Our first day in Hong Kong was quite short because we landed in the evening, and we spent some time in the airport running some errands such as getting sim card, buying octopus card, and finding the bus stop for S1 bus. I have compiled the guides on things to do upon your arrival at HK airport to make your arrival smooth.
From Airport to Hotel
Based on Google Maps, the best way to travel from airport to my hotel at Best Western Harbour View Hotel (now Ramada Hong Kong Harbour View) in Sai Ying Pun is by taking direct bus A10, which cost $48. However, I felt that it’s expensive for me.
Google Maps second suggestion is:
1. Take S1 bus from airport to Tung Chung MTR (cost $3.50)
2. Take MTR from Tung Chung to Hong Kong (cost $21.90)
3. Take bus from Queen Victoria Street to Centre Street (cost $5.70)
Total cost is $31.10. I followed this route, which I regret later after I learn that when you take a bus in HK, you will pay the full fare regardless of where you alight from the bus, unlike buses in Singapore.
The BEST method for my situation is:
1. Take S1 bus from airport to Tung Chung MTR (cost $3.50)
2. Take MTR from Tung Chung to Sai Ying Pun (cost $21.90)
3. Walk to hotel
Total cost is $25.40.
PS: Google Maps doesn’t tell you the fare, you need to go to MTR website or bus website to check the fare. Scroll to the end for my tips and resources.
Google Maps suggestion to go from Hong Kong International Airport to Best Western Harbour View Hotel. I followed this route but I regret taking the bus.
Hong Kong MTR cabin that we boarded from Tung Chung was apparently pretty empty in the evening
Check-in to Hotel
The check-in process was quite fuss free. Best Western Harbour View Hotel (now Ramada Hong Kong Harbour View) is a high-rise building of 38-storey. Our room was located at 20 over storey, the 3 lifts are barely enough, we always have to wait for long time for the lifts to arrive.
The size of our Superior Mountain View room is typical of HK hotel room: SMALL! There wasn’t any table, only a wall mounted small wooden ledge. Mini fridge, kettle, and tea bags are on bay window.
The thing I love most from the hotel is the view of busy traffic below. Talk about the view, I don’t see any mountain even though my room is mountain view, lol. I guess the mountain is blocked by the high-rise in front of the hotel.
Interior of our Superior Mountain View room
View of the road from our room
By the time we settled down, it was already quite late. Hence we went down to check what’s available nearby.
Finding dinner
There is a 7-11 which sells bento box meals, some Chinese restaurants and a McDonald’s. We decided to grab a fast meal from McDonald’s. The thrifty in me feel that the set meal with best value is McSpicy, so we bought that for our dinner.
Along the road that we passed from hotel to McD, I noticed an old homeless man sleeping on the pedestrian walkway. It is a very sad situation. I just hope that some people in HK would step up to care for them.
Bento Box from 7-11
McDonald’s menu
Homeless man on the Queen’s Road West road, just in front of our hotel. A very sad reality.
TIPS:
Here are some useful websites related to MTR and Buses.
To check MTR Fare:
https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/octopus_fares.html
Bus fare from airport:
https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/transport/to-from-airport/public-buses.page
Bus Fare in HK for the geek in you:
Citybus & NWFB: https://mobile.nwstbus.com.hk/nwp3/?f=0&l=1
For Kowloon Motor Bus: http://www.kmb.hk/en/
For New Lantao Bus: http://www.newlantaobus.com/
For Long Win Bus: http://www.lwb.hk/en/
This is Part 3 of 10 in my “Hong Kong Trip in 2016” series. Read other parts of this series:
- Part 1: 6 Days Hong Kong Trip Overview (10-15 May 2016) – Itinerary & Cost
- Part 2: 7 Essential Guides to Arriving in Hong Kong International Airport
- Part 3: Hong Kong: Airport to Hotel, Check in Best Western Harbour View Hotel, Dinner McDonald’s
- Part 4: Hong Kong: Lantau Island The Big Buddha, Po Lin Monastery, Wisdom Path; Tai O, Symphony of Lights
- Part 5: Hong Kong: Lamma Island, Flower Market, Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, Ladies’ Market, Temple Street Night Market
- Part 6: Hong Kong: The Peak by Bus, Peak Circle Walk, Bubba Gump, Dorsett Tsuen Wan
- Part 7: Hong Kong: Kadoorie Farm, McDonald’s Next, Food Hunting, Garden of Stars
- Part 8: Hong Kong: Garden of Stars Instead of Avenue of Stars, Australia Dairy Co, Departure from Hong Kong International Airport
- Part 9: 5 Easily Accessible Michelin Street Foods To Try in Hong Kong
- Part 10: Geek’s Alert – Civil Engineering Practices in Hong Kong
To see all articles I’ve written about this country, visit my Hong Kong page.
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