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Hey all, a couple more quick questions: We land at 22:20 from NRT. My thought is to take a cab from the airport because by the time we clear customs etc...I figure it could be close to midnight. Smart move? Do they charge per person or the destination? The Hilton website says $100hk from the airport. Is that a per person charge? And do they have ATM's in the airport like at NRT?
Just as an FYI, we leave for HKG on 9 July. I will have a link to a travel blog posted if that is permitted, otherwise, I will post in the trip review page.
Thanks in advance to everyone who has made this so much easier for us. I know I couldn't have done it without you!
JD
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Detroit Michigan is in the Eastern Time Zone...
Hey all, a couple more quick questions: We land at 22:20 from NRT. My thought is to take a cab from the airport because by the time we clear customs etc...I figure it could be close to midnight.
JD
Depending on immigration line, you can be comfortably out by 11:30 and have plenty of time to consider AE train into town. Can't remember last train but our CX flight last year was delayed past midnight and we made the 'last' train (we hold local HKSAR ID so immigration took 1 minute).
In the middle of the arrival terminal, there are a couple of ATM machines. Strongly discourage changing money at the airport money changer counters...wait until you get into town or go to bank.
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA (Recently of San Francisco)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnied
Hey all, a couple more quick questions: We land at 22:20 from NRT. My thought is to take a cab from the airport because by the time we clear customs etc...I figure it could be close to midnight. Smart move? Do they charge per person or the destination? The Hilton website says $100hk from the airport. Is that a per person charge? And do they have ATM's in the airport like at NRT?
Just as an FYI, we leave for HKG on 9 July. I will have a link to a travel blog posted if that is permitted, otherwise, I will post in the trip review page.
Thanks in advance to everyone who has made this so much easier for us. I know I couldn't have done it without you!
JD
The express train is, literally, right outside of customs -- just keep walking and you'll come to it. There are electronic ticket machines at which you can buy a ticket.
Taxis charge per destination, not per person.
There are ATMs at the airport, though I don't recall if there are any between customs and the express train.
One note: You're going to be in Hong Kong when it's VERY hot and humid. You'll want to dress accordingly.
Depending on immigration line, you can be comfortably out by 11:30 and have plenty of time to consider AE train into town. Can't remember last train ...
Hey all, a couple more quick questions: We land at 22:20 from NRT. My thought is to take a cab from the airport because by the time we clear customs etc...I figure it could be close to midnight.
JD
Assuming, and it looks like you are arriving from NH, this flight can range from arriving on time to really over time. One time the plane leaves the gate on time, but the plane was sitting at the tarmac for almost an hour probably due to ATC traffic, the plane didn't take off from NRT til 19:30, and due to strong head wind we didn't arrive into HKG til 23:30, I barely miss the last A12 bus.
A taxi from the airport to the Conrad is going to cost around HK$300 for up to 5 people (legally, but 3-4 comfortably, depending on size); luggage in the trunk is $5 per piece extra; tunnel fees are added to the metered fare. The Airport Express is $180 round trip per person, although if there are 3 or more of you then group one-way tickets work out cheaper. The airport website shows the locations of plenty of ATMs. Don't use money changers at the airport, they are a major rip-off.
A taxi from the airport to the Conrad is going to cost around HK$300 for up to 5 people (legally, but 3-4 comfortably, depending on size); luggage in the trunk is $5 per piece extra; tunnel fees are added to the metered fare. The Airport Express is $180 round trip per person, although if there are 3 or more of you then group one-way tickets work out cheaper. The airport website shows the locations of plenty of ATMs. Don't use money changers at the airport, they are a major rip-off.
Actually, even with just 2 in a group, it's cheaper to get the one-way Group Ticket. It's HK$160 for two between airport and Hong Kong, each way.
The last free complimentary shuttle is at 23:12, so the OP probably won't be able to make it. Will need a taxi to get to the Conrad. That should be about HK$30 or so.
Yes, you're right of course. I misremembered my calculation, which was actually the trade-off against the discounted round-trip tickets available for about HK$143 from travel agents around town.
I am in concurrance with the following suggestions that have already been mentioned:
* Star Ferry
* HK Island Trams
* The Peak (There's a nice walking trail around the peak. It's about 1.5 miles, well marked, and provides some nice views)
* Lantau Island and the "Big Buddha" - Ngong Ping 360 (gondolas) is an option to take you up the mountain or you can also go by bus. The gondolas are approximately US$13 for adults and about 1/2 off for children under 13. It's a really nice ride with spectacular views.
* HK Park - Aviary (A really nice walk-thru aviary with many types of birds)
For me, personally, I'd give HK Disneyland and Ocean Park a pass, especially if you're only going to be in HK for three days. Disneyland is nothing special, especially if you've been to the Disney parks in the U.S., and Ocean Park is nice but not as extensive as Sea World or the Monterey Bay Aquarium if you've been to these attractions in the U.S.
Here are some additional suggestions:
* Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon
* "Kung Fu Corner" in Kowloon Park - Sundays 2:30PM-4:30PM if you'll be in HK on Sunday
* Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Sha Tin (I found this temple very interesting, but you'll have to hike up about 400 steps up a hill, but worth the hike. You'll be rewarded with some wonderful views and literally 10,000 buddhas!.....although since you'll be going in the summer it will be a bit of work in the heat. Bring lots of water!)
* The HK Space Museum (in Kowloon)
* The HK Museum of History (in Kowloon)
* The HK Museum of Science (in Kowloon)
* The HK Musuem of Culture (In Sha Tin)
I found all of these museums to interesting and well presented. On Tuesdays or Wednesday some of the museums offer free admission.
* A junk ride in Aberdeen (very inexpensive). One of the old ladies that drive one of the many junks in the Aberdeen Harbor will take you for a nice ride around the harbor, including around the floating Jumbo Restaurant.
* Stanley Market (a wonderful little "village" just a 30 minute bus ride over the mountain from HK Island). There's some great shopping there (little shops and outdoor vendors) and a nice promenade with restaurants (although a bit touristy). And, if you want to stop at the beach, you can do so in Repulse Bay. It's along the way and offers nice, wide, and clean beaches.
* Be sure to watch the nightly laser light show that occurs at 8PM on both sides of the harbor. The light show is choreographed to music with some narration in both Mandarin and English (alternates daily). A fun place to watch the show is from the Star Ferry but then you'll miss the music. The trip to / from Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai is a little longer than between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central.
* Annual Dragon Boat Races. This is an awesome event, but this year it's happening at the end of May so I think you'll probably miss it. Here's a link the HK Tourism website: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/...boat-race.html
And, since it will be HOT when you're visiting, here are a few suggestions to beat the heat:
* Swimming at the public pool in Kowloon Park. There are several different pools in this very nice complex; full size lap pool (indoors), a couple of outdoor pools (with waterfalls!), and a kids pool. All are attended to by lifeguards.
* Ice skating at one of the several shopping centers with ice rinks. It a great way to meet the locals and to stay COOL!! Plus, when you're done skating there are a ton of restaurant options right at the shopping center!
If you're interested in purchasing a chop, I have the name and address of someone for you who has a little shop just across the street from the Sheung Wan MTR Station. He speaks English, has a wide assortment of chops, the prices are reasonable, and he does quality work. PM me if you're interested.
As others have mentioned, buy an Octopus card. It can be used for pretty much any type of public transportation in HK, plus many stores. You can either purchase it at one of the MTR Service Centers at the airport (just outside Customs and Immigration) or at one of the MTR Service booths at the major MTR stations. With the Octopus card, you won't have to figure out the fare or have exact change and you can get a full refund of the remaining balance on the card, less US$1 for a "handling" charge, by turning in the card at the MTR Service Center at the airport.
Hope this information is helpful. I'll PM you with some additional info.
Programs: NW Plat, UA PE, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 167
Quote:
Originally Posted by christep
Yes, you're right of course. I misremembered my calculation, which was actually the trade-off against the discounted round-trip tickets available for about HK$143 from travel agents around town.
It's just the two of us. Daddy-Daughter adventure in Asia. Did the same with the Son 5 years ago. She has to out do her brother, hence the side trip to HK.
Another question: Although we are used to hot humid summers, are tasteful t-shirts ok for walking around? Temples/Shrines? We want to be respectful, but comfortable too. And all of you have sold me on bottled water.
I know I have said this before, but thank you all of you for your help.
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Detroit Michigan is in the Eastern Time Zone...
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA (Recently of San Francisco)
Programs: UA-1P,SPG-Gold,Marriott-Silver
Posts: 10,337
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnied
It's just the two of us. Daddy-Daughter adventure in Asia. Did the same with the Son 5 years ago. She has to out do her brother, hence the side trip to HK.
Another question: Although we are used to hot humid summers, are tasteful t-shirts ok for walking around? Temples/Shrines? We want to be respectful, but comfortable too. And all of you have sold me on bottled water.
I know I have said this before, but thank you all of you for your help.
Tasteful t-shirts are fine. Shorts, at least for men, are more of an American tourist thing.
