Time Zone
Hong Kong Time is eight hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC +8).
Climate
Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate with seasonal changes. In December, average temperature ranges from 15°C to 20°C. Please visit the Hong Kong Observatory website for weather forecast before deciding what to pack.
Language
English and Cantonese are the official languages of Hong Kong. Most street signs, menus, tourist and government publications are usually bilingual in both English and Chinese. Most taxi drivers, salespersons, tourism industry employees are able to communicate in English.
Visa and Passport Requirements
Visitors to Hong Kong must have valid passports. People of most countries do not require a visa to enter Hong Kong for tourism and can stay for periods varying from 7 to 180 days, depending on their nationalities. Participants can check with the Chinese embassy in your country and the Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China for details.
About COVID-19
As of 1 March 2023, the majority of COVID-19 measures including mandatory mask-wearing has been lifted by the Hong Kong Government. Please visit www.coronavirus.gov.hk to learn more about the latest conditions imposed on inbound travellers and the latest developments about COVID-19 in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong International Airport
For information on the Hong Kong International Airport, please visit their website at www.hongkongairport.com.
To and from the Airport
Airport Express
The Airport Express is the fastest way to travel between the city and the airport. It takes approximately 24 minutes to reach the Hong Kong Station in Central. Train services are provided daily between 05:54 and 00:48 at 10-minute intervals. Train tickets can be purchased at the Airport Express Customer Service Centre located at the Arrivals Hall of the Hong Kong International Airport. For details, please visit http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/airport_express_index_tourist.html.
Taxi
Taxis offer a flexible way to travel to and from the airport. Arriving passengers can pick up a taxi at the Taxi Station outside the Arrivals Hall. Taxis in Hong Kong are colour-coded according to their operating areas. Urban taxis are red. The current rates are HKD27 on flag fall for the first 2 kilometres, plus HKD1.9 for every further 0.2 kilometre. The charge will be changed to HKD1.3 per 0.2 kilometre after the chargeable amount reaches HKD93.5. Additional charges for luggage and tolls apply. You may hail a taxi via the HKTaxi app.
Public Transportation
Hong Kong is a compact city, and getting around is quick and easy. It has an efficient public transport system, including a network of urban trains (Mass Transit Railway or MTR) and numerous routes of trams, buses, ferries and taxis, which enables visitors to explore Hong Kong conveniently and safely on their own. Tourist MTR 1-day pass is tailored for tourist travel around Hong Kong. Tourists can enjoy one full day of unlimited rides on the MTR (except the Airport Express Line) within the ticket validity period. For details, please visit http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/day_pass_tourist.html.
To make travelling easier, you may consider purchasing an Octopus card at the MTR Service Centre, which can be used to travel on all forms of public transport (including the Star Ferry and Trams). You may also consider downloading the Octopus mobile app to handle all payments electronically.
Currency and Credit Card
The official currency of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). One US Dollar is approximately HKD 7.8. Participants can exchange your currency for HKD at any authorized money exchanger or bank. Major banks open from 9am to 4pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12pm on Saturday. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) can be easily found across the city and provide 24-hour HKD cash withdrawal.
International credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club, UnionPay and American Express are commonly accepted by hotels, retail shops and restaurants in Hong Kong. Such premises usually display stickers at their entrance to show the form of credit cards they accept.
Electricity
The standard voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts AC/50 cycles. The plug/socket system in Hong Kong is a three-pronged UK-style plug.
Telecommunication
Local SIM cards can be purchased round-the-clock at convenience stores. Participants may also consider buying a local SIM card at the Arrivals Hall of the Hong Kong International Airport upon landing. International Direct Dial (IDD) service to most countries and regions of the world is available at most hotels for a fee.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places in Hong Kong, including restaurants, bars and malls. Any person smoking or carrying a lighted cigarette, cigar, or pipe in a no-smoking area will be liable to a fixed penalty of HKD 1,500.
Sales Tax
There is no sales tax on goods and services in Hong Kong.
Getting Around Hong Kong
For the most up-to-date tourist information, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Tourism Board at www.discoverhongkong.com.
