Best Time to Visit Hong Kong

Weather-wise, the best period to plan a trip for is between October and December. It does get chilly during the winter, although not critically so, and temperatures rarely fall far below 10 degrees Celsius.

Passport / Visa

Hong Kong's visa policy is more liberal than that of mainland China. Citizens of most world countries may enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods ranging from 14 to 180 days.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Hong Kong’s airport was previously in the city centre and it was an experience to fly in among the skyscrapers. The new airport, built on an artificial island, is still a major sight. Feted as one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever, this large airport really is proof that the construction of an airport is a prestige project and a work of art, too. The British architect, Sir Norman Foster, has described the building as homage to travellers in modern times. The new high-tech airport lies a little way outside Hong Kong, but the Airport Express leaves every twelve minutes and takes you downtown in 24 minutes. A number of public buses also take you into the city. At the airport there is also an Airport Ambassador Programme and a Customer Service Centre you can turn to for more information and help.

• Web:

  www.hongkongairport.com

• Phone:

  +852 2181 8888

• More info:

  The new airport is also known as Chek Lap Kok International Airport or Chek Lap Kok Airport

Public Transport

The clean, modern and efficient MTR (metro) is often the quickest way to get around. A smart way is to buy an Octopus Card which can be used on most of the local buses, trains, trams, and ferries. You can buy the Octopus Card at any MTR Customer Service Centre and Airport Express Customer Service Centre. You can reload the card at any convenience store, supermarket, or Add Value Machine at the station. If you do not want it as a souvenir, return it to the centre and get the refundable deposit. You can also buy a one-day card on MTR, or an Airport Express Travel Pass for any 3 consecutive days of unlimited rides on the MTR with Airport Express. The bus fare depends on how far you travel, but remember that you need the exact amount or an Octopus Card to pay. There is also a small minibus which is a mix of taxi and bus and takes slightly longer but might take you closer to where you want to go. Trams are also a pleasant way to get around: double-deckers run east to west and vice versa on Hong Kong island, and can be used as a cheap alternative to sightseeing tour buses, especially if you can score the front seats by the panoramic windows on the upper deck.

• Web:

  www.mtr.com.hk

Taxi

It is relatively cheap and simple to travel by taxi in Hong Kong — just flag down the first taxi that comes down the street. The colour of the taxi indicates its geographical area. Red taxis are for most of Hong Kong, except Tung Chung Road and Lantau Island South. Green taxis are for the New Territories. Blue taxis are available on Lantau Island. All taxis provide service to the Hong Kong International Airport.

Electricity

Hong Kong uses a three-pin plug known as plug type G, same as in the UK. The average voltage is 220V at 50Hz.