Going to Hong Kong, need advice!
 

Hello. I'll be going to HK because I won tickets but nothing else. I'll be staying with a friend who lives in Kowloon and I'll be bringing my 3 year old with me. We're really poor and won't be able to go if I hadn't won tickets. I'm planning to go for 8 days, would a pocket money of US $200 be enough to go around and see HK? Any tips on how I can save? Or what to do there? I would really appreciate it... thanks!


Marie

Best advice is to buy the underground or bus pass for a week. This should save you a lot of travelling expense.

Thanks Hanuman, I was thinking of walking around and also stopping at every bus stop and do this at night, so I can take great pictures... anymore ideas from anyone?

1) For your budget, I believe there is still an airport departure tax of about US$10 per pserson. No idea if there is a charge for kids.

2) Take a peak tram to go to the Peak located on HK island. The peak tram is relatively inexpensive. The view from the Peak is spectacular. It is also worthwhile to do it at night to see the night views. Be sure to pick a day that there are no clouds obstructing the view from the Peak.

3) Take Star Ferry (very very cheap) between Kowloon and HK island during the days and nights.

4) Ride on the second deck of trams (with tracks) on HK island. It's cheap and give you a good feel for HK

5) Ride on the second deck of a bus going to, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay and ending at Stanley where you can do some souvenir shopping.

6) Go to Central Plaza in Wanchia (HK island) where there is a free obsevation deck (at least it was free in April, '00) to see views of HK and Kowloon at different perspectives. This observation deck is not at the top floor of the building.

7) Take a walk at the lobby of the world famous Peninsula Hotel

8) From downtown HK, take a free escalator to go up to the Mid-Level. You have to do this after like 10 am. Before that time, escalator goes down.

HK has excellent inexpensive public transportations (bus, subway, tram and Star Ferry). Your US$200 will go a long way if you eat at your friend's house or sometimes MacDonald and avoid taxis. You will enjoy HK to the fullest despite your limited resources.!

It costs nothing to walk around some of the interesting markets in the city. Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon is a good choice for a free nighttime activity. Also there are some excellent museums in Tsim Sha Sui that were pretty cheap from what I remember - The Hong Kong Museum of Art is a good place to fritter away a day on the cheap. The Sceince Museum has lots of hands on stuff kids usually like. Have a good trip.

Hi, ethannadine!

How wonderful to go on a grand adventure like this!

With $200, minus the $20 departure tax, leaves you $180. Divide that by 8 leaves you with slightly more than $20 a day for meals, sightseeing and everything else.

The other posters have given you great suggestions. You'll enjoy the Star Ferry which takes you back and forth between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on the mainland. It is very inexpensive. The weeklong pass for bus and metro will get you almost everywhere you would want to go.

Hong Kong is very walkable. You can plan some walking tours and, if it gets too hot, you can always dive into a shopping center and cool off! It's easy to get around, as English signs and people speaking English are everywhere. Hong Kong is a big city, so practice the normal precautions and you'll be fine.

As for food, there are plenty of inexpensive small restaurants and stalls where you can pick up Chinese/European food. If you can cook at your friend's house, you may be able to save even more.

Have a great trip! And please post a trip report on your return!

Hello! :-) Thanks for all the posts!! I really appreciate all the help. I'll print out everything you all said and will try to do them all! I've actually thought about riding all the busses and going down to all the stops and have my picture taken, and do this during the day and also at night. How bad are pick pockets? Does it happen that someone just grabs your bag or things away from you? Thanks, and I will write my views about HK soon! Hopefully at the end of the month!

Any residents of HK around here? Is F4 still popular there in HK? Are there lots of merchandise I can get about them there? LIke magazines, phone cards, cds, videos? Please tell me where. Thanks.

My dad is thinking of asking me to buy him a nokia phone in HK, are they cheaper than in the Philippines? An example, a nokia 3650 is about HKD2350 here.

Don't worry, HK is pretty safe. Been here over twenty years and never been mugged or have my wallet stolen. It is much safer than any large US cities.

You can probably get F4 merchandise in Mong Kok. Try Sino Plaza.

Just a side note: When taking the tram up HK island, make sure you sit on the right side for an unobstructed view for picture taking.

I wanna say thank you for everyone's help! I really appreciate it all, can't wait to go to HK! I'll post when I'm back :-)