Hong Kong is not known as a budget destination. However, there is a multitude of things to do that are free, or at the very least cheap, that makes visiting Hong Kong viable even for the most budget-conscious travellers.
Victoria Peak is the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island, as such, it affords spectacular views of Hong Kong, particularly the cityscape! Taking the Peak Tram (a funicular railway) to the peak’s lookout is a popular tourist attraction. You can also reach the peak by public transport or private vehicle. There are two shopping centres on the mountain, several restaurants and Victoria Peak Garden. The Peak Tower has a large viewing platform called the Sky Terrace 428, and The Peak Galleria has a free observation deck.
Cost – a return trip on the Peak Tram is HK$ 99.00 (AUD 17.00 or USD 12.60) For more information, visit The Peak Tram.
Getting there by public transport – catch Bus 15 it only cost HK 9.80 (AUD 1.70 or USD 1.25). Click here for more info.
2. Dim Sum
You can’t visit Hong Kong without trying their delicious dim sum. And seriously, what could be better than eating dim sum at a Michelin Star Restaurant… eating dim sum at the world’s cheapest Michelin Starred Restaurant! Tim Ho Wan ticks all the boxes – dim sum, cheap and Michelin Star! It is known for having to wait for a table. However, I was lucky the night I went. Perhaps that was because I am an early eater and arrived before peak time. If you can’t get into Tim Ho Wan, don’t despair, there are numerous dim sum restaurant, and every place we tried was delicious!
Cost – Plates of dim sum are around HK$ 16.00 – 27.00 (AUD 2.70 – 4.70 or USD 2.05 – 3.45). For more information, check out Tim Ho Wan.
3. Street Art
There is ample street art in Hong Kong. Most of it is the result of the HKwalls Festival. HKwalls is a non-profit organisation that seeks to generate opportunities for local and international artists to showcase their talent in Hong Kong. They have conducted street art festivals annually each March since 2014. Visit Hkwalls website for locations of street art and maps that can help you find it. Click here for more about Hong Kong’s Captivating Street Art.
4. Times Square
Hong Kong’s Times Square, located in Causeway Bay, is now the most expensive shopping space in the world. Times Square is bursting at the seams with designer brands! A walk through this area at night is particularly compelling as it is lit up like a Christmas tree!
5. Stanley Street Markets
Located at Stanley, in the south of Hong Kong Island, these markets encompass the traditional open-air style and are well known for the bargains. While it is a bit “touristy”, it is a great place to pick up souvenirs. It is also one of the places you can see the street art mentioned above – so you can kill two birds with one stone!
Getting there by public transport – Bus 6 cost HK$ 7.90 – 10.60 (AUS 1.35 – 1.80 or USD 1.00 – 1.35) For more information, click here.
6. Repulse Bay
Repulse Bay is the place to visit if you want to spend a day on the beach. The crescent-shaped stretch of sand is one of the best looking beaches in Hong Kong. With a resort-like feel, Repulse Bay is popular with tourist and locals alike. Facilities include changing rooms, showers, toilets, swimming rafts, swimming safety-zone markers, playgrounds, bars and restaurants.
Getting there by public transport – Bus 6 from Central, bus 73 from Aberdeen or bus 973 from Tsim Sha Tsui. Cost HK$ 7.90 – 13.60 (AUD 1.35 – 2.30 or USD 1.00 – 1.75) Click here for more information.
7. Aberdeen
Aberdeen, located on Hong Kong Island’s southwest coast, is where you will find the floating village and the floating seafood restaurants of Aberdeen Harbour. A walk along Aberdeen Promenade is pleasant, a great way to see the harbour which is home to the boat-dwelling Tanka people, and also the place to get on a Sampan for a harbour tour.
Cost for Sampan tour – HK$ 50.00 – 80.00 (AUS 8.50 – 13.70 or USD 6.30 – 10.20). Make sure you negotiate the price beforehand.
Getting there by public transport – Bus 70 from Central, bus 72 or 76 from Causeway Bay, or bus 973 from Tsim Sha Tsui. Cost HK $4.70 – 13.60 (AUS 0.85 – 2.30 or USD 0.65 – 1.75). Click here for more information.
8. Museums
There are many FREE museums to visit and those that charge are usually very cheap. No matter what you are “in to” you will find a museum! Horse racing – yes! Maritime – yes!, Teacups – yes! Railways, folk and space – yes, yes, yes.
Cost example – the Museum of Tea Ware, Railway Museum, Sam Tung Uk Museum, and Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery are FREE. While the Maritime Museum is HK $30.00 (AUD 5.15 or USD 3.80) and the Hong Kong History Museum is HK $10.00 (AUD 1.70 or USD 1.27). Go to Hong Kong Public Museums for all you need to know.
9. Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Located across the bay in Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade stretches from the historical clock tower to Hung Hom. This promenade is a great place to view Victoria Harbour and has many things to do such as the Cultural Centre, Space Museum, Museum of Arts and the Avenue of the Stars. Note: Avenue of the Stars had been temporarily moved to the Garden of the Stars while I was there. Click here for more information on this closure.
Getting there – Star Ferry from Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui cost us HK$ 2.70 (AUD 0.50 or USD 0.35). Click here for timetable.
10. Lamma Island
We did a day trip out to Lamma Island after we heard about the delicious seafood for which it is renown. Reaching the island by ferry is easy. We caught a ferry from Central to the fishing village at Sok Kwu Wan. It was here we sat down to a seafood feast and a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. However, seafood is only one of the attractions. This small island does not have vehicles or public transport, but there are many popular walking trails, beaches and temples.
Getting there – we caught the ferry from Central Pier 4. The 40-minute air-conditioned ride cost us HK$ 31.00 (AUS 5.30 or USD 3.90) because it was a public holiday. HK$ 24.00 on weekdays. Click here for more information.
11. Macau
Another favourite day trip is Macau; or like us, you can tack it on to the end of your trip and fly out of Macau. Macau is the gambling capital of the world; however, there is more to Macau than just gambling. Macau, steeped in history was a Portuguese colony until 1999. Things to do, include – visiting the ruins of St Paul, Guia Fortress, Old Taipa Village and Fisherman’s Wharf. Don’t forget to explore the Macanese cuisine, which is a blend of Chinese and Portuguese and is unique to Macau.
Getting there – We took the Turbo Jet one way for HK$ 171.00/adult (AUD 29.50 or USD 21.70). The comfortable air-conditioned ride took 50 minutes. Don’t forget you do need your passport.
More information
Currency
Hong Kong Dollar – HKD – written here as HK$
Accommodation
We typically book our accommodation through booking.com. We like the convenience of booking online, and we are usually able to pay for our accommodation on arrival at the hotel/resort or room. booking.com advertise many different accommodation styles in Hong Kong, so you will find the perfect place.
Dorsett Wan Chai
Cost – HK$ 877.50 (AUD 160.00 )
Pros – The room was large (for Hong Kong) and very comfortable. Many helpful extras such as an iron, hairdryer, wine glasses etc.
Cons – Nothing that I can think of really. It is about a 10-minute walk to find an ATM and shops.
Our verdict – This is the most we have spent on accommodation in a long time. I think for Hong Kong it was quite good value. Room very comfortable. The next time we stayed with The Dorsett Wan Chai the cost for the standard room was something like $400, and then they charged us another $100 per day for breakfast. I will never stay there again. Be aware that if you do stay there, the fast-talking staff at the decks will try and up-sell (I think they must get a commission) so be careful that you know what you are paying!
Minimal Hotel – Urban
Cost – HK$ 390.00 (AUD 70.00)
Pros – We were actually upgraded to the executive room. This was a large room with a balcony and seated area. We had a single and double bed. This room is very suitable for disabled people. The staff member we mostly dealt with “Oliver” was extremely friendly and helpful.
Cons – Nothing negative to say, BUT if we had had the room we booked at this price, it was tiny. BUT that is Hong Kong! You will find most rooms are very small and costly.
Our verdict – We were fortunate with what we got for this price. Minimal Hotel – Urban is very popular and was completely full when we were there so they must be doing something right.
Caravel Hotel
Cost – HK$ 548.62 (AUD 95.00 )
Pros – The bed was super comfortable, and the room was beautifully furnished. Extra pillows and lots of little comforts.
Cons – Nothing negative to say, but some may think the location was too far out. We actually had no trouble walking to the casinos.
Our verdict – Beautiful room with lots of little comforts, including a great selection of complimentary toiletries, tea, coffee and biscuits.
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Photo credit
Repulse Bay Beach by Thanate Tan
Repulse Bay by ThisParticularGreg
Hong Kong Sunset by Mike Behnken
Hong Kong Museum 140 by Thanate Tan
Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery by doctorho
HK_History_Museum_Pupazzi. by Anita Venanzi
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