Visiting Hong Kong
The 41st APAO Congress will be held in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, a major gateway to Mainland China and a cultural melting pot of East and West. This page provides an overview of essential information for travelers. For more resources to plan your trip, please visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s website, Discover Hong Kong.
Visa
All visitors to Hong Kong must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the planned departure date from Hong Kong. Nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong visa-free for a period ranging from 7 days to 180 days. Please visit the HKSAR Immigration Department’s website for more information.
Time Zone
Hong Kong operates on GMT +8 hours.
Weather
The climate in Hong Kong is subtropical, tending towards temperate for nearly half the year. February falls within the winter season, with occasional cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds. As a reference, the monthly mean temperature in February 2025 was 17.3°C. For the latest forecast, check the website of the Hong Kong Observatory or its mobile app MyObservatory.
Language
Both Chinese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. Street signs, tourism materials and government publications are usually bilingual. English is widely used in the professional and business sectors. While Cantonese is the language most commonly spoken by locals, it is also easy to get around in English and Mandarin Chinese.
Electricity
Depending on where you come from, you may need an electrical adapter. Hong Kong uses the UK-style plug, which is three-pronged. Double-check the electrical voltage, as Hong Kong’s standard voltage is 220 volts AC at a frequency of 50Hz, which may differ from your home country.
Currency
The currency is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), which can be exchanged at hotels, banks, and licensed money changers. The HKD is pegged to the US dollar, with an average exchange rate of 1 USD = 7.75 HKD.
Payment Methods
Most international credit cards, such as American Express, VISA, and MasterCard, are accepted at hotels, shops, and restaurants in Hong Kong. You will also find stores that also accept mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.
Some shops and restaurants only accept cash or Octopus cards. Getting an Octopus card will make it easy for you to use public transport and make purchases at convenience stores, supermarkets, and eateries. Alternatively, you may download the tourist version of the Octopus app to your mobile phone.
Transportation
Traveling to Hong Kong
The Hong Kong International Airport is connected to around 180 destinations worldwide by approximately 120 airlines. Visitors coming from Mainland China can also travel by bus, ferry, or train.
From and to the Airport
Located on Lantau Island, the Hong Kong International Airport has a comprehensive and well-developed transportation network. One can easily commute between the airport and the city in around 30 minutes for a reasonable fare.
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Airport Express
The MTR’s high-speed Airport Express takes approximately 24 minutes to reach Hong Kong Island and is the fastest way to get between the city and the airport. Both Kowloon and Hong Kong stations provide free in-town check-in services for specified airlines. Please contact your airline for further information.
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Taxi
Taxis are readily available from the taxi pick-up area in front of the airport’s Arrivals Hall. Please note that there are 3 types of taxis, each operating in different areas of Hong Kong and distinguished by color. If you wish to ride from the airport to the congress venue, i.e. the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, you should catch an urban taxi, which is red. For other destinations, please check the table below:
| Destination on/in… | Taxi color |
| Hong Kong Island or Kowloon | Red |
| New Territories (except Lantau Island) | Green |
| Lantau | Blue |
Fares are metered, and detailed information about charges is clearly displayed inside each cab.
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Bus
There are more than 20 convenient Airbus ‘A’ routes that can take you from the airport to various locations around the city. When you exit the Arrivals Hall, turn right to find the bus stops.
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Coach and Limousine Charter
Passengers who require their own personal limousines, minivans, vans, and group coaches (buses) can book their transport from service providers located in the Arrivals Hall.
Getting Around Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a highly efficient and convenient public transport system, comprising the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), buses, public light buses, trams, taxis, ferries, etc. A transport guide is available on the Discover Hong Kong website. You may also download the HKeMobility mobile app, a one-stop journey planner that covers all modes of public transport and provides real-time traffic updates.
Photos courtesy: Hong Kong Tourism Board
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