Tips to Consider before booking Flights to Hong Kong

Hong Kong, an erstwhile British colony makes for a pretty cheap destination compared to quite a few other places in the world. Here are some tips for a wrinkle free travel experience in Hong Kong.

Information on Flights to Hong Kong

• Cathay Pacific is the national carrier of Hong Kong.

• Some of the popular airlines operating flights to Hong Kong are KLM, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, British Airways, and Air New Zealand.

• Usually, cheap flights to Hong Kong are available during March to May. This is the off season time airlines try to lure travellers with cheap fares.

Entry requirements for Hong Kong

Travellers must check entry requirements conditions for Hong Kong with relevant authorities. Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s website is also a good source of travel advice.

• Despite being part of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region and has its own set of immigration controls. Visitors without a visa can stay in Hong Kong for a maximum period of six months.

• British nationals holding a passport, which is valid for at least six months, are usually allowed to stay for a period of six months. However, if the validity of the passport is less than six months, visitors can only extend their stay by a month. This clause is also subject to the validity of the passport. In simple words, before snapping up the ticket on some cheap flight to Hong Kong, ensure that the passport is valid for the entire period of your visit.

• Single parents travelling alone with children need to know that some places require documents certifying parental responsibility before allowing entry. There are even places that don’t allow the children to leave without this proof. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London has exhaustive information on this topic.

• A British passport holder travelling to Mainland China through Hong Kong needs to get hold of a Chinese visa before reaching the border. British passport holders can’t get a visa after arriving at the Chinese border. Violating the rule can lead to a fine as well as detention. Travellers entering Hong Kong through Mainland China and leaving again through the same route need to have a double or multiple entry visa for Mainland China.

• In June 1997, ‘The UK and Hong Kong Reciprocal Health Care Arrangement’ came to an end.
  

Legal Information

• By and large, Hong Kong’s legal system is modelled after the UK. Activities like littering or spitting attract on the spot fines. Similarly, tolerance level is zero for dodging a ticket for travelling on the Mass Transit Railway (MTR).

• Don’t get involved with illicit drugs of any kind. Possession of such illicit drugs can land you in jail.

• It is advisable not to click military installations in Hong Kong. Ever since the handover in 1997, Hong Kong’s defence has become the responsibility of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In fact, previous British military barracks are now under the PLA.
  

Medical Information

• Temperature screenings maybe carried out at the border and additional medical tests can also be ordered depending upon the temperature screening results.

• Dengue fever is highly prevalent in Hong Kong.

• Exercise usual precautions against HIV/AIDS. This includes refraining from unprotected sex with strangers and avoiding tattoos and acupuncture therapies.

• Seek medical advice before booking your flights to Hong Kong. Visitors should make sure that all the required vaccinations have been taken. The websites of the NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel and the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) have further information on vaccinations, overall disease prevention, and health outbreaks. Information can also be obtained by calling NHS Direct on the number 0845 46 47.

• Medical care is very expensive in Hong Kong and travellers should be armed with comprehensive travel and medical insurance. Make sure that the policy covers things like adventure sports or other activities that you are likely to indulge in. Keep a sharp lookout for exclusions on the policy.