Why go
For days centred on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, compare a car with the available rail, bus and taxi connections before booking. Dense roads and limited parking can erode its convenience. Repeated countryside trips may change the calculation, provided you have checked parking and access at the places you intend to reach.
The full story
Begin with the places where you will leave the vehicle. Central sightseeing involves more than the drive between attractions: you need a suitable parking place at each stop and a plan for reaching the destination from it. Check those arrangements before comparing rental costs with public transport. Countryside hiking or camping can produce a different itinerary, with less emphasis on repeated urban stops. Even there, establish access and parking for the actual trail or overnight destination. A car is useful only when its arrival arrangements work as well as its outward journey. Hong Kong drives on the left, and road signs use Chinese and English. Consult the Transport Department for current licensing and driving requirements. If your plans extend across the mainland boundary, investigate driver and vehicle permissions separately before renting; do not assume that a Hong Kong rental agreement or licence settles a cross-border journey.