There are few cities on Earth as exciting and intriguing as Hong Kong. Most people don’t think of Hong Kong as being a particularly child-friendly city though. And while it is true that it is one of the least stroller-friendly cities in the world, there are plenty of fun things to do with kids in Hong Kong.
Add to this a large range of good accommodation, cheap and efficient public transport and you will see that Hong Kong is a fantastic city for a family city break.
Best time to visit Hong Kong
People think of Hong Kong as being very hot and humid, but in reality, it enjoys mild weather for half the year. The humidity drops from October onwards until around April and so this is the most pleasant time of year for sightseeing. The summers are very hot and humid, and it is also typhoon season at this time of year, so it is not such a popular time with visitors. January and February can get quite cold, though rarely much below 10 degrees Celsius.
- Summer months are very hot and humid, particularly June-August.
- Winter months January & February are the coldest.
- Spring weather is unpredictable with heavy downpours common.
- Fall is usually pleasant temperatures and lower humidity.
- Typhoon season runs June to October, although can start as early as April.
- Public holidays in China, particularly Chinese New Year and Golden Week are busy times for tourists in Hong Kong.
Click here to read more about the best time to visit Hong Kong
How to get around Hong Kong
Hong Kong is an easy city to explore using public transport. The MTR (underground/subway) is cheap, clean and efficient and will connect you with most places you want to go. There is also a comprehensive bus network and also the beloved traditional Hong Kong trams, which run the length of Hong Kong island. Taxis are also plentiful and cheap.
- Children under 3 travel free and children aged 3-11 travel half price on public transport in Hong Kong.
- Most MTR stations have disability access, making it easy to take a stroller.
- Download the MTR Mobile app for help with MTR route planning.
- Buy an Octopus card to save searching for coins and buying tickets each time you travel.
Click here to read more about getting around Hong Kong
Where to stay in Hong Kong with kids
Hong Kong has all the big chain brands of hotels to choose from, in addition to several lesser-known boutique hotels. Ideally, you will want to be centrally located – either on Hong Kong island or in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, and close to public transport to make sightseeing easy. The exception to this is if you are planning to visit Hong Kong Disneyland, and want to make more of your experience by staying overnight in one of the Disney hotels.
Click here to see our pick of the best family hotels in Hong Kong
Top things to do in Hong Kong with kids
People don’t automatically think ‘child-friendly’ when they think of Hong Kong but there is a surprising amount of things to do in Hong Kong with kids. Of course, there is Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, but beyond these two popular theme parks, there is plenty of fun sightseeing to be done. Choose to explore via cable car, boat, tram or even helicopter, visit the Big Buddha, catch up with the pink dolphins – or simply indulge in a dim sum feast.
We have put together here the perfect family Hong Kong itinerary in 3 days, and you can also read our pick of the best things to do in Hong Kong with kids
Don’t miss our interview Carolynne Dear, a mum of four living in Hong Kong sharing all her insider tips on how to best navigate Hong Kong with kids on our City Travel with Kids Podcast.
What to pack for Hong Kong
What to pack for Hong Kong will depend on what time of year you plan to visit. Hong Kong is hot and humid in the summer, so light cotton clothing is recommended at this time of year. However, the winter in Hong Kong can be surprisingly cold, so you will definitely need to pack a few sweaters and a lightweight jacket. You may even want to pack a scarf for the Hong Kong winter but you can leave the woolly hats and gloves at home!
Click here to read our full guide to packing for Hong Kong.
Insider guide to visiting Hong Kong with kids