Hong Kong in a day - will I be able to fit this all in?

[Febs]

Hi all,

It's been a while since I've been to HKG, but I have a short stopover there this Saturday and wanted to get thoughts on whether I'm likely to fit all this in? I've done all the touristy things before so I'm not really looking to do the Peak, Star Ferry or anything like that..

I land into HKG at 1pm and fly out again at 11:55pm. Luggage will be checked through but I'm hoping there's somewhere I can stow my carry-on. It won't have any valuables in it, so I guess I could even leave it in one of the Cathay lounges? If not, are there lockers?

Things I'm wanting to cover off are:
- Times Square mall (looking for a wedding suit from a particular shop there, figure it should be cheaper than in Australia)
- IFC mall (if time allows)
- Mid-levels/SOHO/escalator (I'm hoping to move to HK in about 12 months and will be looking at moving to the Midlevels, so I'm keen to see what the area's like - just soak up the vibe basically)
- Dinner at TBLS private kitchen on Hollywood Rd (they open at 7pm)

I understand the airport trip on the HK Express is less than 30min each way(?), so presuming the flight's on-time, I figure I should be in the city by 2:30pm, 3pm at the latest. Giving me 4hrs to do Times Square (Causeway Bay) and Midlevels, then head to dinner around 7pm..out by 8pm, should be at the airport by 9pm, a good 3hrs before my flight.

That all sound reasonable? Or have I way underestimated somewhere? I realise I'll need to be quick at Times Square.

Also, seems my best bet for airport transfers is get an Octopus card from the Airport MTR desk (loaded up with two airport trips)?

Appreciate any help or tips. Cheers!

 

[Mal]

Airport to Causeway Bay (Times Square is on top of Causeway Bay station) - 40-50 mins via MTR (Change at Hong Kong Station - there's about a 5 min walk at that point).

IFC is above Hong Kong station, so MTR back from Causeway Bay to Central, and the short walk will get you there (20 mins approx).

Mid-Levels/Escalator is where your time will go. The escalators run downwards in the morning and upwards in the afternoon. So getting up will be easy ... getting down a little harder! I think it's about a 10 min walk from Central (so about 15 from Hong Kong station), the escalators will take 15-20 mins. Then exploring, and the walk down (40,50,60 mins?).

Bag storage isn't a drama. $A20 (perhaps) for the time required at the airport. In Terminal 1, turn a hard right when you arrive into the main arrivals area and the baggage storage is under the escalators at the end (basically below the CX check-in desks).

T2 also has storage, it's located somewhat near to the storage in T1 - ie enter T2 at that end. Passenger Guide - Arrivals - Baggage Storage - Hong Kong International Airport

A return trip on the MTR in one day is only charged as 1 trip. But I'm not sure if the tourist ticket products handle it in that way, or whether they count it as two trips. (see https://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/AELControlServlet?action=aelshop&lang=eng&catid=10000 )

 

[burrco]

As long as you get the suit thing out of the way quickly, easily doable. I'd explore the mid-levels as I worked my way up and then just catch a cab down to hollywood road for dinner.

You didn't mention which airline your flying with - but in the past I've been able to "unofficially" leave a small bag at the cx Arrival lounge.

 

[tuapekastar]

The only time we bought Octopus Cards there ws a long queue at the counter in the arrivals hall where peope were buying MTR tickets/Octopus Cards.

We wandered through to the platform and there was a counter there (to the left) with a very short queue instead - much quicker. Of course, it's a YMMV.

 

[Febs]

<snip>

Thanks Mal, much appreciated!

You didn't mention which airline your flying with - but in the past I've been able to "unofficially" leave a small bag at the cx Arrival lounge.

Oops, flying CX. Can you access the arrivals lounge from the departures level though (or at least can you get back there later at night?)

We wandered through to the platform and there was a counter there (to the left) with a very short queue instead - much quicker. Of course, it's a YMMV.

Good tip, thanks.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[burrco]

Oops, flying CX. Can you access the arrivals lounge from the departures level though (or at least can you get back there later at night?)




- Febs.

Yes - located landside on the level below the airport express station. Technically I don't think they offer storage - but as always the CX staff are very helpful towards a politely made request.

 

[serfty]

The beauty of the AE in this instance is that at HK$100 (<AUD13) a same day return to Central costs no more than a oneway.

 

[Febs]

Thanks guys. Managed to fit everything in (went to Landmark instead of IFC as they had a better range of suits at the shop I was after) and still gave myself enough time for a bit of duty-free browsing, a shower and a Glenmorangie in the Pier.

Spent a good hour or so wandering around Midlevels and even had a chance to speak to a real-estate agent about rental properties in the area. Fantastic spot - could definitely see myself living there if we move to HK.

TBLS was full but ended up having dinner at Le Blanc in Wanchai. Very unusual experience (quite possibly the smallest room in a restaurant I've ever eaten in, less than 1m from other diners, separated by a thin curtain! ) but the food was excellent, and 4 courses was under $40 with free corkage - amazing value!
Read Reviews of Hong Kong Restaurants ? Your Essential Guide to Eating at Hong Kong | Le Blanc

Luggage storage was hassle-free and very reasonable (~$12AUD for 10 hours or so).

Thanks once again.

Cheers,
- Febs.