From Q&A's to what to pack, the Hong Kong Weather all the way to customs and immigration information, we have collected the most widely sought after information before and while you visit Hong Kong.
Q & A 's
Q: When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?
A: Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination. It enjoys a mild climate from the middle of September to the end of February, while the weather from May to mid-September is rather warm and humid. Eighty per cent of Hong Kong's precipitation occurs between May and September, with August registering the highest rainfall. For a detailed weather forecast, please visit Hong Kong Observatory website.
Q: Do I need a visa to visit Hong Kong?
A: Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status.
Q: Where is the best area to stay?
A: Hong Kong is compact, so visitors are never too far from shopping and major sights. Hong Kong also has an excellent transportation system so visitors can easily reach other areas, no matter where they stay. Most hotels are located in the heart of the city, in Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island and in Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East in Kowloon. There are also a growing number of resort-style hotels in the New Territories that offer relaxing alternatives.
Q: Is local transportation easily accessible?
A: Public transportation via bus, ferry or train is efficient, relatively inexpensive and user-friendly. The system covers extension areas of Hong Kong with signs in English and Chinese.
Q: Will I be expected to pay tips?
A: Most restaurants will levy a 10 per cent service charge but waiters will expect to be given some loose change. Restaurants that don't add a service charge will expect a 10 per cent tip. However, tipping is left to your discretion. Bellboys, porters, restroom attendants and taxi drivers will happily accept loose change.
Q: Will I be able to use my electrical equipment in Hong Kong?
A: The standard electrical voltage in HK is 220 volts AC, 50HZ, so you will need an adaptor for your 100-volt appliances and electrical equipment.The majority of electrical outlets in Hong Kong take a three-pronged plug. You can buy an inexpensive adaptor for your equipment when you arrive in Hong Kong.
Q: Where can I get Internet Access in Hong Kong?
A: Most hotels have Internet access. You can also access the Internet for free at many coffee shops, large shopping malls, major MTR stations and public libraries in town. For people bringing their laptops to Hong Kong, Wireless Broadband service is common at major shopping malls and coffee shops. If you use a modem, note that the BT system using in Hong Kong will gradually be replaced by the RJ system. If you are still using the BT plug, you can buy a BT–RJ adaptor in Hong Kong to solve the connection problem.
Q: Is Hong Kong safe for the visitor?
A: Yes, Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world even at night, when people may walk alone with confidence.
Q: Is English widely spoken?
A: Very widely spoken. There will be no problems in communicating with people in most hotels, restaurants and even some taxis.
Immigration & Customs
Visitors to Hong Kong must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months after the planned departure date from Hong Kong. Nationals of most countries are not required to obtain visas and can stay for periods varying from seven days to 180 days, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status. For more information about Visa requirements, please refer to Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements by clicking here.
For the convenience of regular visitors to Hong Kong, two special passes are available to enable speedier processing through designated Immigration channels :
HKSAR Travel Pass (TP) is available to frequent business travellers holding valid passports and are eligible to come to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) without a visa or entry permit for visit purpose. Applicants should have genuine needs to visit the HKSAR frequently, and have come for visits trouble-free on 3 or more occasions (other than return from side trips to the Mainland of China or the region of Macau) in the 12-month period immediately preceding the application, or can satisfy the Director of Immigration that their visits may bring substantial benefits to the HKSAR. Holders of Travel Passes are allowed to use Hong Kong resident counters for simplified immigration clearance procedures. Details and downloadable application form can be found at the Immigration Department's website.
Frequent Visitor Card (FVC) is available to visitors holding valid passports from any country, who have passed through Hong Kong International Airport at least three times in the previous 12-month period. FVC passes can be used only for entry through the airport. Details and downloadable application form can be found at the Hong Kong Airport Authority's website.
Visas for Mainland China can be obtained in Hong Kong. They require one photo and usually take three working days to process. Visas can be obtained from the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong, China Travel Service (HK) Ltd, or China International Travel Service HK Ltd.
All visitors entering Hong Kong must go through Customs clearance and declare any dutiable commodities exceeding duty-free quotas. View a list of dutiable commodities and latest duty-free concessions. Also, the import/export of dangerous drugs, arms, animals, plants, endangered species, meat and poultry, etc. into or out of Hong Kong is governed by laws. Any import/export of these items must be accompanied by a valid licence or permit issued in advance by the relevant authorities, unless otherwise exempted by laws. Some personal protection devices like 'mace' spray, while legal in some countries, are prohibited in Hong Kong. To avoid any unnecessary delays, please follow the guidelines from Hong Kong International Airport.
Weather & Seasons
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons.
Spring - March to mid-May
Temperature and humidity are rising, as spring evenings can be cool a lightweight jacket should suffice. Temperatures range from 18 degree C to 27 degree C and humidity of about 82 per cent.
Summer - late May to mid-September
Hot and humid, Temperatures range from 26 degrees C to 33 degrees C and humidity near 86 per cent. Short sleeve shirts and cotton are the fashion with a lightweight sweater for air-conditioned restaurants, while an umbrella or hat can fend off the intense sunshine.
Autumn - late September to early December
Temperatures and humidity drop, while clear and sunny days are maintained. Short sleeves and light jackets are fine while temperatures range from 18 degrees C to 28 degrees C and humidity drops to 72 per cent.
Winter - Mid-December to February
Cool with low humidity characterizes the Winter season in Hong Kong, when Temperatures can drop to 10 degrees C and occasional chills make woollens and overcoats worth bringing. Temperatures range from 14 degrees C to 20 degrees C while humidity remains at 72 per cent.
Getting Around
Hong Kong is geographically compact and boasts one of the world's most efficient, safe, affordable and frequent public transport systems. Whether by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram, you can get around easily and catch wonderful glimpses of the city along the way.
MTR
Getting around Hong Kong and visiting the city's fantastic attractions couldn't be easier with the quick and efficient MTR rail system that covers all major districts in the territory, and includes stops at the boundary with Mainland China (Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau). The MTR consists of ten lines: Island, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O, Tung Chung, West Rail, East Rail, Ma On Shan and Disneyland Resort, as well as an Airport Express. In addition, The MTR operates a Light Rail system running between Yuen Long and Tuen Mun in the New Territories, plus an inter-city train service into Mainland China.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful throughout Hong Kong apart from remote areas, and can be hailed on the street (except on roads with double yellow lines) or summoned by phone. All are metered, relatively cheap, air-conditioned and clean.
Taxis come in different colours to indicate their area of service:
- Red taxis operate in most of Hong Kong, except for Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island;
- Green taxis serve the rural areas of the New Territories; and
- Blue taxis operate on Lantau Island.
All taxis can go to and from the Hong Kong International Airport.
Taxis are easily hailed in the street, although they cannot pick up or drop off passengers in restricted areas marked with double yellow lines. At peak periods, you might opt for a hotel taxi-queue.
- Passengers are required by law to wear a seat-belt when available, whether sitting in the front or rear.
- All taxis are regulated and taxi drivers are required to display their Taxi Driver Identity sign on the dashboard.
- Taxi fare information is listed on the inside of the taxi.
- Refer to the metre for the exact charge.
- Always ask for a receipt. This helps you track down lost items or the taxi driver.
- If you can’t read the price, the taxi number or the fine print on the receipt, ask for a hand-written version.
- When you encounter any problems with the taxi service, such as possible overcharging, take down the taxi driver’s name and license plate number as shown on the Taxi Driver Identity sign on the cab’s dashboard.
Buses and Minibusses
Bus routes, with double-decker and single-level buses, cover almost all of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Kowloon Motor Bus, New World First Bus and Citybus operate routes to cover Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Meanwhile, New Lantao Bus operates on Lantau Island and Long Win Bus provides bus services to north Lantau and the airport. Final destinations are prominently displayed in English and Chinese on the front of the bus. Fares are low, usually ranging from HK$1.20 to HK$45, and are based on distance travelled. Exact change is required. Octopus cards are accepted.
Minibuses are small passenger buses that carry about 16 people. Red minibuses operate on routes that are not always fixed and passengers can get on and off anywhere along the route except where special prohibitions apply. Pay as you alight. The driver can provide change for small notes. Green minibuses operate on specific routes at fixed prices. Exact payment is required when getting on, octopus cards are accepted. Fares for minibuses are a little higher than regular buses, usually in the HK$2 to HK$22.50 range, but minibuses are sometimes faster. Once filled, minibuses won’t stop until someone asks to get off. Please note that minibuses are best suited for people who can speak some Cantonese and who are familiar with Hong Kong.
Ferries
A plethora of ferries ply the waters of Hong Kong connecting Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the Outlying Islands, Macau and Mainland China.
Star Ferries
Most notable of all is the humble but legendary “Star” Ferry service between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island from piers in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom in Kowloon and Central and Wan Chai on the Island. It offers a memorable and scenic boat trip across one of the most-photographed harbours in the world for just HK$2.2 to $5.3 for the upper deck, depending on the route.
Outlying Island Service
Ferries operating from the Central Ferry Piersin Central provide service to the main outlying island of Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Lamma Island and Lantau Island including Discovery Bay. Two types of ferries operate on most routes: standard ferries and the slightly more expensive fast ferries.
Macau and Mainland China
For travellers wishing to sail further afield, there are also fast ferries to and from Macau and destinations along the coast of Mainland China. This service is provided from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Trams
Trams shake, rattle and roll along an east-west path across north Hong Kong Island and follow the same tracks they have travelled since 1904. Much more than just a cheap and convenient way of getting around town, the upper decks of these trams offer magnificent views as they weave through busy city districts. Trams run from early morning until midnight. The flat fare is HK$2 (HK$1 for seniors aged 65 or above and children under 12) and exact change is required. You can get on at the back of the tram and pay the exact fare when you're alighting at the front. Octopus cards are accepted.
Opening Hours
Normal office hours are 9am-5pm on weekdays, and 9am-1pm on Saturdays. Major banks are open 9am-4:30pm on weekdays, and 9am-12:30pm on Saturdays. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
The vast majority of shops are open every day throughout the year, some only closing during the Chinese New Year holiday. Generally, opening hours are 10am-7pm. However, many stores in busy retail areas like Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui stay open until 9:30pm or even later, particularly on weekends. Shops in Central close as early as 7pm.
With effect from 1 July 2006, the HKSAR Government is adopting a five-day work week for civil servants. Operating standards are being maintained through extended hours for certain weekday counter services and use of alternative means of government dealings. Emergency and essential services are not affected.
