Spending in Hong Kong: With savvy, prices are not expensive at all

When you think of Hong Kong, you think of the world's busiest metropolis, high living standards, and hefty expenses. But if you know how, you can enjoy this city for a very affordable price.

Spending in Hong Kong: With savvy, prices are not expensive at all

Avoid taxis at all costs

This is a given for travelers visiting the Fragrant Harbor. Simply put, taxis here are very pricey. A 3.5 km ride will cost around 50 HKD (350,000 VND, with an exchange rate of 1 HKD = 3,000 VND). Not to mention, you'll have to endure long queues to get one.

Traffic in Hong Kong drives on the left. So, stepping into a vehicle, especially if you're not accustomed to it, can make you feel queasy. Everything you're used to will be turned upside down. It's like everything is rushing towards you at lightning speed.

Not to mention, driving in Hong Kong is like riding a rollercoaster, with its breakneck speeds and narrow roads. Of course, for those who crave excitement and have deep pockets, it's an open invitation.

So how do tourists get around? The answer lies in public transportation. Compared to other developed cities I've visited in the region like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, Hong Kong's public transport system is a league above, offering unparalleled convenience. With four options available, travelers can seamlessly navigate the city.

These four options include the MTR (subway), buses, trams, and ferries. The moment you set foot in Chek Lap Kok airport, equipped with some exchanged HKD (better exchanged in Vietnam for a favorable rate), the first thing you need to do as a tourist is to purchase an Octopus card.

The card costs 150 HKD, but only 50 HKD is usable credit, as the remaining 100 HKD is a card deposit. You'll get this deposit back upon returning the card. My advice? When purchasing the card, ask the staff to load an additional 100 HKD for convenient travel over 4 days.

The Octopus card is a versatile pass usable for all modes of transport mentioned earlier, except taxis. From Chek Lap Kok airport, taking the MTR to the city center costs around 40 HKD.

Pay attention to the map to know which area you're in to disembark at a nearby station, then hoof it back to the hostel. If you need a map, you can snag one at the MTR card counter or any tourist information booth.

Certainly, that's not the optimal choice in today's tech-savvy era. With just a smartphone, travelers can purchase a 79 HKD sim card, and suddenly, all of Hong Kong fits into the palm of your hand.

Once you have 3G, or even before getting a sim card, you can still enjoy free Wi-Fi at the airport.

Check out the Hong Kong MTR map on the Travel China Guide website (look under Hong Kong/transportation/subway). With 9 clearly marked lines to specific destinations, you'll know exactly which stops to get off at. If it gets too confusing, don't hesitate to ask the ticket counter staff for help; they'll gladly assist you.

The MTR operates until nearly 2 a.m., and buses have night services too. Keep an eye out at bus stops; if you see a bus number with a moon and a bird next to it, that's the night bus service.

Cultivate a Walking Habit

Make sure to pack a pair of sneakers because in Hong Kong, you'll do a lot of walking. Stepping onto the streets, you'll immediately encounter bustling crowds from early morning until well past midnight. Everyone's on the move, especially around subway stations and bus stops.

Hong Kong streets are quite winding and filled with narrow alleys, making walking a practical choice. Just remember to open Google Maps with specific directions using the 'walk' button to avoid getting lost in Hong Kong.

Even if you're not strolling the streets much, shopping can be quite exhausting, as the shopping centers are vast and clustered together. Causeway Bay with Times Square is the largest, alongside Sogo and many other shopping districts.

Moving from one shopping mall to another can be a few streets apart, so walking is your best bet. Shopping expenses shouldn't be factored into your travel costs, although if you're there at the right time, the goods can be very enticing at low prices.

When it comes to dining, Hong Kong streets resemble those in Vietnam, with eateries lining the sidewalks. With menu items and prices displayed upfront, tourists can easily choose what they want to eat. Eating along major thoroughfares like Hennessy costs around 30-40 HKD for both food and drinks. But if you're willing to venture into alleys, prices drop by about a third.

And remember to always carry the water bottle you received upon check-in because with all the walking, you'll get thirsty. A 1-liter water bottle is ideal. If you run out, keep the bottle and find a free water fountain at public places to refill. You'll save at least 6 HKD for a bottle of water.

Let's tally up the expenses for this trip so far. In part 1, we had 106 USD = 822 HKD. From the moment you set foot in the airport, expenses include: Octopus card 250 HKD (with 100 HKD refundable) + 79 HKD (sim card). So, you're left with 493 HKD.

Do you believe that with this amount of money by the end of the trip, you'll still have enough to shop duty-free at the airport, even after exploring the Lan Kwai Fong district?

According to Travel Wanderer/Zing News

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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour