A Guide to Successful Solo Travel in Hong Kong
Solo travel in Hong Kong is jam-packed with exciting sights and experiences, stunning scenery, fascinating culture, busy nightlife, and great shopping. In 2025, Hong Kong is expected to be the most visited city in the world, making it a great destination for solo travellers.
A delightful mix of East and West, Hong is an international financial centre and a modern city with colonial charm, beautiful temples, bustling markets and a world-class food scene.
In my experience, solo travel in Hong Kong is safe and fun. I’ve been to Hong Kong twice as a solo female traveller and had a great time. I loved visiting Hong Kong alone and I think you will too.
So, if you’re wondering whether a solo trip to Hong Kong is a good idea, I encourage you to book your ticket. Hong Kong is a good choice for solo female travellers and first-timers, much easier than China to travel alone.
In this article, you’ll find what to do, where to stay, the best places to eat and more. Here’s everything you need to know for a safe and successful solo trip to Hong Kong.
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links and I may make a small commission on sales through those links. This does not cost you any more and helps to keep this website running. I appreciate your support!
About Hong Kong
Hong Kong is located on the south coast of China on the Pearl River estuary.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. It’s part of China but has the uncomfortable position of being only partially governed by Chinese laws.
Originally a collection of Chinese islands and fishing villages, Hong Kong became a lucrative commercial centre for trade in silks, porcelain and opium and was a British colony from the mid-19th century.
In the 1970s Hong Kong’s focus changed to financial services and after 156 years as a British colony, Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.
Is Hong Kong Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Hong Kong is a safe destination for female travellers. If you take the usual safety precautions, you’ll be safe enough in Hong Kong. Leave your valuables behind at your hotel, don’t leave drinks unattended, don’t walk alone at night in unlit areas and stay away from demonstrations and protests.
I always felt safe in Hong Kong. I arrived at night and struggled to find my Airbnb flat in a dark backstreet and still felt quite safe. I was in Hong Kong in 2019 during the mass rallies and I was able to avoid the unrest, stay safe and have an enjoyable holiday and I even went hiking alone in Hong Kong and enjoyed escaping the bustle of the city.
Hong Kong is part of The People’s Republic of China and it’s best to avoid doing anything in Hong Kong that you wouldn’t do in China and you’ll have a safe and enjoyable solo trip to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Highlights Video
Visas for Hong Kong
If you’re staying 14 days or less in Hong Kong you don’t need to apply for a visa before you travel. My tourist visa was issued at the airport on arrival. People from 170 countries can visit Hong Kong visa-free but you need to apply for a Visa for longer stays.
**Entry requirements can change at short notice so check with your local embassy before you travel.
Language
English is widely spoken and this makes solo travel in Hong Kong easy for Western tourists.
The official language of Hong Kong is Mandarin but Cantonese is the dominant language spoken by more than 95% of the population.
Money for Hong Kong Solo Travel
The local currency is the Hong Kong dollar. Credit cards and Octopus cards are widely accepted in Hong Kong but you’ll need to carry some cash. Market stalls, taxis and some smaller shops and restaurants only accept cash.
SIM cards
Internet is reliable and SIM cards are cheap and easy to buy at 7-Eleven stores throughout Hong Kong. I bought a SIM card at the airport 7-Eleven and it cost only HK$55 (US$7) for 10 days of data. I also used my hotel or Airbnb Wi-fi to save data.
Getting Around Hong Kong Alone
Hong Kong has a good public transport network and getting around is easy. I used the MTR (Mass Transit Railway), trams, buses and taxis to get around. Uber also operates in Hong Kong.
I walked a lot in Hong Kong, especially when I was using the MTR and in the older parts of town. There are often escalators on the steep streets and much of the area around Victoria Harbour is flat.
I bought an Octopus card at the airport to pay for public transport and it was easy to use. I topped up my card at 7-Eleven stores when needed. If there’s money left on the card when you leave Hong Kong you can get a refund at an MTR station. I forgot to cash in my Octopus card and still have around HK$20 credit but it’s a small price to pay for the convenience of using the card.
Hong Kong has now introduced contactless payment by MasterCard for public transport and the Airport Express. This is very convenient for tourists and you may decide that it’s not worth getting an Octopus Card if you’re not staying long in Hong Kong.
TIP: You can now use your Credit Card to pay for the MTR and Airport Express in Hong Kong.
I also used the Google Maps App to get around Hong Kong solo. The app gave me directions for wherever I wanted to go in Hong Kong whether I was walking or using public transport. The satellite tracking was so good I even knew when to get off the bus.
To & From Hong Kong Airport
TIP: Take the stress out of your arrival and book a Hong Kong airport transfer in advance for a lift straight to your hotel.
It’s easy to get from Hong Kong airport to the city by public transport. The Airport Express train stops at Kowloon and Hong Kong Central and takes around 25 minutes. At central you can connect to the MTR, buses and ferries.
There is also a red A11 airport bus that leaves just outside the airport for Hong Kong Island. It’s a lot cheaper than the Airport Express and takes around an hour. I caught the A11 bus when I stayed in Causeway Bay as it was the most direct way to get to my accommodation from the airport.
What to do Solo in Hong Kong
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Hong Kong alone and it’s easy to fill a 5 day Hong Kong itinerary.
The best things to do in Hong Kong alone include eating delicious local food like Dim Sum and Egg tarts and enjoying the stunning city views, temples, museums, and markets. But Hong Kong has lots of landmarks and attractions. Here are some that I really enjoyed:
- Catching the tram to Victoria Peak to enjoy the classic view over Hong Kong Island.
- The panoramic view from the Sky100 Observation deck at the top of Hong Kong’s tallest building.
- Riding the historic double-decker trams
- Taking the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour from Central or Wan Chai
- Watching the sunset from the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade near the Star Ferry Pier.
- See the FREE Symphony of Lights laser show at 8 pm every night and watch Victoria Harbour light up at night from Tsim Sha Tsui.
- Cruise Victoria Harbour in the Aqualuna, a traditional wooden Chinese junk
- Catch a ferry to Cheung Chau or Lamma Island and spend a day hiking and swimming
- Hike the Dragon’s Back, enjoy stunning views and take a swim at Big Wave Beach at the end of the trail
- Take a day trip to Macau, a former Portuguese colony with a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town.
- Visit Hong Kong Disneyland or see the pandas at Ocean Park
Temples
Visit the beautiful Chinese Temples such as:
- The Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan
- The Big Buddha on Lantau Island
- Wong Tai Sin Temple
- Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill
- The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin
Markets
Head to Mong Kok to bargain for souvenirs at the
- Ladies Market
- Flower Market
- Goldfish market
- Sneaker Street
- Temple Street Night Market
Museums
- Hong Kong Museum of Art
- Hong Kong Palace Museum ( I loved this museum)
- M+ Museum of Architecture and Design
- Hong Kong Museum of History
- Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park is dedicated to the appreciation of Chinese tea.
What to do in Hong Kong at Night
Hong Kong is known for its vibrant nightlife with night markets, rooftop bars, restaurants and stylish clubs. If you want to party head to Lan Kwai Fong, Soho or Wan Chai for restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
The Temple Street Night Market is a popular place for street food and souvenir shopping at night. And I enjoyed watching the Free Symphony of Lights Laser show on Victoria Harbour from the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
I also enjoyed a cocktail at the Skye Bar in Causeway Bay watching the Harbour light up at night.
Where to Eat Alone in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a world-class food scene and you can eat at Michelin-star restaurants or enjoy delicious street food when you travel solo in Hong Kong.
I joined a street food-tasting tour on my recent solo trip to Hong Kong and was shown around the Old Town near Central and Sheung Wan by a local guide who introduced our small group to some delicious local dishes like shrimp dumplings, fish balls and melt-in-the-mouth Hong Kong egg tarts. It was a great start to visiting Hong Kong solo.
My recommendations
In Tsim Sha Tsui one of my favourite meals was a spectacular afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel
Some great places to eat in Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun Old Town area are:
- Winston’s Coffee in Sai Ying Pun is a tiny little café with lots of character and I enjoyed coffee and brunch here.
- St Lolan Bakery in Sai Ying Pun sells the most delicious Hong Kong Egg Tarts ever!
- Kwan Kee Claypot Rice in Queens Road Sai Ying Pun has amazing local food and I can recommend the Salt and Pepper Squid…it was incredible. Kwan Kee opens at 5:30 pm and is very popular so you can expect to queue. I waited for around 30 minutes here.
- PING Pong 129 Gineteria for a gin cocktail.
- Tsim Chai Kee Noodle in Wellington Street, Sheung Wan serves tasty Cantonese noodles at a reasonable price.
- The Western Market is Hong Kong’s oldest market with cafes and fabric shops in a pretty colonial building. It’s worth visiting just to enjoy the colonial building.
In Wan Chai, I can also recommend:
- The Baker & The Bottleman in Lee Tung Ave Wan Chai is a great spot for lunch, a coffee or a drink. I enjoyed their gourmet baguettes and ate here a couple of times in the upstairs area overlooking the colourful Chinese lanterns. The soda water is free and the coffee is good.
- Cooshti in Lee Tung Ave Wan Chai has some great artwork and serves Asian Fusion dishes.
- Kings Bakery in Lee Tung Avenue sells a selection of Hong Kong Egg tarts.
Causeway Bay & Kennedy Town
- Causeway Bay the popular Café Matchbox has a great atmosphere.
- In Kennedy Town, I enjoyed eating at Little Cove Espresso, a popular café and a good spot for brunch near the promenade.
Where to Stay for Hong Kong Solo Travel
For solo travel in Hong Kong, choose accommodation near an MTR station, buses and trams on Hong Kong Island or in Kowloon. Getting around Hong Kong is easy by public transport. Central is one of the best places to stay in Hong Kong and you have access to most of Hong Kong from there.
But, the closer to Central you are the more expensive accommodation becomes. Hong Kong is very densely populated and space is limited. Flats and hotel rooms can be very small and quite expensive compared to other places in Asia.
Budget accommodation can be found on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour so if you’re looking for a cheap room or hostel head to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Hostels are a good choice for solo travellers in Hong Kong because it’s easy to meet other people.
Where I Stayed in Hong Kong Alone
I’ve stayed in several areas on Hong Kong island and I chose a bright Airbnb flat in Causeway Bay on my first solo trip to Hong Kong. I enjoyed the area, it was easy to get to with plenty of public transport but It was quite upmarket with a westernised shopping mall and the restaurants tended to be quite expensive.
On my next solo trip to Hong Kong I booked an Airbnb in Sai Ying Pun near Sheung Wan on a street full of shops selling traditional Chinese herbal medicine. There were more options for street food, and some great local restaurants and markets nearby. Overall I preferred staying in the Older part of town.
Mid-Range: I can also recommend the Harbourview Chinese YMCA in Wan Chai. The rooms are a good size and have a stunning view overlooking Victoria Harbour. The area is very central and very busy with many public transport options and nightlife nearby. The Harbourview YMCA is a short walk from shops, restaurants and bars on colourful Lee Tung Street.
Luxury: The Peninsula Hong Kong is a historic luxury hotel with a great location in Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour. I enjoyed a fabulous afternoon tea in The Lobby and loved the period décor, the excellent service and the atmosphere. I’d love to stay here.
When to Solo Travel Hong Kong
The best time for solo travel to Hong Kong is in Spring from March to April or Autumn from September to November when the weather is mild and dry.
I’ve been to Hong Kong twice in October and the weather was hot and sunny with average temperatures around 30°C (86°F) and there were often offshore breezes that were cool and pleasant.
But the first week of October is the Chinese National Holiday wee and Hong Kong is crowded with tourists from mainland China. Accommodation prices are more expensive at this peak time.
What to pack for Hong Kong Solo Travel
The weather is hot year-round in Hong Kong so take lightweight clothes and comfortable walking shoes. Air conditioning can be cool so take a light jacket or cardigan. Pack something dressy if you want to go out at night. Some hotels and restaurants have a dress code.
In Hong Kong and throughout Asia, women dress conservatively. So, I suggest wearing clothes that cover your knees and shoulders and you’ll avoid attracting unwanted attention.
Health
Tap water is safe to drink in Hong Kong but if you’re staying in an old apartment block with dodgy pipes it’s best to boil the water before drinking.
See your doctor for travel vaccinations several months before you travel and always buy travel insurance before you leave home so that you’re covered if something unexpected happens while you’re away.
Shuttle Bus from Macau to Hong Kong Airport
If you’re planning a Hong Kong and Macau itinerary, it’s worth knowing that there’s a shuttle bus from Macau to Hong Kong International Airport. It’s a convenient and direct way to travel to the airport and I used this service when I left Macau to fly home.
I caught a local 101X bus from the bus stop outside the Ponte16 Hotel and it took about 30 minutes to get to the Airport Shuttle at the Macau- Zhuhai Bridge bus station.
I checked in for my Cathay Pacific flight, dropped my checked luggage and cleared immigration before boarding the airport shuttle in Macau. There were no queues and the trip cost HK$280. I was given a departure tax refund (HK$120) at Hong Kong Airport and went straight through to the flight departure area.
The Airport Shuttle seems expensive but it’s actually very cost-effective when all things are considered.
Final Thoughts – Solo Travel in Hong Kong
Hong Kong solo travel is easy and safe. I’ve enjoyed two solo trips to Hong Kong and I think it’s a great destination for solo travellers. Public transport is reliable and travelling by ferry and on the old double-decker trams is fun.
I spent my time in Hong Kong visiting viewpoints, Chinese temples and museums, shopping at markets, and eating delicious street food. I was thrilled by the stunning scenery and the colonial charm, and I thoroughly enjoyed high tea at the Peninsula Hotel.
The cable car ride to the Big Buddha on Lantau Island was another highlight and I also enjoyed exploring Macau, Lamma and Cheung Chau Islands on foot.
I loved travelling solo in Hong Kong and I think you will too.
You might also enjoy
A Fun 5 Day Hong Kong Itinerary
The Best Area to Stay in Hong Kong for First Timers
Lamma Island or Chueng Chau? Which Hong Kong Island is Best?
Hong Kong Dragon’s Back Hike: A Stunning Coastal Walk
The Popular Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula Hong Kong
25 Best Hong Kong Historical Landmarks & Attractions
A Delightful Day Trip to Macau from Hong Kong
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery – A Hidden Gem
The Big Buddha in Hong Kong – A Stunning Day Trip
How to Avoid the Chinese Tea Ceremony Scam
A Stunning Day Trip to Hangzhou from Shanghai
Pin It & Save this article for later
