Tipping A Private Tour Guide In Hong Kong
Nov 6th, 2011, 02:24 PM
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Tipping A Private Tour Guide In Hong Kong
The private tour guides for a day or half day in Hong Kong I have researched seem to charge around $50 USD an hour. These are private people, not employees of others. What is an appropriate tip? Also, should I buy their meal (I usually do)? Thank you!
Nov 6th, 2011, 05:36 PM
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I am only in Hong Kong a couple days and in the past I have found that a really good tour guide can make the difference in my experience. I am not used to $50 for one though...so I hear you on the Yipes.
Nov 7th, 2011, 01:36 AM
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Can you tell me the names of some of these guides? They may be one of the walks offered through the Hong Kong Tourist Board, which are about that price. I have to say that other than Jason Wordie (who charges more than US$50, see www.jasonswalks.com), I would not pay for a tour guide here in Hong Kong. First of all, the quality is not bound to be great (other than Jason), and secondly you can do virtually every bit of Hong Kong on your own. (If the tour involves a car or bus, I would definitely give it a miss, as all the interesting bits of Hong Kong are really only accessible on foot – or boat.) Public transport will take you everywhere, and signage is in English.
The Conservancy Association Centre gives walking tours of the street markets in Graham Street and the historic area of Central and Western Districts on Hong Kong Island. I have not taken them, so can’t comment on their quality, but for US$12-15 per person for a 2- 3 hour tour, you won’t really be wasting much money (and you can leave if the tour is not good). I understand that the tours are in English, but you might want to check. See http://www.cache.org.hk/ for info, and send them an e-mail to determine the dates/times of the tours, as the website is not so helpful.
The Royal Geographical Society sometimes offers walking tours, see http://www.rgshk.org.hk/ (they have quite interesting evening lectures a few times a month as well). The Asia Society also sometimes offers walking tours again they have really interesting evening lectures as well). Go to http://www.asiasociety.org/ click on “Events Calendar” in the top right, and then choose Hong Kong from the pull-down menu on the next page. You can tailor it to the month you plan to visit (although most events are only listed about a month in advance, so check back right before your visit). For both the RGS and the Asia Society non-members are usually welcome to attend (there is a fee, usually around US$15-20).
There are some very good books available to help you plan your own walks Dymocks, a local chain of bookstores here, has an excellent selection of walking books, go to http://www.dymocks.com.au/ for a list of locations in Hong Kong (and you can probably order books as well). <i>The Serious Hiker's Guide to Hong Kong</i>, the <i>"Heritage Hikers Guide to Hong Kong"</i> and <i>The Leisurely Hiker's Guide to Hong Kong</i>, all and by Pete Spurrier, are very good for walks all over Hong Kong. Jason Wordie has two very good books on street/neighborhood walks in Hong Kong, called <i>Streets: Hong Kong</i> and <i>Streets: Kowloon</i> respectively. You can buy them on his website or at Dymocks. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has a free pamphlet called “Hong Kong Walks” which you can pick up at their outlets (including the airport). I believe there are Apple Apps with walking tours as well.
I will say I was downtown on Saturday when a small group of tourisrts, led by a young woman who appeared to be a tour guide, got off the street tram at the HSBC Bank building. She gave them just a passing glance at the building and commented that “this is the famous Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Building” and then led them on towards the waterfront after about 5 seconds. She did not point out any the interesting features of the building, (such as the architect) nor did she provide any trivia about it, such as pointing out the two lions in front named Stephen and Stitt, who are from the original building erected in 1935, and one of which (Stephen on the left if memories serves) bears what are alledgedly Japanese shrapnel marks (there are certainly holes in the paws, and it's a nice story, true or not. All this info can be obtained from almost any guide book.) She also did not take the group up into the building. You can go to the 1st and 2nd floor banking halls, and get a good view of the atrium interior as well as an excellent harbour view from the 2nd floor banking hall. If the breif moment I saw was an example of the type of tour this was, to have paid even US$50 for what seems to be a cursory tour would seem like a waste, IMO.
In any event, tipping is not the custom here, so if you feel you have to, I would keep it to 5%. You can offer to buy a coffee, but a meal is not necessary and IMO may make a local guide feel obligated to return the hospitality.
The Conservancy Association Centre gives walking tours of the street markets in Graham Street and the historic area of Central and Western Districts on Hong Kong Island. I have not taken them, so can’t comment on their quality, but for US$12-15 per person for a 2- 3 hour tour, you won’t really be wasting much money (and you can leave if the tour is not good). I understand that the tours are in English, but you might want to check. See http://www.cache.org.hk/ for info, and send them an e-mail to determine the dates/times of the tours, as the website is not so helpful.
The Royal Geographical Society sometimes offers walking tours, see http://www.rgshk.org.hk/ (they have quite interesting evening lectures a few times a month as well). The Asia Society also sometimes offers walking tours again they have really interesting evening lectures as well). Go to http://www.asiasociety.org/ click on “Events Calendar” in the top right, and then choose Hong Kong from the pull-down menu on the next page. You can tailor it to the month you plan to visit (although most events are only listed about a month in advance, so check back right before your visit). For both the RGS and the Asia Society non-members are usually welcome to attend (there is a fee, usually around US$15-20).
There are some very good books available to help you plan your own walks Dymocks, a local chain of bookstores here, has an excellent selection of walking books, go to http://www.dymocks.com.au/ for a list of locations in Hong Kong (and you can probably order books as well). <i>The Serious Hiker's Guide to Hong Kong</i>, the <i>"Heritage Hikers Guide to Hong Kong"</i> and <i>The Leisurely Hiker's Guide to Hong Kong</i>, all and by Pete Spurrier, are very good for walks all over Hong Kong. Jason Wordie has two very good books on street/neighborhood walks in Hong Kong, called <i>Streets: Hong Kong</i> and <i>Streets: Kowloon</i> respectively. You can buy them on his website or at Dymocks. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has a free pamphlet called “Hong Kong Walks” which you can pick up at their outlets (including the airport). I believe there are Apple Apps with walking tours as well.
I will say I was downtown on Saturday when a small group of tourisrts, led by a young woman who appeared to be a tour guide, got off the street tram at the HSBC Bank building. She gave them just a passing glance at the building and commented that “this is the famous Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Building” and then led them on towards the waterfront after about 5 seconds. She did not point out any the interesting features of the building, (such as the architect) nor did she provide any trivia about it, such as pointing out the two lions in front named Stephen and Stitt, who are from the original building erected in 1935, and one of which (Stephen on the left if memories serves) bears what are alledgedly Japanese shrapnel marks (there are certainly holes in the paws, and it's a nice story, true or not. All this info can be obtained from almost any guide book.) She also did not take the group up into the building. You can go to the 1st and 2nd floor banking halls, and get a good view of the atrium interior as well as an excellent harbour view from the 2nd floor banking hall. If the breif moment I saw was an example of the type of tour this was, to have paid even US$50 for what seems to be a cursory tour would seem like a waste, IMO.
In any event, tipping is not the custom here, so if you feel you have to, I would keep it to 5%. You can offer to buy a coffee, but a meal is not necessary and IMO may make a local guide feel obligated to return the hospitality.
Nov 7th, 2011, 04:06 AM
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Thanks so much for your feedback, Cicerone and others! I remember you helping me before, Cicerone. Kathie, I did the Real Tours of New York and at that time it was the most expensive tour I ever did. But, a great tour guide can enhance your whole experience and I'll never forget that tour.
I have considered Jason's walking tour. But, I saw some great reviews on Jamie of J3tours Hong Kong and they were all really great. Maybe check it out and give me an opinion.
I should have mentioned that we are stopping for only two full days on a layover back to the USA. The second day we would see the Museum of History and browse some neighborhoods on our own. It's all a little confusing...but I have spent a lot more money on a lot of less necessary stuff in my life. At my age its time to load up on those amazing memories.
I have considered Jason's walking tour. But, I saw some great reviews on Jamie of J3tours Hong Kong and they were all really great. Maybe check it out and give me an opinion.
I should have mentioned that we are stopping for only two full days on a layover back to the USA. The second day we would see the Museum of History and browse some neighborhoods on our own. It's all a little confusing...but I have spent a lot more money on a lot of less necessary stuff in my life. At my age its time to load up on those amazing memories.
Nov 7th, 2011, 06:01 PM
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Just to clear up some possibe confusion, are you talking HK$50 or US$50?
Cheers, Alan, Australia.
Born Under a Wandering Star http://loraltravel.blogspot.com
Cheers, Alan, Australia.
Born Under a Wandering Star http://loraltravel.blogspot.com
Nov 8th, 2011, 04:37 AM
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It would be a Monday. I am a bit confused now. It really was not in my budget to pay so much for a tour. Maybe I do need to rethink this. Thanks rkkwan, I may take you up on your generous offer. It's just my husband and I. Do you have an E-mail address or are you on Tripadvisor where I can send you a private message? I wish Fodors had that feature.
Also, If I am only going to be in Hong Kong 3 nights and two full days. Would it be better to get some HK dollars in advance (order them through my credit union) or should I just use an ATM at the airport when I get there? I'll need a taxi when I get to Hong Kong (I am afraid I'll have too much stuff for the airport express). Thanks again all!!!!
Also, If I am only going to be in Hong Kong 3 nights and two full days. Would it be better to get some HK dollars in advance (order them through my credit union) or should I just use an ATM at the airport when I get there? I'll need a taxi when I get to Hong Kong (I am afraid I'll have too much stuff for the airport express). Thanks again all!!!!
Nov 8th, 2011, 05:57 AM
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seeksocean - You should be able to find me on Tripadvisor as well as Flyertalk with the same username. If not, send me an email at rkkwan (at) earthlink (dot) net.
The thing about tour guide in Hong Kong is that most people come here for shopping and food, or just wander. There isn't really any world-class historical site in the city. As a result, there are really few professional tour guides here (not counting those who takes mainland Chinese tour groups to shop, shop and shop). Those that are have to make enough for their work, and therefore the high price.
Anyways, my family has been in the city for over 100 years, with most members survived through the ups and downs, including Japanese occupation during WWII. I grew up here in Hong Kong in the 70's and 80's, so I'll say I am probably better than most tour guides you can find for under US$50 an hour.
Anyways, no need to get any HKD in advance. Just use an ATM after arriving in Hong Kong. There are quite a few at the airport, including citibank's. Most do not levy any fees, except for Travelex. Don't use theirs.
The thing about tour guide in Hong Kong is that most people come here for shopping and food, or just wander. There isn't really any world-class historical site in the city. As a result, there are really few professional tour guides here (not counting those who takes mainland Chinese tour groups to shop, shop and shop). Those that are have to make enough for their work, and therefore the high price.
Anyways, my family has been in the city for over 100 years, with most members survived through the ups and downs, including Japanese occupation during WWII. I grew up here in Hong Kong in the 70's and 80's, so I'll say I am probably better than most tour guides you can find for under US$50 an hour.
Anyways, no need to get any HKD in advance. Just use an ATM after arriving in Hong Kong. There are quite a few at the airport, including citibank's. Most do not levy any fees, except for Travelex. Don't use theirs.
