Transit in HKG for 12+ hours - can I leave the airport?

[kelvedon]

A same day return to Hong Kong or Kowloon is 100 HKD versus 90 HKD for a standard single.

 

[kamchatsky]

Given you arrive at HKG at 7:30am, unless you want to refresh yourself at The Arrival Lounge, you need to go somewhere that is actually opened.

Unfortunately most shop won't open until 10am or later.

So if you are not going to The Peak at Night, you may as well go first thing in the morning (Catch Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, then catch bus to The Peak tram station, then catch Peak Tram to The Peak), you should get there at say 8:30am - 9am.

Then you can spend 1 hour at The Peak sightseeing and have breakfast, before coming back down and visit all the shops which would be open by 10-11 am.


The Peak Hong Kong

Alternatively, find a place for Yum Cha in the morning at Kowloon or Hong Kong Island before start sightseeing and shopping at 10am.

 

[smckay]

Thanks all. Now, a small dilemma. We are coming in on CX business class, so the arrival lounge is all good, and something we'll avail ourselves of.

Going out we are on BA, therefore utilising (according to BA website) the QF lounge. If we were to leave bags at the Arrival lounge, would we be able to get them back on the way towards the QF lounge? Sorry, I've only ever transited at HKG so know nothing of it except for the CX lounge and the few shops around it. Never been off the airside side.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks all. Now, a small dilemma. We are coming in on CX business class, so the arrival lounge is all good, and something we'll avail ourselves of.

Going out we are on BA, therefore utilising (according to BA website) the QF lounge. If we were to leave bags at the Arrival lounge, would we be able to get them back on the way towards the QF lounge? Sorry, I've only ever transited at HKG so know nothing of it except for the CX lounge and the few shops around it. Never been off the airside side.

The Arrival lounge is right under the Hong Kong Express train station. So when you land, you access it after clearing immigration and customs. (you're basically in the main public arrivals area)

On your return, you have similar access - you'd pick up your hand luggage after getting off the train, then proceed to check-in (for your boarding pass if you don't already have it), then to security and finally exit immigration before getting to the departure lounges.

As a BA business class passenger, you have access to any oneworld lounge at Hong Kong. This includes all the Cathay Pacific Lounges. The Qantas lounge is worth a visit (it's easy and very close after immigration). However - if you BA flight is leaving anywhere in the 25-70 gates, you may wish to visit a CX lounge closer to the BA gate. CX lounges are less visually appealing than the QF lounge, but offer extras such as champagne.

Avoid the G16 lounge (there's no reason to go there anyway as it's out of the way - but if tempted, it's not up to the usual CX standard).

 

[11sjw]

Thanks all. Now, a small dilemma. We are coming in on CX business class, so the arrival lounge is all good, and something we'll avail ourselves of.

Going out we are on BA, therefore utilising (according to BA website) the QF lounge. If we were to leave bags at the Arrival lounge, would we be able to get them back on the way towards the QF lounge? Sorry, I've only ever transited at HKG so know nothing of it except for the CX lounge and the few shops around it. Never been off the airside side.

No dilemma at all. Arrivals Lounge is in the public area. You just have to head there prior to going back through Check In/Customs etc.

Edit: I see Mel_Traveller had it.

 

[smckay]

From what I can see BA uses gates 15-16-17 so it would appear The Wing is the go.
Just figured out we always used The Bridge which was not terribly impressive.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

From what I can see BA uses gates 15-16-17 so it would appear The Wing is the go.
Just figured out we always used The Bridge which was not terribly impressive.

that would in fact be the QF lounge. The wing is located by gates 1-4 which is actually a bit of a long walk from gates 15->

the wing isn't much more exciting than the bridge... it has a long bar overlooking the tarmac... but otherwise pretty much same same. The QF lounge would be the clear winner.

 

[SeatBackForward]

There's some photos of the outside of the CX arrivals lounge on this thread I posted to some time ago:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....photos/hkg-bom-hkg-in-j-51492.html#post846323

 

[JohnK]

I've done it for a 6 hour transit. More than enough time to get into Kowloon.

I am considering a similar option in 2 weeks.

Plan would be to go to Kowloon East, check in to hotel, go up to room for 30 minutes or so, leave keycard in room and head back to airport.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am considering a similar option in 2 weeks.

Plan would be to go to Kowloon East, check in to hotel, go up to room for 30 minutes or so, leave keycard in room and head back to airport.

mattress run?

 

[JohnK]

mattress run?

What's that new IHG promotion? Accelerate? Sucks me in everytime.

 

[ozpom]

when we were transiting through the airport was offering organised transit tours that gave you a quick tour and then dropped you off in the city - luggage was all securely stowed at the airport - and we just made our way back to the airport later on in the day.