Top 11 Things to Do in Hong Kong That Cost Almost Nothing
Hong Kong has a reputation for being expensive. Hotels can be brutal. Cocktails will make your credit card flinch. But the actual experiences — the ones that make Hong Kong unlike any other city on Earth — are shockingly cheap. Some are free.
1. Take the Star Ferry ($0.50)
Four Hong Kong Dollars. That's what it costs for a lower-deck ticket on the Star Ferry between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. It's an 8-minute ride. It's been running since 1888. And the view of the Victoria Harbour skyline from the water — skyscrapers stacked against green mountains, ferries and junks crossing in every direction — is worth a hundred times the fare.
Catch the 8PM crossing for the nightly Symphony of Lights show (laser and light beams from the buildings). Same 4 HKD ticket. Same ferry. A completely different experience.
2. Ride the Ding Ding Tram Across Hong Kong Island ($0.38)
The double-decker tram — locals call it the "ding ding" for the bell it rings — runs along Hong Kong Island's north shore from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan. Any distance: 3 HKD (~$0.38). Sit in the upper front for a slow-motion city tour through Wan Chai, Central, and Causeway Bay. It's the cheapest and most atmospheric way to see the city.
3. Hike Dragon's Back Trail (Free)
Voted Asia's best urban hike by Time magazine. For more outdoor adventures in Asia, Seoul also offers excellent hiking within city limits. An 8.5 km ridge trail with panoramic ocean views. Moderate difficulty, 2.5-4 hours. Start from Shau Kei Wan (MTR accessible) and finish at Big Wave Bay beach for a swim.
The trail follows a spine ridge with views of the South China Sea, Shek O Beach, and the distant islands. On a clear autumn morning, visibility stretches for miles. Bring 2 liters of water — there are no shops on the trail.
4. Walk Up to Victoria Peak (Free)
The Peak Tram is iconic (62 HKD return) and the Sky Terrace 428 observation deck is impressive (75 HKD). But hiking up from Central via Old Peak Road is free, takes 45 minutes, and gives you the same view plus bragging rights.
The trail passes through dense forest, and the city reveals itself gradually as you climb. Reach the top at dusk and watch the skyline transition from daylight to neon. Best at dusk. Bring a headlamp for the walk down.
5. Visit Man Mo Temple (Free)
An atmospheric 1847 temple in Sheung Wan dedicated to the God of Literature and the God of War. The interior is filled with enormous hanging incense coils that burn for weeks, filling the space with fragrant smoke. Red lanterns, dark wood, and a silence that feels impossible five minutes from Hollywood Road's antique shops.
Open 8AM-6PM. Free entry. Allow 30-45 minutes. The smoke-filled interior is one of the most photogenic spots in Hong Kong.
6. Eat Michelin-Star Dim Sum for Under $8
Hong Kong has the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants.
Tim Ho Wan — The legendary Michelin-starred dim sum chain. The baked BBQ pork buns (char siu bao) are the signature. Individual dishes cost 22-45 HKD ($2.80-5.75). A full meal runs 60-100 HKD ($7.60-12.80). Multiple locations — Sham Shui Po is the original.
Kam Wah Cafe — Famous for pineapple buns (bo lo bao) with a slab of cold butter inside. 12 HKD (~$1.50). The bun is warm, the butter melts slowly, and it's one of the best $1.50 you'll spend in Asia.
7. Explore Temple Street Night Market (Free)
Kowloon's famous night market runs from 4PM to midnight. Clothes, electronics, fortune tellers, and Cantonese opera performers. Free to browse. Bargain at 30% of asking price.
The real draw is the cooked food area near the Tin Hau Temple end. Claypot rice (60-80 HKD) cooked over charcoal until the rice forms a crispy crust on the bottom. Spicy crab (market price). Salt and pepper squid (50-70 HKD). Eating on plastic stools on a bustling Kowloon street at 10PM is peak Hong Kong.
8. Watch the Symphony of Lights (Free)
Every night at 8PM, buildings along Victoria Harbour put on a synchronized laser and light show. Watch from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade (Avenue of Stars) or from the Star Ferry. Free. The show lasts 10 minutes. It's touristy and spectacular.
9. Walk the Mid-Levels Escalator (Free)
The world's longest outdoor covered escalator system — 800 meters connecting Central to the Mid-Levels residential area. Built in 1993 as commuter infrastructure, it passes through SoHo's restaurant and bar district. Ride it up, walk down through the side streets, and stumble into some of Hong Kong's best small restaurants and bars.
Runs downhill (into Central) from 6-10AM for commuters, then uphill from 10:20AM-midnight.
10. Visit Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island (Free Entry)
The 34-meter bronze seated Buddha at Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. Free to see from the base and climb the 268 steps to the platform. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car (235-315 HKD) is optional — you can also take the far cheaper bus from Tung Chung MTR station (bus #23, ~17 HKD).
Combine with Tai O fishing village, a stilt-house community on Lantau's western shore. Sampan rides through the canals cost 25 HKD. Fresh seafood at the market restaurants runs 60-120 HKD per dish.
11. Afternoon Tea at a Cha Chaan Teng (Under $6)
Cha chaan tengs are Hong Kong's local tea restaurants — retro diners serving a unique Cantonese-Western fusion. The "afternoon tea set" (15:00-17:30 at most locations) costs 30-45 HKD and typically includes a drink (Hong Kong milk tea or iced lemon tea) plus a food item (pineapple bun, macaroni soup, French toast with condensed milk).
Try Lan Fong Yuen in Central (the original milk tea) or Australia Dairy Company in Jordan (the scrambled eggs on toast are legendary — expect a queue and brusque service, both of which are part of the experience).
Hong Kong's free and cheap experiences are, in many cases, better than its expensive ones. The $0.50 Star Ferry offers a better skyline view than any $30 harbour cruise. The Dragon's Back trail delivers a better outdoor experience than any tour operator package. And Tim Ho Wan proves that Michelin stars and low prices aren't mutually exclusive.
Get an Octopus card (50 HKD deposit). For the full travel guide, read our complete Hong Kong guide. Wondering how Hong Kong stacks up against Singapore? We've got a detailed comparison, load it with 200 HKD, and you've got transport and convenience store purchases covered for days. The city is expensive if you let it be. It's absurdly cheap if you know where to look.
