Hong Kong is a dense, vertical city on China's southern coast, made up of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. Public transport is used by almost everyone, so where you sleep matters less for getting around than for the kind of day you want to wake up to: tower views, street markets, harbourfront walks or quiet hillside lanes.
For a visitor, the practical split is between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Kowloon holds the main budget guesthouse clusters and the busiest shopping streets; Hong Kong Island holds the business districts, the bars and the more expensive hotels. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each is like, and how the price tiers differ.
Best areas to stay in Hong Kong
1. Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui, at the southern tip of Kowloon, is the most useful base for a first visit. It sits on the harbour, close to the Star Ferry and the buses to and from the airport, and it is where the largest cluster of cheap guesthouses is found, inside the mansion towers along Nathan Road. You will also find mid-range and top-end hotels here.
It suits first-time visitors and budget travellers who want to be in the centre of things. Expect noise: some of the cheap rooms sit in busy buildings where not every guest is interested in sleeping, so light sleepers should read reviews carefully before booking.
2. Mong Kok
Mong Kok, further north along Nathan Road in Kowloon, continues the same strip of cheap guesthouses and street-level commerce. It is a practical, high-energy area rather than a restful one, and it connects easily to the rest of Kowloon by bus and metro.
It suits budget travellers and anyone who wants markets and street food on the doorstep. As in Tsim Sha Tsui, some drab guesthouses in this area may in fact be love hotels, so check what you are booking.
3. Jordan
Jordan sits between Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok on the same Nathan Road corridor, and holds its own guesthouse cluster in the New Lucky House tower on Jordan Road. It is central, close to the airport buses, and slightly calmer than the two areas either side of it.
It suits budget travellers who want the Kowloon location without being in the thickest part of it. The same caveats apply as elsewhere in the corridor: rooms are tiny, bathrooms are often shared, and noise can be an issue.
4. Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay, on Hong Kong Island, has a second cluster of hostels and guesthouses around Paterson Street. It is less central than the Kowloon mansions, but the internet connections tend to be more reliable and the rooms generally clean, though still small and cramped.
It suits travellers who prefer to base themselves on the island and do not mind trading a little convenience for a slightly better-kept room. Do not expect much atmosphere or space.
5. Kowloon Tong
Kowloon Tong appears in the listings mainly as a caution rather than a recommendation: some plain guesthouses here, as in Mong Kok and Causeway Bay, may actually be love hotels. If you are considering this area, confirm what kind of establishment you are booking.
6. Outside the city
The Hong Kong Youth Hostel Association runs seven youth hostels, all of them outside the city. They are cheap, but reaching them by taxi when public transport has stopped costs a significant amount, several run strict curfews and require guests to leave the site during the day, and free shuttle buses stop in the late evening.
They suit travellers who want a rural base and can plan around fixed schedules. There are also designated camping sites across Hong Kong, booked on a first-come, first-served basis and busy at weekends and public holidays; camping outside designated sites is not allowed and the rule is enforced.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: dorm beds and tiny private rooms in guesthouses, mostly in the mansion towers along Nathan Road between Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok, and around Paterson Street in Causeway Bay. Expect little more than a bed, often shared bathrooms, and possible noise; read online reviews before booking.
- Mid-range: basic business hotels in the city centre, with proper hotel rooms that are clean but still cramped by the standards of most other cities.
- Splurge: world-class hotels, including major international four- and five-star chains, competing with helicopter pick-ups, Michelin-starred restaurants and large spas. Prices vary with the season.
Note that a 3% hotel accommodation tax is levied on hotel rooms, excluding service charges, and is paid when you settle the bill.
Best area for a first visit
Tsim Sha Tsui is the best base for a first visit. It puts you on the harbour in Kowloon, within walking distance of the Star Ferry and close to the airport buses, and it covers every price tier from mansion guesthouses to top-end hotels. From here you can reach the rest of the city easily on a transport network that almost everyone uses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hong Kong expensive for accommodation?
Yes. Budget travellers used to prices elsewhere in Asia are often surprised that accommodation costs here are closer to London or New York, and long-term stays are very expensive because real estate prices are among the highest in the world.
Where are the cheap guesthouses concentrated?
Most are along Nathan Road between Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok, with clusters inside the mansion towers in Tsim Sha Tsui and at New Lucky House on Jordan Road. Another cluster sits on Paterson Street near Causeway Bay.
What should I check before booking a budget room?
Read the online reviews. Bed bugs, dirty beds and unclean bathrooms have been reported, bathrooms are often shared, and noise can be a problem. Some plain guesthouses may also turn out to be love hotels. The government advises staying in licensed establishments and maintains an online list of licensed accommodation.
Can I camp instead?
There are designated camping sites, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and booked quickly at weekends and public holidays. Camping anywhere other than a designated site is not allowed and the rule is strictly enforced.
Compare live prices for the areas above using the booking tools on this page before you decide.