Get your smartphone ready for your Hong Kong trip

Here is a list of useful tips to get ready your smartphone before you go to Hong Kong:

1. SIM card (for Internet access)

From our past experience, getting a SIM card before you visit a place outside your country is something that you could definitely consider.

Before going to Hong Kong, we get our SIM card from Hello1010. There is a prepaid SIM which lasts for 10 days, from the day you activate the SIM card. With this SIM card, we enjoyed 5GB Mobile data and 100 minutes voice call while we were in Hong Kong. The coverage of this Telco network is good. If you travel more than 10 days. You could consider buying two SIM cards, and only activate the second SIM card on a later date to cover the second half of your trip.

2. Maps and navigation

Google Maps is definitely a good option. It has most updated information, but remember it requires Internet connection.

If you are looking for offline map, MAPS.ME is a good one (available in both Android and iOS). Download the app and the offline map, then you are good to go. Although it may not be as updated as Google Maps, the main attractions are definitely searchable in the app.

One problem with using GPS at downtown Hong Kong is, the accuracy is largely degraded due to the high rise building. So, just be careful and make sure you know which street are you on right now.

3. Public transport (Train)

While you travel in Hong Kong, you will at least use two types of public transports: MTR and minibuses. If you ask local people how to get from one place to another by public transport, they would suggest you use Google Maps to find out. However, we found a mobile application called HKeMobility which could provide you with more information than Google Maps. You could find out where to get on/off, the total travel time, fare, and even how many stops until get off.

If you take minibuses in Hong Kong, one challenge waits you: How do you signal the driver that you want to get off at next stop? Although some new minibuses are equipped with bell that you could ring, old minibuses are not (and there are plenty of them). So how to tell the driver? You have to shout! The local people tell drivers in Cantonese. What if you do not know Cantonese? We have no idea. Maybe try English 🙂