Hong Kong is one of the best hubs in Asia. Whether you’re connecting through the city and have a 48 hour layover or if you’re using it as a launching pad, this is a guide on how to plan a 2 day Hong Kong itinerary.
Table of Contents
Looking for something specific in this Hong Kong itinerary? Jump to the section that you’re interested in.
In This Article
- Hong Kong highlights
- Who this Hong Kong itinerary is perfect for
- 2 Day Hong Kong Itinerary
- Optional add-ons to the itinerary
- Where to stay in Hong Kong
- Quick Hong Kong travel guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Hong Kong itinerary experience
- Read more about Hong Kong
- Where to stay in Hong Kong?
- Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
Hong Kong highlights
As a British colony, and now a special administrative region of China, Hong Kong is unique in so many ways. It’s a city where East meets West that’s deeply rooted in Chinese traditions with massive modern development that can be seen from its skyline.
When it comes to things to do in Hong Kong, there are so many to choose from but with 2 days to work with, here are the top 5 highlights that you can expect for your trip.
- Victoria Peak
- Tsim Sha Tsui
- Victoria Harbour
- Star Ferry
- Man Mo Temple
Who this Hong Kong itinerary is perfect for
- First timers to Hong Kong
- Couples
- Independent travellers
- Those that love food and exploring urban highlights
2 Day Hong Kong Itinerary
From enchanting neighbourhoods, intoxicating energy, dizzying amounts of shopping, a broad repertoire of gastronomical highlights, mountain island landscapes, and colourful traditions, there’s so much to love about the city.
Geographically, Hong Kong is broken into two parts. There’s Hong Kong Island and across the bay is Kowloon.
To make the most of your time, this 2 day Hong Kong itinerary is carefully curated to see the best parts of the city.
Trip Planning Map
One of the cornerstones of our itineraries are maps with all points of interests marked as you’ll also find in the Greece island hopping itinerary, 48 hours in Istanbul, and 3 day Cairo itinerary.
Use this map as part of your pre-trip planning or you can also save a copy and use this while travelling as a navigation tool.
Tip: View the 2 day Hong Kong trip planning map in full screen and create a copy (this step is key) for yourself. Make tweaks for your own trip and in Google Maps, you’ll be able to view it by going into the menu, selecting “My Places” and the “Maps” tab.
Day 1 – Hong Kong Island
With 48 hours to work with, this Hong Kong itinerary is going to take a balanced approach of not only showing you popular attractions but also a local perspective.
For your first day, you’ll be focusing on Hong Kong Island.
Food is such an important aspect to understanding the city’s culture and local life. To that, it doesn’t get any better than the Michelin-star dim sum specialists, Tim Ho Wan in Central.
Now of international fame with now chains in New York City, Las Vegas, Irvine, Waikiki, and Houston, this is easily one of the cheapest Michelin restaurant experiences in the world. The food is absolutely delicious and elevates dim sum classics to new level with their attention to detail and use of quality ingredients.
TIP: Tim Ho Wan opens at 9AM and I recommend going 30 minutes earlier to make sure you don’t have to wait in line. Make sure to order the baked BBQ pork buns (best in the world I swear), the fresh-made rice rolls, steamed egg cake, and deep fried dumplings.
Hong Kong Pass
With passes in 2, 3, and 4 days in length, you can definitely plan around these to maximize what you can see in Hong Kong. The pass gives you access to a ton of attractions for free.
Right by the intersection of Connaught Road and Jubilee Street is the start of the Mid-Levels Escalators. At first glance, it’s probably confusing why this is even on the list but beyond being an essential artery that moves commuters in this part of the city, this elevated passage is the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator system.
It consists of one-way escalators and moving walkways and is a great way to get uphill especially after your big breakfast. See the city from an elevated position, watch locals, and take awesome photos from here as well.
Your target is to eventually get up to Hollywood Road via the escalators and then walk to Man Mo Temple.
Nestled in a local neighbourhood of shops and cafes, the temple is a peaceful respite. Dedicated to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo), this is frequented by students looking for success in upcoming exams.
The interior of the temple is impressive with its infinite number of spiralling incense that hang from its ceilings, traditional decor, and heavy aroma that permeates throughout.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Man Mo Temple, Hollywood Rd, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Hours: 8AM – 6PM, 7 days a week.
Price: Free
Website: Man Mo Temple
FAQ:
- How much time should you plan for at the temple? The temple isn’t very large. You can easily see everything in 15 to 20 minutes.
- Do you need a tour guide? No it’s not necessary but touring Hong Kong with a local will give you additional insight and anecdotes.
You’ll meander through the local neighbourhoods and then make it to The Peak Tram. This is the base of one of the world’s oldest funicular railways that rises 396 metres at a sharp gradient.
Pay close attention on your ride up as there’s an optical illusion which when going uphill, causes the high rises of the right ride of the tram appear to fall toward The Peak.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: 33 Garden Rd, Central, Hong Kong
Hours: The lower terminus has the hours 7AM to 10PM (Mon – Sun & Public Holidays). Sky Terrace 428 is open 10AM to 9PM (Mon – Fri) and
8AM to 9PM (Sat, Sun & Public Holidays).
Price: Return tickets are $52 HKD for adults and $23 for children 3-11 or seniors 65+. Alternatively you can buy the Peak Tram Skypass (combo ticket with Sky Terrace 428) for $99 HKD/$47 HKD respectively but if you buy it on Viator you can actually save money.
Website: The Peak Tram
FAQ:
- How frequent is The Peak Tram? The tram runs every 15-20 minutes.
- Does buying the Peak Tram Skypass allow you to skip the line? No, unfortunately you’ll still have to join the regular line to either redeem your voucher or buy the Skypass.
- Are single tickets available? Yes, you can buy single tickets as well.
- How much time should you account for at The Peak? You’ll want to set aside at least 1 hour here.
- Is it possible to skip-the-line? If you buy the ticket through the official site, and purchase a timeslot ticket and use the priority line.
- Are credit cards accepted? Yes.
Tips:
- Octopus Card is accepted as form of payment at the ticket booth.
- Tripods are not allowed in the Peak Tram, The Peak Tower, and Sky Terrace 428.
When you get to the top, take your time and soak in the incredible views of the megatropolis below. If you’ve purchased your Peak Tram Skypass, you’ll be able to head up to Sky Terrace 428 which has the highest 360° viewing platform in Hong Kong.
Standing at 428 metres above sea level, this open-air platform offers awesome unobstructed views of the city.
TIP: Make sure to walk out to the Lions Pavilion for a comparable view if you don’t want to pay for Sky Terrace 428. There are also a couple of easy nature walks you can take.
Take the funicular back down and you’ll be doing another iconic transit experience in the Hong Kong Tramways which is affectionately called the Ding Ding by locals.
The tramways have been operating since 1904 and exclusively run East to West on Hong Kong Island. It is the world’s largest fleet of double-deck tramcars still in service.
You will be hopping on this double-decker streetcar from Cotton Tree Drive and get off at the Percival Street stop right in the middle of Causeway Bay.
You’ll likely be hungry at this point so head over to a hyper-local soup noodle shop called Kong Chai Kee. You may not get the best service here as a foreigner but the silky flat noodles with fresh and bouncy fishballs and dumplings are as good as it gets in Hong Kong.
TIP: Know what you want to order ahead of time as it’s an incredibly fast-paced restaurant. To help, I’ve circled what you should order to make things easier. Feel free to show this to them on your phone.
Shopping is a huge part of Hong Kong culture and one of the best neighbourhoods to explore this is Causeway Bay which has a diverse mix of shopping malls and local shops.
There’s no specific way to explore the district but here are a couple of places that I recommend that you check out. All of these have been marked on the map:
- SOGO – This is a big department store but the best part is the basement supermarket. I always go there to pick up snacks and matcha soft-serve.
- Hysan Place – They have a good food court here.
- Windsor House – Popular shopping mall with many boutique shops.
- Fashion Walk – Another modern mall that’s worth strolling through.
- Lee Gardens – Worth a visit with a mix of luxury and boutique shops.
- Times Square – This is luxury shopping mall that is one of the best well-known and usually has special events outdoors.
- Apple Store – If you are looking to buy Apple products, this may be the best place to do it in the world since there isn’t any sales tax.
- DJI Hong Kong Flagship Store – Similar to Apple, this is a great opportunity to buy a drone.
Roam to your heart’s content and when you’re ready for a bit of a rest, I recommend that you check out Yee Shun Dairy Company.
Made with fresh milk, their steamed milk pudding is sultry smooth. If it’s your first time, order the classic “steamed milk dessert – hot”. You won’t regret it.
When you’ve had your fill of retail therapy, hop on the Causeway Bay MTR station and take the subway over to North Point.
For dinner, you’ll be eating at Tung Po which CNN named as the “wildest dining experience” and was also visited by the late Anthony Bourdain. This is the classic dai pai dong which are open-air restaurants, synonymous with cheap eats and no frills eateries.
While there are only a few traditional dai pai dong left, a few have survived and reinvented themselves in special markets like the one in North Point. Located on the second floor, you’ll know which direction to go with the majority of market stalls closed except one blaring music.
This isn’t a fancy pants kind of restaurant but instead you’re guaranteed to have a great night on top of fabulously fresh and tasty dishes.
Dancing may or may not be involved too. Oh and did I mention that you’re supposed to drink beer from bowls here?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Hong Kong, North Point, Java Rd, 99號2F Java Road Municipal Services Building
Phone number: 852-2880-5224
Hours: 5:30PM – 12:30AM
Price: Expect to spend about $200 HKD per person.
FAQ:
- Is there an English menu? Yes there is with photos as well.
- What should you order? Razor clams, squid ink noodles, fried chicken, sautéed prawn, sautéed fish, deep fried pork knuckles, and fried rice.
Tips:
- They do take reservations.
- They usually fill up by 7:30PM so either get there before then or make reservations.
- 5% service fee is added on top.
- Cash only.
If you have any gas in the tank, this might be the only night where it makes sense to stay out for drinks or seek out a party.
Hong Kong’s entertainment district is named Lan Kwai Fong (LKF). If you’re staying at the Butterfly on LKF, this is the perfect place to have a night cap before heading home.
Day 1 Summary
What you’ll see:
What you’ll do:
Where you’ll eat:
- Breakfast – Tim Ho Wan – One of the cheapest and best Michelin-star meals you can have. Their baked BBQ pork bun is amazing.
- Lunch – Kong Chai Kee – Hole-in-the-wall soup noodle shop to have that hyper-local experience.
- Dessert – Yee Shun Milk Company – You have to try their steamed milk pudding.
- Dinner – Tung Po Kitchen – Classic Dai Pai Dong experience that you won’t find anywhere else with incredible seafood.
Day 2 – Kowloon
For your second day, you’ll be spending most of your time north of Victoria Harbour on the part of the city known as Kowloon.
Food continues to be the theme and you’ll start with another quintessential Hong Kong experience, the bustling Mong Kok.
Tsui Wah is a restaurant you will see everywhere in the city. This is your classic cha chaan teng, a HK-style cafe that offers eclectic and affordable dishes that blends breakfast food from the East with the West.
Simple, yet delicious dishes include macaroni with ham in soup, instant noodles, fried french toast, and pineapple bun with a slice of butter. You usually accompany this with milk tea or a mix of coffee with milk tea (yin yueng).
Being in Mong Kok is a perfect spot to start your day. This is a vibrant neighbourhood with tons of atmosphere, and you guessed it, a ton of shopping and markets.
After breakfast, start off by walking it off with a visit to Langham Place, the quirky 15-floor mall with a super long escalator.
A couple of streets over is the Nelson Street Market, packed with a bazaar of curios, clothes, fresh food, and meat markets.
Next, you’ll cross over to another Hong Kong highlight which is Ladies’ Market.
Soak in the sights, smells, and sounds here along the long pedestrian street of stalls offering trinkets, “I Love Hong Kong” t-shirts, knock-off bags, and smartphone cases. You’ll get a ton of practice of your haggling skills here.
It’ll be a bit early as they normally set up around noon but hopefully you’ll be able to get a feel for the action here. You can also come back in the evening especially if your hotel is on the Kowloon side.
Save your legs by hop onto the subway at Mong Kok Station and get off at Jordan Station so you can make your way to Kowloon Park. Covering 13 hectares, this a surprisingly large green space amidst one of the busiest parts of Hong Kong.
For lunch, I highly recommend that you have afternoon tea at The Lobby at The Peninsula Hotel. Available from 2PM to 4:30PM, this is a revered experience that is accompanied by a string quartet.
The service is phenomenal here and so too are the tiers of food. It’s a bit of a splurge, costing just over $720 HKD for two but is well worth it.
If you’re looking for an alternative, I’ve listed Hung Lee as a great local choice.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Address: Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Hours: 2PM to 4:30PM
Price: Last I checked, it costs $388 HKD for one or $688 HKD for two, plus the mandatory 10% service charge.
Website: The Lobby
Tips:
- No reservations are allowed. It is first-come-first-serve.
- Recommended to start lining up between 1PM to 1:30PM.
- This is a set menu.
- A 10% service charge is added to the bill.
- Dress code is smart casual so you will have to wear the appropriate clothes for the day or bring something you can layer on for The Lobby.
It is now time to explore the neighbourhood of Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) where you’ll find everything from high-end shopping, local shops, more eateries, and a majestic view of the Hong Kong Island skyline.
Start off by visiting 1881 Heritage which used to be the Marine Police Headquarters Compound but has since been converted to a luxury shopping area but the architecture alone is worth a look.
Completely on the other end of the spectrum is Chung King Mansions which is a whole other world with its budget hostel accommodations, tailor shops, money changers, Indian food, and sometimes some shady business. Personally, I’m not a fan but it shows you different side to the city.
Finally, you’ll make your way down to Victoria Harbour to my favourite part of Kowloon. Here, you’ll set your eyes on the Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower, Avenue of the Stars (see if you can spot Bruce Lee), Hong Kong Space Museum, and of course the panoramic view of Hong Kong Island’s skyscrapers.
Depending on timing, you can stay here until the sun sets and wait for the Symphony of Lights which is a light show that happens every day at 8PM.
This is a show worth waiting for. Spanning 10 minutes and involving 40 buildings with an array of lights, lasers, and LED screens, it’s a dazzling spectacle that’s accompanied by music.
You can enjoy the show from anywhere along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade or I actually prefer timing the show by taking the Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai.
Nothing has changed in its 100+ years of history and that’s exactly what I love about these iconic green ferry boats. There’s a nostalgic feel to the noisy diesel engines, boats that have been repainted over more times than you can count, and all of the commuters that pack in.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Ferry terminals: There are 3 piers that they operate from:
- Tsim Sha Tsui
- Central
- Wan Chai
Hours: The service table breaks down each route’s hours and frequency.
Price: Yes, incredibly cheap – not even more than $0.50 USD on weekends.
- Tsim Sha Tsui <-> Wan Chai: $2.70 HKD weekdays and $3.70 HKD weekends/holidays
Website: Star Ferry
FAQ:
- Are there bathrooms on the ferry? – No, there are not. The Tsim Sha Tsui terminal has toilets but Central and Wan Chai do not.
- How long is the ferry ride? – The whole ride takes 8 to 10 minutes.
- Is it easy to get sea sick? – Since the ride is not long, it’s unlikely you’ll get sea sick but if you know you’re easily susceptible, it’s a good idea to take a motion sickness remedy or skip it.
- Is eating allowed on the ferry? – No, food and drinks are not allowed.
Tips:
- You can use your Octopus card to pay for the fare.
- You’ll notice that the ferry to/from Central has two decks to choose from. The upper deck is primarily used by tourists and the lower decks used by commuters.
- The ferry to/from Wan Chai only has one type of fare despite having both decks since the journey is longer.
- It’s actually cheaper to take Star Ferry than to take the MTR since an extra charge is added to cross the harbour.
- Tai Cheong Bakery inside the Tsim Sha Tsui ferry terminal closes right at 8PM so you could squeeze in an egg tart if you’re interested! They make one of the best in the city.
From Wan Chai, you can walk back to Hysan Place. The reason why I’m dragging you all the way back out here is 1) to find an excuse to ride the Star Ferry and 2) to get you to try another Michelin-star restaurant.
Dinner will be a little late but worth it. Ho Hung Kee is located on 12th floor and is best known for their Chinese comfort food.
Similar to Tim Ho Wan, you don’t really come here for the ambiance or service but it’s been recognized by Michelin for springy noodles, fresh soup, juicy wontons, dim sum classics, and congee.
It is in fact the first wonton noodle shop to be given the Michelin accolade.
Day 2 Summary
What you’ll see:
- Langham Place
- Nelson Street Market
- Ladies’ Market
- Kowloon Park
- 1881 Heritage
- Chung King Mansion
- Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower
- Avenue of Stars
What you’ll do:
Where you’ll eat:
- Breakfast – Tsui Wah Restaurant – A classic HK-style cafe. The french toast is a must-have.
- Lunch – The Lobby at The Peninsula Hotel – Amazing afternoon tea experience at this iconic hotel. If you’re looking for more of a budget option, consider the congee restaurant, Hung Lee.
- Drinks – The Alley – Grab a bubble tea while in TST.
- Snack – Tai Cheong Bakery – Well-known bakery with great egg tarts.
- Dinner – Ho Hung Kee – Michelin-star noodle restaurant in Causeway Bay.
Optional add-ons to the itinerary
Even with 48 hours, you’re barely scratching the surface of Hong Kong. While you will have seen some of the key highlights, there’s a ton more that you can swap in or things you can do if you decide to extend your 2 day Hong Kong itinerary.
Here are a few ideas to check out.
Places to go
- Ngong Ping 360 – This is a popular attraction that includes a 25-minute cable car and the iconic Big Buddha.
- Sky 100 Observatory – 360 panoramic views of Victoria Harbour
- Disneyland Hong Kong – I think you’ll need more than 2 days to swing this but if it’s one of your bucket list items, make sure to visit and purchase tickets online beforehand for the best deal.
- Lamma Island – A well-kept secret of Hong Kong are its green spaces and Lamma Island is awesome to see a different slice of life. Come here for the hiking and fresh seafood.
- Cheung Chau Island – Similar to Lamma Island but different in terms of terrain, restaurants, and views.
- Sai Kung – There’s a lively and quaint fishing village here with hiking opportunities, busy floating seafood markets, and ton of eateries that makes a perfect half-day trip.
- Happy Valley Racecourse – You don’t have to be a fan or race horsing to come here. Usually on Wednesdays they have something called “Night Meet” which is geared towards the younger international crowd.
- Rooftop bars – For dazzling views of the harbour, head to rooftop bars such as Sugar to grab a drink and watch the city light up after the sun sets.
- Nan Lian Garden – A beautiful garden in Kowloon that allows you to escape the crowds. Can be combined with the Chi Lin Nunnery.
Activities to book
Here are a couple activities that you should think about booking ahead of time to really enhance your vacation.
Symphony of Lights Chinese Junk Boat Cruise – On a classic junk boat, watch the Hong Kong’s skyline come to life.
Hong Kong Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Bus – Explore Hong Kong at your own pace with 3 sightseeing bus routes. Classic tickets are valid for 24 hours.
Learn How to Bake Hong Kong Egg Tarts – There aren’t many of these but this is a cooking class that’ll show you how to make egg tarts.
Kowloon: The Dark Side of Hong Kong Walking Tour – This is a popular walking tour that shows how the people of Hong Kong really live.
Private Tour with a Local Guide – Get a local perspective of Hong Kong with the lesser-known parts of the city.
Lonely Planet Experiences: Hong Kong Small-Group Market Tour – An exclusive Lonely Planet tour that takes you to a bird garden, markets, and learn how to bargain.
Hong Kong Food Tour in Sham Shui Po District – Go off the beaten path and taste traditional Cantonese favorites from six different culinary destinations in this food tour.
Staying longer in Hong Kong?
With a week, you can truly see many of the gems of Hong Kong that includes incredible food, sights, hikes, and day trips.
Where to stay in Hong Kong
I’ll be honest, Hong Kong isn’t a cheap place to stay. With limited real estate, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a really good “deal” on a hotel.
Below, I’ve broken down some of the key neighbourhoods that you can stay in but if you want more options and more accommodation recommendations, make sure to read the Hong Kong where to stay guide.
TSIM SHA TSUI
Park Hotel Hong Kong
With spacious rooms and stunning city views this very client-centric hotel will ensure all yours needs will be met. Accommodations include the fitness center, laundry and dry cleaning services, and tasty drinks at the Marigold Bar. You won’t have to go far to have fun with a 3-story shopping arcade right next door!
JORDAN
eLog Inn
A super affordable hostel that features a private bathroom with a walk in shower. Located a 5-minute walk from Temple Street Night Market. “The room was very clean and was additionally cleaned every day. The facilities were very modern. The location was especially great as it was right next to a MTR station and the Temple Street market.”
CAUSEWAY BAY
TUVE Hotel
This very modern hotel has many facilities offered at the property include a ticket service, luggage storage and an ironing service. Experience a gourmet dinner right on the property with the hotels very own restaurant and find yourself only 0.8 mi from Times Square Hong Kong.
CENTRAL
Butterfly on LKF
You will love the view in this boutique hotel. It features a 24 hour desk and laundry facilities for your convenience. “Excellent location, in the middle of the madness of the famous street of LKF . Extraordinary staff Very clean , excellent privacy ”
Both Sura properties have unbeatable locations.
Quick Hong Kong travel guide
Whether it’s your first time to Hong Kong or you’ve been before, there are a few key things that you should know about the city. Here are my top tips to make sure you have a smooth trip.
Money – The local currency in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar or HKD. The best place to convert currency is in Chung King Mansion but definitely compare rates with the few money changers there. The easiest way to pull HKD is from an ATM. Try to avoid changing money at the airport. Hong Kong also does not have tipping culture except in hotel staff ($2-$5 USD expected). Lastly, it’s also worth noting that there is no tax in Hong Kong which is why it’s so awesome to shop here.
When is the best time? – Since summers are very hot and humid, October to early December are the best times to visit Hong Kong with average temperatures around 26ºC / 79ºF. This is also when the chances of typhoons taper off. To experience festivals, travel around Chinese New Year (changes every year but is between mid-January to February) but expect it to be very busy and crowded.
Getting here – Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is one of the largest hubs for flights in Asia. It’s a busy airport but always a smooth operation. The easiest way to get into the city is by taking the Airport Express that operates every 15-30 minutes and takes as little as 24 minutes. You can also book a private airport transfer for around $30 USD.
How do I get around? – Hong Kong is ridiculously easy to get around thanks to their metro (MTR) which includes subways, buses, street cars, and ferries. Since you’ll be riding quite a bit, make sure to get an Octopus Card which is a loadable tap card. You can hail any cab in the city if you want to get to an exact location as they’re reliable. I’d recommend using Uber. If it’s your first time using Uber, make sure to use code willt1234ue.
Where should I stay? – We have a full guide of the best hotels in Hong Kong by neighbourhood.
Do I need travel insurance? – As always, travel insurance is highly recommended. My philosophy is that you want to make sure you’re covered in case the unknown happens. With the amount of travel that I do, we always get basic travel insurance that’s good for multiple trips and lasts the full year. In Canada, we usually check RATESDOTCA first and then also get a quote from World Nomads. Make sure to read my full review of why and a breakdown of how they work. For a more broader look at travel insurance, make sure to read this.
Staying connected – A smart investment to make especially since you’ll be in Hong Kong is to pick up a PokeFi which is a wifi hotspot. By using code GAP24300 you can save 200 HKD on a Starter Package that comes with an extra battery. Shipping is free worldwide but by ordering this to your hotel, you ensure you’re not dinged any customs. If you prefer to pick up a local SIM card, there’s the DiscoverHongKong SIM Card where a 5 days pass is $88 HKD for 3GB. However, if you’re only in the city for 2 days, it might not make as much sense and that’s where a wifi hotspot works well because you’ll be able to continue to use it at your next destination. For an alternative, you can look at Skyroam which I review here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a visa when flying into Hong Kong?
Nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong visa-free for a period ranging from 7 days to 180 days. This page lists out all the countries that are exempt and those that aren’t.
What’s the fastest way into city from the airport?
On average, the fastest way to get into the city from the airport is with Airport Express. It only takes 24 minutes to Hong Kong Station. Another bonus of Airport Express is that it includes a free interchange to MTR lines. The train also has free wifi.
Where can you buy tickets for Airport Express?
Single journey tickets can be purchased online ahead of time or you can buy them in-person but it’s actually cheaper to buy them on GetYourGuide. Alternatively, if you already have an Octopus card with sufficient funds on it, you can tap and go.
How much is a taxi ride from the airport to the city?
As an example, hiring a taxi from the airport to the Hong Kong side should cost roughly $315 – $395 HKD + extra cost for each piece of luggage. Kowloon will cost more since it’s a bit farther. Published taxi rates can be found here.
What is the cheapest way into the city from the airport?
If cost is the biggest concern, the cheapest way into the city is by using the bus service run by Citybus. Routes include the popular A21 which is $33 HKD for adults and $16.50 HKD for children. This takes 45-50 minutes into central Kowloon. There’s also an A11 ($40 HKD for adults, $20 HKD for children) which takes 50-65 minutes into central parts of Hong Kong Island.
When is the best time to go?
The best time to go to Hong Kong is October-early December.
Does the Hong Kong International Airport have lockers?
There are storage lockers in Terminal 1 on Level 5. The daily cost is $140 HKD. More information can be found here.
What’s the best neighbourhood to stay in?
Two of the best neighbourhoods to consider are Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side and Central on the Hong Kong Island side. Both are close to main attractions and also near convenient connection points for the MTR.
Can you fly drones in Hong Kong?
Officially, no, you’re not allowed to fly drones in the city. That said, many locals say that the city is pretty relaxed as there are so many people that fly them. Avoid flying near Victoria Harbour and areas that are close to a helipad and of course any airports.
The Hong Kong itinerary experience
Hong Kong is one of those cities that you can go back to again and again to experience again because surprisingly there’s so much to do in such a small piece of land.
Year to year, things change as well when it comes to top restaurants and creative pop ups that could easily fill up multiple days.
With this 2 day Hong Kong itinerary, you’ll be able to experience some of the top attractions in the city while also leaving a bunch of things to be explored for next time.
There are so many approaches to building a Hong Kong itinerary depending on your interests but it’s safe to say that you definitely won’t be bored in the city.
Read more about Hong Kong
- Where to eat in Hong Kong – the city’s best restaurants
- How to plan a day trip to Macau
- Discovering Hong Kong’s green outdoors
- 3 day trips from Hong Kong to consider
- More Hong Kong tips and tricks
Where to stay in Hong Kong?
- We have a full neighbourhood breakdown of Hong Kong that recommends a selection of hotels in each one that you should check out.
Travel Resources For Your Next Trip
If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.
Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.
Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.
Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.
Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.
Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.
eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.
- AmigoSIM – Use GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 25% off. Code is re-useable.
- Gigsky – Use TANG149 to get $3 USD when you sign up, then use code GOINGAWESOME to save 20% on all eSIM orders.
- KnowRoaming – Use code GAP10 to save 10%.
- AloSIM – Use code GOINGAWESOMEPLACES to save 15%.
- Airalo – Use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase.
- Ubigi – AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.
Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.
Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).
Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.
Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.
- HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 15% discount (from June 19-29)!
- RATESDOTCA – Search engine Canadians looking for the cheapest insurance including multi-trip annual policies.
- SafetyWing – A perfect fit for long-term nomads.
- Medjet – Global air medical transportation.
- InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.
If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.
We followed 80% of this itinerary and I’m so glad we did! It was our first time and it was the perfect mix to fall in love with Hongkong. Thanks for this well- thought out plan. Love the personal anecdotes on each of the stops.
Hey Gerald, I’m so glad to hear!! Hope you had a great time in Hong Kong!
Thanks for this terrific two-day Hong Kong itinerary! I’m using it to plan my upcoming trip next month. I just wanted to comment that the planning map you linked actually goes to one for Istanbul. I’d appreciate getting the correct link for the Hong Kong one!
Thanks for the heads up Kristy!! Let me fix that now. This is the one you’re looking for.