Are you visiting Hong Kong for the first time? On top of that, are you travelling alone? Visiting a massive city like Hong Kong can be overwhelming and stressful unless you’re familiar with some of the basics for first-time travellers. From finding your way around the airport to booking the right accommodation and setting up your cell phone, there’s a full spectrum of basics that a first-time visitor needs to know when coming to Hong Kong.
Finding your way around the international airport
You can land in Hongkong on a commercial plane, your private jet or your jet owned through fractional private jet ownership. No matter how you reach there, Hong Kong will feel like a brand-new experience. The minute you see the international airport you’ll feel like there’s no need for you to go elsewhere for entertainment because the airport features a myriad of restaurants, cinemas, free wi-fi and even a shopping mall. So, in case your returning flight is delayed, you will have plenty of choices to kill time. Keep in mind that you will also go through customs and receive a visa upon entry if you declared that you’re travelling as a tourist. To avoid getting in trouble, we suggest you declare that you’re travelling for business purposes and get a visa in advance if needed.
Accommodation options
Finding decent accommodation is the next on the list, and you will come across a full spectrum of choices. Finding studios for rent in Hong Kong is one of the best options. You can choose between small, middle, or big studios. If you’re planning a longer stay, studios with balconies and bunk bed studios will be a good choice too, offering accommodation for your entire business team. Budget hotels or deluxe hotels are also an option if you’d like to splurge on accommodation.
Set up your cell phone
Making calls through your home provider’s network can be pricey in Hong Kong. That’s why you’ll need to get a Hong Kong SIM card and make calls at affordable prices. China Mobile Hong Kong, 1010, and Three Hong Kong are the providers you can choose between and find your best deal. For shorter trips, pre-paid cards will do the work, allowing you to make phone calls and use the internet at reasonable prices. You can find SIM cards at the airport and save yourself the trouble of roaming around the city in search of your Hong Kong number.
Choose your transportation wisely
When it comes to transportation options, Honk Kong doesn’t disappoint. They have everything you’ll ever expect from public transportation in a metropolis. Their trains and metros are clean, fast, and most important of all, always respect the timetable and are never late. The metro system is widely popular since a stop can be found at every major point of Hong Kong. For travellers who stay in Hong Kong for several days, and plan to tour the city, an Octopus card for the metro and busses is a must-have. Taxis and trams are other options of transportation that many prefer over a metro. Red taxis are quite prominent, so you’ll have no trouble spotting and landing one. While metros cover almost the entirety of Hong Kong, there are still some areas where you’ll need a minibus to reach. Hop on and off the bus for a flat rate. You can find them by the metro stops most often.
Work spots all around
If you need a place to work from and your hotel or a studio apartment isn’t the most suitable, Hong Kong has a full spectrum of work-friendly locations. Like in any other city, coffee shops offer a pleasant ambience and enough coffee and snacks to keep you fuelled for work. Coworking spaces are everyone’s favourite place to work from and meet new people. If you like an ambience where people are in their full work mode, motivating you to do your work, then a coworking space is where you need to be. Depending on how long you’ll be staying in Hong Kong, you can pay a weekly or a daily fee to use the space. An international airport is also a place where many people find their working sanctuary. Whether you’re in need to finish work before you board the plane, or you’ve found accommodation close by, you can go back to the airport and do your daily tasks there, just like many other residents of Hong Kong do.
Final thoughts
Visiting new cities is always thrilling and fulfilling. However, when you’re travelling for business, you’ll need to plan your trip a bit differently. Looking for places to stay and work-friendly locations will be of the essence if you want to be at your most productive. Make sure you book affordable accommodation, learn everything about public transport and invest in a local SIM card to avoid breaking the bank on calls and texts.
