Your Hong Kong Survival Kit: 3 Must‑Have Apps for Transport & Dining

hari
Nov 14
3 min read

Whenever I travel to Hong Kong, the first thing I remind myself is: remember to download the apps first!. These apps are lifesavers, and the best part is they all have English versions. Even if you’re just starting to learn Chinese, Hong Kong is famously English‑friendly and always welcoming guests from around the world.

🚇 Metro: MTR Mobile

Hong Kong’s 捷運 (jiéyùn – metro/subway) is called the MTR, and the MTR Mobile app is my go‑to.

Download: App Store

I love how the trip planner shows me train times and even car occupancy — it feels like I’m always one step ahead. Sometimes updates make the interface a bit more complicated, but overall, it’s incredibly handy. I remember standing in Central station, checking the app, and feeling relieved that I knew exactly which train car would be less crowded.

🚌 Bus: HK Bus ETA 巴士預報 (Bāshì Yùbào – Bus ETA)

Hong Kong’s buses reach places the MTR doesn’t, and the 巴士預報 app has saved me countless times.

Download: App Store

This is not an official app developed or managed by the bus companies. But! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve relied on its accurate arrival times. While rushing to catch a bus, the app can tell it was three minutes away — try your best to make it just in time. It’s simple, ad‑free, and I honestly personally think this is better than the official bus apps.

🍴 Dining: OpenRice

Hong Kong is a food paradise, and OpenRice is the ultimate dining guide.

Download: App Store

Local app for travellers to discover hidden gems. One night, I stumbled upon a tiny 茶餐廳 (chá cāntīng – local diner) in Mong Kok that wasn’t on any tourist list, but OpenRice reviews led me there. The only downside is the ads, but the huge database of restaurants makes up for it. It’s also perfect for booking tables at busy spots.

🌍 English-Friendly Hong Kong

Hong Kong is always welcoming. With bilingual signage, English-speaking staff, and apps that support English, foreigners and Chinese learners alike can feel confident exploring the city. Even if you’ve just started learning Chinese, there’s no need to be scared — Hong Kong makes it easy.

✍️ Language Note: Traditional vs. Simplified Chinese

Hong Kong uses Traditional Chinese 繁體字 (Fántǐzì), which is also being used in Taiwan and Macau. While Simplified Chinese 简体字 (Jiǎntǐzì) is being used in Mainland China, Singapore & Malaysia.

Don’t worry — they look similar. For example:

Love = 愛 (ài, Traditional) vs. 爱 (ài, Simplified).
Dragon = 龍 (lóng, Traditional) vs. 龙 (lóng, Simplified).

So even if you’re learning Simplified, you’ll still recognize most words in Hong Kong.

With MTR Mobile, HK Bus ETA, and OpenRice, you may find yourself able to move around Hong Kong with ease and eat like a local. These apps aren’t just tools — they’ve become part of the travel memories. Whether it’s catching a bus at the last minute or finding a hidden diner, they make the city feel welcoming and accessible.

Here’s a mini Hong Kong travel vocabulary list with Traditional Chinese characters + Pinyin + English meaning — perfect for beginners who want to practice while exploring the city:

🚇 Transport Vocabulary

捷運 (jiéyùn) – Metro / Subway (Hong Kong calls it MTR)
地鐵 (dìtiě) – Underground railway (another word for metro)
巴士 (bāshì) – Bus
小巴 (xiǎobā) – Minibus
計程車 (jìchéngchē) – Taxi (also commonly called 的士 díshì in Hong Kong Cantonese)
車票 (chēpiào) – Ticket
站 (zhàn) – Station / Stop