Soldato
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Yup, that is where they got the ideas for the oyster card. however you will find it so much cheaper and the MTR is clean and efficient; can even use phones down there.
Travelling to Hong Kong
- Thread starter Kanpai
- Start date
Yup, that is where they got the ideas for the oyster card. however you will find it so much cheaper and the MTR is clean and efficient; can even use phones down there.
Yup, that is where they got the ideas for the oyster card. however you will find it so much cheaper and the MTR is clean and efficient; can even use phones down there.
Good stuff!
I'm compiling a spreadsheet of things to do/take/buy/check out all for this holiday. I wish it was August already
Just got back from a week over there getting married, we stayed in the Ibis in Sheung Wan, which was about 75 quid/night for a double room - though they switched us to one with an awesome view after we said why we were there 
Very different experience to my usual dirt cheap triple bunk hostel in Chunking Mansions though, it was nice to have a place to escape to, but it was a little walk to the MTR. Still, trams leave right outside the front door, which are great if you're not in a rush.
Also, yes, Octopus cards are brilliant. We didn't spend that much on food, averaged maybe 4 pounds/person for most of our meals, but we tended to join everyone drinking beer outside 7/11 to save paying bar prices
With the exception of one or two blowout nights drinking cocktails on rooftops and the like. Living in Taiwan, everything in HK just feels painfully expensive anyway.
Anyway, have a great time
Very different experience to my usual dirt cheap triple bunk hostel in Chunking Mansions though, it was nice to have a place to escape to, but it was a little walk to the MTR. Still, trams leave right outside the front door, which are great if you're not in a rush.Also, yes, Octopus cards are brilliant. We didn't spend that much on food, averaged maybe 4 pounds/person for most of our meals, but we tended to join everyone drinking beer outside 7/11 to save paying bar prices
With the exception of one or two blowout nights drinking cocktails on rooftops and the like. Living in Taiwan, everything in HK just feels painfully expensive anyway.Anyway, have a great time
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I've always stayed in an Essential Place. Anything more than that is not needed in HK imo. You're only in the room for sleeping.
Prices tend to start at around £140 if I remember.It sure is, and as some previously pointed out the MTR is a very fast, clean, and cheap subway system. The train is usually a nice break from the heat too as the carriages feel like a giant wind tunnel. Make sure you download the MTR app. The MTR map can be invaluable for a first time visiter. It'll be second nature to you within a few days though.
Some quick highlights for me from my first visit.
Harbour City, in TST, was the best mall I visited. It is catered for pretty much any budget compared to some of the one's in Central.
A trip to the giant Buddha. Going from Central to Tung Chung on the orange line then a fun ride on the Ngong Ping cable car.
The Aviary in Hong Kong Park, Central.
Great wine and pasta at La Piola.
http://www.terra.com.hk/
Thai food at Ayuthaiya. Part of the Aqua group but not priced like it.
Aqua Tokyo/Roma/Spirit. For an expensive, but fun night out.
http://aqua.com.hk
Sky100 for a great view on a clear night.
http://www.sky100.com.hk/en/
Victoria Peak. If you're adventurous you can walk up or down it rather than getting the tram.
Museum Admission is free on a wednesday, and most are well worth the visit if you're into that kind of thing. The Heritage Museum was probably my favourite. On my visit they had a huge Pixar exhibition. It's a little out of the way but can be reached by 2 MTR journeys and a quick 5 minute walk.
http://www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/eng/attractions/attractions.aspx
Awfully Chocolate for the best Ice Cream, ever! There is one located in the Langham Place Mall opposite the hotel.
The Star Ferry. If you're not in a rush to get from Kowloon to HK Island. I suggest this route at least once. It is my go to choice for crossing the harbour most of the time. It is even cheaper than the MTR.
For a great source of info.
http://www.hongkongextras.com/
I think my favourite memory has to be the Cheung Chau bun festival in 2011. It was such a hot sunny day but a great experience.
I could go on and on, but I'd be typing all day.
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Just got back from a week over there getting married, we stayed in the Ibis in Sheung Wan, which was about 75 quid/night for a double room - though they switched us to one with an awesome view after we said why we were there
Also, yes, Octopus cards are brilliant. We didn't spend that much on food, averaged maybe 4 pounds/person for most of our meals, but we tended to join everyone drinking beer outside 7/11 to save paying bar prices
Anyway, have a great time
Congratulations on your wedding, glad you enjoyed it in HK too. I guess drinks will be expensive no matter where you go eh
I've always stayed in an Essential Place. Anything more than that is not needed in HK imo. You're only in the room for sleeping.
It sure is, and as some previously pointed out the MTR is a very fast, clean, and cheap subway system. The train is usually a nice break from the heat too as the carriages feel like a giant wind tunnel. Make sure you download the MTR app. The MTR map can be invaluable for a first time visiter. It'll be second nature to you within a few days though.
Some quick highlights for me from my first visit.
Harbour City, in TST, was the best mall I visited. It is catered for pretty much any budget compared to some of the one's in Central.
A trip to the giant Buddha. Going from Central to Tung Chung on the orange line then a fun ride on the Ngong Ping cable car.
The Aviary in Hong Kong Park, Central.
Great wine and pasta at La Piola.
http://www.terra.com.hk/
Thai food at Ayuthaiya. Part of the Aqua group but not priced like it.
Aqua Tokyo/Roma/Spirit. For an expensive, but fun night out.
http://aqua.com.hk
Sky100 for a great view on a clear night.
http://www.sky100.com.hk/en/
Victoria Peak. If you're adventurous you can walk up or down it rather than getting the tram.
Museum Admission is free on a wednesday, and most are well worth the visit if you're into that kind of thing. The Heritage Museum was probably my favourite. On my visit they had a huge Pixar exhibition. It's a little out of the way but can be reached by 2 MTR journeys and a quick 5 minute walk.
http://www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/eng/attractions/attractions.aspx
Awfully Chocolate for the best Ice Cream, ever! There is one located in the Langham Place Mall opposite the hotel.
The Star Ferry. If you're not in a rush to get from Kowloon to HK Island. I suggest this route at least once. It is my go to choice for crossing the harbour most of the time. It is even cheaper than the MTR.
For a great source of info.
http://www.hongkongextras.com/
I think my favourite memory has to be the Cheung Chau bun festival in 2011. It was such a hot sunny day but a great experience.
I could go on and on, but I'd be typing all day.
Like you said about the hotel room, don't need anything OTT, it's merely to sleep/shower as we'll be out and about most of the time
. Thank you for all those recommendations & links, added them all to my list!Did any of you guys make a day trip to Macau whilst you were there?
Caporegime
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Congratulations on your wedding, glad you enjoyed it in HK too. I guess drinks will be expensive no matter where you go eh
Like you said about the hotel room, don't need anything OTT, it's merely to sleep/shower as we'll be out and about most of the time
Did any of you guys make a day trip to Macau whilst you were there?
I did, you need to get there early or the day before to book, the ferry can be quite full, especially on the way back so if you just turn up you might not get a seat, even no seat on the way back if you don't book...so you are stuck for the night.
Macau is small, went to the casino, indoor mini venice look alike shopping centre, some nice Portuguese architecture.
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Congratulations on your wedding, glad you enjoyed it in HK too. I guess drinks will be expensive no matter where you go eh
Like you said about the hotel room, don't need anything OTT, it's merely to sleep/shower as we'll be out and about most of the time
Did any of you guys make a day trip to Macau whilst you were there?
We planned to do Macau on our third trip, but never got around to it. There's just so much to do in HK.
Who are you planning on flying with?
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Thanks Raymond, will look into that!
We planned to do Macau on our third trip, but never got around to it. There's just so much to do in HK.
Who are you planning on flying with?
Haha, Macau at the moment is just an optional because like you said there's a lot to do in HK.
British Airways or Cathay Pacific probably, prefer a direct flight from Heathrow.
Direct is a must. I flew with Cathay for the first two trips (The Cathay flight attendants be hot! ) and Air New Zealand the third. We flew back in premium economy with Air New Zealand. You'll be surprised how much that extra room helps on a 12hour flight lol.
I'll keep an eye on this thread just in case you have anymore questions.
) and Air New Zealand the third. We flew back in premium economy with Air New Zealand. You'll be surprised how much that extra room helps on a 12hour flight lol.I'll keep an eye on this thread just in case you have anymore questions.
Direct is a must. I flew with Cathay for the first two trips (The Cathay flight attendants be hot!
I'll keep an eye on this thread just in case you have anymore questions.
Hot flight attendants? I think that puts Cathay in the lead then, I've never travelled with BA or Cathay so still undecided between the two lol.
Thanks mate, i'll have plenty of questions, thank you and everyone else so far for all the help! I might aswell keep this thread for posting all the updates related to the trip, including photos and my experience after the trip too.
Soldato
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Caporegime
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p.s. I've been to Aqua, it's nice and great view (behind that blind).
We went to Aqua Tokyo because I love Japanese food, £40 for a bento box with Ragu beef for lunch...lol not cheap but what the hell. Half the reason we (me and my sister) went was because we ran out of places to visit/eat, we have been every year for the past 5 years and been to the top 10 things to do in the guidebook, so we start eating at top 10 places listed on TripAdvisor just because it's something to do.
We went to Aqua Tokyo because I love Japanese food, £40 for a bento box with Ragu beef for lunch...lol not cheap but what the hell. Half the reason we (me and my sister) went was because we ran out of places to visit/eat, we have been every year for the past 5 years and been to the top 10 things to do in the guidebook, so we start eating at top 10 places listed on TripAdvisor just because it's something to do.
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Those pictures are amazing, loving them all, also loved the ones Raymond has taken on his trips. This is one of the many reasons I'd like to get a DSLR very soon and get enough practice with it in time to try and pull of some shots like those!
p.s. I've been to Aqua, it's nice and great view (behind that blind).
We went to Aqua Tokyo because I love Japanese food, £40 for a bento box with Ragu beef for lunch...lol not cheap but what the hell. Half the reason we (me and my sister) went was because we ran out of places to visit/eat, we have been every year for the past 5 years and been to the top 10 things to do in the guidebook, so we start eating at top 10 places listed on TripAdvisor just because it's something to do.
£40, not something you do daily so why not eh
Have you ever felt "bored" after all the trips there, or does it always feel like a fresh breath of air? Are you planning on going this year again?
TripAdvisor is a godsend, there's so much information packed in there along with photos you're spoilt for choice!
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Caporegime
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£40, not something you do daily so why not eh
Have you ever felt "bored" after all the trips there, or does it always feel like a fresh breath of air? Are you planning on going this year again?
TripAdvisor is a godsend, there's so much information packed in there along with photos you're spoilt for choice!
I wouldn't say bored but definitely begin to run out of fresh ideas. I mean if you name a tourisy place, I've probably been there at least once or twice. Been up to the peak 5 times now, these days we don't even take the tram because getting in a taxi with 3 people and split it is cheaper, hell, it's only about £5 to begin with all told, and its faster.
Went up to Sky 100, been to Macau, Lady Street, Happy Valley races, Stanley (lots of ex-pats, it felt like The O.C. set in Hong Kong), Big Budah, Ocean Park. Eaten at the world's cheapest Michelin star restaurant, eaten at No. 1 ranked at Trip Advisor. etc
It's only once a year (only for so long, it's not a forever thing), so it's still a novelty since the culture is different and there are still fresh stuff to see, albeit small sometimes every time. Although I would like to hop on a plane to Tokyo for a week or so though, split the trip up in half and see more places but its a family thing so can't really leave.
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It seems me and my mate are content on going for Cosmopolitan Hotel. It's very cheap (coming to about £240 per person for the whole trip) and it seems like the rooms are more than good enough. Figured don't need to sleep in a royal room as we'd be out most of the time anyways . The price includes buffet breakfast and a hotel coach that takes you to the airport and will pick you up. Can't complain with that!
. The price includes buffet breakfast and a hotel coach that takes you to the airport and will pick you up. Can't complain with that!
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Soldato
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It seems me and my mate are content on going for Cosmopolitan Hotel. It's very cheap (coming to about £240 per person for the whole trip) and it seems like the rooms are more than good enough. Figured don't need to sleep in a royal room as we'd be out most of the time anyways
That is a great price!
Looks a little distance from the MTR, but the trams are nearby.Wan Chai is an area I've not actually spent much time in.
Caporegime
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