Managing the first 72 Hours in Hong Kong
If you’re new to Hong Kong it can feel a little overwhelming. This page is for that first day — the arrival, the orientation, the small practical things that make the difference between a smooth start and a frustrating one. What follows is grounded in forty years of visits, normally spending weeks rather than days in the city, rather than a single pass through the highlights.
The practical depth — transport options, getting around, eating well, where to stay — is covered in the dedicated guides linked throughout this page. What this page gives you is the orientation layer: the things worth knowing before you land.
Before You Arrive
- Get an e-Sim or SIM card. You will want to avoid roaming charges and although there are a lot of public wifi areas don’t depend on it. Your existing network provider may be able to advise or there are some e-sims you can obtain online before you travel. If you haven’t been able to get a sim or e-sim before you travel – read on.
- Work out (roughly) how to get from the airport to where you are staying. If you have a hotel reservation, get the hotel’s advice. Hong Kong International Airport sits on Lantau Island, some distance from central Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The Airport Express train is the fastest option — just over 20 minutes to Hong Kong Station in Central, slightly less to Kowloon Station in West Kowloon, at approximately HK$100–115. Airport buses (prefixed with an “A” — e.g. A41) are cheaper at around HK$25–35 and connect to most parts of the city. Taxis are metered; show the driver the name and address of your hotel. The fare from the airport to central Kowloon or Hong Kong Island typically runs HK$250–350. Full transport options from the airport are in Getting Around Hong Kong, a guide to using transport in the city.
On arrival
- Get a SIM card. If you have not got one before arrival you should be able to get one from the 7-Eleven store (Unit 5T058, Arrivals Meeters & Greeters Hall) at Hong Kong Airport. Failing that there are many places in the city. We bought a local SIM card offering unlimited data for 30 days (2026) for only HK$33 – crazy cheap! We got it from a circle K supermarket but other supermarkets and stores like 7-Eleven stores, or even mobile phone shops sell them. You must register the SIM, and this involves uploading ID and can be a little fiddly — but is 100% worth doing. Some SIMs cover the Greater Bay Area (Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou), which is useful if you’re planning to cross the border. Once you’re out of the airport and moving around the city, having data makes an enormous difference — maps, navigation, translation, finding food.
- Get an Octopus card – The Octopus card is the single most useful object you will have in Hong Kong — a reloadable stored-value card that works on the MTR, buses, trams, ferries, and minibuses, and at shops, supermarkets, and many restaurants. Get one at the airport or at the Service Centre at any MTR station. Load HK$150–200 on the card to start. The card has a HK$50 deposit, refundable when you leave. If you are 65 or over, ask for an “elder” card — the fares are lower. The MTR is the city’s backbone: fast, clean, air-conditioned, bilingual, and reliable. Tap your Octopus card at entry and exit. The rest — how the different lines connect, which bus to take, how the ferries work — is covered in our Getting Around Hong Kong guide, which has everything you need once you’re oriented.
- Download and use key travel apps. For example: MTR Mobile (journey planning), Citymapper (walking and multi-mode navigation, works well in Hong Kong), Google Maps (reliable for the city; note that Google services require a VPN if you plan to cross into mainland China).
Language
Cantonese is the primary language. Mandarin is spoken more widely now than a decade ago. English remains an official language and is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and shops — more so than in most Asian cities. Street signs, MTR signage, and government communications are bilingual. In local markets and traditional restaurants, English may be limited — but pointing and numbers in any language can get you a long way.
Eating
Your hotel may have a restaurant. If not, ask the staff for recommendations nearby. You can eat extraordinarily well in Hong Kong at very modest cost — a good bowl of wonton noodles runs around HK$50 at a local place. Some food outlets accept only cards or mobile payment (Visa, Mastercard, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Octopus); others are cash only. The full picture — what to eat, where to find it, and what things cost — is in our What to eat in Hong Kong guide.
Heat and the City's Rhythm
In summer (June–September), Hong Kong is hot and very humid. Outdoor exertion in the middle of the day is uncomfortable. Plan outdoor activities for early morning and evening; the MTR, shopping malls, and restaurants are heavily air-conditioned, sometimes enough to warrant a light layer. In winter (December–February) the city is mild and clear, with evenings that feel cool — the most comfortable season for sightseeing. See our guide to Visiting Hong Kong for full seasonal weather information.
Safety
Hong Kong is a very safe city. Standard urban awareness applies — bags in front in crowds, awareness in busy markets. The main environmental hazards are heat and sun in summer (carry water, use SPF), and the occasional severe weather warning. A Typhoon Signal 8 or above means most businesses close and transport stops — the Hong Kong Observatory app gives clear, real-time guidance.
LGBT+ visitors: Hong Kong is safe and generally welcoming. Public discretion on the street is the norm — as it tends to be for all couples — but you should expect no issues at hotels, restaurants, or attractions.
A Note on Pace
Hong Kong operates at a speed and density that can be disorienting on arrival, particularly after a long flight. The instinct to immediately fill the first day with sightseeing is understandable and usually counterproductive. The city is not going anywhere.
Getting your bearings on foot — walking the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, crossing on the Star Ferry, finding a cha chaan teng for breakfast — is a better use of the first few hours than a packed itinerary. The landmarks will still be there once you have slept.
Once oriented, Hong Kong becomes much more legible than it first appears. The MTR connects almost everything. The distances are shorter than the map suggests. The people are, on the whole, helpful to visitors who approach with patience and a degree of humility. Three days, approached with some knowledge of how the city works, is enough to form a real impression. Most people who visit once want to come back.
Next steps
Once you have your bearings, these are the Guidance pages to reach for:
Getting Around Hong Kong – Octopus card, MTR, trams, Star Ferry, buses, Airport Express in full detail
Where to Stay — neighbourhoods, price points, what to expect
What to eat in Hong Kong — what to eat, where, and what it costs
Hong Kong Itineraries – one day, two days, or three days, with a pick-and-mix table
Hong Kong on a Budget — what’s free, what’s cheap, and what a careful day actually cost
Best Places to Eat in Hong Kong
Enjoy fabulous food while you’re in Hong Kong. Use this guide to find great eating places and Hong Kong’s different cuisines.
Hong Kong Itineraries
Follow these itineraries to discover the best Hong Kong has to offer: curated highlights for a one, two and three programme.
Bars and Nightlife
Enjoy Hong Kong after nightfall with this guide to its rooftop bars and live music and where they’re found.
External Links
The AirPort Express website provides more information about the service to and from the airport.
Octopus Card Limited provides information here about Octopus cards including choices for tourists.
The MTR corporation website provides information on its services including ways of saving on travel.
Part of the series of guides on Visiting Hong Kong
Read Next: Where to Stay in Hong Kong
About Hong Kong: People Also Ask
Can I drink tap water in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong’s tap water meets international safety standards and is technically safe to drink. Most locals drink filtered or bottled water as a preference rather than necessity. Tap water is fine for brushing teeth.
Do you tip in Hong Kong?
Tipping is not customary or expected. Many restaurants add a 10% service charge. If they do, no additional tip is needed. Rounding up a taxi fare is appreciated but not required. There is no social pressure to tip.
How do I say thank you in Cantonese?
‘M-goi’ (mm-goy) is the everyday thank you – used when someone does something for you. ‘Doh-je’ (daw-jay) is used when receiving a gift or a compliment. Both are appreciated from visitors; neither is expected.
How do I say hello in Cantonese?
‘Jo-san’ (joh-sun) means good morning. ‘Nei-ho’ (nay-hoh) is the standard hello. ‘Ho-ho’ means ‘very good’. A smile and a nod work equally well – Hong Kong is an efficient, friendly city with no pressure on visitors to speak Cantonese.
Is it okay to wear shorts in Hong Kong?
Yes. Hong Kong has no formal dress code for tourists. Casual clothing including shorts and t-shirts is finefor almost all situations. Some traditional temples and formal restaurants may request smarter dress, but this is uncommon.
What should I not bring into Hong Kong?
Firearms, certain knives, and dangerous goods are all prohibited. Most standard over-the-counter medications including ibuprofen and paracetamol are permitted in reasonable quantities for personal use. Declare prescription medications and carry a copy of your prescription.