While shoppers book cheap flights to Hong Kong for the malls and markets, this sophisticated city offers much more than shopping. Retaining remnants of its British colonial past and fusing this with Chinese tradition, Hong Kong’s multi-culture makes for a fascinating destination. Peak tourist season is October to February when the weather is optimal but Hong Kong is generally busy year-round. If you want the cheapest flights to Hong Kong then avoid October to December and especially Chinese New Year in late January / early February. Major trade fairs can cause price hikes in flight tickets too and these can occur at any time of year.
Off Season
Hong Kong enjoys hot weather all year round, it attracts tourists from the northern and southern hemispheres escaping their own cold winters. But between February to September is when you'll find the cheapest flights to Hong Kong when the heat and humidity sees a lesser number of people visiting the city.
When is the best time to book a flight to Hong Kong?
The best time to book a flight to Hong Kong is October to November, when the weather is generally dry sunny and not too hot. But as it is the start of peak season you may not get a bargain. You'll find the cheapest flights to Hong Kong during the off season, although the cost of flight tickets will drastically increase if you wish to attend the Chinese New Year in February. Make sure you book two, three or even four months in advance if you can, or even earlier. Flexibility is your best friend when trying to find the cheapest flights to Hong Kong.
Flights to Hong Kong are readily available from New Zealand, and even during the peak months you can often find good deals on your flight tickets if you keep an eye out for flight sales. National carrier Cathay Pacific offers several flights a week from Auckland. Other airlines flying the route include Hong Kong Airlines, Air New Zealand, Qantas, China Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
How to get from the airport to the city centre?
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is around 37km from the city centre. The Airport Express is the quickest and easiest way to get from the airport to the city, it runs as frequently as every 10 minutes and takes 25 minutes or so. You can also opt for a taxi service, although these can be very expensive and you have to pay extra for each piece of luggage you wish to take with you.
Hong Kong insider information
The "musts": a ride on the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, a tram ride to The Peak, a visit to the Jade Market (a trap but a hugely entertaining excursion), a drink in the Captain's Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
Ocean Park on Hong Kong Island leaves Disneyland in the shade, in our opinion. The marine theme park has exciting rides - our favourite is the cable-car ride that travels between the Lowland Gardens and Marine Land - but the stars of Ocean Park are the Asian animals. The Giant Panda Adventure is where you'll see the cute red pandas, and in the HKJC Giant Panda Habitat An An and Jia Jia, the giant pandas, live.
A short beach break: relax on Cheung Sha Beach, on the south coast of Lantau. To get there, take Ferry No 6 from Central to Mui Wo. It's a 25-minute journey, and the taxi ride to the beach will add just 10 minutes to that.
Wan Chai is not the sleazy part of town it once was. Now it's one of Hong Kong's edgiest quarters. You'll find some great value if you're prepared to rifle through the piles of clothes in the export shops. It's a good place too to take the pulse of "local" HK. Spring Garden Lane and Wanchai Road are where locals shop for fruit and vegetables.
The Tian Tan Buddha sits 34 metres high at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. It's the largest, seated, outdoor Buddha in the world.
Tap Mun Chau, off the coast of Sai Kung, is a tiny island, home to just 100 or so people these days. The decline in the fishing industry forced many residents to leave the island and seek a living elsewhere. Today, there are a few little eateries dotted about the island. The top of the hill is a popular place to set up camp. The sunsets and night skies are beautiful.
Most popular destinations in Hong Kong
(prices quotes are from Wellington)
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