kong {dollars} readily available will make sure you don’t get caught.
Have Peace of Thoughts Whereas Touring!
Getting a journey insurance coverage is non-obligatory, however we extremely suggest this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey could be unpredictable, and although we hope we’ll by no means use it, having it provides us peace of thoughts in case of sudden delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For worldwide locations, think about PGA Sompos TravelJoy Plus insurance coverage. You possibly can GET IT HERE. Don’t overlook to make use of WORTHIT for a particular inexpensive charge.
Updates Log
2025 6 5 – First uploaded
