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Hong Kong Travel Guide
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Hong Kong Climate and Weather
The best time to travel to Hong Kong is between the autumn months of October and November when the temperatures are milder. January and February are usually cold and rainy months while June to September temperatures average 86°F (30ºC) with 95% humidity. Some rain and humidity can be expected throughout the year. Even during the height of summer it is worth bringing some warm clothing to combat the fierce air conditioning in shops and offices.Hong Kong Currency
Money: The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD); HK$1 is divided into 100 cents. Major banks are open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday. Banks and moneychangers charge commission as do hotels that provide exchange services. All major credit cards are accepted and ATMs are widely distributed. Some HSBC 'Electronic Money' machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal facilities for Visa and MasterCard holders.Currency Exchange Rates | |||||||
| HKD 1 = | US$ 0.13 | £ 0.06 | C$ 0.12 | A$ 0.14 | R 0.84 | EUR 0.09 | NZ$ 0.17 |
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Hong Kong Health Overview
There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Hong Kong. Food and water are safe, although visitors should consider only drinking bottled water for the first few days of their stay. Take precautions against mosquito bites, as there is a risk of Dengue fever. Hong Kong's health facilities are first class, but expect to pay cash. Medical insurance is advised. Cases of bird flu have been reported and although the risk for travellers is low, all close contact with caged, domestic and wild birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked.Hong Kong Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.Entry requirements for UK nationals:British citizens must have a valid passport for their intended period of stay. No visa is required for a stay of up to six months, provided the passport holder is an endorsed British Citizen.
Entry requirements for Canadians:Canadians must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians:Australians must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans:South Africans must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to one month.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:Irish nationals must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:New Zealand citizens must have a valid passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Passport/Visa Note:All passports must be valid for at least one month after period of intended stay. All visitors must be in possession of onward or return tickets, except when in transit to mainland China or Macao, as well as all documents required for next destination and sufficient funds to cover their stay in Hong Kong.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
Hong Kong Basics
Time: Local time is GMT +8.Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The UK-style 3-pin plugs are standard.
Language: The official languages in Hong Kong are English and Cantonese. The other main language is Mandarin.
Health: There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Hong Kong. Food and water are safe, although visitors should consider only drinking bottled water for the first few days of their stay. Take precautions against mosquito bites, as there is a risk of Dengue fever. Hong Kong's health facilities are first class, but expect to pay cash. Medical insurance is advised. Cases of bird flu have been reported and although the risk for travellers is low, all close contact with caged, domestic and wild birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked.
Tipping: A 10% service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but waiters will still expect some loose change in addition to this. If no service charge is included, a 10% tip is expected. Taxi fares are rounded up to the nearest dollar (usually automatically by the driver).
Safety: Hong Kong is a safe travel destination although caution should always be exercised when travelling to any city. Pickpockets are likely to target unsuspecting tourists so one should minimise these incidences through vigilance. Be wary of accepting drinks from strangers, as reports of spiked drinks are increasing. Robbers have recently targeted walkers in Hong Kong's Country Parks so it is advisable to stay on marked trails and not to carry large amounts of cash or credit cards. The typhoon season is usually between April and October, which may cause flooding and landslides.
Customs: Littering and spitting are illegal in Hong Kong and will incur on the spot fines. In Hong Kong you may lose face, save face, or give face to another person. It is an intangible quality that reflects a person's reputation, dignity and prestige. You give someone face by complimenting them, showing them respect, or doing anything that increases their self-esteem. Such actions must be done with the utmost sincerity, doing them in a patronizing manner causes both parties to lose face. Humiliating people by publicly reprimanding them, insulting them publicly, or contradicting them in front of someone else causes them to lose face.
Business: Business in Hong Kong is conducted efficiently and formally and punctuality is important. It is advised to allow for sufficient travel time before meetings considering the high traffic congestion. Suits and ties are the norm and it is customary to exchange business cards (printed in English on one side and Cantonese on the other) at the start of a meeting, along with a handshake. Business cards should be given and received using both hands, with the Cantonese side facing the recipient, and should be treated with respect. It is common to greet the more senior or elder person first. Introductions are usually made using first name and surname, and most Hong Kong businessman go by their English name. Business entertainment is usually in the form of a lunch or dinner that is organised by the hosting partner. Food is also usually ordered and paid for by the host. It is not unusual to exchange gifts, but they are opened at the meeting. Business hours are usually from 9am to 5pm, sometimes later on weekdays and some businesses also open between 9am and 1pm on Saturdays.
Communications: The international access code for Hong Kong is +852. The outgoing code depends on what network is used: 001 for PCCW, 0080 for Hutchinson and 009 for New World. City codes within Hong Kong are not required. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Mobile phones can also be rented on arrival at the international airport. Internet cafes are widely available, and access is free at many coffee shops, shopping malls, MRT stations and public libraries in town.
Duty Free: Travellers to Hong Kong over the age of 18 years do not have to pay duty on 1 litre of spirits or wine, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. A reasonable amount of items for personal use is also permitted. Prohibited items include narcotics, psychotropic drugs, firearms and ammunition; counterfeit items, endangered species (alive or stuffed), and copyright infringed products.
Hong Kong Airports
Hong Kong International Airport.
Location: The airport is situated 21 miles (34km) northwest of Hong Kong Island and 14 miles (23km) from Kowloon.Time: GMT +8.
Contacts: Tel: +852 2181 8888.
Transfer to the city: The Airport Express Line is a dedicated airport railway line providing a fast and reliable service to and from the airport and downtown Hong Kong (HK$100 one way). Trains depart daily, every 12 minutes, between 6am and 1am. Free scheduled shuttle buses leave Hong Kong and Kowloon stations everyday, taking Airport Express passengers to and from major hotels plus key transport interchanges. There are nine Airbus routes that can take you to and from the airport. Fares range between HK$14 and HK$45. When you exit the Arrivals Hall, turn right for Airbuses and ordinary city buses. Luxury coaches at the airport also serve many destinations within Hong Kong. Taxis are readily available from the taxi pick-up area in front of the Arrivals Hall, limousines are also available.
Car rental: Public transport in Hong Kong is excellent so car rental is not advised.
Facilities: Airport facilities include banks, ATMs, bureaux de change, a post office, beauty salon, a children's play area, showers, restaurants, shops (including duty-free), disabled facilities, Internet cafes, conference and business services and tourist information desks.
Parking: Hong Kong International airport offers 2500 public parking spaces. The airport has both undercover and open-air car parks. Complimentary parking is given for parking spaces that are occupied for under a time frame of 30-minutes at car parks 1 and 4. Long-term parking is currently located at car park 2. Payment can be made with cash, Octopus cards or VISA cards.
Departure tax: HK$120 (over 12 years of age).
