Hong Kong Greeters awarded Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2019. That makes 6 consecutive years of excellence and entry to the Hall of Fame for the second year running! Thank you to all those near and far who have helped us with this achievement. We love our guests and continue to learn from each and every one of them.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
How did Hong Kong Greeters reach the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame?
The only way to achieve the Certificate of Excellence enough times to both enter and remain in the Trip Advisor Hall of fame is by working hard. We consistently strive to provide you with customised, professional and friendly tours of Hong Kong. We organise private tours, which can be on foot or by car depending on your preference and time constraints. Additionally we are able to cater for larger groups. We are a team of native English speaking guides who can’t wait to share this great city with you! Tours in other languages may be available on request. Book your very own Hong Kong Private Tour, please get in touch today at info@hkgreeters.com.
Quirky Hong Kong
In addition to all the big ticket draws, there are plenty of quieter, more unique experiences that can be woven into your itinerary. For example, the working class neighbourhood of Mongkok has selection of eclectic markets, all within close proximity to one another. Should you have an interest in birds, there are various options dotted around the city. Perhaps you’d like to discover how some of Hong Kong’s former police headquarters and other premises have been converted in to shops, museum and galleries.
We have found that a number of our guests who visit Hong Kong expressed interest in Hong Kong’s Jewish heritage. For that reason we have explored Hong Kong’s various Jewish heritage sites and found ways to weave them into our tour itineraries.
Hong Kong’s Jewish Population
Hong Kong’s total population is close to 7.4 million people. Despite there only being an estimated 4,000 Jews in Hong Kong, their impact on the city has been substantial. The earliest Jewish traders set up in Hong Kong, Macau and Canton as China opened up to international trade in the mid-1800’s. Although most are of Iraqi decent, nowadays, approximately half of the Jewish population of Hong Kong originate from overseas. It seems that they now hail from many countries including the US, the UK, France, Australia, South Africa, Israel and Canada.
Jewish Heritage Sites
We have two synagogues in Hong Kong. The first is the Ohel Leah next door to the Jewish Community Centre is pictured above. The magnificent Ohel Leah synagogue in Central is often a surprise detour for guests. The second is Kehilat Zion in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Both have kosher restaurants and will deliver food locally. Additionally, there is the Shuva Isreal Restaurant in Central, Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Greeters is able to provide a specialist tour itinerary to include the Jewish heritage of Hong Kong. This enables our guests to discover more about Jewish influence and heritage in Hong Kong.
Your itinerary can include:
The Ohel Leah Synagogue, Midlevels
The Jewish Cemetery, Happy Valley
The Peninsula Hotel and Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
The Verandah restaurant, Repulse Bay
Please let us know on the booking form, what you are interested in seeing. Our guide Nadia is the perfect guide for these tours, as her mother was Jewish.
How we can Tailor you Tour
Hong Kong Greeters provides customised private tours for visitors to Hong Kong. We can tailor our Jewish Heritage itinerary to include other sites that interest you. Perhaps you would like to head up the Peak and admire the famously expansive view. If shopping is on your agenda, there are plenty of markets to explore, either for souvenirs or to see how locals shop. There are many beautiful temples, which would contrast neatly with a synagogue visit. Equally, there are lots of unique buildings, statues and other quirks of Hong Kong life, peppering the streets.
We e are able to offer this itinerary in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned, 8-seater vehicle. Please select below, and confirm the date of your visit by email to info@hkgreeters.com.
Hong Kong International Airport is located just 25 miles from away from Hong Kong Island. So what is the best way to get into town? There are plenty of options available, be it on the airport express train, local public bus or private options such as taxi, Uber or a private driver. We have complied them all here for you with their benefits and costs for each option.
Meet and Greet Airport Service
The protests have left many visitors feeling anxious about exploring Hong Kong. If you or your guests are flying into town, we’d love to help them feel at ease and show them around safely. Contact us to arrange a stress-free tour. Please also ask about Airport Meet and Greet rates. The airport has been subject to a court injunction since August 2019 meaning that only legitimate travellers can enter into the airport, but our licensed tour guides are permitted to go inside the airport terminal to meet your guests ensuring a smooth and worry-free welcome to Hong Kong.
How to travel from Hong Kong Airport to the City by Train
Airport Express Train to Hong Kong Station
The airport express train link was built alongside the development of the new Hong Kong International airport. It is a wonderfully reliable, clean and easy service to use. From the airport it operates from 05:28 in the morning until the last train at 12;48 am. It stops at Tsing Yi, Kowloon Station. From here the following shuttle services run to all major hotels in Kowloon: K1, K2, K3 and K4. It then stops at Hong Kong Station. Shuttle services H1, H2, H3 and H4 run to all major Hong Kong Island hotels.
Tickets and discounted fares
Round trip tickets for stays longer than 24 hours
Details for round trip tickets for single travellers can be found here. The 30 day return ticket to Kowloon / Hong Kong Station can also be bought here at a discount. The usual price is HK $205, the discounted price is HK $131).
The MTR often run promotions in the summer for free or discounted travel on the airport express train for children and seniors. This is certainly worth looking into if you are travelling as a family between July and September.
Tickets for groups
If you are in a group, it is better to ask for the GROUP one-way tickets. For better group travel discounts, click here.
Once the Airport Express journey is complete, you may board one of the complimentary shuttle buses which are available from Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station to most of the major hotels in those districts. For more information, click here.
Best tickets for layovers (less than 24 hours in Hong Kong)
For layovers or transit tours an Octopus card is the cheapest way to get into and around the city on the same day. These cost HK $150 per adult and HK $70 for children (HK $50 of which is a refundable deposit). A same day return to the airport using the Octopus card is HK $100 for adults and HK $50 for kids*. If taking a layover tour with Hong Kong Greeters, you will need an extra HK $50 on each card to cover additional public transport costs. Octopus cards can only be purchased with cash in Hong Kong dollars.
You can buy same day return tickets for the same price, but this can only be used on the airport express train and not for getting around on the MTR trains, buses, ferries and trams that we use on a private tour.
What NOT to buy
I would advise you NOT to buy the Airport Express Travelpass or Tourist Day Pass as these work out more expensive. I have done many calculations on this!
Airport Express and in-town check-in
Hong Kong has the most wonderful service for travellers when you are leaving Hong Kong. Make use of the fantastically efficient and useful in-town check-in service at Hong Kong Station, Kowloon Station or Tsing Yi Station.
The train station is built like the arrivals hall of the airport, with check-in and luggage counters. Here you can get your boarding passes and check your luggage in up to 24 hours* in advance of your flight. Then when you are ready, maybe after one final browse around town, you can take the train back to the airport up to 90 minutes ahead of your scheduled flight time, to go through immigration and security. There is no need to store or carry your luggage with you all day, and with all the efficiency Hong Kong has to offer, your luggage will meet you at your destination airport.
*not all airlines provide this service although most long-haul operators do. To check, please click the link here for the list of airlines.
Hong Kong Airport to City by Taxi
Taking a taxi from the airport into Hong Kong
There are three type of taxis in Hong Kong. If travelling to Hong Kong or Kowloon, all you need is the red urban taxi. Follow the signs in the arrivals hall for the transport links. Taxis are well sign posted and abundant. Airport staff will also write you a card with the taxi number and destination to assist you, all very helpful!
Green taxis are for the New Territories and Blue for Lantau Island only.
Urban taxi to Central Hong Kong: HK $300 plus tolls
Urban taxi to Kowloon: HK $220 plus tolls
Luggage is charged at HK $5 per piece
Hong Kong Airport to City by Bus
Riding the Bus from the airport into the city
The airport is one of the most well-served destinations by public bus, including night buses (though much less frequent in the early hours of the morning of course). Follow signs in the arrivals hall for the public buses. There is also a very good map at the station to show you where each stop is located. There are two buses which are most useful and go directly through into the city:
Hong Kong Island – A11 or E11 to Hong Kong Island (stopping in Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tin Hau, Fortress Hill and North Point.)
Kowloon – A21 to Hung Hom (stopping in Sham Shui Po, Tak Kok Shui, Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui.)
Hong Kong Airport to City by Uber
Grabbing an Uber from airport to Hong Kong
Like most places in the world, Hong Kong has Uber drivers available 24-7. Most drivers speak Cantonese and English, however as you can set the destination manually, language shouldn’t be an issue!
I would recommend meeting your driver at the link bridge to the Regal Airport hotel which is sign-posted in the Arrivals Hall of passenger Terminal 1, or Carpark 4. There is another good meeting point in Carpark 1.
Prices are subject to surcharges and vehicle chosen.
Hong Kong Airport to City by Hotel Shuttle
Hotel shuttle service
There are two providers… they can be booked at the service desks in the arrivals hall. Services are a little cheaper than the airport express train, however the journey can prove to be one of the longest as there are many hotels visited en route.
What a beautiful blue-sky day, it’s exactly what you want for a visit to the Tian Tan Buddha. That being said, he also looks mysterious and is equally photogenic when swathed in mist on his hilltop perch. Did you know that the Tian Tan Buddha is often referred to as the Big Buddha? This statue was officially established in 1993, making him still a young man.
You will find the Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau, Hong Kong’s biggest island. It also happens to be one of our favourite places in Hong Kong and we love taking our guests there.
Lantau Highlights
Take the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car to see the Tian Tan Buddha
To reach the famous Big Buddha, take the 24 minute Ngong-Ping cable car ride from Tung Chung. If you are put off by those long lines… we will help you beat the crowds with our skip the line access.
As you ride the cable car from Tung Chung, you’ll get a great look at Hong Kong’s airport. It’s built entirely on reclaimed land. You will also see the new bridge that connects Hong Kong to neighbouring Macau and then on to mainland China. Keep your eyes peeled for waterfalls and hillside tombs below. The views are stunning.
A Few Fun Facts about Hong Kong’s Tian Tan Buddha
The Big Buddha is the second largest bronze seated Buddha statue in the world.
He faces North towards Beijing.
He is 34 Metres tall.
You need to climb a whopping 268 steps to get up close to this magnificent statue.
Tai O Fishing Village
From the Tian Tan Buddha take a bus or taxi down towards Tai O. This tiny island, just off Lantau, is accessed by a footbridge. The quaint stilt fishing village is a rare and fast closing window to Hong Kong’s past.
Hong Kong’s Other Big Statue
As a side note, many visitors don’t know that Hong Kong also boasts another extremely large statue. The lesser known Guan Yin statue, which you can read more about here, is up in the Northern New Territories and faces the Big Buddha down on Lantau.
A Hong Kong helicopter tour must be the ultimate way to truly appreciate our city. Getting such a bird’s eye view is both thrilling and incredibly special.
This lucky family got to see Hong Kong from this unique perspective, and what a great day for it! Happy 70th birthday grandad!!
Hong Kong HeliServices
Our guests used Hong Kong HeliServices who operate from the famous Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Tsa Shui, Kowloon. You may see the helicopters landing every so often above the 28th floor.
… if you’re feeling frivolous and fearless and want a truly unique view of Hong Kong, you can book your helicopter tour via Hong Kong HeliServices website here. Alternatively, please don’t hesitate to contact us to see how we could work this thrilling experience into a complete itinerary for your stay in Hong Kong.
Alternatives Ways to View Hong Kong
Helicopter Tours are of course both pricey and not for the faint of heart. But don’t worry, there are plenty of other wonderful ways to see Hong Kong. If you want to get close to a bird’s eye view, head up the Peak to take in a more earth bound, yet impressive panoramic view of our city. Stroll along the promenade in Tsim Tsa Shui or hop on the iconic Star Ferry to cross the harbour. Both of these options offer a splendid view of our famous skyline. If you’re feeling active, Hong Kong also has abundant hiking trails, many with stunning vistas. The Lion Rock hike in Kowloon offers a great escape from the buzzing city with alternative far reaching views.
Alternative Hong Kong Tours
A helicopter tour only lasts 15 minutes, but the memories will last a lifetime. However, if you have a little more time to fill, we offer a wide variety of tours here at Hong Kong Greeters. Our private walking tours are popular, but we understand that it can be hard going, so we offer tours by car. You’ll be happy to know that our outings can be customised to accommodate your interests and are family friendly.
Kung Hei Fat Choi! Join us for the biggest Hong Kong celebration of the year with the best seats in town! Board our 80ft yacht, enjoy the open-bar hospitality, dinner buffet, the fantastic night view and the magnificent Chinese New Years firework show.
Tea tasting is a must do if you’re visiting Hong Kong.
We had a new addition to the small public group tour last week, Aneurin offered us some free teas at his house! Here we are having a try brewing and mashing the Matcha and enjoying the delicate and subtle flavours of puerrh, oolong with rose and Japanese green tea.
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Small group tours run most Saturdays and cost HK $475 per person. If you would like to join too, please email info@hkgreeters.com or complete a booking form.
Where better for a marriage proposal than in the presence of the Matchmaking god?
Our hugest, heartfelt congratulations to Durand and Madeline who were engaged at the God of Marriages, Yue Lao, on our tour today in Repulse Bay.
Who is the Matchmaking God?
Yue Lao is the matchmaking god also known as the Old Man under the Moon. The legend tells that the love of your life is decided from birth and that you are attached to one another by an invisible red string. Traditionally, couples following the Taoist belief, visit Yue Lao to bless their union, or their current relationship. He is holding the ‘Book of Marriages’ which identifies those that have been universally linked together. Some people leave red strings at his statue to represent these ties.
Durand left the ring box on the step – so this is a new Western tradition to continually bless the marriage!
I am very proud to announce that Hong Kong Greeters have received the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence award 2015. Thank you to all visitors past and present who toured with us and took the time to complete a review. Being a small business it is fantastic to get this endorsement from our customers, and to learn and grow with every tour we do.
We will endeavour to continue to keep up the good work, and could not possibly do that without all of your help! Thank you, dor je, and a big massive mm goy from one of the best places in the world, Hong Kong xx
Yes, we have been voted one of Hong Kong’s best tour guides! Hong Kong Greeters has been chosen by Hong Kong Hub as one of the best. Thanks so much Mawgan and Lindsey, to say that we are chuffed to bits is an understatement!
Hong Kong Hub
After all, Hong Kong Hub is a well regarded website. Written in English, it’s a great place to go to find out what’s happening in Hong Kong. They list many of the best things to see, do, eat and buy in this vibrant city. The HK Hub
Have you got guests coming to town? Or do you just fancy getting out and exploring more of what Hong Kong has to offer? Here’s HK Hub’s guide to the Hong Kong’s best tour guides who will show you the hidden gems of this wonderful city!
Hong Kong Greeters, possibly one of Hong Kong’s Best Tour Guides
We offer a wide range of tours to suit your time frame. Our private walking tours are a fantastic way to get up close and personal with the city. However, if you’re short on time or have accessibility issues, we also offer private car tours. Our tours are customised and we can often combine popular Hong Kong sights with some of the lesser known and quirkier pockets of the city. Alternatively, pop over to neighbouring Macau for one of our tours. This former Portuguese colony has a completely different vibe to Hong Kong and is worth exploring in its own right.
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