Budget travel in Hong Kong

On a budget? Hong Kong is the place. I suggest when searching for a hotel to check asiarooms.com where you can find some great deals. I would also suggest you stay in Kowloon which is less expensive. The farther in you go for example in the Jordan or even Mongkok district the less you pay. The transportation within Kowloon is very efficient and easy to navigate. Many of the districts are within walking distance from the Star Ferry promenade with MTR’s, their mass transit railway systems stations located conveniently all over the city. Make sure to buy an octopus card for your travelling around. It is a much easier way to travel the city.

I also have to say taking taxi’s in Hong Kong and Kowloon are a cheap and fast alternative if you don’t like taking buses or the transit system. They are all over the city. Most drivers speak English but it is a good idea to have a map with you. I had never seen so many taxi cabs in my life and I live in San Francisco. They by far, out number cars on the road. Also remember that the taxi driver’s normally do not accept tips.

As far as food in Hong Kong even the most expensive touristy hotels are not any more expensive than anywhere else in the world. I ate my breakfasts at my hotel, I ate my lunches at the Hard Rock Cafe most of the time and my dinner with drinks and desserts most nights at the InterContinental Hotel. We splurged one evening and had dinner at a posh Italian Restaurant called Grissini’s which was located within the Grand Hyatt hotel on Hong Kong Island. The food, ambience and views there were all spectacular. We had appetizers, dinner, drinks, dessert and it was comparable to a night out here in my hometown, San Francisco.

There are also many small noodle and dim sum restaurants where you can get away with less than $10.00 US for dinner.

Now to shopping. The shopping there is umbelievable. I had no idea before I went what a shopper’s paradise Hong Kong really was. I had to keep remembering that the $$$ shown were in Hong Kong dollars. Example: I found a cute shop which sold casual clothes for women and children. I found an adorable cotton blue sweater which was advertised at $40.00 Then I realized that’s $40.00 HK which basically reverts to about $6.00 US. It was like that all over. Needless to say I bought some great little goodies to take back home with me. Temple Street ladies market in Kowloon, Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island and this wonderful little shop I found on Haphong Road right behind Kowloon Park between Nathan Road and Canton Road called the Ribbon Emporium is THE place to buy your souvenirs. You can buy in bulk or one item and the prices are next to nothing. I can’t wait to go back there when I return to Hong Kong.

Basically I took $500.00 US with me and spent 8 days in Hong Kong, eating, drinking, seeing a jazz concert each evening and a couple of tours and a cruise and came home with about $40.00 just enough to get a taxi home. If you are on a budget, don’t worry, Hong Kong is the place to visit.