Transiting Hong Kong

[Wakefield]

I will be transiting in HKG for 4 hours, is it still possible to leave the airport and travel into town for a spot of shopping or is my only choice roaming the airport for 4 hours?

 

[djfuzz]

I will be transiting in HKG for 4 hours, is it still possible to leave the airport and travel into town for a spot of shopping or is my only choice roaming the airport for 4 hours?

I believe so - just head through immigration and hop on to the Airport Express. (visa conditions permitting I suppose, but that doesn't seem to be an issue).

Having said that, I'm not sure you'd achieve much more in the way of shopping in that timeframe as you could at the shops at the airport itself, especially with only a couple of hours available at most. But the sights are surely better on the outside.

 

[moa999]

Could also go to the Citygate Outlets shopping center in Tung Chung which is a much quicker bus/ taxi trip away (about 5 min)

 

[cssaus]

Normally if shopping in Hong Kong you need to allow at least a couple of days to search out where the best places are.

The shopping at the airport itself is pretty good and a wide variety of goods are all there in the one place so you can better maximize the short time that you have in transit.

 

[PluggaWA]

If you only had a short flight on your outbound from HK then certainly head straight into Kowloon and hit the shops.

Though if you have a long haul outbound flight, I'd suggest heading to one of the pay as go lounges air side, to freshen up a bit and put your feet up for a few hours, even grab a shower and a bite to eat.

 

[simongr]

I personally cant see the point. Here is how your time will be spent:

- 15-20 mins getting through immigration
- 35 mins train (24 on train and 11 mins estimate of waiting for a train and getting a ticket)
- 90 mins shopping
- 15 mins getting back to the train station
- 35 mins train (as above)
- 10 mins in immi/security
- 30 mins at the airport before boarding

Is it really worth it?

 

[Mal]

I will be transiting in HKG for 4 hours, is it still possible to leave the airport and travel into town for a spot of shopping or is my only choice roaming the airport for 4 hours?

Yeah it's certainly possible, and I have done it a few times. But you are running things tight especially if you end up at a far gate either on your arrival or departure.

As others have commented, the Hong Kong airport does have some pretty good shopping airside, but whether it suits does depend on what you're after.

 

[serfty]

If the OP has Lounge access I would not bother, othwise I second moa999's thoughts about Tung Chung bus every 10 minutes, 10 minute trip.

 

[winfred]

Shopping at the airport is quite good.

If you are keen then Elements at the Kowloon Airport Express station is very good and the train will take you straight there in 20 minutes.

 

[Wakefield]

Thanks guys,I was being a bit optimistic. After flying in from Melbourne sticking about the airport now seems the sensible thing to do.

 

[NM]

Yes, you are allowed to leave the airport, just need to go through immigration each way.

If really wanting to shop, then I second the suggestion to visit the Citigate Outlet Shops.

 

[Maca44]

I don't how long it has been since you have been to Hong Kong, but it is not the shopping haven it used to be many years ago, and you can buy many things just as cheap in AUS. Take golf accessories for example, I found them cheaper in AUS so about the only thing I consider to be beneficial in HKG is taylor made shirts.

 

[straitman]

I don't how long it has been since you have been to Hong Kong, but it is not the shopping haven it used to be many years ago, and you can buy many things just as cheap in AUS. Take golf accessories for example, I found them cheaper in AUS so about the only thing I consider to be beneficial in HKG is taylor made shirts.

Yeah but it is great from a people watching perspective :!: