So you’re here, your plane just landed in Hong Kong. What should you do next? It’s complicated. But here’s a step-by-step guide to how to start your trip on the right note.

Immigration and Customs

Your flight might land at Terminal 2, which means that you’ll have to take a train to the main Terminal 1. Catch the first one you get because it gets crowded and you want to get to immigration as soon as possible. The lines at immigration can be brutally long. I had to wait for close to an hour because of multiple full flights landing.

There’s free water all around the airport. Be sure to bring a water bottle.
The train that takes you between terminals.

At the counter, they’ll ask for your boarding pass and e-visa. You’ll be issued a painfully small piece of paper which you have to keep with you at all times during your stay in Hong Kong. This is written in really fine print on the already small piece of paper. This will have the date until which you are allowed to stay in the city. The officer may ask a couple of questions about why you are visiting and then you’re good to go.

Baggage collection and customs is fairly quick. And now to the outside world….

Getting A SIM and Transportation

As you exit into the Arrival Area, look for the 1010 Shop – that is, if you are landing before 9 pm. This is where you get your local Hong Kong sim. I opted to get a local sim instead of pocket wifi rental because there are many services in the city that require you to have a local number, and it’s always better to have an actual functioning phone, instead of just internet.

Okay back to the 1010 Shop. I got a package for HKD 88 and that lasted me well into my six days in the city. They will set you up, including sorting out your sim registration which can be a pain if you have to do it yourself online. If you buy a sim from a 7-11 then you have to register yourself.

Was tempted to stop here but didn’t.

A few steps away in the currency exchange. Make sure you get sufficient HKD in hand. As high-tech as it is, there are some places where only cash works, such as taxis and filling up your Octopus card from a 7-11.

What is the Octopus card you ask? This will be your lifeline in Hong Kong. You will use it for public transport, at convenience stores, and even restaurants. You simply can’t do without it.

Look for the giant TV, the counter is right under it.

There’s a big MTR counter in the Arrival Hall. There’s a huge line there usually as people are buying tickets to get on the Airport Express. The train takes you into one of two stations in the city for HKD 110. But I just couldn’t imagine lugging my suitcase around a new city looking for directions.

Behind the MTR counter, is an Octopus card vending machine. You pay HKD 150 through your credit card, and you have a tourist Octopus card with a stored value of HKD 1111.

Getting To Your Hotel

If you are travelling light, then it might be worth taking the Airport Express into Kowloon or Hong Kong Island. But remember there’s no service between Midnight and 6 am.

But if you’re exhausted from an 8-hour layover in Bangkok and the never-ending immigration line, take the taxi instead. Yes, it will cost you double that of the train but it’s worth it. There is A LOT of walking involved in the train scenario.

HK Taxis are color-coded. It is most likely that you need the Red one. But be sure to check before hand which one you get. The site linked above also has fairly accurate fares stated. I paid HKD 265 to my hotel in Jordan on Nathan Road.

Behind that big MTR counter is a ramp that’s sloping downwards. This will take you to the Car Park area. You need to go Car Park 4 to hail a taxi. There will be attendant who watches the queue. I didn’t have to wait more than 5 minutes.

Got any tips and tricks for visiting Hong Kong? Let me in the comments below!