Visa and the border: easier than you think
Citizens of Poland and most EU countries enter Hong Kong without a visa for stays of up to 90 days; you only need a passport valid for at least one month beyond your planned departure. Remember that Hong Kong keeps its own immigration system, completely separate from mainland China. If you want to pop over to Shenzhen, you will need a Chinese visa or, at selected crossings, a special five-day permit issued on the spot; the rules change often, so always check current conditions before you plan a mainland side trip. Coming back from Macau or China means passing full passport control again.
Money: the Hong Kong dollar
The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar, HKD, written HK$ on price tags. As a rough guide, count about 11 HK$ to one euro. Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere, from convenience stores to the MTR, but the moment you step into a street market, a dai pai dong food stall or a small noodle shop, cash becomes king. Withdraw money from ATMs, which are everywhere, and keep some small notes and coins for markets and minibuses.
Octopus: one card for the whole city
The single most useful thing you can get on arrival is an Octopus card. This contactless stored-value card pays for the MTR, buses, trams, ferries, convenience stores, supermarkets, vending machines, many cafes and even some museums. You tap in and out and forget about tickets entirely. Tourists can buy a dedicated visitor version or add a virtual Octopus to a phone wallet app. Top it up at MTR stations or convenience stores; whatever balance is left can be refunded or spent on snacks before you fly out.
Transport: MTR, ding-ding trams and the Star Ferry
The MTR metro network is clean, air-conditioned, cheap and astonishingly frequent; during the day you rarely wait more than a few minutes. One firm rule: no eating or drinking inside the paid area, and fines are real. On Hong Kong Island, do not miss the ding-ding trams, the double-decker streetcars that have run since 1904. A ride costs a flat HK$3 whatever the distance, which makes the tram the cheapest city tour in Hong Kong; grab a seat on the upper deck by the front window. The Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour is another icon that costs pocket change and delivers million-dollar views. From the airport you can take the Airport Express, which reaches Central in about 24 minutes, or the A21 bus, which is much cheaper and rolls through Kowloon with great window views on its way to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Weather and typhoons: timing matters
Hong Kong is subtropical. From May to September the city is hot and extremely humid, with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and humidity around 90 percent; plan air-conditioned breaks and drink a lot of water. Typhoon season runs roughly from May to November. When the Observatory hoists signal T8, the city simply shuts down: offices, shops, ferries and most transport stop until the storm passes. Follow the Hong Kong Observatory app or website during those months. The most pleasant time to visit is October to December, with sunny days, low humidity and temperatures of 20 to 26 degrees.
Everyday details that save the day
- Electricity is 220 V with British three-pin type G sockets, so pack an adapter.
- Official languages are Cantonese and English; signs, menus and MTR announcements are bilingual, and getting around with English alone is easy.
- Buy a local SIM or eSIM at the airport or in convenience stores; prices are low and activation takes minutes.
- Tipping is not expected. Restaurants usually add a 10 percent service charge to the bill; rounding up a taxi fare is enough.
- Accommodation is the painful part of the budget: Hong Kong is expensive, with hostel beds at roughly 200-400 HK$ and three-star hotel rooms mostly between 700 and 1200 HK$ per night. Book early, especially for autumn weekends and big trade fairs.
Quick checklist before you fly
Passport valid one month beyond your return date, an Octopus card plan, a type G adapter, a light rain jacket in summer, the Observatory app in typhoon season and a rough idea of your first ride from the airport: Airport Express if you value speed, bus A21 if you want to watch Kowloon slide past the window while paying a fraction of the price. With those few things sorted, Hong Kong is one of the easiest big cities in Asia to travel.