NeoPatrick

Maybe my brain is getting fried as I approach this 2 and a half month Asia trip, but I just spend at least a half hour reading about Hong Kong transport and I'm as confused as when I started.

I arrive on a Saturday and leave on a Monday -- slightly less that 48 hours. I think I understand that the Airport Express train costs 100 HK each way -- and there is a 2 trip ticket plus three days unlimited rides on trams, ferry, buses, subway, etc for 300 HK, so it seems like a great deal for me. But I don't understand if I just buy that as a ticket or as an Octopus pass which I believe also has a 50 HK deposit? Is there a difference, or do I just buy the 2 trip Airport plus 3 day ticket? I will want to take the Star Ferry both ways, and certainly up the tram to Victoria, probably some other trips as well.

Also, when I get off the Airport Express at Hong Kong Central, how far is it to the Grand Hyatt? Their website suggests getting a taxi there -- but how far a walk (with a rolling suitcase) is it? Looked close I thought on the map or is there an easy option?

rkkwan

No, the tourist card for HK$300 only covers MTR trains, <b>not</b> buses, trams, ferries, etc.

In general, you're better off to just buy a roundtrip Airport Express ticket to HK for $180. And then get a regular Octopus (HK$150, with $100 spendable dollars on all transports and at 7-Eleven, vending machines, etc; and $43 of deposit you can get back at any MTR station or at the Airport Express service counter at the airport).

To get to the Grand Hyatt, just take the free H1 shuttle from the Hong Kong Airport Express station: http://mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_expres..._free_bus.html

Ask the driver whether you should get off at the Renaissance Harbour View or the Exhibition Center. Both in the same complex as the GH. Or take a taxi if you don't want to wait. Walking is not an option. Very far.

NeoPatrick

Thanks rkkwan. No wonder I was confused. Here is what I read on the transportation website:

"In addition, there are two types of Airport Express Tourist Octopus:
* Airport Express One Free Single Journey + 3 days unlimited travel on MTR + $50 deposit + Stored value $20 = Price HK$220
* Airport Express Two Free Single Journeys # + 3 days unlimited travel on MTR + $50 deposit + Stored value $20 = Price HK$300
* # Valid for 180 days after purchase
Usage:
* Usable in MTR, Light Rail, Trams, Peak Trams, Star Ferry, Buses, some minibuses, convenience stores such as 7-11, Circle K, supermarkets, fast food outlets, or public telephone booths"

So while it said "unlimited MTR" -- I got confused when immediately after it said where it was usable on those other things -- not so, I guess?

Seems funny the hotel doesn't mention a free shuttle after the Airport Express. Thanks for that info! (And yes it is too far to walk, I was confusing the location of the Hyatt with another hotel I had been looking at (before I realized I could get two FREE nights at the Grand Hyatt -- yippee).

hawaiiantraveler

I was wondering how you settled on the GH after asking about the middle of the road hotels, nice choice. If you have Platinum or Diamond status don't forget to ask for an upgraded room at check in. Works just about every time in Asia. Status really means something in Asia as you are about to find out if you have any

Aloha!

rkkwan

The tourist card is a subtype of Octopus. Besides the AE rides and MTR passes, you can also add your own cash into it for use on the trams, ferries, etc.

rkkwan

BTW, there is no more $20 stored value in those passes.

NeoPatrick

hawaiiantraveler, yes, I had booked a much lesser hotel when in May Hyatt started a "get one free night with every two stays" special. So I stayed at four Hyatt Place hotels over two months -- at an average cost of about $79 each and needed places to stay -- going through Atlanta, in Ft. Lauderdale after a late flight, Sarasota for a play. And surprise of surprises I got the two free nights at the HK Grand Hyatt. And yes, recently they upgraded me to Platinum -- partially because of those 4 stays (well 5 actually) in about a three month period. I understand I also get free internet now at Hyatts -- something I've been bitching about for a long time. I'm also staying at the Xi'an Hyatt, but at a super senior rate there.

hawaiiantraveler

If you just made Platinum then take your card with you and show it at check in while casually but firmly asking if your room is an upgraded one with a harbor view. Your current status info may not yet be in their computers. I find this computer phenomena prevalent especially in China. As a Platinum member you are entitled to the best room in your reserved category so you are always upgraded somehow.

If you have any points with Hyatt at check in would be a good time to ask for an upgrade(good for up to four days)to the <b>Regency Club</b> using 3000 points if they haven't upgraded you for free already(happens often but not always with Platinum in Asia).

In HK you could get free breakfast and free cocktails and evening canapes (which could easily serve as dinner) from usually 5-8pm, times depending on the property.

Being a Diamond member I now enjoy free regency club upgrades on all my stays at the cheapest prices I can find and 4 free suite upgrades for stays up to seven days and just about ever time I ask at check in if it is available. I luvit!

Aloha!

NeoPatrick

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I have the card and intend to show it, as the rooms were both booked before I became Platinum.

In the old days I used to get all kinds of things just for being Gold -- but I guess that was before 5 million people gained Gold status. Most of my other hotel cards I have the credits automatically converted to AA miles as they don't seem to do much, but Hyatt seems to build up nicely and more easily for lots of better rewards -- maybe I'm just mistaken.

And Hyatt Place really has become my "medium" level hotel/motel of choice -- with great rooms, nice breakfast, and free parking and internet almost always included at super rates.

Cicerone

The Hong Kong Tourist Octopus card basically only gives you a round trip on the Airport Express and unlimited MTR rides, which with only 2 days may not mean a whole lot to you. After deducting the cost of the Airport Express train, there is about HK$120 in “free” MTR rides. As a rule of thumb most rides cost about HK$9 one way, which is about a dozen trips, probably more than you would take from that location in 2 days (unless you are going out to Lantau to see the Buddha, which is about HK$36 each way.) The Hyatt is a longish walk to the nearest MTR station, and as there is a Star Ferry pier basically at the front door of the hotel (which costs HK$2.20 in first class), and as you can walk, bus or tram to other parts of Hong Kong Island from the hotel, you probably won’t use the MTR very much. The MTR also does not go to the Peak, Kennedy Town, Stanley, Aberdeen, or the rest of the Southside of the Island, so you have to use alternate forms of transport for getting there.

That being said, you can add money to the Tourist Pass and can then use it on the ferries, Peak Tram, tram, buses, etc, so if you want to get the Tourist card you can. It may be easier to do that than to buy a regular Octupus card, which you have to return for the deposit, etc. If you take just one or two MTR rides, perhaps that is enough so that you don’t care about US$12 or so you may waste on unused MTR rides on the Tourist Card. If you are planning to go to Lantau to see the Buddha, the Tourist Card may be a good choice.

The Airport Express station is about a mile from the Hyatt. While flat, I would not walk it with a suitcase. In the first place it could be beastly hot or poring with rain, or both. There is a new road which runs basically as a straight shot from the AE station to the hotel along the water, but there is a lot of construction going on along it, few sidewalks, and it can be confusing to walk, esp for someone who does not know the landmarks or where they are going. And with a suitcase it just makes it more difficult. But that is just me. A taxi from the AE station on Hong Kong Islandwill cost about HK$20-30, no tip required. Takes less than 5 minutes for the journey. There may be a small luggage charge if the driver decides to charge it.

While the bus system here is great, I am not a fan of using it with luggage, so I would either take a taxi right to the hotel from the airport (HK$350 or so) or take the AE train to the Hong Kong Station and then a taxi from there to the hotel. Or perhaps your Hyatt status entitles you to airport transfers?

sassy_cat

Neo,
Ahh, I might need some of this info.
I initially thought you were looking for seafood restaurant recs!

NeoPatrick

I got the impression that the bus transfer to the Hyatt from the Airport Express is "free". NO? But in any case, as cheap as the taxi is, that sounds better. By that point though, I will be used to hauling my suitcase on and off many buses and subways.

sassy, I know what you mean. I'm sure you can get Octopus in Hong Kong, what can't you get there?

Cicerone

Yes, the shuttle bus from the AE station in Hong Kong to the various hotels is free. However, it runs only every 20 minutes, and so when you arrive into Hong Kong you may have to wait for it, and in addition, your hotel is the last stop on the route. (As noted above, the shuttle does not actually stop at your hotel, it stops at the Renaissance which is on the far corner of the same building as the Hyatt and at the Convention Centre, which is sort of beneath the Hyatt. Of the two, I would take the Convention Centre stop at it is less of walk to the Hyatt.) So your options are a 5 minute taxi ride versus what could be like a 30-minute or longer free bus trip.

sassy_cat

Neo, I look forward to your trip report!
Yes, I'm sure octopus will be available in Hong Kong but I'll try to avoid it.
I once found some small chopped up bits of squid in a salad that I thought was coleslaw and threw the whole cup in the air in shock.
I'm half expecting and dreading a similar experience on my HK/TYO trip.

NeoPatrick

Cicerone, you convinced me. A taxi it is! In fact I just discovered some old Hong Kong money in my "travel drawer". I read they still take those older coins with Elizabeth on them. Guess I'll find out. Perhaps I'll try them on the taxi driver. LOL

thursdaysd

So if I'm going to be in HK for five days, visiting (at least) Macau and a couple of islands, I should get the round-trip Airport Express ticket and a regular Octopus? I have a hotel (the Bishop Lei), but hadn't looked at transport options yet.

rkkwan

No problem with the coins or even paper money. The coins are the same shape and weight, only QE2 becomes a bauhinia. And I used an old green $10 paper bill recently.

rkkwan

thursdaysd - Yes, just get a regular Octopus and r/t AE tickets (if that's how you want to go from/to the airport).

NeoPatrick

rkkwan, good news, cause I have one of those 10$ bills too. Not that it's worth a whole lot. But I have quite a few 1, 2 and 5$ coins.

rkkwan

A lot of people like, and still use, those old $10 bills. The $10 coins are a dud, and many people hate the new plastic $10 bills, which they find too slippery...