Useful apps that can help you with trip planning vary in different countries and cities. Some apps work best in their region. This post will share some mobile applications that I regularly use in Hong Kong to ensure a smooth and hassle-free day.
Here are the useful apps that you should download
Hong Kong Observatory App
This is the official mobile app of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). This app lets you check the 9-day weather forecast and plan your trip accordingly. The app notifies you when different warnings are hoisted, particularly, you’ll want to stay updated with thunderstorm warnings, typhoons, and rainstorm warnings that might impact your visit to theme parks or attractions.
I always use the Storm Track feature of the app to stay updated with the latest information whenever there is a storm that’s going to enter Hong Kong. It tells me the estimated date and time of arrival and the direction in which the storm is heading. It helps me prepare and plan accordingly.
In case you are not familiar with the rainstorm and typhoon signals of Hong Kong, you only need to look out for red or black rainstorm warnings and typhoon signal number 8 or above. When these warning signals are hoisted, you should stay indoors or take shelter in a safe place until further notice. Theme parks and events will be closed during this time, you should check the terms and conditions of the event tickets and be informed about the arrangement when these warning signals are hoisted. You should also avoid going to Country Parks after a rainstorm or typhoon as there may be risks of fallen trees or landslides.
MTR App
MTR is the fastest mode of transportation in Hong Kong. Downloading the MTR Mobile app gives you an overview of the fare, estimated time, and some useful information such as fast exit to help you have a smooth journey. The app also has a trip planner function that can guide you where to change lines to get to your destination.
On special occasions such as Chinese New Year’s Eve, MTR trains will have special operating hours, which can also be seen in the app. The app will also notify you when there are service interruptions at certain stations so that you can plan ahead of time to take other modes of transportation or allot more time to travel to get to your destination to ensure a smooth journey.
In addition, linking your Octopus cards will earn you MTR rewards. The MTR rewards can be used to redeem shopping coupons.
Octopus App
Octopus is an electronic payment that uses a contactless smart card. You can use the Octopus card almost everywhere in Hong Kong, including transportation, restaurants, shops, and convenience stores.
The Octopus App helps you keep track of daily expenses, check transaction history, collect transportation subsidies, and pay bills. If your phone has an NFC function, you can use this app to check the balance of your Octopus card. You can then top up your octopus card before using it to take a bus or train if the card has insufficient balance.
CitybusNWFB, APP 1933 – KMB/LWB
Besides MTR, taking the bus is also a convenient way to get around the city. These 2 apps show you the bus routes and the time of the next bus. It helps you estimate how long you must wait for the next bus. If you are in a hurry, you can consider taking other modes of transportation such as MTR or a taxi.
OpenRice App
There are a lot of restaurants, cafes, and food stalls in Hong Kong. This app helps you search for nearby restaurants, and read the reviews and recommended dishes of the restaurant. You can also check the opening hours, address, available mode of payment, and if they accept table reservations. If you are a tourist, trying to make a table reservation in Hong Kong may be a challenge because of the language barrier. OpenRice has a function to help you with that. The function lets you choose the date, time, and number of people. Unfortunately, the table reservation function is only available to selected restaurants.
Hong Kong Disneyland App
If you are visiting Hong Kong Disneyland, you should download the official app to reserve your visit. You can check park information such as the opening time of the park and show times of parades and fireworks. There are no more fast passes in Hong Kong Disneyland. However, you can get priority access to attractions and return to the location at the reserved timeslot. If you did not purchase the priority access, you can still use the app to check the waiting times for each ride, so you can plan accordingly.
In addition, you can use the app to make dining reservations and take photos with Disney characters using Augmented Reality.
Klook
Klook is a booking platform that allows users to book day tours, tickets, activities, car rentals, airport transfers, and other travel services. It has a lot of great package deals and also offers attractive discounts. What I love about Klook is the fact that the more you book with them, the more you save.
After every booking, write an honest review and submit a few photos. Klook will reward you with credits that can be used for your next booking. These credits can be used on top of promo code discounts.
I always book my tickets from Klook whenever I go to Hong Kong Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360, and other attractions. It helps me save time from queuing at the ticket counter. Some attractions even have designated lanes for visitors who bought their tickets from Klook.
With these useful apps, you can now easily plan your trip to Hong Kong.
Here are some ideas to add to your itinerary: