Amongst the countries in East Asia, Hong Kong is one of the most popular and visited by millions of foreign tourist every year. In January alone, the nation welcomed 5.22 million travelers were 4.04 million came from Mainland China, as featured by Discover Hong Kong. However, with plenty of tourist spots to visit, it can be quite overwhelming when planning a visit to HK. Thankfully, mobile apps are able to assist vacationers with all their planning needs.
Many travelers are now becoming adept with their mobile devices and fall under the ‘Connected Travelers’ term coined by the tech industry. Globetrotters are now leveraging their mobile devices to plan and book their trips. Mobile gaming experts, Gaming Realms said that the proliferation of 4G internet has provided people with access to a myriad of information online, including the availability of apps and websites that make planning vacations easier, more convenient, and faster. The developer of popular mobile and online gaming titles also states that smartphone app usage accounts for 50% of user time on mobile devices nowadays, which just goes to show that “our” dependency on mobile apps is stronger than ever before, even when it comes to traveling.
So, if you are searching for the top travel apps you can use on your trip to Hong Kong, then you’re in the right place. Here are three essential Hong Kong-focused travel apps you can download today:
1. Hong Kong Travel Guide and Offline City Map
Developed by Ulmon GmbH, this app is exactly what you need to properly plan your trip so that you don’t get lost on the streets of HK. It comes with a free offline map that saves you from data roaming charges, a multi-functional list to plan and organize your vacation, and suggested tips and places to visit recommended by other travelers. Install here
Shopping Haven
2. HKe Transport
Although many destinations are accessible via the MTR or the city train station, some tourist spots need a bus or even a taxi to get to. The HKe Transport by the Transport Department, HKSA offers travelers a comprehensive public transport-planning platform to easily plan their route across the country. Users just need to type the starting point (e.g. ‘name of the hotel’) and the desired destination (e.g. ‘Victoria’s Peak’) and the app will select the best route and transport options. Not only that, but it also provides information on the estimated travel time and estimated fare for each transport system. Install here
Hongkong MTR
3. OpenRice Hong Kong
Unsure where to dine? OpenRice Hong Kong is exactly the app you need. It comes with a comprehensive dining guide in the country from its list of curated 40,000 restaurants and 600,000 reviews. Users can search restaurants based on price range, specific cuisine, district, and restaurant type (vegan, all-meat, Chinese, Western, etc.), and even bookmark restaurants for easy access later. It also comes with a navigation tool that uses the GPS of the handset to locate nearby eateries as well as an online booking system for certain establishments. Install here.
These three apps will make your trip to Hong Kong stress-free, giving you more time to focus on memorable and fun moments on your trip.
Hongkong Disneyland
Where can your 15,000php take you to Hongkong and Macau? Read here
Awesome! I have been to hongkong and have used the offline travel map before, I totally love it.
Thanks Bernard.. try these apps next time 🙂
I was in Hong Kong years ago in pre-app times (how did we travel then?!) and we could have done with these apps. We didn’t get lost and we didn’t have bad meals, but we missed a lot of places just out of not being well prepared about where to do – I hope to go back one day and when I do, no excuses: I’ll see everything!
There will be next time Marta 🙂 I haven’t seen a lot in Hongkong and I’m looking forward to go back again!
I have never been to Hong Kong but I was really interested in what I needed when I went there. I am thinking that before apps people were in big trouble. I can see a need for each one of those apps!
Yeah.. It’s helpful. Mostly with big city like HK 🙂
These apps sound very useful! Knowing about public transportation and where to eat is always so important in any city. I have never been to Hong Kong, but I really want to. When I go, I will keep this in mind!
thanks Stella 😉
These apps must definitely be downloaded before a trip to HK. Transport app is needed to easily get from one point of the town to another. OpenRice is also necessary to lessen the time thinking or arguing where to eat. haha thanks for sharing these, Cai!
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Thanks! 🙂
An offline city map would be the best app ever to have. Next is the openrice app. Whew. Thanks for sharing this. I am planning to go to HongKong. 🙂
Offline city Map is a must, whenever you travel outside the country. 🙂
We’re planning to visit Hong Kong soon and these are very helpful! I love how they can guide you with the most important things when travelling. How to navigate, transportation and of course, food! Thank you very much for sharing these.
Welcome Aika, I’m glad to help you 🙂
How I wish one day I can also dowload the same App for Philippines transportation system. Hehe. These apps you listed are essential and serves as a quick guide for timers in Hongkong. I am definitely not good with direction so I loved that a city map is available. Same goes with food: I hunt a spot until I ended starving so the Openrice is perfect !
How I really wish we have a transportation app here. Our government should start fixing our train system first hehehe
That is some kind of a list. I think I have a tendency to get lost in Hongkong too . Though I have a sister who lives there, the apps will still be handy.
the offline map is really helpful 🙂
It’s nice that travelers now have modern apps to give them all the information they need even in foreign country, isn’t it. Although, I don’t know, I always have this dream that I’d get lost and discover some secret local restaurant along the way, and it would be an adventure I wouldn’t forget. 🙂 Hope you can make a list of apps that can be used in the Philippines too.
Thanks for giving me an idea Kat. Will surely make one for the Philippines. 🙂
I love HK because it is one of the cities I didnt get lost in. Every street there is a map showing you where you are. English signages are in abundance too. I love their transportation system especially the train. There are actually versions of the Offline City Map for Android users. Hope you could include that, not just the Iphone version. I found the Discover Hong Kong website to be highly reliable. It’s all in there. They have an app too but didnt download it.
Thanks Dada!
Great apps. I would keep this article in mind when I will visit Hong Kong. Not at the moment but who know? It’s always good to exchange these kind of apps. Did you see my article about my favorite app?
http://sofarsosabine.com/local-expert-with-city-guides-from-stay-com/
Hi Sabine,
Will check it out! thanks! 🙂
I’ve never tried a city map when exploring a city. Now that you mentioned, maybe I should download that app because I am a direction impaired. It would save me a lot of trouble asking people where I am or where should I go.
Its helpful Marge, Mostly when you are in A big city 🙂
Thanks for the helpful tips! I always seek for such during my travels. Although I prefer going to places by foot, it is still very helpful to know how to get back on track just in case. I also use Couchsurfing to meet other travelers. I wonder if there are many Couchsurfers from Hongkong?
I actually posted on CS that Im going to HK but I didn’t get any response from anyone. Now I wonder if there is an active CS community in HK.
Which is better? Singapore or Hongkong?
Hi Spika,
I never been to SG, I can’t answer that 🙂
I agree with your choices of apps. Although it is a sin to get lost in HK even without apps. Right at the airport, maps are already provided. As for food, I go for the small restaurants with roasting. Yummy!
I was once lost in HK even with a map, shame on me hahaha 🙂
Cai,
Seriously??? You have no right getting lost in HK! LOL! I think of all cities I have visited, HK is the one city I pick over the others that you cannot get lost in… Of course, the other cities I have visited so far are some cities in Taiwan and China. So not much experience travelling elsewhere!
HAHAHA, Honestly, I was once lost since some of the streets are confusing hahaha 🙂