Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a city of high-rises, harbor views and hillside trails. You can eat dim sum at breakfast and ride a tram before lunch.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China on the South China Sea coast, at the Pearl River estuary. The urban core sits on either side of Victoria Harbour: Hong Kong Island, home to the financial district and Victoria Peak, and Kowloon across the water. The New Territories and outlying islands, including Lantau, make up most of the territory, so a forest trail can sit a short bus or train ride from the towers.
People come for the harbor skyline, the double-decker trams on Hong Kong Island, hiking trails above the city and dim sum in long-running restaurants. British rule ended with the handover to China in 1997, and the city still blends that colonial past with Cantonese food and busy street life. Autumn and winter are the most comfortable seasons for walking. Summer is hot and humid, and typhoon season falls within it. Plan at least three days for the main districts at a relaxed pace, and add a day trip to Macau if you have time.
Five things to know before Hong Kong
- Ride the Airport Express into town
The airport authority lists 24 minutes to Central, with trains about every 10 minutes from 05:54 to 00:48. A single is HK$130 to Hong Kong Station (HK$120 on Octopus) and HK$115 to Kowloon (HK$105). Airport Express details
- Check Hong Kong's own entry rules
Hong Kong runs separate immigration from mainland China. British citizens get up to 180 days visa-free, and US, Canadian, Australian, French, German and Spanish passports 90 days. Other nationalities: check the list. Immigration Department list
- Leave e-cigarettes at home
Hong Kong prohibits bringing in e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, and since 30 April 2026 possessing one in a public place is illegal, whether or not you are using it. UK advice for Hong Kong
- Cross Victoria Harbour by ferry once
The Star Ferry links Tsim Sha Tsui with Hong Kong Island, and a daytime or dusk crossing shows the skyline better than the MTR tunnel under it. Pair it with the Kowloon promenade. Where to stay in Hong Kong
- Give Macau its own day
Macau has its own border check, and the ferry from Hong Kong takes about an hour according to the Macao tourism office. A day trip works if you leave early; the guide compares ferry and bridge bus. Hong Kong to Macau
Hong Kong travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-free entry, payments, trains and cities
Read the guideWhere to stay in Hong KongFive bases from Tsim Sha Tsui to Lantau
Read the guideHong Kong in 3 daysHarbor, Peak, markets and an outlying island
Read the guideHong Kong to MacauFerry or bridge bus, and what to expect at the border
Read the guideMacauPortuguese-era center, Cotai and day-trip tips
Read the guideGuangzhouDim sum capital and the mainland gateway
Read the guideChina visa-free entryThe 30-day list and the 240-hour transit
Read the guide
Destinations in Hong Kong
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Cool, clearJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Cool, foggyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, foggy
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Mild, humidMarchRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, humid
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Warm, dampAprilRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, damp
- MayRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Hot, rainyMayRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 294 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rainy
- JuneRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Wet, typhoonsJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 420 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, typhoons
- JulyRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low28°Hot, typhoonsJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 306 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, typhoons
- AugustRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Hot, typhoonsAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 462 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, typhoons
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Typhoon riskSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 339 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Typhoon risk
- OctoberRain11 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Warm, clearOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 185 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- NovemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Dry, clearNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- DecemberPartly cloudy3 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Cool, dryDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Hong Kong, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Hong Kong
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 22 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 55%
Hong Kong Island
08:04 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°24°55%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Wed27°24°70%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 70%.
- Thu28°25°53%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Fri28°24°35%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Sat27°24°31%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sun28°24°3%Sunday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Mon29°19°6%Monday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 05:40 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 7.845 HKD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- Jan
- FebLunar New YearAcross Hong Kong
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Before you go to Hong Kong
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Hong Kong FAQ
How many days do you need in Hong Kong?
Three days cover the harbor, Victoria Peak, a market district, a temple and one outlying island or hillside walk. Add a fourth day for Lantau or a Macau day trip. Two days works only if you keep to one side of the harbor.
Do I need a separate visa for Hong Kong if I visit mainland China?
Hong Kong and the mainland have separate entry rules. If you travel from the mainland to Hong Kong and want to return, the UK government says you need a visa that allows a second entry, unless you qualify for visa-free entry again. Check your passport against the mainland lists.
Is Hong Kong safe for tourists?
The UK government describes violent crime as low, with pickpocketing and other street crime possible in crowded areas, so keep passports and cards secure. Drinks should never be left unattended. Protests are rare but can happen; follow local advice and avoid them.
What is the best time to visit Hong Kong?
October to December, when the air is clear and dry, with January also cool. Summer is hot and humid, and typhoons can disrupt ferries and flights from roughly mid-year into early autumn.
Does Hong Kong use the same money as mainland China?
No. Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar, mainland China the renminbi and Macau the pataca. The Octopus card pays for the MTR, trams, ferries and many shops, and it is simpler than buying single tickets.