Travel Like a Boss with These 12 Free Hong Kong Travel Apps
Times really have changed.
Not so long ago, when you took a trip overseas, you’d need to make sure you had a range of essentials with you. Guidebooks, maps, language books, coupon books and tickets—all of these items taking up precious room in your bag!
These days, though, things are little easier. A smartphone is your window to the world, and it can certainly lighten your load when traveling.
And if you visit Hong Kong, you need to stay connected.
As one of the greatest technological hubs of the world, there are plenty of ways a little smartphone magic can make your journey simpler. There’s no better way to make the most of your time in this territory than by prepping your smartphone with plenty of travel apps.
The first time I visited Hong Kong was long before the reign of smartphones.
I managed to strike the one public transit station where no one spoke English. And the lines were 30 minutes long!
I had a metro card, but I had no idea where to go. It was one of my first trips overseas and an interesting introduction to potential language difficulties while abroad.
These days? You’d open your MTR Mobile app, find out which station to go to and be on your way. Leaving you more time to do what you do best: explore!
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Why Use Travel Apps When Visiting Hong Kong?
These days, your phone is your gateway to a world of possibilities—and this is no exception in Hong Kong.
There are numerous apps to make your stay in the territory easier and to make all those inevitable travel tasks, like finding somewhere to eat or use the bathroom, less time consuming.
But if you’re still on the fence about the value of Hong Kong travel apps, here are some points to consider:
- Apps have replaced guidebooks. In the 21st century, everything you need to know about a travel destination is on your phone. Better yet, it’s all up to date. There’s no need to lug around a heavy, outdated guidebook. Instead, you can download a few apps that contain all the relevant information you need. And they won’t make your bag any heavier. Score!
- Apps improve your language skills. While you may already speak a bit of the local lingo, it’s always nice to have an app or two to help you out if you get stuck. These apps are especially useful in Hong Kong. You might know Mandarin and not realize that Hong Kong is only slowly transitioning to Mandarin. Most people speak Cantonese here. If an app can help you develop your language skills, even better!
- Apps alert you of special deals. Apps can help you pick up special admission offers you otherwise wouldn’t know about. They’re also great for finding limited time specials, such as daily or weekly discounts.
- Apps give you flexibility. Carrying around all the information you need in your pocket is incredibly useful. Doing so can help you have a fun and spontaneous trip. You’ll know you can always safely find your way back to the hotel with your apps’ help, no matter how far you stray.
Travel Like a Boss with These 12 Hong Kong Travel Apps
There are so many apps to choose from, and I know your phone has limited storage. So I’ve picked the best apps for you!
These are sorted by category, so you can choose to only download the apps that are relevant to your interests and needs.
Oh, and a little bonus… All these apps are free to download!
Travel Apps for Food and Drink in Hong Kong
OpenRice
OpenRice is similar to Yelp. Customers use this app to leave reviews for food they eat at local Hong Kong restaurants. First established as a website in 1999, OpenRice prides itself on providing truthful reviews on the varied cuisines available in the territory.
Deliveroo
If you’ve been to any major city in the world, there’s a chance you’ve heard of Deliveroo.
This nifty little app allows you to order food to be delivered straight to your door (or hotel room) from a massive range of eateries. The Hong Kong version is no exception, with over 350 restaurants to choose from.
Chope Restaurant Reservations
Chope Restaurant Reservations helps you reserve a table at some of the best dining establishments in Hong Kong. This app saves you time and effort. Not to mention the awkwardness involved with booking over the phone in a foreign language!
Travel Apps for Transportation in Hong Kong
MTR Mobile
Hong Kong’s efficient public transport system is called the Mass Transit Railway, but everyone calls it the MTR. The system has its own app—and it’s well worth downloading.
The app contains a trip planner and fare information. It also has a wealth of information about station facilities, shops and nearby malls.
HKTaxi – Taxi Hailing App
There’s nothing worse than being on a street corner, lost, unable to hail a taxi!
Luckily, HKTaxi – Taxi Hailing App has your back. You can use it to hail a cab in this busy territory, which will save you a lot of time and stress.
Just one note, though—drivers are generally more responsive to longer trips.
Google Maps (offline)
If there’s one must-have for any trip, it’s a solid offline map app.
Google Maps is one of the best out there. It’s easy to use and familiar. And you can download offline maps while still connected to the internet to make sure you always know where you are.
Travel Apps for Things to Do in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Disneyland
It wouldn’t be a trip to Hong Kong without a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland! This fantastic and family friendly app lists all of the major attractions at the park. It also includes maps and information on temporary shows and events.
Headout – Your City on Demand
Headout – Your City on Demand is your booking and travel coordination partner when you visit Hong Kong.
It lets you book a huge number of attractions, shows and events instantly. It even helps you navigate when you go to those events.
Other Useful Travel Apps for Hong Kong
TakeTaxi – HK Taxi Translator
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you aren’t quite sure how to communicate where you need to go with your taxi driver!
Keep this app on your phone, however, and you’ll be fine. TakeTaxi also lets you save your taxi driver’s registration number, so if you accidentally leave your wallet inside, you have a way to contact them again.
csl Wi-Fi
When you’re traveling, there’s nothing better than finding a handy hotspot so you can check your emails or catch up with friends.
The csl Wi-fi app helps tourists who are using a non-Hong Kong SIM card find places to access free Wi-Fi around Hong Kong.
Toilet Rush
Using the bathroom isn’t exactly everyone’s favorite topic. But when you’re traveling, sometimes you really need to go!
Toilet Rush helps you locate the nearest public toilet in Hong Kong. You’ll probably find that it comes in handy.
“A Symphony of Lights”
Tourists love to watch the beautiful light show mirrored on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour each night. To add to your experience, download the “A Symphony of Lights” app to hear music carefully timed to the show!
Regardless of what you have planned for your trip to Hong Kong, a bit of careful preparation—and a selection of useful apps—will help you make the most of your time here.
You’ll be well-fed. You’ll see the sights and know where all the useful bathroom stops are. You’ll be able to get from place to place, talk to taxi drivers and experience the light of Victoria Harbour in all their glory.
So what are you waiting for? Get downloading!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
An experienced writer, traveler and communications professional, Belinda Birchall splits her time between New Zealand and Dubai, with a lot of travel packed in between—visiting 20 countries in 2017/2018. In her spare time, she blogs at The 58th Floor and shares photos of her travels on Instagram.
