TIPS: 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Trip to Hong Kong!

I traveled to Hong Kong last February this year, and that's my second vacation and 7th time there. Most of the time, I'm just passing by on the way to other destinations, so I know what I'm saying. So here are some tips to save money in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong as viewed from The Peak

1. Book a cheap lodging place

Hong Kong has one of the most expensive real estate, if not the most costly. You would understand then that renting a place there is so expensive. But because of the economy of scale, meaning the sheer number of tourists, some hotels could lower their prices to keep up with the competition. If you're not sensitive to the room size, you can have a decent place to stay for just 1000 pesos per person per night. It could be lower if you're in a group of 4 to 6. Book using agencies such as Agoda.com or Booking.com to see many options.

In my previous stays in Hong Kong, I stayed at Apple Inn in Mong Kok and KG Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui. Both offered excellent services. The rooms are tolerable! I always tell myself I'm not there for the room, and I'm always on the street. As long as it's sleep-able, I'm okay with it.

2. Use Bus over Train. No to Taxi

The bus can be around 20% cheaper than the train. Of course, train is much faster and more reliable than buses. If ever you decide to take the train as a primary way of transportation in Hong Kong, make sure you get an Octopus Card. With that, you can have small discounts which add up later.

A Double Decker bus in Hong Kong. Photo by mailer_diablo - Self-taken (Touched up), CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

3. Bring some food

Bringing food can save you a lot of money. You better get some if you're like me and don't trust street foods the first time. A few packs of crackers and cup noodles will solve your breakfast requirements without spending much. McDonald's, oh yes, my all-time favorite. McDonald's is my go-to place for familiar foods. But even with a simple meal, you can spend around 200 Pesos (30 HKD). And finally, bring lots of instant coffee or tea packs. Also, the foods I mentioned here are dry, light, and last longer.

Bring water containers such as tumblers, or you can spare the bottle of the bottled water you bought. If the hotel provides free water, take advantage of it. Water is expensive, just like anything else.

Lastly, if you can avoid eating inside Theme Parks, you'll save a lot—prices inside cost about twice that of the outside. And the thing is, in major theme parks such as Disneyland and Ocean Park, you can't just go out for lunch. It simply needs to be closer to the next cheap fast food.

4. Haggle in the Night Market

Everybody loves shopping! Well, okay, not everybody, but most do. When you see items displayed side by side, you can't help but desire them. 

Mongkok Ladies Market. Photo by TonySKTO - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, Link

Here's a tip that works. If you ask how much the item is and the salesperson tells you a price, divide it by 5 to 10 and start haggling until you meet somewhere in the middle. For example, if they say that a keychain set is 20 Hong Kong dollars, say 4 HKD. You'll probably get it at 10 HKD or less. It works most of the time! If one seller refuses, don't hesitate to look for another one. I'm sure you'll find a seller willing to lower their prices to even more than half what they initially mentioned.

5. Use Klook.com to book your theme park

The Hing Kong Disneyland

Others offer much cheaper than what Klook.com offers. But here's the thing: if you have yet to try them, use Klook. They're legit! And they offer significant discounts. And I mean substantial. For example, you can reduce Ocean Park admission by 77HKD or 500 Pesos. Similarly, you can get about 80HKD discount for a Disneyland 1-day ticket. That's two meals worth!

My last tip is obvious: BOOK PROMO FARES!