Hong Kong - The Layover
Hong Kong International Aiport is the 3rd busiest airport in the world. With a great mass transit system (metro rails lines that connect to city subways and buses) it is easy to schedule a layover 6-12 hour layover and get into the city to see some sites and enjoy some delicious food.
If your layover is less than 6-hours, we do not advise you try to leave the airport just due to processing times with passport control and security. Instead enjoy the amenities at the airport.
Step 1 - Confirm if you need a Visa
Before you decided to leave the airport, confirm if you need a Visa to enter the country.
The United States, UK, Australia, Canada and Germany, plus 164 more, can visit Hong Kong without a Visa - which allows you time to leave the airport.
Step 2 - Immigration/Passport Control
Instead of transferring to your next gate, you will exit the airport through immigration and passport control.
Just follow the signs to exit the aiport.
*Make sure you have your boarding pass for your flight departing out of Hong Kong - as you will need this when you return to the airport.
Step 3 - Store your luggage, if needed
Generally your checked luggage will be transferred through to your final destination, so the only luggage you may want to store is any carry-on that you don't want to travel into the city with.
A secure short-term baggage storage facility is located on Level 5 of Terminal 1 and is open every day between 5:30am and 1:30am.
There is also another storage facility located on the 3rd level of Terminal 2 and the counter is open from 05:30 to 01:30 the next day.
These are provided at a small hourly/daily fee.
Step 4 - Exchange some cash
Currency Exchange counters and ATM's are available in the Arrivals hall, so make sure you exchange some cash for Hong Kong Dollars which you will want for public transportation and taxis. Credits cards can be used at restaurants and shops.
Step 5 - Find the Airport Express Train
Away you can go with the Airport Express Train (the MRT). In just 24 minutes you will be in Central Hong Kong.
There are other transport options including buses, taxis and private cars that you can acquire from the airport - but we found the Airport Express was the most effience and cost-effective for what we were looking to do.
For more details on the MRT - check out this website.
Step 6 - Return to the Airport
Make sure you plan to return to the aiport in time for your departing flight. Which means making sure you have time to grab your luggage (if stored), process through passport control and security.
As mentioned prior, make sure you have your boarding pass for your return flight. If not, stop by the airport desk to "check-in" and acquire your boarding pass.
Note - In Hong Kong, most airport desks do not open until 3 hours prior to departure.
Optional Things to Do
We had been to Hong Kong before and were craving some amazing Dim Sum at a Central downtown location. So our main goal was to head straight there. We took the Airport Express to the Hong Kong Station.
From here it was a 2 minute walk to lunch at Tim Ho Wan.
After lunch, we took a walk along the Victoria Harbour Waterfront enjoying the sunshine, the views and the fresh air. After the 15+ hour flight it felt great to get some fresh air and stretch our legs.
For us it was the perfect, leisurely day and a great way to break up our flight. We returned to the airport the way we arrived in plenty of time for our flight.
Other options for your layover:
Option 1 - Star Ferry Tour
The Hong Kong Station also allows easy access to the Star Ferries located at the Harbour. If you want to experience the iconic Hong Kong skyline, enjoy a Star Ferry ride at Victoria Harbour to admire Hong Kong’s grandeur, and then walk along the Avenue of Stars.
If you happen to visit in the evening, and know your plans well in advance, you can try to catch A Symphony of Lights - which is a world-known light show.
Option 2 - Visit Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island
Instead of taking the Airport Express downtown - take the MRT a short hop away to Lantau Island. You can travel by subway and get off at Tung Chung Station, and then take the New Lantau bus 23 to Ngong Ping.
Po Lin Monastery is a famous Buddhist monastery known for having the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue. Your trip will be enriched with a scenic cable car ride and some hiking opportunities.
Option 3 - Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak is a must–see attraction in Hong Kong. It is the best place to enjoy the panoramic view of the harbor.
The iconic way to get to the peak is taking the tram up. However, sometimes there are long lines for the tram - so if time is of the essence, you can take a taxi up and back. To get to the tram stop from the Airport you would take the Airport Express to Hong Station and then connect to the number 8 bus. Or you can grab a cab.
There are some various retaurants and bars at the Peak so you can catch some views and refreshments.
Option 4 - Schedule a 1/2 day City Tour
If trains and buses aren't your thing, you can always pre-schedule a 1/2 day city tour in Hong Kong with a guide to show you the main sites. You can schedule your guide to meet you outside of the Arrivals Hall at the airport.
Check out my SE Asia Ultimate Adventure itinerary to see how you could add in a Hong Kong Layover.
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