Leisure Tips for Exhibition
and Convention Visitors
Passport and Visa
Visitors must hold a valid passport, endorsed where necessary
for Hong Kong. Hong Kong has a liberal visa policy, allowing
visa-free entry to nationals of more than 170 countries
and territories. For country-specific visa information,
please visit www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm.
For delegates from countries for which visas are required
for entry to Hong Kong, please check with the Chinese Embassy
or Consulate in your country.
For delegates traveling to other cities
in China, an entry visa to China is required. Please obtain
your visa from the Chinese Embassy or Consulate within your
current place of residence. The travel documents must be
valid for at least 6 months from the date of traveling.
Airport Transfer
Airport Express Line (AEL)
 This
high-speed rail service takes passengers to and from the
Hong Kong Station in Central in about 23 minutes. Train
services are provided daily between 6 am and 1 am and at
12-minute intervals. Train tickets can be purchased at the
Airport Express Customer Service Center located at the Arrivals
Hall. Taxi is recommended for direct transfer from the Hong
Kong Station to Congress hotels in 5-10 minutes. Alternatively,
a free Airport Express shuttle bus serving between the Hong
Kong Station and major hotels departs every 24 minutes.
| Approximate cost: |
Single Journey - HK$100 per adult ticket, HK$50 per
child ticket |
| |
Round Trip (valid for
one month) - HK$180 per adult ticket |
Airport Seat-in-Coach
The coach service is available between the airport and all
Congress hotels. The service timetable corresponds with
the arrival and departure flight schedules of major international
airlines. Tickets can be purchased at the coach operator
counter at the Arrivals Hall.
Approximate time: 60 minutes
Approximate cost: Single journey - HK$140 - HK$160 per person
Taxi
Urban taxis are red. The current rates are HK$18 on flag
fall for the first two kilometers plus HK$1.5 every further
0.20 kilometer. Additional charges for luggage and tolls
apply. Taxis only accept HK Dollars in cash.
Approximate time: 45 minutes
Approximate cost: HK$350-HK$400
Air Passenger
Departure Tax
| Adults (12 years and over): |
HK$120 |
| Children (under 12 years): |
Free |
Air passenger departure tax is normally included in the price
of the air ticket.
Business Hours
Generally, offices of commercial establishments and government
departments are open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays. Some
are open on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Major banks are
open from 9 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 12:30
pm on Saturdays.
Most shops and department stores are open daily from 10
am to 9 pm, while 24-hour convenience shops are located
all over the city.
There is no sales tax on goods and services in Hong Kong.
Hotels and restaurants usually add 10% service charge to
their bills. Tipping may be appropriate when a service charge
is not included.
Climate
Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate with seasonal changes.
In July, the temperature ranges from 26oC to
33oC. Humidity can reach nearly 86 per cent.
An umbrella or a hat can protect you from the intense sunshine.
Go to www.hko.gov.hk
for weather forecast before deciding what to pack.
Currency and Credit
Card
The Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) is the unit currency used in
Hong Kong. One US dollar is about HK$7.70. Most foreign
currencies and traveler's cheques can be changed over banks,
hotels and moneychangers. There are no restrictions on the
type or amount of money that can be brought into or taken
out of Hong Kong.
All major credit cards are widely accepted in Hong Kong
and can be used to obtain cash advances at banks and automatic
teller machines (ATMs). ATMs can be found almost everywhere
and at the meeting venue, and provide 24-hour cash withdrawal
(HK$).
Electricity
 The
standard voltage in Hong Kong is 220 volts AC/50 cycles.
The plug/socket system in Hong Kong is a 3-rectangular-pin
type.
Public Transportation
 Hong
Kong is so compact that getting around is quick and easy.
An efficient public transport system – networks of urban
underground trains (MTR), numerous routes of trams, buses
and ferries – enable visitors to explore Hong Kong conveniently
and safely on their own.
Airport Express Travel Pass not only takes you to/from
the airport; it also allows you to travel within the city
by MTR for 3 consecutive days. For further information,
please visit: http://www.mtr.com.hk
Time Zone
Add 8 hours to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to get the Hong
Kong time.
Telecommunication
International direct dialing, Internet, e-mail facilities
are easily accessible in Hong Kong. Most of the mobile telephone
systems used around the globe operate in Hong Kong.
Discover Hong
Kong
For the most updated tourist information, please visit the
website of the Hong Kong Tourism Board at www.discoverhongkong.com.
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