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H

ong Kong’s airport is quite young and is serving its role as the main aircraft terminal since 1998. Before that time, there existed the Kai Tak Airport. But what was enough in 1925 was too small later. And too noisy, since the old airport was situated right next to – now densely populated – Kowloon area.

Before – the planes were flying over the city, and that must have been something! Now we can only see it on postcards. Today – you have an opportunity to “land on water” – since almost to the last moment you are above it. Two islands close to Lantau Island were leveled, the sea was filled with debris and earth, and 1, 255 ha colossus was created. To commemorate the island chosen for this purpose the first name given to this place was the Chek Lap Kok Airport.

In the process of creation, the road was put in place as well. It was a great plan and one of its phases was called the Rose Garden Project – it connected the mainland with Tsing Yi, Ma Wan, and Lantau Islands. There also exists the MTR connection which makes getting out of the airport even easier.

Other than the airport complex the place houses the Cathay Pacific HQ or the Sky Plaza Mall. There is also a ferry link to Guangdong Province (Mainland China), hotels, Asia World Expo, and great projects for the future. It is in the top three of the largest airports in the world and it is quite busy as well (70 mln passengers per year).

The place has an easy to read the leaflet on how to get to the different areas of Hong Kong. Try to find it there or download it here.

And once you are in the hotel room, fighting or not with your jet lag – the real fun can begin. You will want to know something about:

As for the airport, we will start with the magic all-can-do-including-transportation-card called Octopus. You can get it or not, since paper money can still cover everything. These would be the metro, buses, and taxis (the usual culprits).

Tourist hotels are mostly located in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island areas (the island is sometimes called Central – in connection with its most famous parts) – the article will focus on these.

The Octopus Card is the best thing to get in Hong Kong when it goes for public transportation. What is more, you can pay with the Octopus in stores and the taxis. It is possible to top up in various places as well. As far as it goes it is one of the best all-in-one city cards I have experienced. It will save you time and stress.

As a tourist, you can get the tourist Octopus at the airport or you can order it online and pick it up there.

  • The TOURIST Octopus costs 39 HKD comes with no preinstalled value or deposit. This means that at the end of your stay in Hong Kong you can keep it as a souvenir.
  • The REGULAR Octopus initial cost is 150 HKD. There is the initial amount of 100 HKD that you can use instantly. The 50 HKD is the deposit that will be returned to you when you give the card back to the right authorities. This is a card for the people who want to stay in Hong Kong longer or are planning to live here.

The cost of travel is normally the same – doesn’t matter if you pay cash or with Octopus. Tickets can be bought with the drivers, at the counter, or in the offices – just do what suits you best.

Airport Express is the speed train that goes between the airport and the Central Station on Hong Kong Island. The other stops on the way are: Airport Express is the speed train that goes between the airport and the Central Station on Hong Kong Island.

The other stops on the way are:

  • Tsing Yi Island – it is a good place of interchange for the yellow MTR and from there to the others
  • Kowloon Station – where you can catch a bus to your hotel that you have in the area or go there on foot.

The total travel time is 30 minutes – it is after all an “express”. Prices are reasonable, with Octopus only slightly cheaper than the normal prices.

Octopus Price single ticket

To Tsing Yi: 65 HKD

To Kowloon: 100 HKD

To Hong Kong Island: 110 HKD

 

Octopus Price return ticket

To Tsing Yi: 120 HKD

To Kowloon: 185 HKD

To Hong Kong Island: 205 HKD

The entrances to the trains close to the middle of the Terminal 1 (check the map). They are flanking the access passage to terminal 2 (also – to the taxi and busses). Before you go there, you can talk to the nice lady/gentleman at the counter and buy some tickets or even recharge your Octopus (if you already have one).

The thing with busses in Hong Kong is something that is growing on you with time. There is a lot of them which drive you crazy – you cannot really construct anything that resembles a plan of how to use them.

But! They are designed to connect two places in as quick a manner as possible. And that is worth something!

Because of this, I cannot really give you and advise which one you should take. There is a bulletin on the airport about that, but here you will find the online version.

You should look for the busses under the Terminal 2 – the passage to it is in the middle of T1 (check the map). Take the ramp down, turn right and you should see them after a moment. There is a map of their locations as you exit the building– be sure to check it out instead of wandering around. There is also a clerk at the desk that can help you should you have any questions – look around, he is close to the exit doors (inside the building).

The times of travel vary, but the busses will take you to Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and all the remote parts of the New Territories.

Prices

To Kowloon – between 14 – 25 HKD
To Hong Kong Central – between 29 – 35 HKD

Coaches to hotels or specific resort areas

That’s new and quite useful as it goes for the airports. Some hotels are so popular that they get their regular airport service that you can use.

The same goes for some residential destinations in Hong Kong. Discovery Bay or Ma Wan have their own airport service for the residents. Whether it is for work or flight they come quite useful if you know they exist.

Desk B18 in Terminal 1 sell the ticket and gives you the information you may need.

You need to follow the road for the bus terminal, but then, instead of turning left to the busses, you need to go right, cross the street, pass the stairs and elevator and find the coaches’ parking lot. The signs should lead your way, but just in case – the clerk at the exit (the same one as for the busses) can help.

For the hotel coaches, you have to buy the ticket in advance and/or take it from the desk B18. For the residential areas – the bus drivers have an Octopus machine inside.

Note about… Before COVID 19 you could have bought a ticket with the bus driver. Now – you can only use the Octopus Card. Nobody knows when the situation will finish.

Taxis have their own place at the airport. As you take the middle road to the busses – instead of turning right, go left. At the exit door, you will find a place you look for.

Take notice of different colors. It will tell you where you can go in the car and where not:

  • Red ones go to Kowloon and Central and some – it is the most popular urban taxi
  • Blue ones are only for Lantau Island
  • Green ones are for New Territories north, east, and west of Kowloon

The problem with the taxi is that the drivers may not speak English. An address in something other than traditional Chinese may be futile as well. But Somewhere along the way, between the map, address, and some simple names you should manage.

They take only cash or Octopus. I have not yet seen a credit card machine inside. Watch out for that.

Prices

To Tsing Yi – around 200 HKD

To Kowloon – between 250 – 310 HKD

To Hong Kong Island – between 300 – 400 HKD

Additional charges for luggage and tolls will be added to this

Rent a Car

Firstly, keep in mind that in Hong Kong you should ride on the left side of the road.

Secondly… there are no car rentals at the airport. They are all closer to Hong Kong Island.

Why?

Having a car and its maintenance and upkeep is very expensive. Hong Kong is known for its permanent lack of space. Renting a parking place here is quite expensive – 2000 HKD for a month is normal if not cheap (it goes up with location privileges). And this is only the beginning…

Sometimes the car rental agencies provide a service in which they bring the car to the airport for you. Keep it in mind, while looking for the vehicle.

And if you have suddenly changed your mind – you may be better off with taxis and public transport.

Good luck!