Monthly Breakdown for Foodies, City Explorers, and Accidental Tech Time Travellers

I love Hong Kong’s food and cultural energy — but the housing situation? Not so much. I knew space would be tight, so I paid more for what I thought was a decent unit. Rooftop access, high floor… sounded dreamy.
Except it wasn’t.

Cue Typhoon Saola, mid-stay. I got stuck indoors, and discovered my host had a limited data plan — yes, in Hong Kong, in 2023. I was told I used “too much” internet and got low-key scolded. Flashbacks to dial-up days were not part of the itinerary.

💰 Expenses Breakdown

🛏️ Accommodation: SGD3,000
→ Rented a top-floor walk-up in Wan Chai for rooftop access — that turned into a wind tunnel during the typhoon.
→ Bonus trauma: limited Wi-Fi plan from the host.
🍽️ Food: ~SGD60/day
→ What Hong Kong lacks in space, it makes up for in food. Highlights: egg tarts, roasted meat, oyster porridge, and the classic Maggi noodles with ham + egg.
🚇 Transport: SGD200
→ Super efficient. Get the Octopus Card, and you’ll be zipping across ferries, trains, and trams in no time.
🎡 Activities: SGD200
→ Visited Tian Tan Buddha, island-hopped, and rode roller coasters with a skyline at Ocean Park.
💄 Grooming: SGD250
→ Snacks, and coping treats post-typhoon.

Total: ~SGD5,510

📌 Hong Kong hits your wallet fast — especially if you’re renting solo.

🏡 Where to Stay in Hong Kong

✔️ Wan Chai — Loved being near local food stalls. Easy walk to Causeway Bay and the Wan Chai ferry terminal.
✔️ Tsim Sha Tsui — A bit fancier, filled with malls and waterfront views.

🏠 Airbnb, Hotel, or Something Else?

✅ Airbnb can work… just vet hosts carefully (ask about Wi-Fi).
✅ Hotels offer more consistency — and you won’t get blamed for watching too many YouTube videos.

📌 Prepare for weather shifts — typhoons are real.

🍽️ Food and Dining in Hong Kong (SGD60/day)

✔️ Egg tarts — Warm, flaky, and addictive.
✔️ Roasted meats — Charred edges, juicy centres.
✔️ Oyster porridge — Soul food.
✔️ Maggi noodles with ham and egg — A local staple you’ll crave.

📌 Street-level food courts and old-school diners (cha chaan tengs) = best finds.

🚕 Transport Costs (SGD200 for the Month)

✔️ Get the Octopus Card — usable across almost all transit systems (ferries included).

Hong Kong Transport: Octopus Card

📌 Easy top-ups at metro stations.

📶 Internet and Workspaces (SGD25)

✔️ Not all Airbnbs have unlimited Wi-Fi — ask in advance.
✔️ Mobile data (with a local SIM) worked well.

📌 Co-working cafes and Starbucks were my back-up during the rooftop lockdown era.

🎟️ Where I Spent My Time in Hong Kong

✔️ Tian Tan Buddha (Lantau Island)

✔️ Ocean Park — roller coaster with harbour views

✔️ Hong Kong Disneyland

✔️ Island-hopping — Ferries go to multiple outer islands (Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, etc.) — all payable with Octopus Card.

🌟 Final Thoughts: Was SGD5,510 Worth It?

✔️ Food, yes. Transit, yes. Rooftop fantasy? Not so much.
✔️ If you’re particular about comfort or Wi-Fi, double check with your host.
✔️ Would I go again? 100% — just not during typhoon season.

🙋‍♀️ Who This City is For

• Street food lovers
• Efficient city explorers
• People who can laugh off typhoon-induced Wi-Fi meltdowns