Hong Kong is without doubt 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 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 that you may embrace in your itinerary to make an unimaginable journey. A number of the hottest locations to go to in Hong Kong are Mong Kok, Victoria Peak, and naturally, Hong Kong Disneyland. You’ll be able to even do a facet journey to Macau!
We are able to all agree that each journey requires planning. Whereas no journey is ever utterly excellent, being ready — particularly if it’s your first time — can assist issues go extra easily. Our group has been to Hong Kong a number of occasions, however on one in all our latest journeys, we had been stopped by the police. They searched all our belongings, nevertheless it’s factor we’re ready. What must you do on this scenario? We’ll let you know 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 could be fairly dear, particularly when it comes to eating and lodging. Even with its attraction, the price of residing right here has positively elevated over time, making it one of the crucial 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 keep in mind, it’s not that costly. However on our final go to, we observed how costs have skyrocketed, particularly for accommodations and eating places.
- Meals. To provide you an thought and to make a comparability simply, let’s do the Large Mac take a look at. Large Mac alone prices round HKD 28 (P200), however when 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 accommodations within the metropolis heart can go as excessive as P5000 per night time, whereas price range choices begin from P3000 however are typically farther from central points of interest. When you’re staying nearer to the town heart, be prepared for a extra premium price ticket, particularly throughout peak journey seasons.
- Sights. When 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 prime of the doorway price.
NOTE: The HKD to PHP trade charge used for this submit relies on information from June 2025.
2. Choosing the fallacious space to remain.
Hong Kong’s geography is exclusive and considerably sophisticated. Sights are unfold out throughout completely different districts and even separate islands, so selecting the best place to remain is essential. Choosing a resort in the suitable space can prevent each money and time on transportation, making your journey far more handy.
- Lantau 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 Tung Chung or Hong Kong SkyCity. These areas present quick access to Lantau Island’s main points of interest, and plenty of accommodations supply free shuttle companies to the airport and MTR stations. Staying within the metropolis heart, however, means longer commutes, which could be expensive and time-consuming.
- Purchasing and Meals Hubs. For many who love purchasing and exploring night time markets, Mong Kok is a superb possibility. It’s residence to a few of Hong Kong’s hottest avenue markets, such because the Women Market and Sneaker Avenue. If meals is a giant a part of your journey expertise, Central and Sheung Wan are glorious decisions. 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 price contemplating. This district gives a mixture of reasonably priced and mid-range accommodations whereas preserving you near main points of interest 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 may 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 a number of the prime lodging in Hong Kong primarily based on on-line consumer opinions.
- 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! ✅
- Dorsett 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 Resorts!
3. Anticipating spacious rooms within the metropolis heart.
Hong Kong’s most urbanized areas — Kowloon Peninsula and Central on Hong Kong Island — are recognized for his or her restricted area. Lodge rooms in these districts are typically small and compact, with little or no further room to maneuver round. Whereas some accommodations maximize their layouts with intelligent designs, most lodging, particularly price range 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, think about staying in different districts. The farther you go from the town heart, the extra spacious and reasonably priced the lodging are typically. For instance, whereas resort rooms in Central are sometimes fairly small, close by areas like Sheung Wan and Causeway Bay supply bigger rooms at decrease costs, offering a greater steadiness 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. For this reason it’s residence to the world’s longest outside lined escalator system — the Central Mid-level Escalators. Nonetheless, not all areas have escalators, so getting round usually includes uphill walks and quite a few steps.
This may be difficult when you’re touring with seniors or these with mobility points, as strolling in Central could be extra bodily demanding. A very good instance is the route from Central Station to the Peak Tram, the place to begin 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 power and keep away from pointless pressure.
5. Leaving your passport on the resort.
Some vacationers choose to go away their passports on the resort, fearing they could get misplaced or broken, particularly in unhealthy climate. Nonetheless, in most nations, it’s finest follow to hold your passport if you’re out. In Hong Kong, it’s particularly essential.
Cease-and-search procedures are widespread in Hong Kong, the place law enforcement officials might strategy people and request identification. For foreigners, this implies presenting a passport. In response to 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, getting back from Disneyland, 4 law enforcement officials stopped us and requested for our passports. One officer entered our info into a tool, two totally searched our luggage, and one other questioned us about our objective within the space, the place we had been from, and the place we had been headed. Certainly one of 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. When you’re nervous about it getting moist, retailer it in a water-resistant case for cover.
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 Peak, for instance. The panoramic view from the highest is totally gorgeous on a transparent day, making the tram experience up nicely price it. Nonetheless, on foggy days, you may see nothing however a wall of white, which could be disappointing when you got here for the skyline. Though there are different points of interest on the Peak, the primary draw is the breathtaking view, and unhealthy climate can utterly change that.
The identical goes for Disneyland. We’ve visited 4 occasions underneath completely different situations — 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 vivid, sunny day when all the pieces feels extra magical.
To take advantage of your journey, we advocate preserving your itinerary versatile. That method, if the climate doesn’t cooperate, you may regulate your plans and save weather-dependent points of interest for a greater day.
7. Forgetting to deliver money and get Octopus Card.
Hong Kong is quickly transitioning right into a cashless metropolis, and essentially the most useful gizmo 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 cell model obtainable by an app, however having a bodily card continues to be the higher possibility because it received’t run out of battery like your telephone may.
However, it’s nonetheless essential to hold some money. Many smaller retailers and native eateries function on a cash-only foundation. Plus, as with every 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, needless to say some top-up places solely settle for money, so having some Hong Kong {dollars} available will make sure you don’t get caught.
Have Peace of Thoughts Whereas Touring!
Getting a journey insurance coverage is non-compulsory, however we extremely advocate this, particularly when touring overseas. Journey could 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, think about PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance coverage. You’ll be able to GET IT HERE. Don’t overlook to make use of WORTHIT for a particular reasonably priced charge.
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2025 6 5 – First uploaded