Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China on the southern coast, made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula, the New Territories and more than 200 outlying islands. It pairs one of the world's densest skylines with country parks, beaches and fishing villages, all linked by an efficient metro and ferry network.
Local currency: Hong Kong dollar (HKD), pegged at about HK$7.8 to US$1.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Hong Kong.
- Mid-range
- HK$1,800/day (~$231)
- Luxury
- HK$5,000+/day (~$641+)
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- HK$250-450 (~$32-58) dorm
- Budget
- HK$600-1,000 (~$77-128)
- Midrange
- HK$1,100-2,200 (~$141-282)
- Luxury
- HK$2,800-9,000 (~$359-1,154)
Food
- Street
- HK$20-50 (~$3-6)
- Local
- HK$60-120 (~$8-15) cha chaan teng or dim sum
- Midrange
- HK$200-450 (~$26-58)
- Fine
- HK$900-2,500 (~$115-321)
Transport
- Bus
- HK$5-15 (~$0.6-2) urban bus; MTR HK$5-30 (~$0.6-4)
- Taxi
- HK$29 (~$3.7) flag fall; Central to Tsim Sha Tsui about HK$100-130 (~$13-17) including tunnel toll
- Airport
- HK$115 (~$15) Airport Express to Central; HK$33-50 (~$4-6) bus A21/E21
- Daytrip
- HK$25-150 (~$3-19) ferry or MTR
Activities
- Museum
- HK$10-30 (~$1.3-4); most government museums free on Wednesdays
- Sites
- HK$0-100 (~$0-13)
- Tour
- HK$300-800 (~$38-103)
- Excursion
- HK$250-700 (~$32-90); Ngong Ping 360 about HK$260 (~$33) return
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Hong Kong costs end-to-end.
Weekend 3 Days traveller
Budget HK$1,700-2,100 (~$218-269) including 2 nights in a hostel, Midrange HK$4,500-6,500 (~$577-833) including 2 nights in a 4-star hotel, Luxury HK$13,000-25,000 (~$1,667-3,205)
One Week 7 Days traveller
Budget HK$3,800-5,000 (~$487-641), Midrange HK$11,000-16,000 (~$1,410-2,051), Luxury HK$30,000-60,000 (~$3,846-7,692)
Couple 5 Days traveller
Budget HK$4,500-6,500 (~$577-833), Midrange HK$9,000-13,000 (~$1,154-1,667), Luxury HK$22,000-40,000 (~$2,821-5,128)
Family Of Four 5 Days traveller
Budget HK$8,000-11,000 (~$1,026-1,410) with 2 rooms in a budget hotel, Midrange HK$17,000-25,000 (~$2,179-3,205), Luxury HK$40,000-70,000 (~$5,128-8,974)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy an Octopus card on arrival (Airport Express counter or any MTR customer service centre) for all transport
Book accommodation Sunday to Thursday and avoid Chinese New Year, Golden Week (October 1-7) and the Rugby Sevens, when rates can double
Eat where locals queue: cha chaan teng, dai pai dong and dim sum places with Chinese-only menus are 40-60% cheaper
Walk or take the tram (HK$3, ~$0.4) instead of taxis on the north shore of Hong Kong Island
Buy attraction tickets through Klook, KKday or the Hong Kong Tourism Board site for 10-30% off gate prices
Use free Wednesday admission at the Science Museum, Space Museum and Museum of History
Take bus A21 (about HK$33-40, ~$4-5) from the airport to Kowloon rather than the HK$115 Airport Express
Bring a refillable bottle; bottled water at tourist sites costs HK$12-20 (~$1.5-2.6)
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Symphony of Lights
Nightly light-and-laser show on the Central and Wan Chai skyscrapers, watched from the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade or Avenue of Stars. It starts at 8:00PM daily and may be cancelled in typhoon or heavy rain; arrive 20 minutes early for a railing spot.
Victoria Peak Lugard Road Circle Walk
Flat 3.5 km loop around the Peak with the best free skyline views. Take bus 15 from Central (Exchange Square) for about HK$10 (~$1.3) instead of the tram to save money.
Star Ferry Harbour Crossing
Historic ferry between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central (about 10 minutes); upper deck about HK$6 (~$0.8), one of the world's best-value sightseeing rides.
Dragon's Back Trail
Ridge hike above Shek O with sea views. Take MTR to Shau Kei Wan, then bus 9 to To Tei Wan; about 2-3 hours.
Man Mo Temple
1847 temple in Sheung Wan full of hanging incense coils; open about 8AM-6PM daily, free entry (donations welcome).
Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) grounds
Bronze Buddha on Lantau; climbing the 268 steps is free (only the meal voucher and museum exhibition need a ticket). Reach by bus 23 from Tung Chung.
Tai Chi and Kung Fu at Kowloon Park
Free public Tai Chi and kung fu sessions run by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, plus a flamingo pond and aviary in the park.
Wong Tai Sin Temple
Busy Taoist temple known for fortune sticks; entry free. Nearest MTR: Wong Tai Sin (Exit B2).
Free Wednesday Museums
Hong Kong Museum of History, Science Museum, Space Museum and Heritage Museum offer free general admission on Wednesdays (special exhibitions and the Space Theatre still charge).
Hong Kong Park and Edward Youde Aviary
Landscaped park with a walk-through aviary, conservatory and Tai Chi garden just above Admiralty MTR.
Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery
Tang-dynasty style garden and a wooden Buddhist nunnery next to Diamond Hill MTR; open daily, entry free.
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Avenue of Stars
Harbour promenade with skyline views, film-star handprints and a Bruce Lee statue.