Foreigners traveling in any country can be confused by unfamiliar transportation systems, customs, and languages. And while Hong Kong is certainly a foreign-friendly tourist destination, there are some helpful tips and pieces of information that tourists should keep in mind so as not to suffer unnecessary hassles.
Buy an Octopus Card
Octopus Cards are smart cards which store money to be used on trains, MTRs, ferries, trams, and buses. Octopus Cards are recommended for any tourist who plans to use public transportation often. If a tourist does not have an Octopus Card, they will have to buy a ticket for each journey. Since Hong Kong modes of public transportation typically accept exact change only, Octopus Cards can help travelers avoid fuss and save time.
Octopus Cards may also be used in supermarkets, fast food restaurants, convenient stores, pharmacies, and for vending machines. Octopus Cards can be purchased and refunded at the Hong Kong International Airport and train stations, and credit can be added to cards at many convenient stores. They cost $150HK ($50 for the card + $100 credit). When the tourist leaves Hong Kong, the card can be refunded for $50HK plus any remaining credit.
Transportation To and From Hong Kong International Airport
The Airport Express train is a quick and convenient way to get from the airport to Kowloon and Hong Kong stations. It costs around $50HK one-way. Taxis are also a good option for groups or people who want to be taken directly to a particular place, such as a hotel. Taxis to Central cost around $300HK.
A great option for budget travelers is to travel by public bus, which costs a fraction of the price of a taxi. For example, a bus from the airport to as far away as Sha Tin costs slightly over $20HK.
Visas are not necessary for visitors from countries such as America, Europe, Australia or New Zealand for stays up to 90 days. UK residents can stay up to 6 months.
Water Quality in Hong Kong
According to WHO standards, Hong Kong tap water is safe to drink. However, some water pipes in Hong Kong are old and corroded, which can result in metallic tasting, or even off-color water. The safest option is to boil water, but if this is not possible, buying bottled water is a safe and convenient alternative.
Buy a Sim Card
For tourists who plan to stay in Hong Kong for more than a few days, or who plan to call overseas regularly, buying and using a Hong Kong sim card is often cheaper than setting up roaming with one's overseas cellphone network. All cellphone calls -- even overseas calls -- cost only a few HK cents per minute.
Do Not Learn Cantonese
According to the CIA World Factbook, almost 90% of Hong Kong people speak Cantonese as their first language. However, both Mandarin and English can be spoken and understood by many Hong Kong residents. And while the English language level of many Hong Kong people may not necessarily be very high, the English level of Hong Kongers will almost always be higher than tourists learning Cantonese words and phrases specifically for a holiday in Hong Kong.
Moreover, people who work in retail stores generally have a high English proficiency level. And while learning some Cantonese can be a polite thing to do, and a way to better understand and appreciate Hong Kong culture, it is not essential that Cantonese is learned by travelers.
With the above in mind, there are some phrases and words that can be useful to learn. For example, saying "Mm-goy" at a restaurant will typically get a waiter or waitress' attention much faster than saying "excuse me". This is perhaps the single most important Cantonese word for Hong Kong tourists to learn.
Dining and Tipping in Hong Kong
Tourists from countries such as America and Canada might feel a habitual compulsion to tip at restaurants, but this is not a Hong Kong custom. Instead, a 5% or 10% "service charge" is typically included in the bill.
A large bowl of water is often brought to dining tables along with plates, bowls, and chopsticks. The diners are meant to use this bowl of water to wash the dishes they have been given. This does not necessarily mean that the dishes and cutlery are dirty, but it is always a good idea to wash them just in case.
Hong Kong voltage is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Power converters and transformers can be purchased for very cheap from areas such as Mong Kok.
With these tips in mind, tourists should be on their way to enjoying hassle-free adventures in the super-city that is Hong Kong. However, equally important is learning about Hong Kong attractions, and utilizing these travel tips for an enjoyable Hong Kong experience.
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