HONG KONG AIRPORT to CENTRAL (City Center): Bus vs Airport Express Train? • The Poor Traveler
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Okay, let's start with a quick geography lesson.
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Hong Kong is composed of this peninsula and 200 plus outlying islands.
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It looks complicated.
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But don't worry, these are well connected.
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The Hong Kong International Airport is right here, on reclaimed land on Chek Lap Kok Island, next to Lantau Island.
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It's pretty detached from the city proper, which has two sides.
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Central on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, which is on the mainland.
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Kowloon is where you'll find Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok.
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We've already covered how to get to these areas in our previous video.
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So if your hotel is located here, you can go to this area.
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And if your hotel is located there, go and check it out instead.
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We'll also put the link to it in the description and pinned comment.
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But if your destination is on the other side of Victoria Harbour, keep on watching.
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This is Hong Kong Island.
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Its northern edge is considered the Hong Kong's central business district.
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Especially these areas surrounding the central station.
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But nearby areas are often clumped together with it.
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Like Admiralty and Xiong Wan.
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Both in the central area. But nearby areas are often clumped together with it. Like Admiralty and Xiong Wan.
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Both in the central area. But nearby areas are often clumped together with it.
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Both in the central area. But nearby areas are often clumped together with it.
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Both in the central and western district.
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Also easily accessible from central are Wan Chai, which is right here.
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And this part is Causeway Bay.
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All these areas are very modern and highly developed.
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But in between skyscrapers, you'll find a diverse selection of lodging, dining, and shopping establishments.
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Making it one of the most, if not the most, ideal places to stay in all of Hong Kong.
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By the way, if you don't have a hotel yet,
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consider booking one with Klook.
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It's so easy and convenient to use Klook because the prices displayed already include taxes.
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And if you want to score big discounts, just click the link in the description or pinned comment
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and use our promo code, ThePoorTraveler.
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That will give you 5% off, capped at 350 pesos.
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Anyway, the good news is, Central is directly connected to the airport both by bus and by train.
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Let's take a look at the train first.
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The airport express is the fastest and easiest way to reach Hong Kong Central.
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It only takes 32 minutes.
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The first thing you should do is buy an airport express ticket in advance.
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Although it is possible to buy on the spot, tickets are much cheaper if you book online.
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Especially on Klook.
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Take a look at this.
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As you can see, you'll end up saving a lot if you book around Klook.
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You'll save a lot if you book a roundtrip ticket instead of two one-way tickets.
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And you'll also save more if you purchase from Klook as much as 20 Hong Kong Dollars.
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And as always, it can still get lower because you can also use our exclusive promo code, ThePoorTraveler, as you check out.
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Again, you'll find the links in the description and pinned comment.
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Once you arrive at Hong Kong airport, follow these steps.
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Find the airport express station.
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It should be easy because it's located right beside the arrival hall.
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Once you emerge from the baggage area, you'll see it right away.
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If you book online, you can scan the QR code as you enter the gates.
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There's plenty of luggage storage space on every car.
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Find your seat and relax.
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The airport express has only three stops other than the airport.
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And if you're central bound, your stop is Hong Kong station,
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which is located right here.
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You'll get there in only 32 minutes.
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A light at Hong Kong station.
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If your hotel is close to Hong Kong station or central station,
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you can get out of the station and travel on foot.
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But if it's closer to another station, say,
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Xiong Wan, Admiralty, Wan Chai, or Causeway Bay,
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you'll have to walk for 7 to 10 minutes to central station and transfer to the MTR island line.
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It's kind of a long walk, but don't worry.
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It's all indoors and on flat ground.
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Once at central station, board the train.
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A light at the station closest to your final destination.
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Walk to your hotel, check in, and enjoy Hong Kong.
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But while the airport express is the fastest way,
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if you're on a budget, there is a more affordable option.
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The bus is the cheapest way to get to central,
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and it's also quite convenient.
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But for a hassle-free journey,
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there are things you need to do first before your trip.
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First, you might want to consider getting an Octopus Card,
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which can make your journey much easier.
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An Octopus Card is a prepaid reloadable card that you can use for MTR and bus rides
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and even purchases at select stores.
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It will allow you to skip buying tickets each time you're taking the MTR
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or scramble for coins when taking the bus.
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All you need to do is tap the card above the reader and you're through.
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You can get an Octopus Card from Kluk.
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It costs 97 Hong Kong Dollars or 695 Pesos.
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But it already comes with 50 Hong Kong Dollars load that you can use right away.
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You can pick it up at the airport's arrival hall.
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In our case, we claim our Octopus Card at this card.
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We also recommend that you purchase a data sim on Kluk and pick it up at the airport.
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A data sim will make navigating much easier so you're sure you're getting off the right stop.
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To reserve an Octopus Card and or a data sim card,
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follow the link in the description and pinned comment.
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Don't forget to use the promo code THEPORETRAVELER for extra discount.
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And then, find out the closest bus stop to your hotel.
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But it's very likely that the bus for you will be the bus stop.
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The bus stop for you is Bus A11.
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After claiming your luggage at the carousel, you'll emerge into the arrival hall, right?
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Pick up your Octopus Card and SIM card at the right counter and then follow the bus signs outside.
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Head to your right or follow the bus signs to the airport ground transportation center,
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which is right in front of the airport building.
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It's located outside and it looks like this.
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Now, check the signs and look for the A11 bus stop.
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There's usually a queue because it's a very popular area.
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Wait for the A11 bus.
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Airport buses are double-deckers.
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They also display the route or bus number in front, so make sure you're boarding the right bus.
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When it's time to board, prepare your Octopus Card and tap it or hover it above the card reader,
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installed just by the entrance door of the bus.
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If you decide to not get an Octopus Card, you can pay by cash,
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but make sure you have the exact amount because they don't give change.
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The fare is 41.90 HKD, regardless of which area in Central you'll get off at.
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Upon boarding, you'll immediately see this baggage section, where you could leave your suitcase.
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There's also a few seats here, but if none is available, just climb to the top deck.
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Don't worry, there are cameras here pointed at the baggage area,
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so you could still keep an eye out.
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Alight at your stop.
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Travel time is 50 to 70 minutes, depending on where you are alighting and the traffic situation at the time.
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On our last trip, we booked a room at iClub Xiong Wan with Klook.
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It's located in the Xiong Wan district, close to Central.
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We totally loved our stay here because the room was squeaky clean
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and it's surrounded by budget-friendly but delicious restaurants.
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It's also close to the MTR Xiong Wan station and the bus stop.
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We got off at Macau Ferry Conot Road bus stop,
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used this elevator and overpass to cross the main road,
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and continued our short walk to our hotel.
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The A11 bus is available from 5.35 AM to 12.30 around midnight.
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But if your flight is scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong in the wee hours,
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take the N11 bus instead,
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which operates from 1.50 AM until 4.50 AM.
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It's easy to return to the airport central.
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Whether you took the bus or the train, all you have to do is trace your steps back.
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If you wish to take the airport express,
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just make your way to Hong Kong station and catch the airport express back to the airport.
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just remember to wait for and board the bus on the other side of the road,
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not on the same side where you got off.
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It's really a close call.
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The airport express is super fast but the bus is much cheaper.
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it depends on whether your hotel or final destination is closer to a train station or a bus stop.
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If your hotel is within speeding distance from Hong Kong station
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or any station along the island line,
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then choose the train.
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If a bus stop is closer,
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then it makes more sense to take the bus.
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But on the way back to the airport and you're pressed for time,
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just take the airport express.
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The bus travel time is dependent on the traffic conditions,
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and you're also not guaranteed a seat.
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The bus will be coming from the far end of the island.
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By the time it reaches the central or Xiong Wan area,
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it has already made several stops along the way.
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If you feel like you're running late for your flight,
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take the airport express.
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Speaking of flights,
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on our most recent trip,
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we flew with Philippine Airlines,
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which flies to Hong Kong four times a day.
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Two in the morning,
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one in the afternoon,
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and one in the evening.
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One thing I really appreciate is the generous baggage allowance
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that automatically comes with each booking.
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It should cover all your Hong Kong,
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hashtag OOTDs and shopping haul.
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You also get a 7kg carry-on baggage allowance on top of it.
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Another reason we prefer PAL is its 4-star service.
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We can always rely on PAL to serve delicious in-flight meals
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and unlimited drinks on board,
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already included in the booking.
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In our next video,
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we're sharing with you tips on how to plan a hassle-free trip to Hong Kong,
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including where to stay,
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and what attractions to visit.
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so subscribe to this channel now if you haven't yet.
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And ring the bell beside it,
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so you're instantly notified when it's up.
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You can also follow us on Instagram,
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at The Poor Traveler,
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We also have a podcast.
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Follow The Poor Traveler podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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Just head over to www.thepoortraveler.net
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That's all for now.
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and make every trip
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Thank you for watching!
