Hong Kong Travel Guide
Hong Kong is a city of contrast, where East meets West, skyscrapers sit side by side with nature reserves and a culture that blends the old with the new. It is a bustling, global city that offers world-class dining, shopping and hiking.
Discover things to do in Hong Kong's vibrant food scene and iconic shopping.
When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?
A great destination year-round as long as you come prepared! Hong Kong has a subtropical climate, with the weather ranging from hot, wet and humid summers to cool, dry and mild winters. From June to September the heat is particularly intense with temperatures at 30C and above. In contrast, from December to February, the temperature drops down to the mid to late teens. Be prepared for heavy rains between May and September, responsible for around 80% of annual rainfall, with July, August and September the most likely months to be affected by tropical cyclones.
Chinese New Year falls between late January and late February each year and culminates in the stunning Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the lunar calendar. The 2000-year-old Dragon Boat festival is a three-day event that takes place on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar (usually in May or June). The Mid-Autumn or Mooncake Festival takes place in September and is celebrated across the city.
Travelling to Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok island is the 4th busiest in the world, served by around 120 airlines connecting to 220 destinations worldwide. To get to the city centre from the airport, you can take the express train, bus or taxi. Departing every 12 minutes, the express train takes just under half an hour and costs HK$100 one-way. There are bus connections to several destinations across Hong Kong, these take about an hour on average and cost a maximum HK$40.
If you want to take a taxi, head towards the official taxi rank and avoid the touts who will approach you, try to take your luggage, and lead you to their cars. A cab should cost between HK$220 to HK$280.
Getting around Hong Kong
Public Transport in Hong Kong
Getting around Hong Kong is easy and relatively inexpensive. The MTR (subway) is clean, safe and efficient, and will get you to most places you’ll want to visit. For a quaint if more sedate experience, try taking the tram along the north shoreline of Hong Kong island.
Cycle hire in Hong Kong
Roads in Hong Kong are tight and congested, leaving not much room for bikes. The cycle paths are not clearly marked or connected, so cycling is not for the
faint hearted.
Taxis in Hong Kong
Taxis in Hong Kong are safe, abundant, and far cheaper than those you would find in London or New York. They come in three varieties with distinct coverage areas. Red taxis can go anywhere throughout Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Green taxis can only operate in the New Territories, including Hong Kong Disneyland. And blue taxis can only serve Lantau Island.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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