Hong Kong (HKG) Stopover Tips

[AFF Editor]

This thread is a place to share tips and recommendations for stopovers at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). You can discuss things like:

• How to get from the airport to the city
• Things to do (both near the airport and in the city)
• Where to stay/hotel recommendations (both near the airport and in the city)
• Your favourite HKG airport lounges
• Airport facilities such as luggage storage and showers
  
• Any other destination-specific tips or "hidden gems" you've discovered that could be useful for someone stopping over

Do you have a great tip that other travellers might find useful when stopping over in Hong Kong? Add your suggestions to this thread, and your advice could make it into an AFF Stopover Guide article!

 

[RooFlyer]

Well known by travellers to HKG is the facility to check-in to depart from HKG anytime on the day of departure at Hong Kong or Kowloon MTR Airport Express stations. See this thread. There, serfty points out that Qantas pax can even check in the day before.

The Airport Express is a very efficient train service to Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong. And they run free mini busses from Kowloon and Hong Kong to circuits of local hotels. Pick ups too, but don't leave those too tight, as busses can get delayed in traffic.

 

[philelltt]

We've used the Regal Riverside hotel at Shatin a few times. If you book executive rooms it includes airport transfers each way,breakfast, evening drinks and as much finger food you want from 18.00 to 20.00. There's a good pool and gym. If you book early , prices are exceptional.

 

[drross]

Cathay have so many great lounges (7 I think) with day spas , cabanas with bath tubs, Michelin class restaurants, massages etc - no need to leave the airport. Pier first class is our pick

 

[Franky]

Good morning all - currently in France and flying home 04JAN on CX 288 from FRA to HKG on J award seats. Have been up at 0100 last two nights trying to snare 2 x J seats HKG to PER to complete our trip bookings where all other legs were booked 6 months ago. Finally got them last night, but on the later flight CX183 which leaves at 2200, but happy with the result at this late stage. Also noted that to purchase these seats this late was over $5K.

My dear wife who is the one who earns the points (WP) wants to use the 15 hour layover to visit her favourite tailer in the city. I may be wrong, but I thought I had read many months ago from those who have been similarly effected, and who advised of a hack to avoid the lengthy immigration queues to do so. It may have involved going downstairs, or to a different gate, or something along those lines. I am not sure at all. Can anyone please confirm what I am thinking?

In any event, I guess we would need to advise the staff on our first leg that we will want to leave the airport for a while after arrival.

Thanks for any help.

 

[kelvedon]

There’s the Enrolled frequent visitor program which allows you to use the egates described here.

Beat the queue and take the fast track with these airport travel hacks

e-Channel Services for Visitors | Immigration Department

I have often gone into the city on a long layover and not informed anyone. I presume you’ll already have been issued your boarding pass for the Perth flight and your bags checked through.

 

[ellen10]

I'll be reading with interest. I have a 7 hour layover as well and wondering if a short visit is worthwhile.

 

[Franky]

There’s the Enrolled frequent visitor program which allows you to use the egates described here.

Beat the queue and take the fast track with these airport travel hacks

e-Channel Services for Visitors | Immigration Department

I have often gone into the city on a long layover and not informed anyone. I presume you’ll already have been issued your boarding pass for the Perth flight and your bags checked through.

Thank you for that, I believe that’s the system I was thinking of, and my wife is with the frequent visitor programme, will read up on the links. Appreciate the response.

 

[kelvedon]

I'll be reading with interest. I have a 7 hour layover as well and wondering if a short visit is worthwhile.

I’d definitely leave the airport on a7 hour layover. The MTR into the city is a breeze.

 

[ellen10]

I’d definitely leave the airport on a7 hour layover. The MTR into the city is a breeze.

We arrive around 5pm. Is it still worth leaving the airport to look around?

 

[Hvr]

Enrolled in eChannel yesterday. Go to the far left immigration gates (they're often quicker as well) and once you go through keep going left to the enrollment office.

Took less than five minutes to take fingerprints and a photo.

I still beat my bag to the baggage arrival.

 

[AIRwin]

View from the upper deck of a bus (not A380) - and it's much cheaper than Airport Express

 

[kelvedon]

Must have been one of the few Dakotas not at Duxford last week.

 

[JohnK]

We have a return booking BNE-HKG booked via Qantas and have added awards on a CX HKG-BKK and an award on EK BKK-HKG booked via Qantas.

There is now a transit in HKG of ~4 hours both ways. Obviously we have paid HKG departure tax to QF and CX. Is it still possible to get the departure tax refunded? Anyone with recent experience? @MEL_Traveller?

 

[docjames]

@JohnK that sounds like one that doesn’t “fit the box” so you’ll be battling airline call centres / online support and will take ages to complete.

How much does it add up to?

 

[JohnK]

@docjames it's a service that's provided by HKG Airport/Government and is not time consuming.

From previous experience it's a HKD120 refund x 6 which is a fair amount of money and all I need to do is exit immigration and back through again twice. Wife and daughter can wait in lounge.

 

[tdimdad]

I have a 5.5 hour connection next week in HKG, landing at about 4 pm, continuing again after 9 pm. I'd like to visit the "Big Buddha" (Tian Tan Buddha statue) but is that open and easily accessible at that hour? It looks like at least the Ngong Ping 360 cable car / gondola closes already at 6 pm.

Or what other nice little outings there might be on Lantau Island, suitable for a quick early evening visit?

 

[Dr Ralph]

I have a 5.5 hour connection next week in HKG, landing at about 4 pm, continuing again after 9 pm. I'd like to visit the "Big Buddha" (Tian Tan Buddha statue) but is that open and easily accessible at that hour? It looks like at least the Ngong Ping 360 cable car / gondola closes already at 6 pm.

Or what other nice little outings there might be on Lantau Island, suitable for a quick early evening visit?

I would not be visiting the big buddha with only 5 and a half hours between flights. It will take at least an hour to get there.