Jonyee's budget guide to Hong Kong
Endless shopping and fabulous restaurants may characterise a trip to the vibrant city of Hong Kong, but it doesn't have to cost the earth says regular visitor Jonyee.
Top five budget tips for Hong Kong:
Budget airport transfers
Forget the Airport Express, forget the 'luxury hotel transfers' just follow
the locals out of the terminal to the local buses. Express local buses
operate from the airport terminal and cost a fraction of the tourist
orientated transfers.
Get yourself an Octopus card from the counter and charge it up with cash.
Then just swipe when you board and you're on your way. Most people are
bilingual as are the maps and the announcements on the bus. It may take just a few minutes longer and is ideal if you don't have too much luggage
(although you can store some luggage just like any other double decker bus.)
Cost: Around £1 GBP
Saving: Around £7 GBP vs other forms of transport
Budget food
Cafe de Coral (look for the yellow signs) is the McDonalds of the east -
only much tastier and much cheaper. The food includes classic Cantonese
dishes such as roast meat and rice and a unique Hong Kong take on Western
dishes. Pay at the counter (where the menu is also in pictures and English)
and then take your receipt to the counter to collect your food (just follow
the locals).
Cost: Expect to pay a maximum of £3 GBP per meal
Saving: Lots compared to restaurant food and you don't lose anything on the
taste
Budget sightseeing
Hong Kong's best tourist attraction is virtually free. Take the famous Star
Ferry across the harbour both at day and night time and enjoy the bright
lights of the city in a perfect setting.
Cost: A few pennies
Saving: 52 pence vs. the subway
Budget sleeping
Stay in a prime location (next to the Peninsula hotel) but at a fraction of
the cost with the YMCA Hong Kong. It's more than a normal YMCA and is more like a hotel but at a much lower cost. Reduce your cost by sharing a dorm or upgrade to a private room.
Cost: Around £60 GBP depending on room and time
Saving: At least half the cost of a 'normal' hotel
Budget technology
Instead of paying for internet access, pop into your local Pacific Coffee
Company. Slightly less ubiquitous than previously (now that Starbucks has
moved into town). The PCC offers free internet access to customers. Avoid
the heat by popping in for a refreshing cold drink.
Cost: Free
Saving: Well ... every penny counts right?
Jonyee has tipped prolifically on Been there ranging from Bullet trains in Japan to eating dodgy fruit in Singapore. Check out his tips here
Return to the budget homepage by clicking here
And read more of the Guardian's travel articles about Hong Kong here
Top five budget tips for Hong Kong:
Budget airport transfers
Forget the Airport Express, forget the 'luxury hotel transfers' just follow
the locals out of the terminal to the local buses. Express local buses
operate from the airport terminal and cost a fraction of the tourist
orientated transfers.
Get yourself an Octopus card from the counter and charge it up with cash.
Then just swipe when you board and you're on your way. Most people are
bilingual as are the maps and the announcements on the bus. It may take just a few minutes longer and is ideal if you don't have too much luggage
(although you can store some luggage just like any other double decker bus.)
Cost: Around £1 GBP
Saving: Around £7 GBP vs other forms of transport
Budget food
Cafe de Coral (look for the yellow signs) is the McDonalds of the east -
only much tastier and much cheaper. The food includes classic Cantonese
dishes such as roast meat and rice and a unique Hong Kong take on Western
dishes. Pay at the counter (where the menu is also in pictures and English)
and then take your receipt to the counter to collect your food (just follow
the locals).
Cost: Expect to pay a maximum of £3 GBP per meal
Saving: Lots compared to restaurant food and you don't lose anything on the
taste
Budget sightseeing
Hong Kong's best tourist attraction is virtually free. Take the famous Star
Ferry across the harbour both at day and night time and enjoy the bright
lights of the city in a perfect setting.
Cost: A few pennies
Saving: 52 pence vs. the subway
Budget sleeping
Stay in a prime location (next to the Peninsula hotel) but at a fraction of
the cost with the YMCA Hong Kong. It's more than a normal YMCA and is more like a hotel but at a much lower cost. Reduce your cost by sharing a dorm or upgrade to a private room.
Cost: Around £60 GBP depending on room and time
Saving: At least half the cost of a 'normal' hotel
Budget technology
Instead of paying for internet access, pop into your local Pacific Coffee
Company. Slightly less ubiquitous than previously (now that Starbucks has
moved into town). The PCC offers free internet access to customers. Avoid
the heat by popping in for a refreshing cold drink.
Cost: Free
Saving: Well ... every penny counts right?
Jonyee has tipped prolifically on Been there ranging from Bullet trains in Japan to eating dodgy fruit in Singapore. Check out his tips here
Return to the budget homepage by clicking here
And read more of the Guardian's travel articles about Hong Kong here