Some Tips from our Recent Hong Kong Trip (2023)

Those of you who had been following us would know that we only recently went on a family trip to Hong Kong tio boh? Forever being the bargain hunter and advocate of "can save why not?", I think it is my duty to share some of the tips I discovered from my recent trip with you. Hence if you are going on a trip to Hong Kong soon, maybe some of these may come in handy –

This is the package you will receive. Just need to follow the instructions to claim your freebie!

Welcome Gift - As a tourist, you are entitled to a special $100HKD gift by Hong Kong Tourism Board. We arrived at Hong Kong International Airport and their booth is right after the arrival gates, cannot miss one. Go grab a gift card with a QR code inside and follow the instructions on collecting your gift. We redeemed ours for a return trip on Hong Kong Airport Express train ticket each.

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Mobile Data – I dunno about you, but I am quite tired of having to charge portable WiFi devices liao. For my current trip, I actually relied on e-sim data that I purchased off Shopee. I get no commission one and I dunno if there are any other better ones out there. But I got mine from here, and it served me well and was the cheapest! Only $6.50 for 2GB daily for 7 days lor but take note it is data only.

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The motel we stayed in, is machiam our HDB flats lah.

Accommodation – This one I dunno how many will dare to follow what I did lah but my accommodation was really one of the cheapest around. It is basically one of the many guesthouses / motels in Tsum Sha Tsui (specifically Mirador Mansion). I booked mine through booking.com because it allows for free cancellation. Actually you go have a look at their listing here. Photos showed the place bright and airy but when we checked in, they moved us to another motel called London motel, which looked a little spooky lah.

Just google for Hong Kong accommodation and select the cheapest. These will surely pop up. I am only trying to tell you that in my own humble opinion, that these places can still do lah. We basically only use the rooms from 11pm – 8am every day. Bring your own toiletries etc, but easily bought from the provision shops downstairs.

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Octopus Card – This is an essential card you need, that you can use at lots of retail shops on top of transportation. There is a dedicated counter at HKIA selling these cards, as well as single / return Airport Express tickets (at a discounted rate of 4). There is a deposit of $50HKD that I was told can be refunded but only to realize that there is an admin fee for return within 3 months of issue. Cards will be inactivated if not used for 3 years. Take note of the card serial number if you can, in the event you lose it like me (dropped from a roller coaster ride).

Take MTR or Tram easily with the Octopus card.

Aiyoh navigating Hong Kong is just like getting around Singapore. All I needed was Google Map (and mobile data obviously) and you are good to go. Almost everywhere is so well connected by MTR that there was no need for any taxi ride for us, unless in a super rush for time.

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There are rides for everyone at Ocean Park, on top of the all the animals you get to see. Including the pandas!

Amusement Parks – I must say that this is my own personal view hor, dun flame me. If there is only one park you have time for, I honestly would recommend you to Ocean Park. It is basically an Aquarium, Bird Park, Zoo and amusement park rolled into one. There was something for every one of my 5 kiddos for sure, just that we do not have enough time to visit everything. We went on a Monday and there was hardly any queues to get onto rides etc.

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Most of our meals were taken at the random Cha Chaan Teng we stumble upon when on the move.

F&B - I feel that the food is quite expensive there these days, even for the humble Cha Chaan Teng. Especially those in the more touristy areas has prices that can be comparable to Singapore restaurants liao. But somehow their milk tea and toasts tastes really nice lah. Oh the bottled soft drinks there also costs like $12HKD up at most places but you can find provision shops selling them at $6HKD and you can bring food and drinks into the Disneyland and Ocean Park one hor. I saved myself from some heart pain by doing so because I have got 5 thirsty hippos lor.

So yeah, hope you find the above info useful for your trip to Hong Kong!