Hong Kong, Hong Kong
The evening route, timed:
6:30pm — Check in, drop bags, eat dinner in TST. Stay on the Kowloon side first. Grab a cheap dinner on Kimberley Road or Granville Road — lots of local Hong Kong BBQ spots and noodle places under €5.
7:30pm — Walk to Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. The harbour view from the Avenue of Stars is worth 20 minutes on its own. Position yourself for the Symphony of Lights at 8pm sharp — free 10-minute laser show across the entire HK Island skyline. Sets the scene perfectly.
8:15pm — Star Ferry across to HK Island. Catch it immediately after the light show while the skyline is still buzzing. Eight minutes, €0.50, unforgettable.
8:30pm — Peak Tram from Garden Road terminus. 10-minute tram ride up. Spend 45–60 minutes at the top — do the Lugard Road loop walk rather than just standing on the Sky Terrace, it gives you 360° views and far fewer tourists. Be up there by 9pm for the full night view.
10:00pm — Taxi or tram straight to LKF. It's 10 minutes from the Peak Tram terminus. LKF runs until 4am so you have the whole night ahead of you. Bar hop D'Aguilar Street and then spill out onto the main square when it gets busy around 11pm.
The next morning — MTR back to Kowloon, then Mong Kok. This is actually the smarter move. Mong Kok at night is electric but Mong Kok in the morning is a completely different experience — Temple Street market, a real dim sum breakfast at one of the old-school trolley places, and then the Ladies' Market and electronics shops opening up. You get two very different versions of Kowloon that way.
Where to stay: Tsim Sha Tsui, not Mong Kok
Staying on the Kowloon side in TST is slightly cheaper than HK Island and you're still right in the middle of everything. Singapore Airlines For your budget, two specific options stand out:
Prudential Hotel on Nathan Road is widely considered the best value budget hotel in TST — 4-star quality at under $100, right on the main strip. Singapore Airlines That's your best bet.
Page 148 is a more design-forward minimal hotel thoughtfully aimed at independent travellers, with in-room Marshall speakers and a ground floor café Expedia — slightly more character than the Prudential, similar price range.
Both put you a short walk from the Star Ferry pier, Mong Kok is 2 MTR stops north, and you can get to LKF via the ferry or a quick taxi. Perfect base for the one-night-in-HK scenario.