What to Expect
Ships dock at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (Kowloon side, former Kai Tak Airport runway) or Ocean Terminal at Harbour City (Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon). Ocean Terminal is the most central — MTR Tsim Sha Tsui station is a 5-minute walk. Kai Tak is further out; a taxi to Tsim Sha Tsui costs HK$50–70 (€6–9). The city divides into Kowloon (the peninsula) and Hong Kong Island; the Star Ferry (HK$3.40, ≈ €0.40) crosses the harbour in 10 minutes and is itself worth doing. Victoria Harbour's skyline view from the Kowloon waterfront promenade is the city's most famous image.
Getting Around
The MTR (Mass Transit Railway) covers Hong Kong Island and Kowloon comprehensively; fares HK$5–55 (€0.65–7) depending on distance. Buy an Octopus card (HK$150 including HK$100 credit) at any MTR station — works on MTR, buses, trams, ferries, and some taxis. The iconic double-decker trams on Hong Kong Island (HK$3 flat fare) run east–west along the north shore. Taxis: red (urban), green (New Territories), blue (Lantau) — flagfall HK$27, typical city trip HK$50–100 (€6–13). The Peak Tram to Victoria Peak: HK$99 return (€12.50); worth it for the view, but queues can be 30+ minutes — take the bus (15C from Central) and save time.
Dim Sum and Food
Dim sum (yum cha) is the correct Hong Kong meal. A proper dim sum lunch at a mid-range restaurant: HK$150–250 per person (€19–32). Arrive by 11:00 to avoid the queue; most dim sum service ends by 3pm. Tim Ho Wan (multiple locations) has Michelin-starred dim sum at hawker-centre prices: HK$100–150 per person. Roast meats — char siu (barbecue pork), roast goose, soy chicken — from a licensed roast meat shop (siu mei) are HK$50–90 for a plate over rice. Egg tarts (HK$5–8 each) from a traditional bakery are worth a minor detour. Nathan Road and its side streets in Tsim Sha Tsui have restaurants at every price point.
Victoria Peak and Culture
Victoria Peak (552m) gives a view of the entire harbour and skyline. The Peak Tram runs from Central; the Peak Tower at the top has a viewing terrace (HK$50 for the Sky Terrace 428). The walk around the Peak Circle trail (3.5 km, 1 hour) avoids the tower queues and has the better views. Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon is one of Hong Kong's most active Taoist temples, known for fortune-telling with cim (incense sticks) — free entry, donations welcome. The Temple Street Night Market (Yau Ma Tei) is a street market for clothing, electronics, and food stalls that runs from 4pm onward.
Tipping and Currency
Hong Kong Dollars (HKD). Restaurants add a 10% service charge — check your bill. An additional tip of HK$20–50 for good service is appreciated but not required. At dai pai dong (open-air food stalls) and cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style diners), no tipping is expected. Taxis: round up to the nearest HK$5. ATMs available at every MTR station and throughout the city.