How to Plan a Budget Trip to Hong Kong from India: Flights, Visa & Costs
Planning a trip to Hong Kong from India? You’re not alone. The city’s energy, cultural mash-up, skyline views, and food make it a favorite among Indian travelers. But what about the budget? If you’ve wondered about the Hong Kong trip cost from India, here’s a firsthand breakdown to help you plan smarter—not costlier.
My husband and I celebrated New Year in Hong Kong and spent 8 days exploring the city and beyond. In this blog, I’ll share real costs, travel hacks, and booking links to help you plan your perfect Hong Kong itinerary without overspending.
Table of Contents
Is Hong Kong Expensive for Indian Travelers?
It can be—but not if you plan right. We traveled during peak season (New Year), which drove up flight and hotel rates. But with a few adjustments (like staying in a studio apartment instead of a hotel), we kept the Hong Kong trip cost from India manageable at around ₹1.5 lakh for two people, which included stay, pre-bookings, flights for two people.
For off-peak travel and early bookings, you can bring this down to under ₹80,000 to ₹1 lakh per person easily.
Free Visa for Indian Passport Holders
One of the best things about visiting Hong Kong from India is that you don’t need a traditional visa. Instead, Indian passport holders are eligible for 14 days of visa-free entry through Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR).
PAR is available only for ordinary Indian passports (not for diplomatic or official passports).
You’ll instantly know whether your PAR is “successful” or “not successful.”
If successful, print the PAR notification slip (PDF) and carry it with your passport when traveling.
⚠️ What to Keep in Mind While Applying
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
Your name and passport details must match exactly—any mismatch can result in rejection at immigration.
Print a physical copy of the PAR slip and keep a soft copy on your phone too.
Keep a record of your PAR Reference Number, which might be required during check-in or boarding.
You can apply up to 6 months before your trip.
Ideally, apply at least 2 weeks before departure, so you have time to reapply or resolve issues in rare cases where it’s not approved.
✅ Bonus Tip
You can reapply for PAR after it expires or if your travel plans shift. There’s no penalty for multiple applications as long as your travel dates fall within the PAR’s validity.
Flights from India to Hong Kong
Flights usually make up the biggest chunk of international travel expenses, and the same holds true when calculating your Hong Kong trip cost from India. Choosing the right dates, booking in advance, and picking the right airlines can make a big difference in your overall budget.
Since we were traveling over New Year’s Eve—a popular time for international holidays—our round-trip flights from Mumbai to Hong Kong cost us ₹80,000 for two people. We booked through MakeMyTrip, and the spike in fare was mainly due to the holiday season. That said, if you’re planning your trip during off-season months like March–April or September–October, you can easily find return tickets in the range of ₹30,000–₹40,000 per person if booked at least two months in advance.
Hong Kong is well-connected to Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai through both direct and one-stop flights. Popular airlines on this route include Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Vistara, and Air India. If you’re on a tight budget, using fare trackers like Skyscanner or Google Flights can help you score early bird deals and flash discounts.
To reduce your Hong Kong trip cost from India, I’d highly recommend booking flights 60–90 days before departure, especially if you’re eyeing a holiday season or long weekend. Red-eye flights or weekday departures can also help lower costs significantly.
Where We Stayed: Budget-Friendly Studio Living
Accommodation is another major cost component, and in a city like Hong Kong—where real estate is premium—hotel stays can become quite expensive. During peak holiday periods, we found even 3-star hotels charging ₹10,000–₹15,000 per night, which would have been a major blow to our budget. That’s when we came across an amazing alternative: Weave Studios.
Instead of opting for a hotel, we booked a serviced studio apartment through Weave Living, which turned out to be perfect in terms of location, comfort, and price. Our total stay for 7 nights cost us ₹45,000 plus (15k refundable deposit), and the studio was equipped with a private bathroom, smart workspace, a mini pantry, and access to shared community amenities like laundry, gym, and common lounge. We stayed near Prince Edward Station, which made travel super convenient.
Choosing a serviced apartment helped us significantly lower our Hong Kong trip cost from India without compromising on comfort or safety. Plus, having a kitchenette meant we could occasionally skip eating out and save more.
If you’re planning to travel with a partner or family, serviced apartments are ideal—especially if you’re staying for more than 5 days. You get the feel of living like a local and much better value for money compared to hotels during busy seasons.
Sightseeing & Experiences
No Hong Kong trip is complete without soaking in its iconic attractions—from theme parks to panoramic viewpoints to cable car rides through the clouds. But sightseeing can eat into your budget if you’re not strategic. We pre-booked all major experiences online, which helped save both money and time. If you’re planning your itinerary, here’s how we managed our sightseeing and how you can book yours too.
One of the highlights of our trip was Hong Kong Disneyland, which we booked directly from the official website. The tickets cost us ₹19,000 for two people, and while it’s not exactly budget-friendly, the magical experience is totally worth it. Tip: avoid weekends—they are not only more crowded but also slightly more expensive.
Another must-do was The Peak Tram, a funicular that takes you to Sky Terrace 428—Hong Kong’s highest viewing deck. We booked our tickets online via The Peak official website, and it cost us ₹2,912 for two people. We selected a morning time slot, which turned out to be cheaper and less crowded.
For a more serene and scenic experience, we also booked Ngong Ping 360, a breathtaking cable car ride to the Big Buddha. Advance bookings through NP360’s website helped us avoid queues and grab a combo pass with Crystal Cabin and other perks.
We also did a spontaneous day trip to Macau, and to our delight, no visa was required for Indian passport holders. We took a high-speed ferry via TurboJet, and thanks to an ongoing offer, we got return tickets for two people at just ₹4,500.
These pre-bookings not only secured our entry at great time slots but also helped us budget our trip better. With sightseeing being a variable cost depending on what you choose to do, advance planning is key to managing your Hong Kong trip cost from India effectively.
Daily Budget Breakdown for Indian Travelers
After flights and accommodation, your daily spending in Hong Kong depends on your lifestyle, eating preferences, and the kind of experiences you seek. For us, this included a mix of sightseeing, meals (street and restaurant), local transport, and light shopping. Here’s what our average daily expense looked like, and what you can expect if you follow a similar pattern.
For two people, we spent around ₹6,400 per day on stay (₹45,000 split across 7 nights). Meals typically cost us ₹1,500–₹2,000 per day—this included street food breakfasts, casual lunches, and occasional dinners at Indian restaurants. Public transport using the Octopus Card cost around ₹400 per day for both of us. Sightseeing expenses fluctuated depending on whether we had major tickets booked that day, but the average came to around ₹1,500–₹2,000 per day for two people. Add ₹1,000 for extras like souvenirs, SIM cards, or snacks, and you’ve got a fair idea.
In total, we spent about ₹10,000–₹12,000 per day for two people. Across 8 days, that brought us to a total of roughly ₹85,000–₹95,000. Adding our return flights (₹80,000 for two), the total Hong Kong trip cost from India came to about ₹2 lakh for two people—which is excellent, considering we traveled during peak season and didn’t compromise on experiences.
If you’re traveling during non-peak months and are flexible with your itinerary, your per-day costs could go even lower, making the destination surprisingly affordable.
Travel Hacks to Cut Down Costs
Hong Kong may seem pricey at first glance, but it’s very possible to explore the city comfortably on a budget—especially if you’re willing to plan in advance and make small adjustments along the way. Here are a few hacks that really worked for us and can help reduce your Hong Kong trip cost from India too.
Booking all your major sightseeing tickets in advance saved us from last-minute surcharges and long queues. We also used the Octopus Card extensively—it’s accepted on MTR, buses, ferries, and even some convenience stores like 7-Eleven. It’s easy to top-up and helped us stay cash-light throughout the trip.
Instead of expensive hotels, staying in a serviced apartment gave us comfort, privacy, and even a place to cook quick breakfasts. Also, traveling on weekdays and booking morning slots for attractions like the Peak Tram and Ngong Ping helped us avoid both crowds and higher prices.
We also kept snacks, refillable water bottles, and reusable shopping bags with us to avoid small but frequent expenses. Buying a local travel SIM (prepaid through Klook) ensured we had data without paying roaming charges.
These small, conscious choices made a noticeable difference to our spending and helped us stick to our planned Hong Kong trip cost from India without missing out on any key experiences.
Conclusion
Hong Kong has a magnetic charm that combines the energy of a global city with the soul of a traditional one. Its seamless transport, friendly locals, and iconic attractions make it a great travel destination for Indian couples, families, and even solo adventurers. The fact that you can explore so much—theme parks, temples, skyline views, street food, and ferry rides—within a well-managed budget makes it even more appealing.
With free visa access, smart accommodation choices, and efficient local transport, the Hong Kong trip cost from India can absolutely be brought under control—without compromising on the magic of the experience. All it takes is a little planning, a few advance bookings, and the curiosity to explore beyond the typical tourist lens.
FAQs
Is Hong Kong visa-free for Indians?
Yes, for 14 days via online Pre-Arrival Registration. Apply here
What is the average Hong Kong trip cost from India for a couple?
For an 8-day trip: ₹1.5–₹1.75 lakh, including flights, stay, sightseeing, food, and shopping.
Is it cheaper to visit Hong Kong during off-season?
Absolutely. Avoid December and Chinese New Year. Aim for March–April or September–October.
Can Indians find good vegetarian or Indian food in Hong Kong?
Yes! Restaurants like Saravanaa Bhavan, Sangeetha, and Bombay Dreams serve authentic Indian food.
Is Macau worth a day trip?
Definitely. It’s visa-free, has great architecture, casinos, and is easily accessible by ferry.
