Hong Kong and Macau are the first two countries that I have ever been to abroad. It was a compelling trip that allows us to experience new culture and enable us to quickly adapt ourselves to unfamiliar environment in a short period of time. The tour was definitely sweet and short.
And like what I have mentioned last time, I will be sharing some other pertinent details about our first ever trip abroad. So here it is! a comprehensive compilation of what we have prepared, where our money goes, including the expenses we've made during the whole trip.
☼ PASSPORT
If you are planning to go overseas, either for work or for leisure you got to have a valid passport. Our Philippine passport is valid for 5 years. If you happen to own one that are set to expire, make sure it follows the 6 months validity passport rule before you book for an international flight.
We've experienced this dilemma but our new passport was release on time.
Please be reminded, processing a passport may take only 7 to 20 days (w/ delays) but getting an appointment at DFA can be tricky (depends on your internet connection) and long. We booked Jan. 5 and got a schedule of appointment at DFA Office for February 21 for 12 Noon slot. For more details about the other rules and requirements see DFA
Fees (First / Renewal applicants)
Regular processing - 950.00 Php (15 Days)
Rush Processing - 1200.00 Php (7 Days)
☼ AIRFARE
We booked a roundtrip tickets MNL-HK-MNL from AirAsia online during their seat sale promo last December of 2016. Ticket costs 7,196 plus add-on fees of 4,520 (for in't passenger service charge, airport tax, web admin etc. etc.) for a total price of 11,716.00 Php.
Philippine Travel Tax is not included here yet. We've paid it directly at Tourism counter desk at Naia 3.
Travel Tax is 1,620.00 Php / each
Travel Tax and terminal fee are two different things. Terminal fees were already integrated in airfare. While for Travel taxes, you have to pass through the check in counters first, then at the Tourism Counter Desk to pay for it, then collect your passport and boarding passes at check in counters after.
TOTAL COST:
Air Tickets: 11,716.00 Php (around 1673.71 HKD)
Travel Tax: 1620.00 Php x 2 = 3,240.00 Php (462.85 HKD)
POCKET MONEY (FOREX)
Having enough cash to support your travel is essential, no doubt about it. Same importance when you got to prepare and exchange your pocket money to the currencies of the country you are going to. I chose Czarina to exchange Peso to HK Dollars. They have good FOREX rates compared to other dealers and banks.
Like what I have mentioned in my previous posts. I make sure to allot a budget for food, transportation, tour and allowances and separate it in PESO AND HK DOLLAR. This way, we won't get empty handed when we go home. (Hindi ubos biyaya hehehe)
☼ TRANSPORTATION
PARKING AT NAIA
We parked our car at the Multi-level parking lot at Naia Terminal 3. It's the new pay parking facilities at Naia. To go there, you need to drive along arrival area furthest end, slow down and turn right. Get your entry ticket, keep it and parked your car to any lot available. Walk through Naia terminal 3 building and find your way to LD (Departure Level).
Hong Kong has "THE" most efficient and economical way of transport system. The MTR (Metro Transit Railway) which has a connecting lines in almost all point of HK District. Properly designated bus stop and disciplined citizen.
PARKING AT NAIA
We parked our car at the Multi-level parking lot at Naia Terminal 3. It's the new pay parking facilities at Naia. To go there, you need to drive along arrival area furthest end, slow down and turn right. Get your entry ticket, keep it and parked your car to any lot available. Walk through Naia terminal 3 building and find your way to LD (Departure Level).
Our parking costs 600.00 Php for two nights.
Parking Fees:
Less than a Day: 50.00 Php
Overnight Parking: 300.00 Php
Lost Ticket: 500.00 Php
BY LAND & BY SEA
Hong Kong has "THE" most efficient and economical way of transport system. The MTR (Metro Transit Railway) which has a connecting lines in almost all point of HK District. Properly designated bus stop and disciplined citizen.
In Hong Kong they have an Octopus Card which you can use when riding an MTR and Buses. We availed the ON LOAN Card that has 150 HKD in it. All you need to do is to get an Octopus Card from their MTR booths, swipe it on the card reader for entry and make your way and ride on the right train. You can also used Octopus Card to buy food for yourself. They are connected with so many food outlets across HK. When your tour is done, you may either keep it and used it when you return, you just have to reactivate it in their Service Center. We got a total of 136.6 HKD refund for both cards.
On our way going to Macau we boarded a TurboJet at China Ferry terminal in Kowloon. We bought a roundtrip ticket HK-MACAU-HK at the same terminal. The counter gave us a open ticket for our return meaning we can catch any sail (anytime) available going back to HK. Total round trip tickets is 706.00 HKD
We also got to experience a fast and a furious like driving while riding a City Cab (Red) from Tsing Yi Station to Rambler. A 5 to 7 minute drive costs us 30 HKD. While bus 88F from Rambler to Tsing Yi and back cost 3.8 HKD each ride also helps us to go places before we got out MTR Card.
TOTAL COST:
PARKING FEE (NAIA): 600.00 Php (85 HKD)
MTR: 163.40 HKD
CAB: 30 HKD
BUS (88F) W/OUT MTR CARD: 22.8 HKD
BUS in MACAU: 27.6 MOP
TURBO JET: 706.00
On our way going to Macau we boarded a TurboJet at China Ferry terminal in Kowloon. We bought a roundtrip ticket HK-MACAU-HK at the same terminal. The counter gave us a open ticket for our return meaning we can catch any sail (anytime) available going back to HK. Total round trip tickets is 706.00 HKD
We also got to experience a fast and a furious like driving while riding a City Cab (Red) from Tsing Yi Station to Rambler. A 5 to 7 minute drive costs us 30 HKD. While bus 88F from Rambler to Tsing Yi and back cost 3.8 HKD each ride also helps us to go places before we got out MTR Card.
TOTAL COST:
PARKING FEE (NAIA): 600.00 Php (85 HKD)
MTR: 163.40 HKD
CAB: 30 HKD
BUS (88F) W/OUT MTR CARD: 22.8 HKD
BUS in MACAU: 27.6 MOP
TURBO JET: 706.00
☼ ACCOMMODATION + Easy and Free City Tour
We booked our Hotel via Rio Mar Travel Agency here in the Phils. They are affiliated with other accredited travel agency both locally and abroad. We paid our hotel in full to get the best deal applicable for us.
We booked our Hotel via Rio Mar Travel Agency here in the Phils. They are affiliated with other accredited travel agency both locally and abroad. We paid our hotel in full to get the best deal applicable for us.
It's a three day and two night hotel accommodation at Rambler Garden plus a customized easy and free city tour. They also gave us a 80 HKD worth of Voucher from Cafe de Coral and a free airport-hotel transfers.
Price: 8,600.00 Php (around 1,228.57 HKD)
Deposit: 500 HKD (refunded during checkout)
☼ TOUR | ATTRACTIONS
We pay our Disneyland Pass directly at Disney Park Counters. Ticket price for non residents is priced at 589 HK$ / each (One Day Pass).
We also pay for our Sampang Ride at The Aberdeen Fishing Village for 70 HKD each.
We pay our Disneyland Pass directly at Disney Park Counters. Ticket price for non residents is priced at 589 HK$ / each (One Day Pass).
We also pay for our Sampang Ride at The Aberdeen Fishing Village for 70 HKD each.
TOTAL: 1,318 HKD
☼ FOOD
Our food supplies (haha) and water supply comes mainly from the four food outlets while in Hong Kong.
Since we are booked for a morning flight, we had to leave home early. We took our breakfast at TAPA KING and it was the first food expense that got out from my wallet. Our breakfast meal is billed at 367.50 Php.
Our first meal (late lunch) in Hong Kong was at the terminal going to Macau. It was in MCDONALDS - Ferry Terminal in Kowloon. Our meal is priced at 48 HKD. For our late night dinner, snacks, mineral water, candies we spend a total of 162 HKD all in, bought from 7/11 at the Hotel. For our breakfast and normal dinner we ate at Cafe de Coral. Total price of our meal at Cafe de Coral is at 250 HKD. (excluding the 80 HKD Worth of voucher).
We also went to find my favorite Charlie Brown Cafe in Cameron Street, TST and bought a mini platter burger plus mineral water for 158 HKD.
Total Food Expenses: 618 HKD
☼ SHOPPING (OTHERS)
Our food supplies (haha) and water supply comes mainly from the four food outlets while in Hong Kong.
Since we are booked for a morning flight, we had to leave home early. We took our breakfast at TAPA KING and it was the first food expense that got out from my wallet. Our breakfast meal is billed at 367.50 Php.
Our first meal (late lunch) in Hong Kong was at the terminal going to Macau. It was in MCDONALDS - Ferry Terminal in Kowloon. Our meal is priced at 48 HKD. For our late night dinner, snacks, mineral water, candies we spend a total of 162 HKD all in, bought from 7/11 at the Hotel. For our breakfast and normal dinner we ate at Cafe de Coral. Total price of our meal at Cafe de Coral is at 250 HKD. (excluding the 80 HKD Worth of voucher).
We also went to find my favorite Charlie Brown Cafe in Cameron Street, TST and bought a mini platter burger plus mineral water for 158 HKD.
Total Food Expenses: 618 HKD
☼ SHOPPING (OTHERS)
TSL - 356 HKD - for the Rat Pendant
Gift Store - 458 HKD worth from REAL OUTLET
Souvenir Items (from Continental) - 250 HKD
HK-MAC Sim Card - 100 HKD
Total costs: 1,164 HKD
(excluding Joshua's 2 Gundam Models and marker)
Hoooohhh... That was long! hahaha... Okay so, I wanted to see what eats up our budget the most and here's what the graph gave me.
Transportation - includes Air tickets and Turbo Jet to Macau both roundtrip.
Tours - Walk up Ticket at Disneyland is at 589 HK$ equivalent to around 3800 to 4K Php each. (varies on conversion rate).
Accommodation - because we choose to book in a hotel instead on transient house.
Here's the table of (our) expenses for our Hong Kong - Macau Trip.
I decided to give the full details so you and I may see clearly see how much does it really cost to travel abroad. Of course, it may vary depending on our individual choices and budget limit. I initially wanted to try to reach a budget of at least 20K each. Since most travel agency promos are set within 20K budget. However, since I decided to include a Macau side trip which may probably cost a little more than 15K if done separately. Shelling out few more notes is okay when you got to travel to two countries in a more cheaper way.
Also, we need to renew our passport for hassle free travel. All, including my daughter's passport, I had to include it on the summary. I must admit, the shopping expenses are way beyond my set budget. No more impulse buying next time. So you see if you less these two from the list and divide the expenses individually 22K is not bad at all.
Traveling two countries in two days with 22K each? attainable right? Yup, you can do it. ☺
Souvenir Items (from Continental) - 250 HKD
HK-MAC Sim Card - 100 HKD
Total costs: 1,164 HKD
(excluding Joshua's 2 Gundam Models and marker)
Hoooohhh... That was long! hahaha... Okay so, I wanted to see what eats up our budget the most and here's what the graph gave me.
Transportation - includes Air tickets and Turbo Jet to Macau both roundtrip.
Tours - Walk up Ticket at Disneyland is at 589 HK$ equivalent to around 3800 to 4K Php each. (varies on conversion rate).
Accommodation - because we choose to book in a hotel instead on transient house.
Here's the table of (our) expenses for our Hong Kong - Macau Trip.
Also, we need to renew our passport for hassle free travel. All, including my daughter's passport, I had to include it on the summary. I must admit, the shopping expenses are way beyond my set budget. No more impulse buying next time. So you see if you less these two from the list and divide the expenses individually 22K is not bad at all.
Traveling two countries in two days with 22K each? attainable right? Yup, you can do it. ☺
It was a tiring, yet fun and learning experience to me and my husband. We got to find an (alone) time for ourselves and was able to breathe for some air. It was such a great experience for us.