changing money advice
Fri, 2007-07-27 01:41 — Anonymous
Hey everyone.
I read that the HK dollar is pegged to the US dollar, and that exchanging money is no problem in HK.
However how much USD should I change at the airport as i heard the rates are not as good as downtown. I just need enough HKD when i land to cover the airport express, taxi to guesthouse and so on. I'd change it in my own country but the rate also seems crappy.
Any Hkers/Expats with currency advice, much appreciated?
Cheers
Alex
I'd change HK$1,000
You could probably make it to the guest house on HK$500, especially if you pay for the airport express ticket with a credit card, but if it was me I'd get HK$1,000. More advice on changing money here.
MrB
Sorry Mrb for posting anon,
Sorry Mrb for posting anon, tis me, Alex the admirer of hong kong tunnels.
Thanks for the info. The guesthouse is near Park hotel in Tsim Tsa Tsui, and i read if take the airport express, there is a free shuttle bus service at the other end to the guesthouse/hotel area, so thats no problem.
Would you recommend exchanging some in the UK first, or exchanging the minimum at the airport? Hmmmm.
Thanks for the reply
Alex
Transportation from the Airport to Tsimshatsui
Hi Alex,
I would suggest to take the bus instead. Check out this page for Route A21:
http://www.nwfb.com.hk/eng/route/route_detail.asp?v_first=A21&v_group=1
All of the bus stops along the route in both direction are listed, with the approximate intersection of the main road and a side street. If your guest house happens to be along it's route, and if you are the first time in town, it's really worth it. Imaging riding on the top deck a double decker when it speeds along the Tsing Ma Bridge http://www.tsingma.com.hk/Web_pages/Intro_tmca/tsing_ma_bridge_e.htm
On the other hand, the Airport Express is a rip-off as well as a boring ride. It also runs along the Tsing Ma Bridge, however it goes through it's own conduit. You would be unable to see anything. The only advantage of going by rail is that it bypass all surface traffic.
My 2 cents,
Thomas
I'd exchange some in the UK
Hi Alex,
I usually like to arrive in a foreign country with at least a small amount of the local currency in my pocket, so I don't have to worry about it when I get off the plane all bleary-eyed. Other visitors arrive and change a small amount when they get here without any problem, so its really up to you.
Thomas gave good advice if you're not in any great hurry - the bus is a bit slower but you definitely see a lot more.
MrB
cheers guys for advice
I usually like to arrive in a foreign country with at least a small amount of the local currency in my pocket, so I don't have to worry about it when I get off the plane all bleary-eyed.
I hear ya. Last thing I want is finding my way around the huge HK airport just to change enough cash to get downtown.
Thomas gave good advice if you're not in any great hurry - the bus is a bit slower but you definitely see a lot more.
The bus does sound good, I admit, I'm just worrying about checking in on time, but thanks for all this advice. V good!
seems the post office and
seems the post office and marks and spencers do commission free currency, but I have been informed off my friend that M and S don't have HKD.
I'll try the PO, let you know how I get on! Even if they say a few days wait, better to get before leaving.
Thanks again all!
Alex
getting HKD in the UK
Natwest told us come back on monday morning, thomas cook also said they would have to order HKD, but M and S had them in stock and at the rate of 15.24 as well!
So I changed the lot here, to save faffing around at the other end.
Any advice about HK on a budget? Things to do/see inexpensively?
Regards
Alex