Hong Kong is one of the most frequented places by Filipinos who like to travel since it is quite near to the Philippines (only 2 hours flying time to get there).
It is also an affordable trip and accessible destination since Filipinos do not need to get a travel visa to go there.
Last month, I travelled with a group of friends and visited Hong Kong and Macau.
Since Hong Kong is a place that I am pretty familiar with, I helped my friends go to the various spots in Hong Kong. We walked around and rode different modes of transport to reach the different places included in our list.
Here are some travel tips for Hong Kong travellers:
1) Airport to hotel transfer options
If you are travelling with your family or a group, it is much cheaper to just get a van or taxi to go from HK International Airport to your hotel or the place where you shall stay during your visit especially if your hotel is located in Kowloon or Hong Kong side.
If you want efficiency, a nice vehicle and cashless payment, it would be good to get your ride via Uber.
You can opt to get an Uber van from the airport to your hotel by requesting using the Uber app on your mobile phone. All you need is a wifi connection and in a few minutes you will be picked up by an Uber driver who shall take you to your hotel.
You can check the estimated fare rate from Uber Hong Kong's website. Just to give you an idea on cost, estimated fare is between HKD400 to HKD500(depending on traffic) for an Uber Black car from HK International Airport to the Kowloon train station area. This is still cheaper and may be around half the price versus taking a hotel van or limo service requested from the hotel that you shall be staying at.
It was my first time to use Uber in HK during my recent trip and I would say that it is a good option since it saves you time and is definitely better than waiting at a long taxi line near the malls.
We took an UberVan one time from TST to Kowloon area and the fare is even cheaper versus taking a regular HK taxi. We only got charged HKD87, the van is a Toyota Hi-Ace and we did not have to wait in the long taxi line near Harbour City.
For a more comfortable ride, you might want to get an Uber that is good for 7 people. We took this option during one our trips to IFC from our hotel in Kowloon area and a Toyota Alphard vehicle picked us up. The fare is not bad at HKD200 for five people who went from Kowloon area to Hong Kong train station.
If you are travelling alone or with just one more person then it would be good to take the HK Airport Express train from the airport to the station where your hotel is near and then get a taxi or an Uber once you reach Hong Kong or Kowloon station. Train ticket from Airport to HK station is at HKD100.
2) For accommodation
You may opt to book a hotel via booking.com for a hassle-free online booking or you might also want to check airbnb if you are a big group and would prefer a place that is more affordable and with more space and a kitchen.
Remember to choose a hotel that is located near an MTR train station. If you are travelling with kids or people who prefer to have short distance walks, it is best to choose hotel locations that are just walking distance to the malls and places where you shall spend most of your time. This way you can opt to bring back shopping bags or take a some rest in between shopping time.
If you prefer high-end hotels, some good options are: Four Seasons Hotel(located at Hong Kong station and within the same area as IFC mall), The Upper House(located beside Pacific Place mall), W hotel (located at Kowloon station and beside Elements mall).
2) Get an Octopus card
Taking public transport in HK is easy and convenient with the use of the Octopus card.
Reloading money to your card can be done at any MTR station via machine, MTR customer service counter or at any convenience store.
One important tip when riding MTR trains is to always be ready to have your Octopus card in your hand or in a pouch that you can easily hold and tap quickly at the entrance and exits of the MTR stations since HK people are always in a rush to go from one point to the other.
Using your Octopus card to go from one train station to the next is going to save you time when you go to frequently visited stations such as Admiralty, TST(Tsim Sha Tsui), Causeway Bay, Hong Kong and Central. Be ready to stand inside the trains especially if you are travelling during rush hour.
Before leaving Hong Kong and heading to the airport do not forget to return your Octopus card at the MTR customer service booth in order to get your refund for the card deposit.
3) Ride different modes of transport to visit attraction sites
It's been a long time since I have been to The Peak in Hong Kong. Often times, first time HK visitors go there to get a good view of Hong Kong and take photos.
It is also an affordable trip and accessible destination since Filipinos do not need to get a travel visa to go there.
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| Night time view from TST in Hong Kong |
Last month, I travelled with a group of friends and visited Hong Kong and Macau.
Since Hong Kong is a place that I am pretty familiar with, I helped my friends go to the various spots in Hong Kong. We walked around and rode different modes of transport to reach the different places included in our list.
Here are some travel tips for Hong Kong travellers:
1) Airport to hotel transfer options
If you are travelling with your family or a group, it is much cheaper to just get a van or taxi to go from HK International Airport to your hotel or the place where you shall stay during your visit especially if your hotel is located in Kowloon or Hong Kong side.
If you want efficiency, a nice vehicle and cashless payment, it would be good to get your ride via Uber.
You can opt to get an Uber van from the airport to your hotel by requesting using the Uber app on your mobile phone. All you need is a wifi connection and in a few minutes you will be picked up by an Uber driver who shall take you to your hotel.
You can check the estimated fare rate from Uber Hong Kong's website. Just to give you an idea on cost, estimated fare is between HKD400 to HKD500(depending on traffic) for an Uber Black car from HK International Airport to the Kowloon train station area. This is still cheaper and may be around half the price versus taking a hotel van or limo service requested from the hotel that you shall be staying at.
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| Rates for an Uber black car in HK |
For a more comfortable ride, you might want to get an Uber that is good for 7 people. We took this option during one our trips to IFC from our hotel in Kowloon area and a Toyota Alphard vehicle picked us up. The fare is not bad at HKD200 for five people who went from Kowloon area to Hong Kong train station.
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| Toyota Alphard vehicles are usually available for Uber vehicle for 7 people |
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| HK Airport Express train |
2) For accommodation
You may opt to book a hotel via booking.com for a hassle-free online booking or you might also want to check airbnb if you are a big group and would prefer a place that is more affordable and with more space and a kitchen.
 |
| A modern and spacious room at the Upper House in Hong Kong source: Upper House website (www.upperhouse.com) |
Remember to choose a hotel that is located near an MTR train station. If you are travelling with kids or people who prefer to have short distance walks, it is best to choose hotel locations that are just walking distance to the malls and places where you shall spend most of your time. This way you can opt to bring back shopping bags or take a some rest in between shopping time.
If you prefer high-end hotels, some good options are: Four Seasons Hotel(located at Hong Kong station and within the same area as IFC mall), The Upper House(located beside Pacific Place mall), W hotel (located at Kowloon station and beside Elements mall).
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| The Upper House is modern and designed by Andrew Fu, one of the most sought after young designers in Asia Pacific source: Upper House website (www.upperhouse.com) |
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| The Upper House rooms offers a nice view of Hong Kong so you can simply relax after a busy day source: Upper House website (www.upperhouse.com) |
2) Get an Octopus card
Taking public transport in HK is easy and convenient with the use of the Octopus card.
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| Octopus card for adults |
The Octopus card for adult costs HKD150(it includes a HKD50 card deposit and HKD100 that you can use). It's a card that can be used for the train or MTR, for big buses, mini bus, tram and can even be used to buy some items at convenience stores such as 7-11 and Circle K.
Reloading money to your card can be done at any MTR station via machine, MTR customer service counter or at any convenience store.
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| Inner area of an MTR station |
One important tip when riding MTR trains is to always be ready to have your Octopus card in your hand or in a pouch that you can easily hold and tap quickly at the entrance and exits of the MTR stations since HK people are always in a rush to go from one point to the other.
Using your Octopus card to go from one train station to the next is going to save you time when you go to frequently visited stations such as Admiralty, TST(Tsim Sha Tsui), Causeway Bay, Hong Kong and Central. Be ready to stand inside the trains especially if you are travelling during rush hour.
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| Each MTR train station is easy to spot since the entrance is marked with a red and white MTR logo signage |
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| Ride trains quickly as the train doors in Hong Kong just open for a few seconds |
3) Ride different modes of transport to visit attraction sites
It's been a long time since I have been to The Peak in Hong Kong. Often times, first time HK visitors go there to get a good view of Hong Kong and take photos.
The Peak is one of the most popular sites visited by tourists in Hong Kong since it gives a spectacular view of Hong Kong. Plus, you get to ride the Peak Tram,a cable-hauled funicular railway that scales up the 396m ascent the highest point in Hong Kong Island.
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| The Peak Tram is the oldest form of public transport in Hong Kong territory. It has been there since 1888. |
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| The railway where the Peak Tram scales up the 396m ascent to bring visitors to the highest point of Hong Kong Island. |
4) Wear comfortable shoes, explore and take photos of the spectacular views
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| The Peak vistors also go to the old tram car located near the Peak Galleria mall to take photos |
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| The Peak Galleria has stores and restaurants that visitors may go to |
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| Headsets are given to visitors at Sky Terrace 428 so that first time visitors may get to know more about Hong Kong while looking at the towering buildings from the viewing deck. |
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| Some visitors write love notes/ wishes and hang it on the heart-shaped structure at the Peak. |
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| Visitors take photos and selfies from the different areas on the viewing deck. |
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| This is a photo I took using my Canon digital camera as I enjoyed looking at the view from the Peak. It was a clear and sunny day. |
It is also nice to look at the view from Hong Kong's IFC mall and see the night time view and "Symphony of Lights" show from Harbour City in TST.
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View from the IFC mall. The highrise building on
the left is the ICC(International Commerce Centre),
the tallest building in Hong Kong today.
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| You can see TST(Tsim Sha Tsui) from IFC mall and see the Star Cruises boat parked beside Harbour City mall from IFC mall |
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| Lighted highrise buildings from Hong Kong side are seen from TST area |
Hong Kong shopping is fun especially during sale season.
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| Times Square Mall in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong |
If you want to go for branded stuff you can go to Harbour City mall in TST(Tsim Sha Tsui), Pacific Place mall, IFC mall, Elements mall, and Times Square mall.
During festivities like Chinese New Year, you would also enjoy seeing the nice themed displays inside the high-end malls.
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| Year of the Sheep inspired display at Landmark in Hong Kong |
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| Chinese New Year themed display at IFC Mall in Hong Kong |
If you prefer to shop at outlet stores, you may want to check City Gate mall located beside the Tung Chung train station
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| POLO Ralph Lauren outlet store in City Gate mall |
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| Kate Spade outlet store in City Gate mall |
For bargain items that range from clothes to accessories, you can visit the stalls in Mongkok or go to Stanley market if you prefer to see a scenic beach view as you go up the area via bus or taxi.
Various Chinese inspired outfits for kids at a
stall in Stanley Market Hong Kong
For good eats, you may want to eat some dim sum. Tim Ho Wan, is an affordable place to go to. Plus it is touted as the "cheapest Michellin star restaurant" since an order of dim sum is between to USD2 to USD4 per order. There's a TIm Ho Wan branch at IFC mall.
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| Shrimp dumplings is a must try at Tim Ho Wan |
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| The best tasting baked barbeque pork buns from Tim Ho Wan |
For a lovely afternoon tea break, you may want to try Angelina's Paris located inside Lane Crawford at IFC mall.
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| The must-try Mont Blanc dessert can be paired with tea of coffee. |
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| Pretty mini cakes at Angelina's Paris HK |
6) Maximize your time in HK by doing express check-in
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| Express Check-in counter at Hong Kong Station/ IFC Mall |
To maximize your stay in Hong Kong, use the Express check-in counter at Hong Kong station and check-in your luggage after you have checked-out from your hotel. Major airlines are normally allowed to use express check-in.
Do check with your airline or travel agent if your airline is allowed. Definitely travellers flying via Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air flights from Hong Kong can make use of this perk. It's one valuable airport service that I use everytime I go to Hong Kong.
After your use the express check-in, you can just relax at a cafe at IFC mall or buy more gifts for family and friends at the nice shops in the mall.
Travelling is easy and enjoyable when you are able to plan well and go to various places in less time. Hong Kong is certainly a tourist friendly place as most of their malls have concierge stations where you can always ask for directions and get a map.
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| Photo was taken during the Elephant exhibit at Pacific Place mall in Hong Kong |
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