The First Decision of Your Hong Kong Trip

Hong Kong International Airport sits on Lantau Island, about 30 kilometres from the city centre. It is not a short hop. The decision you make here - Airport Express train, bus, or taxi - shapes how your first hour in the city goes, and the options are genuinely different enough to be worth thinking through before you land.

Airport Express: Fast, Easy, Worth It for Most People

The Airport Express train is the quickest way to reach the city and arguably the most straightforward option Hong Kong offers. It runs directly to Hong Kong Station (Central) in 24 minutes, with stops at Tsing Yi and Kowloon (Kowloon Station) along the way.

Trains run every ten minutes throughout the day and into the late evening. The carriages are modern and comfortable with plenty of luggage space. Signs and announcements are in English. You buy a ticket at the station, or tap your Octopus card (more on that in another post).

The cost: Around HK$115 one-way to Central, slightly less to Kowloon. A 3-day Airport Express pass that includes return travel is available, which works out economical if you plan to use it both ways.

Hotel shuttles: Both Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station have free shuttle buses to major hotels. If your hotel is on that list, the Airport Express essentially gets you door to door. Worth checking before you arrive.

The in-town check-in option: This is genuinely useful and often overlooked. If you are flying home on certain airlines, you can check your bags in at Hong Kong Station or Kowloon Station hours before departure - then spend your last day in the city without luggage. Not every airline participates, but the ones that do make the experience far more comfortable.

Airport Bus: Slower but Cheaper and Scenic

If you are not in a hurry, or if your hotel is somewhere the Airport Express does not easily reach, the airport buses are a solid option.

The A11 goes to Central via Sheung Wan. The A21 goes through Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui. Fares are around HK$33, making this roughly one-third the price of the Airport Express. The journey takes 60 to 80 minutes depending on traffic, and you travel in a double-decker bus - top deck front seat gives you a decent look at Hong Kong as you approach.

When this makes sense:

  • You are on a budget and 50 minutes is not a problem
  • Your hotel is well-served by the bus route but not the train
  • You land very early in the morning and your hotel room will not be ready for hours - the bus gives you time to arrive gradually rather than sitting in a lobby

The downside: Traffic on the highway can add time unpredictably. Rush hours exist. And after a long-haul flight with heavy bags, the slower pace can feel longer than it is.

Taxi: Convenient but Pricier

Taxis from Hong Kong Airport to the city run around HK$300 to HK$400 depending on your destination - significantly more than the other options. Urban taxis are red; you will find them at the designated taxi stands outside the arrivals hall.

Most drivers speak sufficient English for hotel names and major areas. Having your hotel address written in Chinese is useful for anywhere off the beaten tourist track.

Taxis make sense when you are arriving as a group (splitting the fare between three or four people makes it competitive), when you are travelling late at night and buses have wound down, or when you have a significant amount of luggage and the idea of any train is not appealing.

Uber also operates in Hong Kong and can be booked in advance via the app. Pricing is generally similar to taxis.

A Few Things Worth Knowing

Octopus card: Get one. It works on the Airport Express, airport buses, every other bus, the MTR, trams, and the Star Ferry. Pick it up at the Airport Express station in the arrivals hall immediately after clearing customs. Load it with a few hundred dollars and you will barely need to think about transport again.

No need to rush: Hong Kong Airport has a lot to do if you need to kill time before heading into the city. It is consistently ranked among the best airports in the world, and unlike many, it earns that rating.

Night arrivals: The Airport Express runs until around 1am from the airport. After that, overnight buses take over. If you are landing very late, check the schedule in advance.