How to Do Hong Kong on a Budget: Where to Spend & What to Skip

Most world travelers love a good bargain. For some, this means getting the cheapest option for lodging, food, and entertainment in Europe. For others, it refers to subsisting on a handful of dollars a day while hanging out for months in Thailand.

While I do admit there’s a certain exhilarating challenge in seeing just how cheap I can go, getting the lowest price is not always the best value when it comes to travel. On the contrary, sometimes going too cheap is a waste of money. That’s why I’m willing to pay more for an engaging travel experience that’s worth the extra effort and cost. At the same time, I am also careful to avoid buying into the contrived tourist event.

Based on a recent trip to Hong Kong, I’m excited to report that great values do abound in this glitzy metropolis – if you are a careful traveler and consumer. On the flip side, China, which is notoriously famous for its knockoff purses and bootleg videos, is rife with travel rip-offs and false promises, too.

Yes, I learned the hard way. But the good news is that you don’t have to. Consider this list of Hong Kong deals and gimmicks when you plan your trip and you will not fall prey. Instead, you will have a little extra cash to apply to your next adventure.

Best budget accommodation in Hong Kong

Hong is often cited as being a shopper’s paradise, and it turns out that budget souvenir shopping is also easy to do. The open markets and dusty curio shops usually have inexpensive (albeit cheesy) knick-knacks. Fake Rolexes are everywhere, and there is no shortage of embroidered Chinese silks to rifle through. Even standard grocery stores offer up an interesting selection of tea, cookies, crackers, and candies that can be conveniently transported back home.

But what about the other kind of fabulous shopping that Hong Kong is famous for? Visitors rave about the deals that are supposedly better than what you can find at home. Luxury handbags are seen in every store window, the glitzy jewelry stores beckon with their sparkly displays, and those custom-made dresses and suits advertised by eager tailors all over town seem too special to pass up.

But in my mind – and I know this won’t resonate well with everybody – with a minimal amount of research, you can probably buy those exact items in your own hometown or online for the same price or cheaper. That includes jewelry, jade, ceramic teapots, Chinese curios, and just about everything else. In essence, shopping in Hong Kong is the ultimate false promise of them all.

Nevertheless, if you absolutely cannot return home empty-handed, I recommend approaching shopping in Hong Kong in the spirit of “no expectations” that you’re getting the best price. By all means, negotiate the cost down as much as you can, but all the while, know that you’re still paying too much.

Trust me on this one. Even if you think you are an expert haggler, the Chinese are expert salespeople.

Ready to go? Book flights to Hong Kong, find a hostel in Hong Kong, read about things to do in Hong Kong, and discover some lesser known places to visit in Hong Kong. Or read our tips for having an indie travel experience in Hong Kong.

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