Asia - Can't decide between Hong Kong or Japan

Hi,

Been looking to book my vacaction for October but cannot decide where to go. Had initially decided up Japan, visited there a couple of years ago (Stayed at Conrad) and it was just THE best holiday ever. Loved everything about it, Hotel was exceptional, ANA flight the best (free upgrade:p) and the people were so politie. Stayed 8 days and it was the most relaxing holiday I've ever had as such had always planned to go back.

Was in the process of booking my trip to go back (Hilton Tokyo this time as Conrad price was high:() but then a friend mentioned Hong Kong to me. And the more I thought about it, and the more I looked into it the more it appealed. Since I was going to be spending so much on a holiday, why not go somewhere new? The trip was going to be more expensive, iro £700 more for hotel/flight between two but I thought it'd be a new adventure.

However, in the back of my mind I still would like to go back to Japan.

I was wondering if anyone has been to both places? If so how do they compare? I just cannot make my mind up.:rolleyes: It does seem daft to spend so much to go back to a place you have already been when there is so much to explore.

Thanks ^

Lots of folks, including me, have been to both.

You can have a fun holiday at either. Bear in mind, however, that Hong Kong is a smallish place, although you can also spend a night or two in Macao. Other than that, as a US citizen, you need a China visa to go anywhere (with very limited exceptions, but few westerners go to places like Hainan island from HK). Chinese visas cost $150+ and take effort to get.

I personally am not sure there is 8 days in Hong Kong and Macao, but if you have 8 days in Japan, there are lots of places to go to other than Tokyo.

If staying on Hilton points is important, you could, for example, fly into KIX and stay at the Hilton in Osaka and commute (it's inexpensive and about 30 minutes) by train to Kyoto and Nara. Or you could go for the Hilton resort in Odawara, south of Tokyo.

I say go somewhere new! Hong Kong is fantastic. I think you could fill out 8 days if you include Macau, the New Territories and even a guided day trip into Shenzhen/Guangzhou. I did that a few years ago - IIRC it's easy to get a package tour visa to go in for the day - the tour company in HK handles it.

Or you could do say 4-5 days in HK and then hop over to Singapore or Bangkok or even Phuket for 2-3 days.

8 days in HK even with visit to Macao might be long. Taipei can be a interesting side trip.

As a general rule, all else being equal, I would visit the city that's new to you. I lived in Tokyo during my high school years and return often - my family just returned from a trip there last week - so my bias is to say "Japan!" but, in your shoes, I would try Hong Kong.

Thanks Richard.^

That was my concern - whilst out initial base was going to be Tokyo, we'd planned to travel to Osaka, Kyoto, etc as there was plenty we missed on our last trip. In addition we have actually budgeted 11 days, which makes Hong Kong even smaller.

May I ask which you enjoyed more?

8 days in HK even with visit to Macao might be long. Taipei can be a interesting side trip.I had just edited my post to add in some side trips - this is a decent choice too (I did it once) though frankly I think SIN/BKK might be more interesting. (IMHO)

Or you could do say 4-5 days in HK and then hop over to Singapore or Bangkok or even Phuket for 2-3 days.
Now that is an idea :D :cool:

Or even HK and Japan? :p

Thanks to all for your replies ^

Definitely not enough to do on 8 days for Hong Kong. Japan would be my vote. Went there recently, for the first time, and loved it. Fantastic place. Much more to do.

I had just edited my post to add in some side trips - this is a decent choice too (I did it once) though frankly I think SIN/BKK might be more interesting. (IMHO)

They are all interesting. With 11 days in SE Asian the choices open up. Beside TPE, SIN and BKK can also be considered. TPE was suggested due to shorter flight from HK.

I'm happy to spend a week or so in HK, although it helps to get outside of the city at times and perhaps divide the stay among two hotels. You can also go to Macao for a couple days.

For more discussion, please follow as the thread moves to the Destinations->Asia forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

They are all interesting. With 11 days in SE Asian the choices open up. Beside TPE, SIN and BKK can also be considered. TPE was suggested due to shorter flight from HK.
Really don't know why I didn't think of popping to other places; it's a brilliant idea :cool:

Singapore really appeals - it's on my list of places I have always wanted to visit.:)

Thanks again to all - so glad I posted this thread now. :D

^

Can get a flight from HKG to NRT for £212 :cool:

4hrs 20 on Delta

OR

HKG to SIN for £304 :cool:

3hrs 55 on United

Now to decided which one.:D

Really not much contest to my mind. I too vote Japan. Note how many of the posts about Hong Kong actually tell you to go somewhere else...

Now this is strange - been playing about with routes and it seems if I go from:

Osaka to HKG - cheapest is £391 (many flights around that price)

HKG to Osaka - cheapest is £1,186 (all flights around that price)

Both flights on same day - how can that be? Such a difference in price depending on which direction you're flying?

Ok found flight on HKG Express £380 KIX to HKG - so here's my new plan :D

LHR to NRT

4 days Tokyo

Bullet train to Osaka

4 days Osaka (Kyoto, etc)

KIX to HKG

4 days Hong Kong

HKG to LHR

Am liking it.:D What do you think?:o

There are a lot of low cost carriers serving the region that might not show up in a search on Expedia etc. Tiger Air and Air Asia are two decent ones.

Also, if you're redeeming miles for the long-haul flights, a lot of programs allow you to include a stop-over and an extra leg at no additional cost. Though LHR-NRT (stopover) KIX-HKG (Destination) - LHR includes a stopover and open jaw which might not be allowed, so you'd have to go back to NRT for the middle segment.

And frankly, a paid fare might let you do the same thing for minimal extra cost. I'd definitely look into pricing it altogether before purchasing the one-way fare.

Thanks ijgordon will do:)

How do stop overs work? Had a look on BA website and it gave a ridiculous route for the NRT to HKG leg. Does it have to be a partner to be free?

Confused - aren't Cathay Pacific a partner of BA? So you'd expect when you try and book a multi route for the NRT - HKG part of the route to show a Cathay flight but no....check what BA.com came up with and not one was direct.

Narita (Tokyo)
Changi (Singapore)
BA4609 Japan Airlines

Changi (Singapore)
Sydney Kingsford Smith
BA0015 British Airways

Sydney Kingsford Smith
Hong Kong
BA7323 Qantas Airways Ltd

2 flight connections, total journey time: 36 hours 10 minutes

That's just ridiculous lol - how do you book a multi route? Do you have to phone?

Confused - aren't Cathay Pacific a partner of BA? So you'd expect when you try and book a multi route for the NRT - HKG part of the route to show a Cathay flight but no?

After a while you will get used to it, but it is confusing, your aim should be to beat the system, it is so much fun when you take the programs on, head on. Most of our family international flying is done on Qantas, because the domestic market in Australia earns us 40000 per month, but Qantas rarely offers us QF flights on their webpage, it is always BA and CX or Oman Air. Qantas is very much like BA, I don't know who copied who, they had the same GMs there for a while.. On a recent award flight back to Mildura from Bejing, we were offered CAN, HKG, PER, ADL then MEL. It is a matter of holding your nerve and keep trying until you are happy with the routing. This latest flight on QF awards we didn't buy until 2 days before the flight and by then we were able to get the route we wanted, I appreciate you cannot do that. If it of any help, anyone in the travel industry gets better results looking at the Airline screen, and unless you are adverse to it, I would pose the question to a travel agent. "Canyou get me this flight?" Odds are they will say Yes. As to your plan, it looks good, love the train absolutely adore Osaka, could happily live my life in Hong Kong, see if you can get a chance to see Shenzhen, just over the border, have an good time envy you

Thanks BKKROP will keep trying.:D Had a good laugh when it offered me the 36 hr route to Sydney....lol

Gotta say love this forum. Be nice if there was a 'Thanks' button just so I could thank those who have given me advice.^

Been trying to get a decent route and eventually read this:

What you can use this search for

This multi-city search allows you to create a more complex journey. For example a journey that may involve:

A connecting journey involving a British Airways flight
Departing from a different airport than your arrival airport
A break in your journey, (i.e. staying overnight or longer at one or more destinations).
Up to 6 individual flights.

London to Hong Kong
Hong Kong to Bangkok
Bangkok to London

We do not fly directly from Hong Kong to Bangkok, and would be unable to book this part of the journey on ba.com. You would be able to book this with us if you call us. The following link will provide you with suitable contact details in your area
How rubbish is that.:td:

How about things between HKG and NRT? Maybe consider visiting TPE or ICN.

Been to both, HK and Japan multiple times and the new itinerary you suggest is good. My only comment on the itinerary would be to try to stay in Kyoto instead of Osaka. Kyoto has lots of historic and cultural sights, Osaka is a modern city and does not offer much in the way of historic sights. Kyoto will keep you busy for 4 days. If you'd like to visit Osaka the trains are frequent between these two cities and aren't expensive unless you use the bullet train. The regular trains are probably more convenient as the bullet trains only go to Shin Osaka station which isn't conveniently located once in Osaka.

For your flights, consider a CX ticket LHR - HKG - NRT//KIX - HKG (stopover) - LHR. Not sure how that would price out but it's worth looking into. Also, I must caution you that old the CX seats are simply awful and these are being replaced so I'd post on the CX forum and check on the routes for the new seats BEFORE you purchase a ticket if their prices are good.

Confused - aren't Cathay Pacific a partner of BA? So you'd expect when you try and book a multi route for the NRT - HKG part of the route to show a Cathay flight but no....check what BA.com came up with and not one was direct.



That's just ridiculous lol - how do you book a multi route? Do you have to phone?

I might've missed it, but did you mention if you go decide to go on award or paid ticket?
If award, which program? That might give people idea on how to help you.

Better yet, if you have trouble piecing the routing, you might want to hop on the right FF board and post your question there.
Most people will be happy to suggest the routing.

There are a lot of low cost carriers serving the region that might not show up in a search on Expedia etc. Tiger Air and Air Asia are two decent ones.

That is right. Some LCC won't show on expedia, etc.
I'm not sure what the options are for local(or LCC) that serves on that region, but if you decide SE asia i could suggest a few others like: lion air, citilink, garuda.

Zuji has a HK site. I just plugged in a HKG - BKK route and they have options under Jetstar (which is an overnight flight because they don't fly direct). Cheap rate for Emirates.

Just got back and had an amazing time. Thanks to all for your advice. Ended up doing Japan/HK - was great to experience the contrast between the two both very different.

After a while you will get used to it, but it is confusing, your aim should be to beat the system, it is so much fun when you take the programs on, head on. Most of our family international flying is done on Qantas, because the domestic market in Australia earns us 40000 per month, but Qantas rarely offers us QF flights on their webpage, it is always BA and CX or Oman Air. Qantas is very much like BA, I don't know who copied who, they had the same GMs there for a while.. On a recent award flight back to Mildura from Bejing, we were offered CAN, HKG, PER, ADL then MEL. It is a matter of holding your nerve and keep trying until you are happy with the routing. This latest flight on QF awards we didn't buy until 2 days before the flight and by then we were able to get the route we wanted, I appreciate you cannot do that. If it of any help, anyone in the travel industry gets better results looking at the Airline screen, and unless you are adverse to it, I would pose the question to a travel agent. "Canyou get me this flight?" Odds are they will say Yes. As to your plan, it looks good, love the train absolutely adore Osaka, could happily live my life in Hong Kong, see if you can get a chance to see Shenzhen, just over the border, have an good time envy you

You like Shenzhen? Or are you saying, because it's China should take advantage of the the visa at the border just to visit it(assuming OP is from UK)?