So I know a lot of you are nervous about heading to a city where you don't speak the language and getting around. Getting lost seems to be the fear I hear about the most. I'll be honest, I have traveled all over and this is still a fear of mine. But before this trip I prepared. I studied the hell out of Hong Kong, Beijing, and GZ. I wanted to share a couple tips for those of you that will be heading to HK sometime in the near future. Thing that helped us. We never got lost, saw some awesome sights, and bought some fun stuff. So here goes.
1. If you are here for more than a layover, stay on Kowloon Island NOT near the airport. The only thing near the airport is the Giant Buddha. Yes this is awesome and a must see, but once you see it you will have to travel to Kowloon to get everywhere else. So I recommend the YMCA for a harbor view room. If you plan and research you can find a harbor view like ours for less than $200/night and that includes breakfast. If you need to keep it to under $180 find a hotel on Nathan Road like the Shamrock Hotel.
2. When you arrive take the airport express. It is a train that will drop you on Kowloon or HK island depending on where you are staying. It is $9/pp each way. Once you are at either station there are express hotel buses FREE that will drop you at the front door of your hotel. Total transit time about 35 minutes. Savings over a taxi $40!
3. Don't take taxis there is no need. There is the star ferry to get you back and forth from Kowloon to HK island. Not only is is .33 cents it is fun.
4. To get to Stanley Market from Kowloon, take the SF to HK Island, then walk to the exchange bus terminal and find the #6, 6A, or 6x bus. Stay on it till it hits "Stanley Plaza", and there you are. Total cost $4 RT pp. If you take a taxi you are looking at $35 and you sit in the same traffic. The buses are nice!
5. To get to the Peak from Kowloon, take the SF to HK Island, then turn left and walk to the #8 Pier. There is a bus (one way it was open top) called the "15c" it is .50 cents and it will drop you at the Peak terminal where you get off and take the tram car to the top. Don't get there around dinner time because the lines are insane. If you want to have dinner up there over looking the city get there by 4 and just hang out. Lots to do and see. Also don't waste your money on the "sky pass" there is a free observation deck that is just below it and has amazing views for free.
6. To get to the Giant buddha, just jump on the subway and follow the signs. Super easy. There is a single exchange station to change lines, but you literally walk off one train and go straight onto the other one. Total cost of about $3 pp each way and saved us $70 in taxis!
7. Hong Kong appears to have only western toilets. I have yet to see one that isn't, they are everywhere, though bring your own paper, some don't have any.
8. There is wifi everywhere. Just find one that says free and connect.
9. Don't be afraid to ask for directions or help. Everyone here seemed to speak enough or understand enough to grunt and point us in the right direction. Hong Kong is a beautiful city and so are it's people. This guy looks scary but was so nice.
If you really want to see everything give yourself about 3-4 days. We missed Lamma Island and Aberdeen because we just ran out of time. So next time we will add a day to the trip so we can include some outlying Islands!
Last but not least if you find yourself one subway stop from the hotel and it is late and you are tired, take the subway. It will cost you about .25 cents and you get to walk/sit in A/C. It is muggy here. It is worth the money to chill instead of die in the streets from sweating.
Hong Kong is amazing... Enjoy yourself and know that no matter where you go in this city, there will be someone who can point you in the right direction home!
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