18-Day Ultimate Budget Backpacking Route in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is often seen as an expensive luxury destination, but for the savvy backpacker, it is a playground of affordable discovery. By staying in the legendary hostels of Tsim Sha Tsui, eating at local 'cha chaan tengs', and utilizing one of the world's most efficient public transport systems, you can experience the high-energy pulse of this territory without breaking the bank.
This 18-day journey takes you far beyond the typical tourist traps. You will traverse the urban canyons of Kowloon, the historic slopes of Hong Kong Island, and the surprisingly wild mountains of the New Territories and Outlying Islands. Prepare for an epic journey where the $2 ferry ride offers a million-dollar view.
Day 1: Arrival & Kowloon Intro - Kowloon, Hong Kong
Arrival at HKIA
Land at Hong Kong International Airport. Pick up your Octopus Card immediately at the arrivals hall; it is your lifeline for all transport and small purchases.
Check into Tsim Sha Tsui Hostel
Drop your bags at a budget hostel in the Chungking Mansions or Mirador Mansions. It is a rite of passage for every budget traveler in Hong Kong.
Avenue of Stars & Star Ferry
Walk the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for iconic skyline views. Take the Star Ferry to Central and back for less than $1 USD.
Temple Street Night Market
Head to Jordan to browse the market stalls. Grab a budget-friendly bowl of clay pot rice at a street-side stall.
Day 2: Markets and Local Life - Kowloon, Hong Kong
Mong Kok Flower & Bird Markets
Witness local life at the colorful Flower Market and the traditional Yuen Po Street Bird Garden.
Goldfish Market
Stroll through Tung Choi Street where thousands of exotic fish are displayed in plastic bags along the storefronts.
Ladies' Market Shopping
Practice your bargaining skills for cheap souvenirs and clothing. Remember to start at 50% of the asking price.
Sham Shui Po Food Tour
Self-guide your way through this working-class district. Try the famous rice noodle rolls at Hop Yik Tai.
Day 3: Temples and Traditions - Kowloon, Hong Kong
Wong Tai Sin Temple
Visit this famous Taoist temple where locals come to pray for good fortune. Entrance is free.
Chi Lin Nunnery
A stunning Tang Dynasty-style wooden monastery built without a single iron nail.
Nan Lian Garden
Walk through these meticulously manicured gardens right across from the Nunnery. It is a quiet oasis in the city.
Kowloon Walled City Park
Learn about the site of the former ungoverned settlement, now a beautiful historical park.
Day 4: Hong Kong Island Heritage - Central, Hong Kong
Mid-Levels Escalator
Ride the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system through the heart of the city's steepest streets.
Man Mo Temple
Visit one of Hong Kong's oldest temples on Hollywood Road, known for its giant hanging incense coils.
Tai Kwun Center for Heritage
Explore the revitalized Central Police Station compound. Entry to the courtyard and many exhibits is free.
Wan Chai Nightlife
Explore the historic Blue House and grab a cheap beer at a 7-Eleven, a common budget practice known as "Club 7-11".
Day 5: The High Point - Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
Hike to Victoria Peak
Save on the Peak Tram by hiking up the Old Peak Road. It’s a steep 45-minute workout with rewarding views.
The Peak Circle Walk
Walk the flat Lugard Road loop for the most famous panoramic view of the harbor for free.
Hong Kong Park
Visit the free Edward Youde Aviary inside this beautiful urban park.
Ding Ding Tram Ride
Take the historic double-decker tram from Central to Causeway Bay for a slow-motion tour of the island.
Day 6: South Side Exploration - Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Aberdeen Fishing Village
Watch the traditional sampans and houseboats. You can take a public ferry to Ap Lei Chau for a few cents.
Repulse Bay Beach
Take a public bus to this famous beach. Visit the colorful Tin Hau Temple at the end of the sand.
Stanley Market
Wander the narrow lanes for clothing and crafts, then walk the scenic Stanley waterfront.
Dinner at a Cooked Food Centre
Head back to the Java Road Cooked Food Centre for an authentic, high-energy local dining experience.
Day 7: Giant Buddhas and Mountains - Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Ngong Ping 360 Hike
Instead of the expensive cable car, hike the Ngong Ping Rescue Trail for incredible mountain and sea views.
Tian Tan Buddha
Climb the 268 steps to reach the base of the massive bronze Big Buddha. Entry to the base area is free.
Po Lin Monastery
Explore the ornate temple and grab a simple vegetarian lunch at the monastery refectory.
Wisdom Path
A short walk leads to 38 wooden columns inscribed with the Heart Sutra in a beautiful mountain setting.
Day 8: The Venice of the East - Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Tai O Fishing Village
Take a bus from Ngong Ping to this historic stilt-house village. It's one of the few places where you can see the traditional Tanka lifestyle.
Pink Dolphin Boat Trip
Local fishermen offer short boat tours for about $3-5 USD to spot the rare Chinese White Dolphins.
Tai O Heritage Hotel
Walk to the old police station, now a boutique hotel, to see the colonial architecture and views.
Sunset at Tai O
Watch the sun go down over the South China Sea from the village pier before catching a bus back.
Day 9: Coastal Lantau - Mui Wo, Hong Kong
Mui Wo Village
Explore this laid-back village on the eastern coast of Lantau. It's much quieter than the city.
Silvermine Bay Beach
Relax on the sand or take a swim. The water here is generally clean and calm.
Silvermine Waterfall
A short, easy hike from the beach leads to a pleasant waterfall and an old silver mine entrance.
Ferry back to Central
Take the ordinary ferry (not the fast one) for a cheaper, scenic 50-minute ride back to the mainland.
Day 10: New Territories Culture - Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Climb the hill lined with life-sized golden Buddha statues. Note: there are no monks here, but the statues are incredible.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
A huge museum covering local history and culture. Check for free admission days (usually Wednesdays).
Snoopy’s World
A small, free theme park on the roof of the New Town Plaza mall—great for a quirky photo op.
Sha Tin Riverside Walk
Walk or cycle along the Shing Mun River as the lights of the residential towers begin to glow.
Day 11: Monastery and Nature - Tai Po, Hong Kong
Tsz Shan Monastery
Visit the world's second-tallest bronze Goddess of Mercy statue. (Note: Booking online weeks in advance is mandatory, but free).
Tai Po Market
Eat at the Tai Po Hui Market Cooked Food Centre, one of the best places for cheap, authentic Cantonese food.
Tai Mei Tuk
Rent a bike and ride across the massive 2km dam wall of the Plover Cove Reservoir.
Railways Museum
A small, free open-air museum located in the old Tai Po Market railway station.
Day 12: The Heritage Trail - Fanling, Hong Kong
Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail
Walk this path to see the historic walled villages (Wai) and ancestral halls of the Tang Clan.
Luen Wo Market
Visit this historic market building and enjoy local snacks in the surrounding Fanling area.
Fung Ying Seen Koon
A large Taoist temple complex near the Fanling MTR station with impressive orange-tiled roofs.
Sheung Shui Exploration
Visit the northernmost town in HK before the border to see the bustling trade and local life.
Day 13: Lamma Island Trekking - Lamma Island, Hong Kong
Yung Shue Wan Village
Take the ferry from Central to this bohemian, car-free village. Browse the quirky shops and cafes.
Lamma Island Family Walk
An easy 1.5-hour paved trail connecting the island's two main villages with great sea views.
Hung Shing Yeh Beach
Stop for a swim at Lamma's most popular beach, located halfway through the walk.
Sok Kwu Wan
Reach the other side of the island. While the seafood restaurants are famous, budget travelers should look for the small noodle shops.
Day 14: Pirate Caves and Buns - Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
Cheung Chau Village
Ferries run from Central Pier 5. This dumbbell-shaped island is a maze of narrow streets and fishing culture.
Cheung Po Tsai Cave
Explore the small cave where a legendary 19th-century pirate is said to have hidden his treasure.
Pak Tai Temple
Visit the center of the famous Bun Festival (held in May) and admire the intricate roof carvings.
Sunset Seafood
Cheung Chau offers some of the most affordable seafood in HK. Look for the 'small set' deals for two.
Day 15: The Wild East - Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Sai Kung Town
Take a green minibus from Hang Hau MTR. This is the 'back garden' of Hong Kong.
Sharp Island Ferry
Take a small 'kaido' (local boat) to Sharp Island for just a few dollars to see the 'pineapple bun' rocks.
Volcano Discovery Centre
A free exhibit explaining the hexagonal rock columns that make this area a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Dinner at Sai Kung Market
Check out the local street food stalls for the freshest fish balls and egg waffles.
Day 16: The Ultimate Hike - Sai Kung, Hong Kong
MacLehose Trail Stage 2
Take a taxi to the East Dam. This is the most beautiful hike in HK, passing the Geopark columns.
Tai Long Wan Beaches
Hike down to the four most pristine white-sand beaches in Hong Kong. It feels like Thailand, not a metropolis.
Ham Tin Village
Cross the narrow plank bridge and have a cheap fried rice lunch at the basic beach restaurants.
Return to Kowloon
Take the bus back and reward yourself with a $5 foot massage in Mong Kok.
Day 17: Deep Urban Exploration - Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
Apliu Street Electronics
The ultimate market for gadgets, tools, and vintage electronics. Great for finding cheap cables or power banks.
Michelin Star on a Budget
Eat at Tim Ho Wan in Sham Shui Po—the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant (though they lost the star recently, the food is still great).
Mei Ho House
Visit this museum located in one of HK’s first public housing estates to see how residents used to live.
Garden Hill Sunset
A short 15-minute walk up stairs from Mei Ho House offers a stunning view of the dense urban grid of Kowloon.
Day 18: Final Views & Departure - Kowloon, Hong Kong
West Kowloon Cultural District
Walk through the Art Park for one last look at the Hong Kong Island skyline across the water.
Elements Mall & ICC
Window shop in the luxury mall before heading to the station below.
Airport Express
Use your remaining Octopus balance to take the fast train directly to the airport.
Departure
Finish your 18-day epic journey through the fragrant harbor.
Best Time to Visit Hong Kong
The best time to visit Hong Kong is from October to early December when the weather is sunny, cool, and pleasant—perfect for hiking. January and February are also good but can be surprisingly chilly. Avoid the summer months (June to September) as they are extremely hot, humid, and prone to typhoons and heavy rain, which can disrupt travel plans.
Currency & Money
The local currency is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). While major credit cards are accepted in malls and hotels, cash is still king at local markets, street stalls, and smaller restaurants. The most important financial tool you need is an Octopus Card, which can be topped up with cash and used for all public transport, convenience stores, and even some museums. Tipping is not expected in local diners, though high-end restaurants usually add a 10% service charge.
Getting Around Hong Kong
Getting around is incredibly easy and cheap. The MTR (subway) covers almost every corner of the territory. For the islands, use the public ferries from Central Piers. Buses and minibuses reach the more remote hiking spots in the New Territories. For a classic experience, never miss the Star Ferry or the Ding Ding trams on Hong Kong Island, which are among the cheapest and most scenic forms of transport in the world.
