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
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.
Taxis
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.
Cycle Hire
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.
Membership Rewards® Programme
Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards® programme will earn one additional bonus Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate (for a total of 2 points) for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences booked through the American Express Travel website americanexpress.com/en-gb//travel. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
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1. Current International Airline Program Partners: Air Europa, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
2. American Express reserves the rights to change these conditions from time to time with 21 days prior notice and/or to discontinue the whole program.
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4. To qualify for the IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares:
a) Your journey must start and end at the same port as designated by the participating airline and be completed within the period during which your selected carrier participates in the program. You will be advised of any applicable dates at the time of booking;
b) IAP tickets must be purchased through the Platinum Travel Service and must be charged to a valid American Express Platinum Card which is in good standing;
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7. IAP upgrade offers or specially negotiated fares may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, negotiated or corporate rate.
8. American Express acts only as an agent for travel service providers and does not own or operate any airline or means of transportation. American Express is not liable for service deficiencies on the part of airlines or other service providers, including but not limited to: accidents and injuries; delays; changes in routes or itineraries; loss, theft or damages to possessions. American Express strongly advises travellers to insure themselves against travel risks. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have valid documentation and for complying with the health, customs, currency and other laws of any country they enter or attempt to enter.
9. IAP is available to Platinum Cardmembers from a variety of participating airlines each with specifically designated ports of departure and arrival. Please refer to the Platinum Travel Service for details of participating airlines, applicable routing and timetables and fares in force at any particular time.
10. Other International Airline Program Terms & Conditions may apply.
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