Hong Kong: Tips for the Traveler

Hong Kong Passport & Visa Requirements
These requirements are subject to change. Check with the embassy or consulate in your home country before you depart. Australian and New Zealand citizens: A valid passport is required for stays of up to three months. EU citizens: A valid passport and a return ticket are required for stays of up to three months (12 months for British citizens). Japanese citizens: A valid passport and a return ticket are required for stays of up to one month. U.S. citizens: A valid passport and a return ticket are required for stays of up to one month. Canadian citizens: A valid passport and a return ticket are required for stays of up to three months. Others: Citizens of all other countries not listed above should check with the embassy or consulate in their home country for details on entry requirements.

Phone Code
The international telephone access code for Hong Kong is 852; there are no area or city codes.

Telephones 
Telephones in Hong Kong are advanced, economical and easy to use. Local calls are free, and many stores and restaurants offer use of a telephone free of charge to patrons. Calls from public coin phones cost HK$1. Most hotels have International Direct Dialling (IDD). Please note that some hotels charge a handling fee for local and/or international calls. You can also make long-distance calls from (IDD) Public Coin Phones and from HK Telecom International Ltd. Offices. An easy method of making calls is to purchase stored-value phone cards (HK$50, $150 and $200), which can be used in any Cardphone box. The new Hello Phonecard (HK$100, $200,$300) is a stored value card that enables the user to place calls to and from over 30 countries from a touch-tone phone. Both types of cards can be purchased at HKTA Information and Gift Centres and most convenience stores. Call 013 for information.

Post Offices
The main post offices are on Hong Kong Island, next to the Star Ferry and in Kowloon at 10 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Both are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturday. All post offices close on Sunday and public holidays.

Time Zone
Hong Kong time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich mean time (GMT) and London, or 7 hours ahead of Berlin and Paris, 14 hours ahead of New York, 1 hour behind Tokyo, and 2 hours behind Sydney.

Business Hours
Banking hours are 10 AM–4 PM, Monday–Friday, and 9:30 AM–12:30 PM on Saturday. Most large businesses are open 9 AM–1 PM, Monday–Friday, and the hours for small businesses are 10 AM–7 PM, Monday– Saturday. Sunday is considered a holiday, but many shops are open.

Holidays
Western and Chinese culture combine to form a mixture of holidays. Official holidays are New Year's Day (1 January), Chinese New Year (three days in January or February), Good Friday (March or April), Ching Ming (April), Tuen Ng (June), Queen's Birthday (21 June), Birthday of Lu Pan (July), Maidens' Festival (August), Liberation Day (last Monday in August), Mid-Autumn Festival (September), Cheung Yeung Festival (October), Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 26).

Weather

Hong Kong's climate is subtropical, with four seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with average temperatures of 28° C (82° F), with frequent rains from April through September. During that time—but sometimes even as late as November—Hong Kong also experiences typhoons (tropical storms). Visitors need to be aware of the typhoon early warning system. There is a winter season, and a very brief spring and fall. The best time to visit is from October to December, when it is cooler and drier.

From January to March is the coldest time of year, with an average temperature of 15° C (59° F). Spring (March - mid-May): Temperature and humidity rising. Jackets or sweaters suggested. Average temperature: 23°C (73°F), humidity around 82%, sea temperature, 22.3° C (72° F). Summer: (late May - mid-September): Hot and humid. Temperature may rise to 33°C (91 °F) with humidity up to around 90%.

Shirtsleeves, cotton clothing, a sweater for indoors and an umbrella for outside suggested Average temperature: 28°C (82°F), humidity 80%, sea temperature 28°C (82°F). Autumn (late September - early December): temperature and humidity drop. Clear sunny days. Shirtsleeves to sweaters and light jackets suggested. Average temperature: 23°C (73°F), humidity 72%, sea temperature 17°C (63°F). Winter (late December- February): Cool with low humidity. Suits, light wool garments and sometimes overcoats suggested. Average temperature: 17°C (62°F), humidity 72%, sea temperature 17°C (63°F). 

Money

The currency of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar, divided into 100 cents, with an exchange value pegged to the U.S. dollar. Notes are available in denominations of HK$10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000. Coins are minted in denominations of 10, 20, and 50 cents and HK$1, 2, and 5. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign or Hong Kong currency imported or exported. Currency can be exchanged at banks and local money changers or city exchange offices. Banks offer some of the best rates in town.

Major credit cards are accepted at almost every hotel, restaurant, and store, plus there are automated teller machines (fee-free) that offer local currency against credit cards. You're better off with plastic in your wallet, rather than cash. Traveler's checks may be cashed at all provincial banks and authorized money changers. As of December 2006, 1 Hong Kong dollar = 0.128617363 U.S. dollars or 1 U.S. dollar = 7.77500 Hong Kong dollars.

Tipping
Generally, tipping is not expected. A 10 percent service charge is usually added at finer restaurants. In taxis you should round up the fare to the nearest dollar.

Hong Kong Customs Regulations
Visitors are allowed duty-free import of 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco (half those amounts for Hong Kong residents); 1 liter of alcohol; 60 milliliters of perfume; 250 milliliters of eau de toilet. The following articles are prohibited from import: narcotics, weapons, fireworks, antibiotics, poisons, firearms, ammunition, textiles, counterfeit goods, animals, plants, meat products, copyright-infringed articles.

Taxes
Certain items are subject to a 7 percent value-added tax (VAT) which is included in the price. Tourist hotels add an 11 percent hotel tax, and sometimes a service charge is added in addition.

Measurements
Weights and measures are expressed with the metric system, with traditional Chinese variations.

Electricity
Current is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Electric outlets accommodate three round prongs. Travelers who wish to operate personal small electric items should bring a plug-adapter kit, and, if needed, a 110 volt transformer. You should also call your hotel to see if its equipped with voltage converters.  Most four or five star hotel have built-in voltage transformers in bathrooms.

Driving
As Hong Kong is small and crowded, it makes renting a car impractical. Driving, in fact, is discouraged. Public transportation (bus, subway, tram, train, ferry, taxi) is excellent, cheap, fast, and very efficient. Driving is on the left-hand side. Foreigners over the age 18 need a valid driver's license from their home country or an international driving permit. For further information on getting around in Hong Kong, see Transportation.

Emergencies
The number to phone for all police, medical, fire, and other emergencies is 999.