Grabbing a cab can put you on a road to ruin
Hong Kong is crawling with taxis, and although they're convenient, there are other ways to get around that won't burn a hole in your pocket
Hong Kong may have one of the cheapest transport systems of any major, developed-world metropolis, but the temptation of another quick cab ride always beckons - and, added up, it can eat away at your bank account.
You'd take a bus if only you could work out the convoluted routes. Well, now a number of free smartphone applications are here to help. Simply let your phone track your location, type in your destination, and an app will recommend a number of cheap public transit options.
The Transport Department app is decent and works on iPhones, but it's somewhat unwieldy and offers only simplified bus and tram information.
Android users get a couple of better options: StudioKuma Bus Info includes all major regular bus and tram services, as well as giving you detailed pricing and route-change information. But I much prefer HK Explorer. It uses Google Maps to pinpoint locations, offers detailed pricing and journey times, and is the only app to include the faster green minibus routes.
Your Octopus card offers numerous savings, but there are always more advantages. You might have seen those stand-alone Octopus card machines around town - they're part of the MTR's fare saver programme. The one on the Mid-Levels escalator gives you a HK$2 saving every time you swipe your card on the machine.
A number of major banks have partnered with the MTR to offer credit and ATM cards with Octopus capabilities, and signing up saves you money. Citibank's Octopus-linked credit card gives you HK$200 in Octopus cash as a welcome offer, and Dah Sing's cash card gives you a 2.5 per cent rebate on every top-up.