10 Best things to do in Hong Kong on a Budget (2024)

A couple of weeks ago, I finally got to visit Hong Kong, and the team atTravelexset me on a mission to discover the sights, sounds and buzz of this special region… but on a budget!

To me, budget travel is not about saving every penny; it’s about getting the best experience at the best price. The aim was luxury for less.

Think sunset co*cktail cruises, rooftop bars, three-course dinners with the best views of the city and street food picnics, all for under $100…I know, right?I was expecting Hong Kong to be mega expensive, but luckily, you can enjoy heaps of top experiences here without splashing the cash.

Best things to do in Hong Kong on a budget

I’ve got to be honest: A weekend was not long enough to explore everything that Hong Kong has to offer. I would have loved to visit more of the Islands, so if you are planning to visit, maybe make it a three—or four-day weekend.

(*All prices 2016 in Hong Kong Dollars, check current exchange rates here =AUD|USD|GBP)

1. VICTORIA PEAK

Cost: Free or Tram HK$40 return

‘The Peak’ offers an incredible view of the city skyline in Hong Kong. To get to the peak, you can either hop on board the vintage tram, which regularly runs up and down or save yourself the cash and hike up to the top. Grab some street food and enjoy a lavishly cheap picnic with the city’s best views.

I headed to the peak both in the morning and at night, and the views were miles better at night. Hong Kong is one of those cities that comes to life after dark. For a slightly better vantage point, you can pay to access the Sky Deck. I didn’t, as I think the views are pretty epic without the extra expense.

2. STREET FOOD

Cost: HK$30+

After reading a fewHong Kong food guides, I knew that coming to this city and skipping on the street food would be a sin,especially when it came to Dim Sum. Though the city is scattered with incredible eats at low prices, some of the most popular spots and markets include Kowloon Market(great for fresh fruits)and my favourite,Sham Shui Po.

3. HIT UP THE MUSEUMS

Cost: HK$30 (Weekly Pass)

Hong Kong has its fair share of museums, and though it isn’t as famed for its art collections as many other mega-cities if you are after a dose of art or culture, the weekly museum pass is a steal, gaining you access to five of the largest in the city. TheHong Kong Museum of Artoffers a fascinating collection of piecesdating back through the centuries which you are unlikely to find in most locations.

4. TAKE IN VICTORIA HARBOUR

Cost: Free

Victoria Harbour is one of Hong Kong’s most famous attractions. By day, you can wander the Avenue of Stars (currently closed for refurbishment), which is dedicated to some of the region’s most famous or hop on the cheap Star Ferry to cross over to Hong Kong island with a waterway view.

By night, the free ‘Symphony of Light’ show draws in the crowds. A host of buildings on the island side light up, and lasers shower the city in light.

5. NEON SIGN BARGAINS

Cost: Your call!

The legendary neon signs of Hong Kong are slowly disappearing, but these bright lights still make the streets stand out.Shopping in this city can range from expensive malls to bartering at street markets.Just hunt down the lights and get ready to shop.

Two of the most famous streets for market shopping are Temple Street Night Market which is by far one of the most touristy(and buzzing)where you can stock up on clothes, antiques and electronics orLadies Marketwhich are more Chinese in feel and stocks a huge selection of clothes for both ladies and guys.

6. VISIT THE TEMPLES

Cost: Free +

There are many temples to take your pick from throughout Hong Kong. Lantau Island and the Big Buddha may be the most famous, but I didn’t have time to hit it up during this visit. I did take the MRT to Wong Tai Sin Temple, which had an incredibly spiritual feel to it, even with the mix of praying locals and tourists. As an added bonus, there is a peaceful garden to enjoy here, and it is a great starting point to take a hike to another famous viewpoint, Lion’s Rock.

7. BEACH OR ISLAND ESCAPES

Cost: Price of a transport ticket

When you think of cities like Hong Kong, beautiful beaches are not the first thing that springs to mind. Whilst I skipped this tip due to rain/time, each outlying island, which are a short ferry ride away, can provide something different. This list of thebest beaches in Hong Kongis well worth checking outif you have the time to pack some sand and waves for your visit.

8. SUNSET CRUISES

Cost: HK$195

Heading back to Victoria Harbour to grab an evening boat cruise is something I can’t recommend enough.You can either go for sunset, the Symphony of Lights or after dark for dinner.

I went withAqua Lunafor the sunset cruise, which has the added bonus of being on a converted traditional Junk Boat. Throw in a free drink, and you have a beautiful hour of sunset and sipping as the high rises’ bright lights start to shine through the darkness of the mountainous backdrop.

9. DINNER & co*ckTAILS WITH A VIEW

Cost: HK$100+

The highest bar in the world sits atop the Ritz Carlton, with incredible views of the city below. co*cktails can be pricey here, but you are paying for the view.

However, if you are after dinner, not all restaurants on rooftops cost a bomb. I ate at Hooray Bar & Restaurant in Causeway Bay, which had some great views of central. Lunch menus started from $88, and dinner mains were $188.

10. SNAP SOME IMPOSING ARCHITECTURE

Cost: Nada

Hong Kong, with its limited space and rising population, has a whole heap of housing estates towering into the air. On first glance, you might label them ugly, but if you take a deeper look, there are plenty of patterns, symmetry, and beauty to be found in these high rises. Take a trip on the metro and find some unique angles to capture the city from, and you’ll also discover heaps of local hangouts to enjoy food and atmosphere for less.

Getting there, around & Where to stay

If this all sounds a little hectic for a short stopover, my friend Erika wrote up everything she managed to cram into her24 hour Hong Kong Layover.So if you only have one day heretake a look.

Fly in with…Hong Kong has heaps of budget airlines serving it, but if you are a OneWorld points collector, you can get some great bargains with Cathay Pacific. I took a return flight from Bali (5 hours) using points, and it was 21 GBP on top.

Check into…Accommodation can be pricey, but if you want to be pretty centrally located, then you might want to check out Bishop Lei International, where I stayed. Three nights on a Booking.com deal cost 150 GBP, but for a private room, rooftop pool, and a few steps from the bars and action of Lan Kwai Fong, I thought it wasn’t a bad price for a notoriously expensive city.

Getting around…Grab yourself an Octopus card which can be used on buses, trains, trams and some ferry services. It can also be used to pay for goods in many shops. Find out more infohere. Taxis are also not that expensive at all here (HK$8 – 1km) so may be a better option if you are time short.