Questioning how a lot a Hong Kong journey value? I’ve lived in Hong Kong for 8 months and I’ve to be trustworthy – it’s not an affordable nation. Nevertheless, there are lots of methods to journey to Hong Kong on a funds and this information offers you an perception.
📬 Reader Mail: Whats up Trisha! I really like all of your solo journey and digital nomad content material! The rationale why I’m writing to you immediately is that I made a decision to fly to Hong Kong from Australia.
I’ve not traveled out of Sydney since 2020 and this yr, I plan to do some little bit of Asia beginning with Hong Kong. I noticed in your Instagram that you just spent quite a lot of time there so right here I’m asking for suggestions!
First, I simply wish to understand how a lot I want to arrange for the Hong Kong journey value. I used to be considering US$50 a day can be sufficient. It’s simply my estimate so I’m all ears along with your recommendation!
Thanks once more for all of your blogs about girls touring solo. I respect you and I hope to return throughout you in Asia.
-Dylan Enderby, Australia
💲 Is Hong Kong costly?
Hong Kong is each costly and low cost on the identical time. Hong Kong is actually a first-world metropolis and the price of dwelling is fairly excessive. Simply an residence rental in Hong Kong begins at US$1,800 monthly for a small area!
Nevertheless, relating to journey funds, there are lots of methods on tips on how to journey Hong Kong low cost. There are additionally many free issues to do in Hong Kong so that you gained’t need to pay rather a lot for excursions and actions.
💵 Can you utilize US {dollars} in Hong Kong?
Sadly, US {dollars} should not accepted in Hong Kong. The forex in Hong Kong is named the Hong Kong greenback (HKD). US$1 is roughly $8 HKD.
You may’t actually purchase rather a lot for $8 HKD as costs normally begin at US$3 (i.e. a home beer on the grocery store is US$3 or $20 HKD).
As quickly as you arrive in Hong Kong, you need to alternate your US {dollars} at cash alternate homes on the airport or within the metropolis middle.
Extra data might be offered intimately on the place to alternate USD for higher charges in downtown Hong Kong – preserve studying!
💷 Can you utilize British kilos in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong could also be a former British colony however they don’t use British kilos. They’ve their very own forex and you may solely use Hong Kong {dollars} in your journey. £1 = $10 HKD.
📅 Most cost-effective time to go to Hong Kong
The most affordable time to go to Hong Kong is in the course of the summer season months of Could and June. It is going to be extraordinarily scorching and humid however these are the months the place you get the most effective offers.
A few of it’s possible you’ll be cautious of touring to Asia when it’s scorching and humid so to avoid wasting on money, one of the best ways to go is to journey to HK in the summertime and mix it with Southeast Asian locations with seashores resembling The Philippines or Thailand.
In case you are not a fan of scorching climate, the most effective time to go to Hong Kong (weather-wise) is from November to February which is winter.
This season is just not as low cost as Could and June due to the large holidays and festivals happening throughout these months.
You may additionally like:
💰 Hong Kong prices: fast information
Cash alternate in Hong Kong
It’s extremely really useful to deliver US {dollars} or British kilos to Hong Kong. Each are broadly accepted however take be aware you could’t use these to pay something in Hong Kong.
You’ll want to go to cash alternate homes in HK and listed here are the most effective ones with the most effective charges, together with their areas:
Finest ATMs in Hong Kong
There are a lot of ATMs throughout Hong Kong. You will see them on each nook they usually normally settle for Visa and Mastercard ATM playing cards. Nevertheless, my finest tip is to withdraw Hong Kong {dollars} from respected banks like HSBC, Citibank, Normal Chartered, and Cling Seng.
Worldwide banks that function in Hong Kong embrace Financial institution of America, Citibank, HSBC, DBS, and Financial institution of East Asia. I’ve each Financial institution of America and HSBC and they didn’t cost me charges after I was in Hong Kong. I used to be even allowed to withdraw money over-the-counter!
Relying in your financial institution (and the ATM machine in Hong Kong), you need to be capable to withdraw as much as $20,000 HKD per day restrict. In any other case, you should use a number of ATM machines to withdraw the quantity you want in your journey.
As for withdrawal prices, your financial institution at dwelling could cost charges resembling international transaction charges however it’s essential examine what these charges are direct to your financial institution. Additionally, ask if it’s a flat withdrawal payment or a share payment which is able to enable you higher choose which Hong Kong ATMs to make use of.
Credit score/debit playing cards
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in all places in Hong Kong, as long as the institution has a terminal. Sadly, Uncover and Amex should not accepted in Hong Kong so depart these playing cards at dwelling.
Road meals carts and small retailers don’t settle for bank cards so it’s nonetheless higher to have some money with you, particularly if you’re going procuring in Hong Kong.
Tipping in Hong Kong
Tipping is just not required in Hong Kong and isn’t a part of their tradition however be at liberty to tip 10% in the event you assume the service is phenomenal. Chances are you’ll obtain bizarre appears from servers as tipping may be very unusual.
Most eating places already add the ten% service cost with the invoice so that you don’t essentially want to go away a tip.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong Journey Value: accommodations, actions, and meals
Fly to Hong Kong low cost
The primary service from Hong Kong that operates internationally is Cathay Pacific. Nevertheless, it isn’t the most affordable airline to fly from the US to Hong Kong. A round-trip ticket from Los Angeles, California (LAX) is round US$1,500 (direct, continuous, September journey dates).
For cheaper flight choices from the US, you’ll be able to e-book a flight with a cease in Tokyo or Taipei however be aware that that is simply US$200 much less.
Canadians can take direct flights from Toronto and Vancouver to Hong Kong through Air Canada (13h 20m, kind of US$2,000 round-trip).
Cathay Pacific additionally does the London (Heathrow) to Hong Kong flight continuous (12h 15m). Lastly, Australians can fly to Hong Kong through Singapore on a 3-hour layover. Most flights from Australia to Hong Kong cease in Singapore, irrespective of which airline.
Hong Kong Resort Costs
Hong Kong lodge costs rely on the kind of lodging you want to avail. Funds vacationers ought to go for staying in hostels in Hong Kong to avoid wasting on prices.
A mattress in a hostel dorm in Hong Kong (shared) begins at US$17. I at all times use Hostelworld for reserving Hong Kong hostels as you solely have to pay a 12% reservation payment and your keep might be confirmed!
Notice that lodging affirmation is required when getting into Hong Kong so this can be reserving platform so that you can have lodge keep proof.
Beneath are a few of the finest hostels in Hong Kong:
Boutique accommodations in Hong Kong (for 2) begin at US$139 with breakfast. Some HK neighborhoods to take a look at which are good areas to remain in are Central, Kowloon, and Wan Chai. Beneath are some advised accommodations to remain in:
Lastly, when you have an additional funds, you’ll be able to select to remain in luxurious accommodations in Hong Kong however be aware that they don’t seem to be all-inclusive. The bottom worth for fancy lodging is US$290 per night time (2 pax). Listed here are a few of my favourite luxurious accommodations in HK:
Hong Kong Meals Costs
Hong Kong meals costs are fairly reasonably priced. The most affordable road meals is about US$5 and a few of them are Michelin-star road meals.
In Asia, Hong Kong is a road meals capital so that you’ll save much more on consuming in slim alleys and markets.
After all, as a meals capital, Hong Kong’s nice eating eating places are the most effective of the most effective. A tasting menu in Hong Kong begins at US$145 est per individual (7-course with out wine/drinks pairing).
Hong Kong Actions Costs
Anticipate to pay from US$35 – US$150 for Hong Kong excursions and actions. These are largely metropolis excursions and truthfully, in the event you go across the metropolis by yourself, there are such a lot of issues to try this don’t require you to spend.
Hong Kong Transportation Costs
Practice is the most affordable mode of transportation in Hong Kong. A one-way prepare experience begins at US$0.45 and the value varies relying in your closing vacation spot. For many who are staying longer in HK, the month-to-month prepare go is US$74 (30 days).
One other low cost choice to go round Hong Kong is by bus though it’s possible you’ll encounter quite a lot of visitors within the metropolis. Hong Kong Island routes are about US$2.50 whereas airport and Lantau routes vary from US$3 – US$58 per experience.
Taxis are costly but when you end up needing to take a taxi, the flat charge is US$11 (8 km/5 miles).
Hong Kong Every day Prices Abstract
🤑 Hong Kong money-saving suggestions
Use ATM locators
ATM or debit playing cards from US, Australia, Canada, and The UK shouldn’t have issues withdrawing money in HK however within the occasion that it’s essential discover an ATM machine that’s appropriate in your card kind, you should use the next ATM locators in Hong Kong:
Contact your financial institution at dwelling earlier than touring to Hong Kong
Each time you’re touring overseas, the very first thing it’s essential prepare when it comes to funds is to name your financial institution at dwelling and allow them to know you’re touring.
This fashion, you gained’t danger your ATM/debit playing cards to be marked as suspicious transactions which occurs each time the financial institution sees your card has been used abroad with out informing them.
Your financial institution at dwelling can block your card (which makes it 100% ineffective) if this transaction is flagged. You don’t wish to run out of cash whereas in the midst of a global journey so be certain to tell them about your travels.
When you’re at it, you can even request to extend your every day withdrawal/spending restrict (if potential). This fashion, you’ll have sufficient money to make use of whereas touring in Hong Kong.
Examine Hong Kong DDC earlier than withdrawing money
This is among the Hong Kong solo journey methods that I discovered while dwelling in Hong Kong: there’s an possibility in ATMs to indicate the transaction in your house nation’s forex. It’s referred to as Dynamic Foreign money Conversion (DCC).
With DCC, the ATM has its personal alternate charge which is normally set decrease than the mid-market charge or Google end result charges.
Most ATMs in HK will let you view your transactions within the native forex which is able to make you perceive in the event you’re dropping cash or not.
Find out how to keep away from ATM charges in Hong Kong
Only a few vacationers know this however your financial institution again house is the one which’s imposing these worldwide ATM charges so I actually can’t say what your financial institution prices.
To keep away from ATM charges, withdraw one-time massive transactions so you’ll not need to pay for particular person flat charges.
Use Clever (previously Transferwise)
I’ve been utilizing Clever for the final 5 years and that is the most effective financial institution for vacationers! If you end up selecting a financial institution that works properly Worldwide overseas, your first {qualifications} must be decrease financial institution charges and reimbursement of charges.
Clever has higher alternate charges than every other third-party banking like Venmo. The app can be tremendous simple to make use of and you may have a number of currencies in a single account.
Credit score/debit card prices: at all times select HKD
I do know the psychological math is complicated however consider me, selecting to pay within the native forex and never in yours (i.e. USD, AUD, CAD, EUR) is approach cheaper!
When paying with bank cards in Hong Kong, they may ask you your most well-liked forex so at all times say HKD (native).
✈️ Prepared in your journey to Hong Kong? This weblog thrives on reader questions so be at liberty to ask questions on Hong Kong journey value by utilizing the remark field under. You too can join 1-on-1 teaching with me in the event you want extra assist!
