Tickets- buy in advance or on the day?

Question

Hi all,

I’m visiting HK in late July and have got the below bits on my to do list.

In general do I need to book tickets in advance for these attractions which means the itiniery is rigid or can I generally get tickets on the day so I can change plans as required?

Hong Kong Space Museum

Hong Kong Museum of History

Do ferry tour

Ride the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and see the village.

The Hong Kong Observation Wheel (HKOW)

Hong Kong Disneyland

Head up to Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram (Also do the Sky Terrace 428).

Visit M+ Museum and Hong Kong Palace Museum in West Kowloon.

Big bus night city tour.

Ferry to Cheung Chau.

Thanks!

Answer

Visiting Hong Kong in late July means you will encounter warm, humid weather and potentially high visitor numbers, especially for popular attractions. For your list, the ticketing approach varies depending on the attraction’s popularity and peak hours.

Here’s a breakdown of each attraction and advice on whether to book in advance or buy on the day:

Hong Kong Space Museum: Usually moderate crowds. Tickets can often be bought on the day, but weekends and school holidays may be busy. Booking in advance avoids queues.
Hong Kong Museum of History: Typically busy in the afternoons and weekends. Tickets are inexpensive and can usually be bought on the day, but booking online gives peace of mind during peak times.
Ferry Tour: Depends on the type of tour. Standard Star Ferry rides do not require tickets in advance. Larger sightseeing ferries or evening harbor cruises can sell out; online booking is recommended for evening tours.
Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car: Very popular, especially on weekends. Booking in advance is recommended if you want the standard or crystal cabin. You can sometimes buy on the day, but wait times can be long.
Hong Kong Observation Wheel (HKOW): Small crowds most of the time. Tickets can usually be purchased on the day unless it’s a special event evening.
Hong Kong Disneyland: Highly recommended to book in advance. Park capacity is limited, and lines for tickets on the day can be long.
Victoria Peak & Peak Tram + Sky Terrace 428: Peak Tram tickets can be bought on the day, but queueing times can be long during peak hours. Online advance tickets or the Peak Tram Sky Pass (tram + Sky Terrace) can save time.
M+ Museum and Hong Kong Palace Museum: Often popular, with timed entry. Booking in advance is advisable to secure your preferred times, particularly for weekends or holidays.
Big Bus Night City Tour: Flexible; tickets can often be bought on the day, but if you want a guaranteed spot or a specific departure time, pre-booking is safer.
Ferry to Cheung Chau: Ferries generally have frequent departures, so tickets can be bought on the day. If you are going on weekends or holidays, arrive earlier to avoid the midday rush.

General recommendations:

For smaller museums or attractions with frequent entries, same-day tickets are usually fine.
For high-demand attractions (Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360, Peak Tram during peak hours, major museum timed entries), booking online in advance is recommended.
Consider your itinerary flexibility: if you want to change plans easily, prioritize same-day tickets where possible, but balance with must-see attractions where advance booking ensures entry.
Use official websites or authorized resellers for tickets to avoid scams.

In summary, a mixed approach works best: book high-demand attractions in advance and leave lower-demand or flexible activities for same-day tickets.