Boeing 787 & Airbus 350 long-distance jets common at HKG Airport; credit Dynamic Wang-UN
Hong Kong Transportation
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is the city’s international aviation gateway, greeting 72 million annual passengers. It opened in 1998 and connects to 220 destinations worldwide. HKG Airport terminals have a combined 60 restaurants, 220 retail outlets, and WiFi. HKG is notable for winning 80 World’s Best Airport Awards.
Before you fly, check the luggage policy for your airline and confirm your flight 24 hours in advance. Make a copy of your passport/flight itinerary/hotel reservations and leave it with someone at home. Pack vitamins, medicines, and sterile wipes in your hand luggage.
There’s always Travelex to exchange currency at the airport. But here are important tips for for exchanging currency at the airport and in central Hong Kong.
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MAP
Unless you have a lot of large luggage, the best way to transfer from HKG Airport to central Hong Kong (Kowloon District & Hong Kong Island) is by Airport Express. It’s an MTR (Metro) train with luggage racks and comfortable seats. The converted fare from $116HK is about $15US. Airport Express avoids traffic jams for a dependable 24-minute ride and trains depart from 5:54 am to 00.48 am daily.
Travelers can also choose a double-decker public bus to central Hong Kong. Fares are cheap but you may get stuck in a traffic jam. Remember to check with your hotel to see if an airport shuttle is available.
Arriving passengers can reach the Taxi Station near the left-hand ramp outside the Arrivals Hall. Hong Kong taxis are color-coded by their operating areas. Separate rows are designated for different taxi types:
Urban taxis (red) operate in most areas of Hong Kong.
New Territories taxis (green) operate in the northeastern part (north of Sha Tin) and northwestern part (north of Tsuen Wan) of the New Territories.
Lantau taxis (blue) operate only on Lantau Island and Chek Lap Kok.
From HKG Airport to West Kowloon Station taxi fare costs $250HK, which converts to $32US at this writing. Our advice is to use taxis when dressed up for dinner and to/from West Kowloon Station for airport excursions.
West Kowloon Station, Hong Kong; credit CheungYin-UN
West Kowloon Station is one of the largest train stations in Southeast Asia. After a lengthy COVID shutdown, the station reopened in January 2023. Many people use the Chinese High-Speed Train to Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing in mainland China. The 217-mph train from Hong Kong reaches Beijing in about 4 hours and the ride is super smooth. We recommend Business Class tickets for wider seating.
Since West Kowloon Station has 21 platforms, check English signage to reach the correct track. As an Intermodal Transportation Center connecting Airport Express, high-speed trains MTR trains, taxis, buses, and Uber, the station makes traveling to and around the city easy. Serving 100,000 daily passengers, the station is surrounded by modern skyscrapers, upscale hotels, residential towers, retail, and restaurants.
This high-speed train at West Kowloon Station reaches 217 mph in China; credit N509FZ-PEXELS
If you plan to take a train to mainland China, you FIRST need a visa from China before ticket purchase. Both the MTRC and China Railway sell tickets for the other’s trains. Ticket prices are set in Renminbi (RMB) which are used by China Railway’s ticketing services. The MTRC uses only Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) for fares.
Hong Kong has great public transport options. The MTR (Metro Transit Rapid) system efficiently and affordably transports you to large swaths of the city and region, including under Victoria Harbor between Kowloon District, Hong Kong Island, and Hong Kong Disneyland.
Hong Kong MTR ridership is substantially higher than the Washington Metro system, which makes each station busier. Fortunately, MTR trains have open gangways that make it easy to move between cabins to less crowded places during Rush Hour.
Riding a Hong Kong MTR subway train; credit zeynepogan-iS
It is convenient to download the MTR Mobile App for contactless entry, plus rides on Double-decker Trams, Star Ferry, and much more. Alternatively, you can buy an Octopus Card from a machine. Both payment methods let you shop at MTR Malls in central Hong Kong. They operate from 5:45 am to nearly 1amb nm, with trains arriving every 3-15 minutes. Trains are crowded during commute hours (07:00-09:00 and 17:00-19:00).
App and Card reader turnstiles are at every station. MTR fares range is surprisingly cheap. HONG KONG MTR SYSTEM MAP. MTR, Noble-Decker Buses, Cable Cars, ferries, and funicular systems go to about 90% of tourist attractions. Savvy tourists usually purchase daily or weekly Octopus cards or add the equivalent fare via their MTR mobile app. Try MTR Metro system to quickly experience a slice of Hong Kong commuter life. Stations are clean, safe and people are more courteous than in America.
Hong Kong is safer than similar American metro areas with over 7 million population. A single person can go anywhere on the system. There are a few dicey stations at night for women, so ask your hotel concierge and plan.
If traveling alone, study the MTR map on your computer/tablet in your hotel room. If you have questions about the MTR, ask the concierge.
In Hong Kong, double-decker Trams function like Hop On-Hop Off tour buses rather than rapid transit. Their covered upper deck is a relaxing way to run in mostly dedicated tracks that let tourists explore the Kowloon District on the cheap. During Rush Hour Trams travel faster through Kowloon District than cars. You should also use a cable car or funicular to reach Hong Kong attractions high on the mountains. You can also catch double-decker buses where double-decker Trams do not run.
For less than 60 cents, Star Ferry crosses Victoria Harbor and gives the least expensive tour of the Hong Kong skyline. It transports over 11 million passengers a year. Keep in mind that Star Ferry is only one ride in the massive Hong Kong Ferry system. The ferry fleet ranges from modern boast to traditional ferries. You can visit 20 other parts of the region by ferry.
