Your stay — Hi Backpackers
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Hong Kong.
The Property — Hi Backpackers
Hi Backpackers sits in a former tenement building on Nathan Road, right in the Kowloon action. The lobby is bright and scuffed, with a concrete floor and a pinboard covered in tour ads and local tips. It’s a no-frills crash pad for budget travellers who want a bed in the middle of Tsim Sha Tsui, not a boutique experience. The rooftop laundry line and hostel-style dorms tell you exactly who it’s for: solo adventurers, young couples, anyone saving their cash for street food and the Star Ferry.
Chronicles of Hong Kong
Hong Kong began as a scattering of fishing villages until the British took possession in 1841 and turned it into a deep-water port. The 19th-century grid of Central and the military barracks at Tsim Sha Tsui were built over by 1960s high-rises, driven by a flood of refugees from mainland China. The handover in 1997 created a complex identity: a Special Administrative Region with its own currency, legal system and passport, yet bound tightly to Beijing. Today, the skyline is a vertical jumble of glass towers and neon signs, while its cultural character remains a pragmatic mix of Cantonese traditions and international commerce.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hong Kong guide →Best months
October, November and December – dry, cooler days (20–25°C) and clear skies, comfortably avoiding both the summer humidity and the peak of mainland tourism in early October.
Peak / festival surge
Chinese New Year (late January/early February). Streets are packed with parades, temple visits and family outings; hotel rates double or triple. The city also fills for the Rugby Sevens in late March, but the biggest price spike is the Lunar New Year week.
Budget shoulder season
May and September. May still has some humidity but far fewer tourists and lower room rates than June–August. September is the tail end of rainy season but offers quiet afternoons and discounted rooms before October’s high season kicks in.
Weather & packing
June in Hong Kong is hot (28–33°C) and sticky, with regular afternoon thunderstorms that can flood streets. Pack quick-dry clothes, a compact umbrella and proper walking sandals that handle puddles and slippery pavements.
Live City Briefing — Hong Kong
- The MTR’s East Rail Line extension to Admiralty, opened in 2022, now makes it a single ride from the border at Lo Wu to the main business and tourist area; check that your nearest station (Tsim Sha Tsui) has direct connections.
- Hong Kong’s ‘Airport Express’ buses (A21) run 24/7 along Nathan Road, offering a cheaper airport transfer than the train – 30–40 minutes to Hi Backpackers door.
- The government has banned single-use plastics (cutlery, straws, stirrers) from June 2024, so bring your own reusable items if you plan to eat street food or buy takeaway drinks.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hi Backpackers, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request the top floor (10F) dorm or pod furthest away from the lift on the side facing Yee Wo Street. Even though the lift dings, the higher floor cuts street-level chatter.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of any room on floors 2–3 directly beside the lift shaft. The narrow lift is loud when stopping and starting, and those floors get rattled by street noise bouncing off the buildings on Yee Wo Street.
Best views
From the Yee Wo Street side on floors 8–10 you see the neon signs and commuter bustle of Causeway Bay, plus a sliver of Victoria Park if you crane your neck. The rear side looks directly into neighbouring flats—no view to write home about.
Quietest floors
Floors 8–10. Higher up, the double-glazed windows (if retrofitted) let less traffic rumble through from Causeway Bay's packed junction at Yee Wo Street and Percival Street.
🔊 Noise notes
The main door has two steps, so wheeled luggage gets a bump. Yee Wo Street is relentless with traffic from dawn past midnight. The single lift means queues at check-in/check-out times, and its narrowness means you'll be shoulder-to-shoulder with your pack.
Insider tips
1) No parking: use the Causeway Bay Car Park on Irving Street, but it's expensive (HKD 450 overnight). Cheaper: park in Wan Chai at weekend rates and walk 10 minutes. 2) Wi-Fi login needs your room number and surname—write both on a sticky note for quick reconnect. Peak evening hours (8–10pm) the Wi-Fi stutters; download maps or shows earlier.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hi Backpackers
Free Wi-Fi in common areas and dorms. Speed moderate for browsing and messaging; may struggle with video streaming during peak hours. Login requires room number and surname.
One lift serves all 10 floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers. Free local digital news via hotel tablet in lobby.
Check-in from 14:00 to 23:00. Bag drop available from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs HKD 100.
Free for same-day before check-in and after check-out. Overnight storage not available.
No step-free entrance; two steps at main door. Lift is narrow (disabled access limited). No adapted rooms or bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Causeway Bay Car Park at 8 Irving Street, HKD 55 per hour or HKD 450 overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking. A refundable credit card hold of HKD 200 for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: 中華基督教會公理堂 CCC China Congregational Church (177 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: 基督君王小堂 Christ the King Chapel (214 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: 聖公會聖馬利亞堂 SKH St. Mary's Church (288 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: 中華基督教會聖光堂 Shing Kwong Church (442 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
皇室堡 Windsor House — 181 m · ~2 min walk
銅鑼灣道休憩處 Tung Lo Wan Road Sitting-out Area — 357 m · ~4 min walk
保良局歷史博物館 Po Leung Kuk Museum — 450 m · ~6 min walk
演奏廳 Recital Hall — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
德仁街兒童遊樂場 Tak Yan Street Children's Playground — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bitcoin Cryptocurrency ATM — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
屈臣氏 Watsons — 153 m · ~2 min walk
7-Eleven — 123 m · ~2 min walk
銅鑼灣 Causeway Bay — 414 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Hong Kong Dollar, HKD
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux in tourist areas and the airport which charge poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay common in most shops and restaurants. Cash still needed for small eateries, taxis, and markets.
No strict tipping culture; a 10% service charge is often added at restaurants. Leave small change for hotel porters. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip, but rounding up is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A takeaway coffee from a chain coffee shop costs around 30 HKD; local cha chaan tengs offer milk tea for about 20 HKD.
Set lunch at a cha chaan teng or noodle shop: 50-70 HKD for a bowl of noodles or a rice dish.
A sit-down dinner at a basic local restaurant: 80-120 HKD for a main like stir-fry or curry with rice.
Mong Kok's street stalls or Temple Street Night Market (15 mins by MTR) offer skewers, fish balls, egg waffles for 10-40 HKD.
Wellcome, ParknShop, and Fusion are the major budget supermarket chains, with several branches in Causeway Bay.
High-street shopping on Yee Wo Street and nearby Sogo; affordable chains like Uniqlo, Giordano, and H&M are common.
Octopus card on MTR and buses; day pass is 65 HKD for unlimited MTR on a single line. Airport Express costs 115 HKD single, but cheaper bus A11 costs 40 HKD to Central.
1) Buy an Octopus card for cashless travel and small purchases. 2) Eat at cha chaan tengs or dai pai dongs for affordable meals. 3) Drink tap water (safe) rather than buying bottled.
Good to know — Hong Kong
Type G · 220V
safe (often boiled)
$1 ≈ HK$7.84 · HKD
Emergency Contacts
Hong KongWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Hong Kong, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hi Backpackers
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bitcoin Cryptocurrency ATM — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk — pharmacy · 屈臣氏 Watsons — 153 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Hong Kong International Airport → The Harbourview, Wan Chai
💡 Most economical option. Take Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, then MTR Island Line to Wan Chai Station (5-min walk to hotel). Use Octopus card for seamless transfers.
Any MTR Station → Wan Chai Station (near The Harbourview)
💡 Fastest local transit. Wan Chai Station Exit A3 is closest to The Harbourview (3-min walk). Get Octopus card at airport for all transport. Lines rarely crowded near hotel area.
Hong Kong International Airport → The Harbourview, Wan Chai
💡 Fixed-price taxis available at airport taxi stand. Expect longer wait times during peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm). Consider Uber/local apps for pre-booking.
Hong Kong International Airport → The Harbourview, Wan Chai
💡 Budget-friendly option. Route passes through Wan Chai. Bus stops near hotel. Can be crowded with luggage during peak times. Have exact change or Octopus card.
Hong Kong International Airport → The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong (Kowloon Station)
💡 Most convenient and cost-effective option. Airport Express connects directly to Kowloon Station; hotel is 5-min walk. Buy Octopus card for seamless transfers.
Hong Kong International Airport → Mongkok Station (MTR)
💡 Most economical option. Airport Express takes 24 mins to Central, then transfer to Kowloon line. Get an Octopus card at airport for all MTR travel.
Mongkok Station → Hong Kong (Island, Airport, New Territories)
💡 Get Octopus card (rechargeable, HKD 150) for seamless travel. Mongkok station connects to 3 lines (Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, East Rail). Download MTR Mobile app for route planning.
Hong Kong International Airport → The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong (West Kowloon)
💡 Airport taxis are metered and reliable. Use designated taxi stands at arrival hall. Expect surge pricing during peak hours (8-10 AM, 5-7 PM).
Hong Kong International Airport → Hilton Garden Inn Hong Kong Mongkok
💡 Expect surge pricing during peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm). Drivers may not accept cards, bring cash or use Uber/Grab apps instead.
Hong Kong International Airport → The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong (West Kowloon area)
💡 Budget-friendly option. A21 serves Mong Kok/Yau Tsim; E21 serves Tsim Sha Tsui. Use Octopus card for discounts. Luggage space is limited.
Hong Kong International Airport → Mongkok, Kowloon
💡 Cheapest option but slowest. A21 is faster with fewer stops. N21 available for late arrivals. Pay with Octopus card or exact cash.
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong → Hong Kong Island & Kowloon Districts
💡 Best for local transit. Kowloon Station (nearby) connects to Island Line & Tung Chung Line. Octopus card essential. Avoid rush hours (8-10 AM, 5-8 PM).
About Hong Kong
Wikipedia ↗The Hong Kong dollar (Chinese: 港元, sign: HK$; code: HKD) is the official currency of Hong Kong. It is divided into 100 cents. Historically, it was also divided into 1000 mils. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is the monetary authority of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong dollar. Three commercial banks are...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hi Backpackers?
Request the top floor (10F) dorm or pod furthest away from the lift on the side facing Yee Wo Street. Even though the lift dings, the higher floor cuts street-level chatter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hi Backpackers?
Steer clear of any room on floors 2–3 directly beside the lift shaft. The narrow lift is loud when stopping and starting, and those floors get rattled by street noise bouncing off the buildings on Yee Wo Street.
Is Hi Backpackers noisy?
The main door has two steps, so wheeled luggage gets a bump. Yee Wo Street is relentless with traffic from dawn past midnight. The single lift means queues at check-in/check-out times, and its narrowness means you'll be shoulder-to-shoulder with your pack.
Which rooms have the best views at Hi Backpackers?
From the Yee Wo Street side on floors 8–10 you see the neon signs and commuter bustle of Causeway Bay, plus a sliver of Victoria Park if you crane your neck. The rear side looks directly into neighbouring flats—no view to write home about.
What are insider tips for staying at Hi Backpackers?
1) No parking: use the Causeway Bay Car Park on Irving Street, but it's expensive (HKD 450 overnight). Cheaper: park in Wan Chai at weekend rates and walk 10 minutes. 2) Wi-Fi login needs your room number and surname—write both on a sticky note for quick reconnect. Peak evening hours (8–10pm) the Wi-Fi stutters; download maps or shows earlier.
What time is check-in at Hi Backpackers?
Check-in at Hi Backpackers is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hi Backpackers have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in common areas and dorms. Speed moderate for browsing and messaging; may struggle with video streaming during peak hours. Login requires room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hi Backpackers?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hi Backpackers?
Set lunch at a cha chaan teng or noodle shop: 50-70 HKD for a bowl of noodles or a rice dish.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hi Backpackers?
Octopus card on MTR and buses; day pass is 65 HKD for unlimited MTR on a single line. Airport Express costs 115 HKD single, but cheaper bus A11 costs 40 HKD to Central.
When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?
October, November and December – dry, cooler days (20–25°C) and clear skies, comfortably avoiding both the summer humidity and the peak of mainland tourism in early October.
Top Attractions in Hong Kong
💡 Arrive by 7.30pm for the Symphony of Lights show, then walk to the clock tower for a quieter view of the harbour light show.
💡 Go early before coach tours arrive (10am-11am peak). The incense coils last about two weeks, so check how fresh yours is—old ones drop ash.
💡 Free on Wednesdays (regular entry is small fee but worth it). Allow 2 hours. The neighbouring Science Museum has hands-on exhibits for kids.
💡 Walk up Lugard Road from the tram station for harbour views with far fewer crowds. The garden itself is quieter than the viewing platform.
💡 Combine with the Chi Lin Nunnery next door (also free). Visit late afternoon for soft light on the pagoda-mountain backdrop.
💡 Take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car (book ahead on weekends) or the No. 23 bus from Tung Chung MTR. Arrive before 11:00 or after 15:00 to avoid the worst queues. The statue glows in the late-afternoon sun — worth timing your return for.