What does a day in Hong Kong cost?
Hong Kong is famously expensive for housing, but daily travel costs can be surprisingly reasonable if you eat local and ride the MTR. Prices below are in Hong Kong dollars (HKD); roughly 8 HKD = 1 USD.
Daily budgets
- Budget: HKD 500-750 per day. Hostel or guesthouse in Mong Kok, cha chaan teng meals, MTR and trams.
- Mid-range: HKD 1,200-2,000 per day. A 3-star hotel, mix of local and sit-down restaurants, the odd taxi and an attraction.
- Comfort: HKD 3,000+ per day. 4-5 star hotel, harbour-view dining, Peak Tram and cocktails.
Sample prices
- Cha chaan teng set (milk tea + pineapple bun or rice plate): HKD 45-70
- Dim sum lunch for two: HKD 200-350
- Bowl of wonton noodles: HKD 45-60
- Local beer at a bar: HKD 60-90
- Single MTR ride: HKD 5-25
- Star Ferry (Tsim Sha Tsui to Central): HKD 5-6
- Airport Express to Central: HKD 115
- Victoria Peak Tram return: about HKD 88
- Hostel dorm bed: HKD 200-350; 3-star hotel double: HKD 800-1,400
Money and cards
Get an Octopus card at the airport or any MTR station: tap it for the MTR, buses, trams, ferries, convenience stores and many eateries. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in malls, hotels and chains, but markets, dai pai dong and small noodle shops are often cash-only. ATMs are everywhere. The currency is the Hong Kong dollar; keep small notes for street stalls.
Saving tips
- Eat at cha chaan teng and cooked-food centres rather than tourist restaurants.
- The Star Ferry and the Peak via Old Peak Road give skyline views for almost nothing.
- Many museums (Heritage, History, Science) are free on Wednesdays.
- Ride the historic tram ("ding ding") across Hong Kong Island for HKD 3.
- Hike Dragon's Back or Victoria Peak for free instead of paid tours.
- Buy water and snacks at 7-Eleven or supermarkets, not hotel minibars.
Stay connected in Hong Kong
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