CX and HKG help

[AirKat]

Hi all

We gave my younger brother return flights to Frankfurt using points. In the end he was exceptionally late at deciding when he wanted to go and we had to book him on CX via HKG. The flight times are great, except the stopover. He arrives in HKG at 15:00 and leaves at around midnight. My questions are

Lounge Access

He is of no status with any airlines, is there any way I can get lounge access for him in HKG given he is there for so long?

Leave the airport?

Although he's been to Europe, he's never been to Asia (I know HKG is a little different) and as a rural-town 18 year old, I'm a little worried about him venturing out to the city. Any thoughts on how easy this would be for him to do? We've been to HKG many times but always organise cars so I'm not sure how easy transport is.

Thanks so much!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all

We gave my younger brother return flights to Frankfurt using points. In the end he was exceptionally late at deciding when he wanted to go and we had to book him on CX via HKG. The flight times are great, except the stopover. He arrives in HKG at 15:00 and leaves at around midnight. My questions are

Lounge Access

He is of no status with any airlines, is there any way I can get lounge access for him in HKG given he is there for so long?

Leave the airport?

Although he's been to Europe, he's never been to Asia (I know HKG is a little different) and as a rural-town 18 year old, I'm a little worried about him venturing out to the city. Any thoughts on how easy this would be for him to do? We've been to HKG many times but always organise cars so I'm not sure how easy transport is.

Thanks so much!

there are pay lounges at Hong Kong airport... probably easiest to google those and get directions etc. I'm not sure however how long they allow... some lounges only allow blocks of two or three hours for example.

going into town is very easy... go straight out through immigration and you're in the arrival hall... then train to the city. there is a reduced return 'day ticket'. I would go to Hong Kong island... see the peak, take the star ferry. go back to the airport.

I'm not sure how tired he will be... probably up all night before departure, then the flight to Hong Kong... he might just want a good sleep! the airport hotel at hkg can be quite expensive... but I think there's another one not too far away that is more reasonable... and of course in the city as well. should be able to get 5 hours sleep in that time.

 

[Isochronous]

Hi all

We gave my younger brother return flights to Frankfurt using points. In the end he was exceptionally late at deciding when he wanted to go and we had to book him on CX via HKG. The flight times are great, except the stopover. He arrives in HKG at 15:00 and leaves at around midnight. My questions are

Lounge Access

He is of no status with any airlines, is there any way I can get lounge access for him in HKG given he is there for so long?

Leave the airport?

Although he's been to Europe, he's never been to Asia (I know HKG is a little different) and as a rural-town 18 year old, I'm a little worried about him venturing out to the city. Any thoughts on how easy this would be for him to do? We've been to HKG many times but always organise cars so I'm not sure how easy transport is.

Thanks so much!

Going into town should be easy enough - English levels are good in HK since it is an official language. Make sure he gets a day return Airport Express ticket for HK$90. This should be enough, unless he plans to go elsewhere and needs to use the subway/buses too - in which case there is a special one day Tourist Octopus for about $300 that gives unlimited travel, but since he's there for a few hours only the Day Return should be enough.

In terms of lounges, if you have Diners Club, get a supplementary card in his name. One of the pay-in lounges (I think the same as the PriorityPass one) gives free access to Diners cardholders, and unlike Amex there isn't a country of issue restriction. Bear in mind that the restaurants at HKG airport are pretty decent too, and will probably offer better food than lounge food if you can't get into a CX lounge.

 

[11sjw]

As others have said use the Airport Express service to get into the city. If going to do the tram up to the Peak catch the train to Hong Kong Station. After catching the Star Ferry across the harbour he could get back on at Kowloon Station to go to the airport. Anyways train info here MTR > Getting Around > Airport Express Services, Peak Tram info http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/5_5_1.asp

There's a Novotel at Tung Chung which is a very short taxi ride from the airport. It sits on top of 5 levels of Outlet Shopping and a few restaurants on the ground floor. Incidentally if you chose this option you could get out to see the Big Bhudda statue via cable car as the entrance to this is within walking distance from the Hotel. Hotel website here Hotel Novotel Hong Kong Citygate: travel, stay or vacation, holiday at HONG KONG, Cable Car info here Hong Kong Ngong Ping 360 Official Website | Attraction of Lantau Tourism

Either option would be interesting enough. However the first is more the traditional HKG thing to do.

Info on Pay per use Lounges here Passenger Guide - Transfer / Transit - Pay-in Lounges - Hong Kong International Airport

Didn't think about a night or two in HKG for him? It would be very enjoyable.

 

[ermen]

As mentioned, going into town is easy enough with the fast train.

I would say that his transit time is perfect! Enough time to have go into town to have dinner, go up the peak, have a drink at LKF and go back to the airport. Otherwise he can go watch a movie even... cinemas at the airport, kowloon station and hkg station... lol...

There are a few pay-in lounges (Traveller's Lounge I think). Otherwise, if you have CX points, you can redeem access for him (but don't think its good value at all)

Only think I would say he probably would need a shower prior to getting onto his FRA flight in consideration of fellow travellers! Its really hot and humid in HKG at the moment

 

[yohy?!]

Hong Kong - you can pay for a few hours access or just a shower best to leave adequate time as the showers are popular.

Airport express is 25mins to HK island and I would think he would be fine going for a wander - worst case scenario just hail a cab and ask to be taken back to the Airport express station.

Hope he enjoys his first trip to the Big Lychee

 

[Isochronous]

Hong Kong - you can pay for a few hours access or just a shower best to leave adequate time as the showers are popular.

Airport express is 25mins to HK island and I would think he would be fine going for a wander - worst case scenario just hail a cab and ask to be taken back to the Airport express station.

Hope he enjoys his first trip to the Big Lychee

Do people actually call HK the Big Lychee?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Do people actually call HK the Big Lychee?

Nah...the big noodle.....

 

[Happy Trails]

AirKat, you worry too much.
Send him in to town, he'll be fine.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Everywhere he'd want to go is well signposted in English and most people at those places will speak good English. HK is safe, orderly and well controlled (apart from the mainland tourists who dont know what a queue is)

 

[AirKat]

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. I guess maybe I am worrying too much. I'll show him this and see what he'd like to do. And when he misses his onward flight to Frankfurt I'll report back

 

[HKGNZL]

If he is indeed a rural town boy then the hKiA itself should have enough for him to kill a few hours. Even at the airside there are so many shops food court pay lounges for him to spend him time. WiFi is free throughout airport so he can entertain himself if be brings a laptop. If bored as soon as he gets put of custom there will be more shops (don't forget T2) observation deck and coffee place where he can people watch.