Hong Kong is among the most visited locations for Pinoy vacationers. It’s even the first-time worldwide vacation spot for a lot of. Its accessibility is a big 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 numerous issues to do which you could embody in your itinerary to make an unbelievable journey. A number of the hottest locations to go to in Hong Kong are Mong Kok, Victoria Peak, and naturally, Hong Kong Disneyland. You possibly can even do a facet journey to Macau!
We are able to all agree that each journey requires planning. Whereas no journey is ever fully good, being ready — particularly if it’s your first time — will help issues go extra easily. Our staff has been to Hong Kong a number of occasions, however on one among our current journeys, we have been stopped by the police. They searched all our belongings, however it’s a very good factor we’re ready. What do you have to do on this scenario? We’ll inform you extra about that and different suggestions, together with errors to keep away from.
Hong Kong Journey Errors
1. Underestimating Hong Kong costs.
It’s true that Hong Kong might be fairly expensive, particularly when it comes to eating and lodging. Even with its allure, the price of residing right here has undoubtedly elevated through the years, making it some of the costly cities globally. Even we have 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 keep in mind, it’s not that costly. However on our final go to, we observed how costs have skyrocketed, particularly for lodges and eating places.
- Meals. To provide you an concept and to make a comparability simply, let’s do the Huge Mac check. Huge Mac alone prices round HKD 28 (P200), however in the event 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 wherever from HKD 9-10 (P60-70), so be ready to pay for hydration!
- Lodging. Mid-range lodges within the metropolis heart can go as excessive as P5000 per night time, whereas finances choices begin from P3000 however are typically farther from central sights. In case you’re staying nearer to town heart, be prepared for a extra premium price ticket, particularly throughout peak journey seasons.
- Points of interest. In case you plan to go to Disneyland, the essential entrance price 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 price on high of the doorway price.
NOTE: The HKD to PHP trade price used for this submit is predicated on knowledge from June 2025.
2. Choosing the mistaken space to remain.
Hong Kong’s geography is exclusive and considerably difficult. Points of interest are unfold out throughout completely different districts and even separate islands, so selecting the best place to remain is essential. Choosing a lodge in the proper space can prevent each money and time on transportation, making your journey rather more handy.
- Lantau Island Space. In case your itinerary focuses on Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360 Cable Automobile, or a day journey to Macau, it’s greatest to remain in Tung Chung or Hong Kong SkyCity. These areas present easy accessibility to Lantau Island’s main sights, and lots of lodges provide free shuttle providers to the airport and MTR stations. Staying within the metropolis heart, alternatively, means longer commutes, which might be expensive and time-consuming.
- Purchasing and Meals Hubs. For many who love buying and exploring night time markets, Mong Kok is a superb choice. It’s residence to a few of Hong Kong’s hottest avenue markets, such because the Women Market and Sneaker Road. If meals is a giant 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 gives a mixture of inexpensive and mid-range lodges whereas retaining you near main sights just like the Avenue of Stars, Victoria Harbour, and Harbour Metropolis Mall.
The perfect space to remain actually is dependent upon your itinerary, however you’ll be able to take a look at our WHERE TO STAY IN HONG KONG article for a extra in-depth clarification.
For fast reference and proposals, listed here are among the high lodging in Hong Kong based mostly on on-line consumer opinions.
- iClub Sheung Wan Lodge, Hong Kong Island. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
- Ibis Hong Kong Central & Sheung Wan Lodge, Hong Kong Island. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
- Mini Central, Hong Kong Island. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
- B P Worldwide, Kowloon. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
- Stanford Hillview Lodge, Kowloon. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
- Metropark Lodge Mongkok, Kowloon. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
- Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong, Kowloon. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
- Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Lodge, New Territories. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
- 4 Factors By Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung, New Territories. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
- Regal Airport Lodge, New Territories. Test Charges & Availability! ✅
Seek for extra Hong Kong Resorts!
3. Anticipating spacious rooms within the metropolis heart.
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 typically small and compact, with little or no additional room to maneuver round. Whereas some lodges 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 instances, there isn’t even sufficient room to correctly retailer baggage.
If having more room is a precedence, take into account staying in different districts. The farther you go from town heart, the extra spacious and inexpensive the lodging are typically. For instance, whereas lodge 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. This is the reason it’s residence to the world’s longest out of doors coated escalator system — the Central Mid-level Escalators. Nevertheless, not all areas have escalators, so getting round typically entails uphill walks and quite a few steps.
This may be difficult in the event you’re touring with seniors or these with mobility points, as strolling in Central might be extra bodily demanding. An excellent instance is the route from Central Station to the Peak Tram, the start line for Victoria Peak, which entails an uphill trek. Even when a vacation spot appears shut on the map, it’s typically greatest to take public transportation to save lots of vitality and keep away from pointless pressure.
5. Leaving your passport on the lodge.
Some vacationers want to go away their passports on the lodge, fearing they may get misplaced or broken, particularly in unhealthy climate. Nevertheless, in most international locations, it’s greatest apply to hold your passport whenever you’re out. In Hong Kong, it’s particularly essential.
Cease-and-search procedures are frequent in Hong Kong, the place law enforcement officials might strategy people and request identification. For foreigners, this implies presenting a passport. Based on 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 supply this for inspection as required by the regulation will commit an offense.”
We’ve seen this firsthand whereas strolling in Central, and we additionally skilled it ourselves. Whereas at Tung Chung Station, coming back from Disneyland, 4 law enforcement officials stopped us and requested for our passports. One officer entered our data into a tool, two completely searched our baggage, and one other questioned us about our objective within the space, the place we have been from, and the place we have been headed. One among them was well mannered and even apologetic as soon as it turned clear we have been simply vacationers.
To keep away from any points, all the time carry your passport whereas exploring Hong Kong. In case you’re frightened about it getting moist, retailer it in a water-proof case for defense.
6. Ignoring the climate.
Hong Kong is a type of locations the place the climate can considerably impression your expertise. Whereas that is true for a lot of locations, it’s particularly noticeable right here. Take Victoria Peak, for instance. The panoramic view from the highest is completely beautiful on a transparent day, making the tram journey up properly value it. Nevertheless, on foggy days, you would possibly see nothing however a wall of white, which might be disappointing in the event you got here for the skyline. Though there are different sights on the Peak, the primary draw is the breathtaking view, and unhealthy climate can fully change that.
The identical goes for Disneyland. We’ve visited 4 occasions below completely different situations — sunny, cloudy, and wet — and the expertise varies dramatically. Whilst you can nonetheless benefit from the park within the rain, it’s not fairly the identical as a shiny, sunny day when all the pieces feels extra magical.
To benefit from your journey, we advocate retaining your itinerary versatile. That manner, if the climate doesn’t cooperate, you’ll be able to regulate your plans and save weather-dependent sights for a greater day.
7. Forgetting to carry money and get Octopus Card.
Hong Kong is quickly transitioning right into a cashless metropolis, and probably the most great tool for vacationers right here is the Octopus Card. It’s extremely handy. You should utilize it for MTR trains, buses, comfort shops, and even in lots of different institutions. There’s additionally a cellular model accessible by means of an app, however having a bodily card remains to be the higher choice because it received’t run out of battery like your cellphone would possibly.
However, it’s nonetheless essential to hold some money. Many smaller outlets and native eateries function on a cash-only foundation. Plus, as with all digital system, technical points can typically happen, and it’s all the time good to have a backup. In case your Octopus Card runs out of credit score, understand that some top-up places 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 elective, however we extremely advocate this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey might be unpredictable, and although we hope we’ll by no means use it, having it offers us peace of thoughts in case of sudden delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For worldwide locations, take into account PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance coverage. You possibly can GET IT HERE. Don’t overlook to make use of WORTHIT for a particular inexpensive price.
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2025 6 5 – First uploaded
