1) Getting from and to Hong Kong International Airport

Getting from and to Hong Kong International Airport

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As most transit passengers travel to and from Hong Kong by air, I guess starting with Hong Kong International Airport is the right thing to do…

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Before leaving the airport

After clearing with customs and immigration, you can proceed to the luggage storage counter at the 'Meeters and Greeters Hall' , where you can store your trolley or bag till you come back… The counter is open from 5:30 in the morning till 1:30 at night and the charges are HK$ 40 (up to 3 hours) or HK$ 55 (more than 3 hours but less than 24 hours). If you wish to store your stuff for more than 24 hours, it will be HK$ 130 (up to 48 hours), and HK$ 80 for each subsequent 24 hours or part thereof.

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That's it… Are you ready for the big city ? Before leaving the airport, you might want to get yourself an Octopus Card: This electronic stored-value card is accepted on most means of public transport and will make your life easier when traveling around Hong Kong as you won't have to bother about small change when paying cash... When you pay a fare with Octopus, you simply place the card on the reader and the fare gets deducted automatically (you won't even need to take the card out of your wallet).

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A new Octopus card includes a refundable HK$50 deposit. Any leftover money is also refunded when you return the card.

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Octopus card can be purchased at the Airport Express Customer Service Counter (Arrivals Hall), as well as at the Customer Service Centers within the MTR/KCR stations. All outlets of 7-Eleven & Circle K Convenience Stores also sell the card.

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The card can be reloaded at any MTR/KCR station, either by using the Add Value Machines or at the Customer Service Centers, located in the stations.

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From the airport to the city

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Train

The Airport Express Station is just across the Arrivals Hall: This train provides the quickest and most comfortable link between the airport and the city. It leaves once every 12 minutes and covers the distance to Central in 24 minutes, with stops in Kowloon and Tsing Yi. A free Airport Express Shuttle Bus service takes Airport Express passengers from Hong Kong and Kowloon stations to major hotels and transportation interchanges, and back (see more details in the relevant sections across this site)

Airport Express passengers using Octopus card can also enjoy free MTR Connections to or from Airport Express stations, if their cards have usable value and their travel on the MTR and Airport Express is within one hour of each other (For In-town Check-in customers, the MTR trip immediately before check-in is free).

The last train leaves the airport at 00:48 and the first train departs from Hong Kong Station in Central at 05:50 am (05:53 from Kowloon)

At the time of writing, single trips from the airport to Hong Kong (Central), Kowloon and Tsing Yi Stations (or vice-versa) cost HK$100, HK$90 and HK$60 respectively (Round Trip Ticket costs HK$ 180 / HK$ 160 / HK$ 110 and is valid for 30 days from date of issue). Airport Express passengers traveling within the same day can enjoy a FREE return journey. The offer is applicable to both Octopus Card and Same Day Return ticket holders.

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Bus

Buses are significantly cheaper than the Airport Express, but take much longer to get to town… If you are on a tight budget or if you missed the last Airport Express (or need to get back to the airport before the first train departs), they can make an alternative.

Buses can be boarded at the Ground Transportation Centre, outside the terminal building and the fare can be paid either by cash or Octopus Card.

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· Citybus A11 travels to Causeway bay, Wanchai and Central. Single trip costs HK$ 40.

· N11 is the "overnight version" of the above A11 and covers the same route. Single trip costs HK$ 31

· A 21 travels to Mong Kok and Tsim sha Tsui. Single trip costs HK$ 33

· N 21 is the "overnight version" of the above and covers the same route. Single trip costs HK$ 23

(More specific details about bus routes can be found in the relevant sections across this blog)

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