How to Get Ready for Your Next Trip to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is the epicenter of travel in Asia. It was under British rule between 1841 and 1997 for 156
years, through the industrial era and the modernization of air travel. Hong Kong has developed into
a multicultural city, making it easier for travelers to navigate and communicate with locals. This has
kickstarted an economic boom in the tourism industry for Hong Kong, capturing its best sights and
building new attractions. If you are heading to Hong Kong soon, here are five things to know before
you go.

Current Travel Restrictions
Since 2019, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Hong Kong has closed its borders to non-citizens to keep
the locals safe. Having gone through previous pandemics such as SARS, it’s unsurprising that they are
extra vigilant this time around. Hong Kong citizens, however, are allowed to travel back, but they are
required to quarantine for 21 days in selected quarantine hotels. In 2022, the Hong Kong
government plans to lift these restrictions and kick start tourism again.

Octopus Card
When you arrive, get yourself an Octopus card. You can purchase these at the airport and at any of
the Train/MTR (Subway) stations. These Octopus cards have been used by residents and tourists
alike for years, as it makes travel much easier. The concept is simple: you purchase a card for
$50HKD and top it up with any amount up to $500HKD. You can then use it for travel, vending
machines, and even at convenience stores. The use is all contactless on buses, train stations, MTR
stations, etc.

MTR Map
If you have not been to Hong Kong before, the MTR is the easiest way to get around the city since it
is quick and there is always another train two minutes away if you miss one. Make sure you print out
or save an image on your phone of a map of the MTR (Subway) lines. This way, you can determine
which color lines you will be going on ahead of your travels, as MTR stations can usually be really
packed and rushed. Knowing which stops you need to change at ahead of time really helps navigate
to your journey smoothly.

Meal Plan
If you’re a huge foodie, then you’re in for a real treat. Hong Kong has something for everyone, from
authentic dim sum restaurants to street food the locals love. You also have your international fast-
food chains if you’re looking for something close to home. As easy as it is to get a bite to eat, it is
also really important to stay on top of your health and wellbeing. So, you might want to consider
getting your meals planned for you so you can keep track of what you eat. It is so easy to
overindulge yourself with these great tasting new cuisines.

Advanced Tickets
There are so many attractions to visit in Hong Kong, including Disneyland, Ocean Park, Huge Buddha
Temples and Madame Tussauds at The Peak. You will definitely need over a week to visit these
wonderful places. To get the best deals and skip long queues, make sure you pre book it all online.
You usually get a cheaper deal and you’ll get to skip the mile-long queues.
Hong Kong, in general, is a destination full of surprises, cheap food and great attractions. Hong Kong
is a very international city, ranked 5th with the world’s best airport in 2019. Traveling to and from
other countries in Asia is also very convenient from Hong Kong. However, until restrictions are lifted,
Hong Kong is accepting only residents and students into the city following a strict quarantine regime.
So, make sure you do your research and check the HK.GOV website for updates before travel.