🇭🇰 10 Hong Kong Travel Mistakes Tourists Make ❌
Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities, but there are definitely a few things I wish I knew before my first trip 😭
After a few trips to Hong Kong, these are the mistakes I’d avoid next time 👇
❌ 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐦
The queue can easily take up to 2 to 3 hours during peak periods 😭
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ Take Bus 15
✔️ Call a cab
✔️ Go early in the morning
❌ 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲
Hotels in Central are often more expensive while offering smaller rooms.
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ Jordan (best overall)
✔️ Yau Ma Tei (great value)
✔️ Sai Ying Pun (cafés & local vibes)
❌ 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐓𝐑
Your Octopus Card works almost everywhere!
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ Use it on buses
✔️ Use it on trams
✔️ Use it on ferries
✔️ Use it at convenience stores
✔️ Use it at supermarkets
❌ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
Hong Kong feels like a completely different city after sunset
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ Take the Star Ferry at night
✔️ Visit some speakeasy bars
✔️ Grab a late-night dessert
✔️ Explore Mong Kok after dark
✔️ See the Victoria Harbour lights
❌ 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐓𝐑
you might end up spending an extra 20 to 30 mins commuting every day :’)
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ Stay within a 5-minute walk of the MTR
✔️ Save time every day
✔️ Make travelling easier with luggage
✔️ Avoid unnecessary walking in the heat
❌ 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐬𝐢𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐚 𝐓𝐬𝐮𝐢
There’s so much more to Hong Kong beyond the tourist hotspots!!
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ visit Jordan for local food
✔️ Mong Kok for street markets
✔️ Sai Ying Pun for cafés
✔️ Kennedy Town for sunset views
❌ 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
There are often cheaper options
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ Take the airport bus
- Save up to 50% on transport & may be more convenient
❌ 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝
Some of my favourite spots were actually outside Central & Causeway Bay
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ Sham Shui Po
✔️ Sai Kung
✔️ Kowloon City
✔️ Jordan
❌ 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐤
Hong Kong isn’t just skyscrapers
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ Explore Tai O fishing village
✔️ Visit Ngong Ping & the Big Buddha
✔️ Relax at Lantau’s beaches
✔️ Go island hopping in Sai Kung
✔️ Enjoy fresh seafood by the waterfront
❌ 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐓𝐑 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞
You’re missing half the city underground
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑,
✔️ Take a double-decker bus
✔️ See more of the city while commuting
✔️ Pass through local neighbourhoods
✔️ Enjoy great views from the top deck
📌 Save this for your next Hong Kong trip ✈️🇭🇰
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One thing I found really helpful beyond the usual tips is to embrace Hong Kong’s diverse neighborhoods beyond the typical tourist areas. Places like Sham Shui Po offer authentic local markets and street food, which many visitors overlook. I especially loved trying traditional snacks and exploring local shops there. Another game-changer is transportation: instead of always relying on the MTR, I recommend hopping on the iconic double-decker buses for a scenic and more relaxed way to see the city’s vibrant streets and neighborhoods. It’s also a budget-friendly option that gives you great views and a chance to experience daily local life. When it comes to accommodation, don’t feel pressured to stay only in Central. I personally stayed in Jordan and Yau Ma Tei, which were perfect for good value, proximity to transport, and real local vibes. Plus, the rooms are usually larger and more affordable. If you plan to visit Victoria Peak, try to avoid peak hours to skip long queues for the Peak Tram. Taking Bus 15 or a taxi, or visiting early morning or near sunset, saved me loads of time. And if you want to explore more natural settings, consider day trips to Tai O Fishing Village or Lantau Island for beaches and fresh seafood—these places are peaceful escapes from the bustling city. Lastly, don’t miss out on Hong Kong’s nightlife! The city transforms after dark, with amazing night markets, speakeasy bars, and the stunning Victoria Harbour light show. Walking around Mong Kok or taking the Star Ferry at night were some of my favorite experiences that gave a totally different vibe from daytime sightseeing. Overall, these extra insights helped me avoid typical tourist traps and enjoy a richer, more authentic Hong Kong adventure.
