Hong Kong Travel Tips | Must-read before your trip!
- Boj Doctor
- Jan 30, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 20, 2024
I recently went to Hong Kong and here are some travel tips as my pasalubong (souvenir) for you guys!
4 things to arrange before your trip:
Hong Kong Dollars HK$
You must think you need to prepare Hong Kong Dollars before your flight. Yes that’s right! But what if I tell you that you don’t have to and that you can just withdraw once you're already in Hong Kong? You just have to sign up with the newest local bank for free. They require no minimum maintaining balance and allows you conveniently withdraw without the international withdrawal fees from any Bank of China ATM in Hong Kong. Here's how:
Download GoTyme phone application: Complete the signup process in less than 15 mins
Claim your GoTyme physical card from the nearest Robinsons Supermarket / Department Store / Shopwise / The Marketplace near you that has the GoTyme kiosk. PRO TIP: You must know your login details such as username and password as you will enter these details on the kiosk. Wait for the confirmation text which will be sent to your mobile number and finally, the GoTyme kiosk will print your card on the spot for free. Mine took less than 10 mins!
Now that you are travel-ready with GoTyme, make sure you deposit your travel fund to your GoTyme bank account. Depositing to your GoTyme account may be done over the counter for free (Southstar Drug or Robinsons Supermarket or learn about other locations here) or via online bank transfer.
Travel Wifi
Did you know that you can now stay connected to the internet without using the roaming service of your local network? You can now rent a travel WiFi or buy a sim card in your destination. These have become a common service offered in many international airports. For now let me teach you how to avoid bill shock and just simply rent a travel WiFi.
Let #Klook save your day!
Book your travel WiFi and go worry-free throughout your trip. Here's the exact link where you can order your travel Wifi. The price of the travel WiFi will be on a fixed rate. The final rate which will depend on the number of days that you will rent the unit, will be shown on your Klook app. Definitely no bill shocks here!
Claim the travel WiFi at the Hong Kong International Airport and you’re off to your adventure.
Book these ahead via Klook and don't forget to use my Klook discount code BOJDOCTOR to get extra savings (on anything you'll book via Klook)! You can definitely save some of your previous HK$ with Klook and my discount code. Higher pricing applies when you avail of the services on the spot at the airport. Talk about tourist price! So book ahead like an expert traveller.
It’s so convenient exploring a new country with a reliable travel WiFi. I didn't get lost so much because I'm always connected to Google maps and Google translate.
There are 2 options to stay connected while travelling: rent a pocket WiFi or buy a sim. Given that both options offer strong connection, here's my personal take:
Pocket Wifi
Pros
Easy to operate
Not dependent on your phone's battery
Cons
It's an extra gadget to carry (but come on, it's small and doesn't really hurt)
Since it's a rental, you have to return it afterwards (extra task for you)
Sim Card
Pros
You can keep it as a souvenir if you're one who likes those kinds of stuff
Cons
It's dependent on your phone's battery not unless you have an extra phone just for this purpose (imagine using your phone to take lots of pictures and videos and still use it as your WiFi hotspot)
Not ideal for those who don't like to reconfigure their phones
Inconvenient if your phone only have 1 slot for a sim card
Octopus Card and Airport Express Ticket
What is an Octopus Card? It is a contactless stored value / reloadable card that provides customers a simple, safe and secure way to pay in Hong Kong. Use it to pay in restaurants, shops, bus, trains and tourist attractions that accept Octopus card.
People often ask if it's highly recommended to purchase an Octopus Card before your trip? And the answer is 100% YES! You will not regret it. It will make your trip so much easier.
One of the famous tourist destinations in Hong Kong, the Victoria Peak Tram also accepts the Octopus card!
Here's how you can secure your Octopus card / Airport Express card:
Order via Klook through this exact link and get up to 34% discount.
Claim them at the designated booth at the Airport.
Now, the next question people often ask is IS AN AIRPORT EXPRESS A MUST-HAVE?
The answer will depend on your schedule and priority. Airport Express is the faster option. It is a dedicated train line that will take you to the main points of Hong Kong. The other options to get to your destination are via regular train, bus or taxi. I personally chose to take the public bus because I was after the view. I arrived in Hong Kong around 11 pm. Taking the bus was just perfect for someone like me who loves long night drives and city lights. The travel from the airport to my hotel in Causeway Bay was 1.5 hours. I also got to familiarize myself with the surroundings even for just a short time.
Don't forget to use my Klook discount code BOJDOCTOR to get extra savings! My discount code is applicable to other activities in other destination countries too! Share the code with your friends and save money while you travel together.
Hotel
I was lucky enough to book a room at Hotel Alexandra in North Point Hong Kong during the peak season: New Year. The hotel was just so beautiful, sparkly and very royal! My descriptions won't give enough justice to how beautiful the interior of their lobby was. Each night felt like coming home to a palace! It's location felt so central as you can enjoy your morning walk to the nearby parks and return to the hotel to rest conveniently. It's surrounded with lots of cafes and restaurants and not to mention places to shop too!
Book Hotel Alexandra through this link And again, don't forget to use my Klook discount code BOJDOCTOR to get extra savings!
3 things to remember during your trip:
Hong Kong Night Treats for Visitors Dining Vouchers
Upon arriving at the Hong Kong International airport, proceed to the Hong Kong Tourism Board counter which is along the Arrivals pathway. Hong Kong is giving out dining vouchers with a value of 100 HK$ per person. You just have to present your tourist passport.
We redeemed our Hong Kong Night Treats vouchers at Bar Pacific North Point. It's a cool sports bar along the road Click here to see directions on how to get there.
Get your Hong Kong Dollars using your GoTyme ATM card
Find the Bank of China at the arrivals hall. Bank of China ATMs are located beside the 7 Eleven store inside the Hong Kong International Airport. It’s hard to miss this! Use your GoTyme ATM card to withdraw your preferred amount and it will automatically give you money in Hong Kong Dollars. Avail while it lasts! Currently, GoTyme is offering free international withdrawal. Imagine, no added fees when you withdraw abroad!
Don't get lost in translation
Sometimes, restaurant menus have no English translation and you can either see that as an inconvenience or part of the fun of travelling! Powered with your travel WiFi, use Google and your camera to help you translate any foreign word.
The Google Translate feature has been so helpful especially when I did restaurant hopping. I never ate a full meal in a single restaurant in Hong Kong. What I did was pick a restaurant and just try one of their offers then I moved on to the next to try other food. That's what happens when you are a foodie and have limited time in a new country! In the end, it was a day full of adventure, thanks to Google translate.
Comment google if you'd like me to upload a quick tutorial on how to use Google translate.
Hong Kong is a very tourist-friendly destination for me. They have a very efficient transportation system and all you really need to do is read the signs! I’ve taken the bus the most during my recent trip because my priority was to see the surroundings. While taking the subway train can save you time, there’s lots of sightseeing that you’ll be missing out on too. In case you feel lost and need a human to assist you, just approach the MTR personnels and they’ll be ready to help you.
If you’re still reading ‘til this part, I bet you’re Hong Kong travel plans are about to get real soon! I wish you a wonderful trip! I’m excited for you! I hope these tips save you from some pre-travel worries!
XOXO
Boj
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