Hello? TOURS!
You've got questions and we've got answers. Check below for the most frequently asked questions that we get from our visitors. If you have something on your mind that isn't listed in the FAQ below please contact us and we'll be happy to answer you! We respond to all emails with 24 hours during the working week.
Frequently Asked Questions
General questions
+ How much walking is involved in a walking tour?
Our Hong Kong Walking Tours do involve a fair bit of walking. We do schedule in rest breaks and toilet stops, but you should be prepared to spend the majority of the duration of your Hong Kong tour either walking or standing. You should also be aware that Hong Kong is a hilly city and there may be some up and down either via steps or steep slopes. All of our Hong Kong tours are designed for enjoyment, and we do go at a leisurely pace, (believe us we don’t want to be rushing around anymore then you do), so as long as you are in reasonable health, you shouldn’t have any problems with the amount of walking involved. If you have health or mobility issues, you should consider a Private Customised Car Tour.
+ Are your Hong Kong tours wheelchair/pushchair friendly?
Unfortunately, our Small Group Hong Kong tours are not wheelchair/pushchair friendly. This is because the routes we take, involve going up and down some slopes, using stairs and riding on the local tram which is not wheelchair accessible. If you are in a wheelchair or have a pushchair with you, please consider taking a Private Customised Tour (available as a walking tour or car tour), and we will design a route for you that is suitable for your needs.
+ Do you cater for children?
All of our Hong Kong tours are child-friendly. That said our Small Group Hong Kong Tour routes are not pushchair/pram friendly so if you are bringing children with you, they do need to be old enough to walk and to be in a group environment for the duration of the tour. If you have young children please book a Hong Kong Private Tour rather than a Small Group Tour. Children aged 11 years and under are free of charge on our Hong Kong Private Customised Tours.
+ What languages are your Hong Kong tours in?
All of our Small Group Hong Kong tours are conducted in English. Private tours are available in English, Spanish, French, Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese.
+ How long do your Hong Kong tours last?
Our Hong Kong tours last between 4 and 8 hours. Please refer to the information on each tours specific page to find out the duration of the tour that you are interested in.
+ Do you take your guests to stores, outlets or other shops?
We do not visit any such shops on any of our Hong Kong tours. Furthermore, the bars and restaurants which we use have been selected solely because we think they are the best that Hong Kong has to offer and not for any other reason. We do not take commissions or kickbacks from any of them. If you do want to do some shopping we are happy to make recommendations for you but we do not ever take you into any shops unless you specifically ask.
+ What is included in the price of the tour?
Our walking tours include the costs of all public transport (MTR/Tram/Bus and Ferry) used during the tour but not any taxis which you may choose to take. Our car tours include the costs of your private hire vehicle plus any public transport which you might like to include (like the Star Ferry or Peak Tram). The costs of drinks/ snacks/ meals/ souvenirs etc. are not included. The only exception to this is our ‘themed tours’ (Food, Night and Lantau) which do have some inclusions. These can be viewed on the tour pages.
+ I have dietary restrictions, can I still join the Hong Kong Food Tour?
If you have dietary restrictions, the best thing to do is to send us an email letting us know what you can not eat, and we will advise you on how suitable, or unsuitable, the Hong Kong Food Tour is. If you are heavily affected, we will advise you not to take our Hong Kong Food Tour, but to take a Private Customised tour instead and we can design something for you which contains some foodie elements which meet your specific dietary requirements.
+ If I book a Private Tour can you take me to attractions like Disney Land?
We do not take people to places like Disney Land or Ocean Park because we would not be able to add any value to your day. To put it simply you would be wasting your money if you hired us to take you to a theme park. Instead, we focus on introducing you to the real Hong Kong, by taking you down back streets and alleyways which you wouldn’t usually go down yourself, by explaining the culture, the history and the local way of life to you. All of these big attractions are easy to get to, your hotel will be able to explain to you how to get there on public transport or via taxi (which is very cheap in Hong Kong).
+ I normally take a Big Bus Tour, why would I take tour with you?
We also like a Big Bus tour and think that they give you a good feel of the geography and layout of the city and ensure that you ‘see’ all of the main points of interest in a day. Hop on hop off also gives you a great way of travelling between points of interest without having to worry about getting lost on public transport! What the Big Bus tour will not do however is show you the ‘real’ Hong Kong. It will not take you to meet local business owners or to discover hidden parks down alleyways. It will not explain the culture of Hong Kong to you, or point out hole-in-the-wall restaurants that surprisingly have Michelin stars! If you like Big Bus tours then take one in Hong Kong (we have, and we enjoyed it) but take a tour with us as well and let us introduce you to a few places that the Big Bus tour will not.
+ Do you do tours in Macau or Mainland China?
We do not offer tours to either Macau or Mainland China. These locations are not our area of expertise, and you could find somebody who is much more knowledgeable then we are.
+ I actually live in Hong Kong, can I take one of your tours?
Of course! We get countless guests joining us who live in Hong Kong. Many people take one or two of our tours as a way to get acquainted with Hong Kong when they have recently (1 to 3 years) moved here.
Deciding which tour
+ All of your Hong Kong tours sound interesting so I am not sure which one to take. If I take more then one will I get the same information on each?
No, all of our Hong Kong tours have different content so you do not have to worry about hearing the same information twice. We do cover a few basic facts about Hong Kong on each tour but the vast majority of the content is different. In fact, we recommend taking more than one Hong Kong tour to give you a real insight into Hong Kong.
Booking a tour
+ How do I book a Hello Hong Kong tour?
Please book your tours with us by following the booking links on our website. Bookings are taken over a secure encrypted connection. If the date that you wish to book is not showing as available please send an email to bookings@hellohongkong.com.hk and we will see if any of the team on a day off can reschedule to accommodate your booking.
+ What happens once I have booked a tour?
Once you have booked a Hello Hong Kong tour you will receive an email confirming all of the details of your tour. This will include a reminder on what to wear, what to bring and your Hong Kong tour guides picture and contact details.
Going on a tour
+ What should I wear?
On all of our Hong Kong tours, you should wear comfortable flat shoes. In the winter months when it is cool we recommend that you wear layers so that you can take one off if you start to heat up whilst walking. In the summer months it is very humid so wear light-weight breathable clothes.
+ Do I need to bring anything with me?
The main thing you need to bring is yourself in a good pair of comfortable shoes! We recommend that you bring some cash for small purchases (snacks and souvenirs) and your camera to take pictures. If it looks like it might rain bring an umbrella, your hotel should be able to lend you one, if not we can show you where to buy one cheaply.
+ Can I take pictures on the tour?
We actively encourage picture taking on Hello Hong Kong tours, we want you to go home with as many memories as possible. We are always happy to take pictures of you, for you.
+ What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?
Come rain or sunshine our Hong Kong tours continue and we always have a great day no matter the weather. However, if there is a Typhoon or extreme rain then we follow the advice issued by the Hong Kong weather observatory. This means that we cancel all tours if at one hour before the start of the tour there is a Typhoon level 8 signal up or there is Red or Black rainstorm warning in effect. In such cases, we will reschedule your tour or offer a full refund. All tours will still run at Typhoon levels 1 and 3 and under Amber rainstorm warnings. For up to date information on Hong Kong weather you can check the Hong Kong Observatory website.
+ Is it safe to walk around Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is an extremely safe country. Carrying an expensive camera or wearing an expensive watch/jewellery will not increase your chances of getting robbed. Even if you are walking around at night time on your own! The only nuisance to be aware of is pickpockets on crowded trains and in busy markets. I have never been pickpocketed in Hong Kong and I do not know anyone who has but I do know that it does happen so be aware.
+ Does the tour end at the same place as it starts?
The start and end point of our Hong Kong tours vary. Please check each tours specific information. If you have a booked a Private Tour we will come and pick you up at your hotel and drop you off there at the end of the tour. If you have booked onto a Small Group Tour it will not start and end in the same place. Once the tour has finished we can give you directions back to your hotel or to any other location that you would like to go to. We recommend always carrying a few cards with your hotel name and address on as this will make it easier to take a taxi. Once you have booked your tour we will email you directions to the meeting point if applicable.
+ Do I need to tip the tour guide?
If you have enjoyed the Hello Hong Kong tour and think that the guide has provided a good service it is common practice in Hong Kong to tip. The standard tipping is 10 – 15%. Whilst our guides greatly appreciate gratuities they will NEVER ask for them.