Hong Kong Information
Climate
Average temperature in November is around 19℃ - 23℃.
Airport Departure Tax
Passengers flying out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) are liable for a departure tax of HK$120 per person (aged 12 and above), the tax is collected together with the airfare.
Exemptions given to passengers who:
- Arrive and depart from Hong Kong within the same year; or
- Arrive at HKIA by ferry from a port in the Pearl River Delta, with an application for a pre-paid Hong Kong Airport Departure Tax Refund (APDT) when checking-in upstream.
There is also a security charge of HK$45 to maintain the standards of safety, security and passenger services currently required at international airports, and from 1 August 2016 onwards, an Airport Construction Fee ranging from $70 to $180. All of these surcharges are normally included in the price of the airline ticket.
Language
English is the language of international business, while Cantonese is the territory’s local language. Street signs, menus, tourist and government publications are bilingual.
Currency, Office and Bank Hours
Hong Kong’s unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD) which is currently pegged to the US dollar (USD) at a rate about HKD7.8=USD1 in which this exchange rate may fluctuate slightly. Most foreign currencies are easily changes at any authorized money exchangers and traveler’s cheques are accepted by most leading banks and hotels. Credit cards are widely accepted at major hotels, large restaurants, department stores and shops. Banks open from 0900 to 1630 weekdays, 0900 to 1230 on Saturdays. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widespread and available 24 hours. Offices generally open from 0900 to 1700, Mondays to Fridays. Many of them are now closed on Saturdays due to the implementation of five-day work week.
Telecommunication
Hong Kong has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure which provides easy access to a variety of international telecommunications network service. Electronic mail and database access services are widely used. International direct dial (IDD) and facsimile services cover most countries.
WI-FI
There is an extensive coverage of Wi-Fi network across the city. Free Wi-Fi services are available in may locations such as major tourist attractions, shopping malls, museums and government buildings.
Transportation
Getting around is easy in Hong Kong, thanks to an inexpensive, efficient public transport system. Networks of double decker buses and taxis operate territory-wide. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) offers both the fast, modern and air-conditioned transport underground transport services on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon and the above ground transport services in the New Territories. And for those looking for a mode of travel that has been used for decades, there are the street trams on the Hong Kong Island.
As a quick fix to your destination, Hong Kong’s taxis can be an efficient and bargain option.
| Type/Area | First 2km (or any part thereof) | Every subsequent 200m/ Every 1-min waiting time (or any part thereof) | |
| Red Taxi (Urban Taxi throughout most of HK area except on Lantau Island) | HK$27.00 | HK$1.90 (For fare meters below HK$93.50) | HK$1.30 (For fare meters of HK$93.50 and above) |
| Green taxi (New Territories) | HK$23.50 | HK$1.70 (For fare meters below HK$74.50) | HK$1.30 (For fare meters of HK$74.50 and above) |
| Blue taxi (Lantau Island) | HK$22.00 | HK$1.70 (For fare meters below HK$175.00) | HK$1.50 (For fare meters of HK$175.00 and above) |
For further information, please visit the website of Hong Kong Tourism Board at www.discoveryhongkong.com.
