How to Get to Hong Kong. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Flights to Hong Kong

Many airlines serve Hong Kong special administrative region, connecting it to destinations globally.

Airlines and Routes

Major Airlines: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines. International carriers: United, Delta, British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qantas.
Standard Routes: Direct flights from major global hubs across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
Seasonal Availability: Prices are higher during Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Oct-Dec. Lower prices in summer and the beginning of spring. Find deals with Dollar Flight Club or Skyscanner.

Hong Kong International Airport HKG

HKG is the city's sole international airport, with extensive facilities.

Airport Services & Transfers

Facilities: Numerous dining options, duty-free shopping, lounges, free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, ATMs.
Airport Express: Fastest transfer to Tsing Yi, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Station (Central). Journey to Central is ~24 minutes.
Public Buses & Taxis: Extensive network of public buses and readily available taxis. Red taxis for urban areas, green for New Territories, blue for Lantau.

North America Direct Flights

Direct flights from major US cities (New York, La, San Francisco, Chicago) and Canadian cities (Vancouver, Toronto).

Europe Direct Flights

Direct connections from European capitals: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zurich.

Asia/ANZ Direct Flights

Extensive direct connections to all major Asian cities. Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Timing

No separate exit fees or taxes on departing air passengers; usually included in airfare.
For international flights, arrive 2-3 hours before departure.
For ferry/high-speed rail, arrive 30-60 minutes before departure.

Airport/Station Facilities

HKIA has duty-free shops, dining options, lounges, relaxation areas.
West Kowloon Station and Ferry Docks offer shops, restaurants, waiting areas.
In-town check-in for Airport Express: check luggage hours before takeoff.

Land Transportation

Border Crossings

Land connections to The continental part China: Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Shenzhen Bay Port. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) connects to Zhuhai (China) and Macau.

Train Services

MTR East Rail Line connects to Shenzhen. High-Speed Rail from West Kowloon Station connects to major Mainland China cities (Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing).

Bus & Self-Driving

Cross-boundary buses operate frequently to Guangdong province. Self-driving is not recommended for tourists due to complex traffic, left-hand driving, and limited parking. For car rentals, consider DiscoverCars.com if you choose to drive.

Sea/River Arrivals

Ferry Services

Sea travel offers a popular and scenic way to reach Macau and parts of Mainland China.

Ferry Routes & Operators

To Macau: High-speed ferries from Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal (Sheung Wan) and China Ferry Terminal (Tsim Sha Tsui). Operators like TurboJET and Cotai Water Jet.
To The continental part China: Ferries connect to some Pearl River Delta cities from China Ferry Terminal.
Cruise Ports: Kai Tak Cruise Terminal plus The ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Immigration & Connections

Immigration at seaports mirrors airport procedures. Land transport links are readily available.

Information

Immigration: Proceed through passport control, present passport, and undergo visa checks.
Connections: Both ferry plus cruise terminals give direct access to taxis, public buses, and MTR connections.
River Transport: Not a primary mode of inter-city travel for tourists in Hong Kong.

Driving & Rentals

Rental options for personal vehicles are less common for tourists in Hong Kong, but some options exist.

Car & Bike Rentals

Car Rentals: Requires a valid driving license (1-2 years held) and often an International Driving Permit (IDP). Major companies like Avis, Hertz operate.
Motorcycle/Scooter Rentals: Less frequent for tourists due to challenging traffic and specific licensing.
Bicycle Rentals: Available in some New Territories towns (Sha Tin, Tai Po) and outlying islands (Cheung Chau, Lamma) for recreational use.

Road Conditions & Laws

Hong Kong possesses great road infrastructure, but traffic is heavy.

Driving Information

Road Conditions: Well-maintained and clearly signposted. Traffic can be very heavy, especially in urban areas.
Driving Laws: Drive on the left side of the road. Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers. Speed limits are strictly enforced.
Parking: Difficult and expensive in urban areas. Public parking garages fill quickly.

No-Go Areas for Pedestrians & Cyclists

Major highways and tunnels are generally restricted for pedestrians.
Major highways and tunnels are restricted for cyclists.
Extremely crowded markets (e.g., Ladies' Market) are challenging for cycling due to high pedestrian traffic.

Always check local signage and rules regarding pedestrian and cycling access.
Pedestrians should use designated walkways and crossings for safety.
Avoid walking or cycling in areas with a lot of vehicle traffic.

Walking and Cycling

Pedestrian Areas & Routes

Exploring Hong Kong special administrative region on foot offers unique perspectives.

Walkable Districts & Tours

Pedestrian Areas: Central, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok (crowded).
Elevated walkways connect many buildings in Central, providing shelter and unique views.
Walking Tours: Numerous guided tours focus on history, food, architecture, and specific neighborhoods.

Bicycle Infrastructure & Safety

Dedicated cycling infrastructure is limited in urban areas.

Cycling in Hong Kong

Cycling Tracks: New Territories offer extensive tracks, like the Tolo Harbour Cycling Track.
Safety: When cycling, wear a Helmet and remain aware of pedestrians and traffic.
Major highways and tunnels are generally restricted for cyclists.

Tour Buses

Big Bus Tours offers hop-on-hop-off services with various routes covering Hong Kong special administrative region Island and Kowloon, including night tours.

Boat Taxis & Water Transport

Take a sampan in Aberdeen for a traditional fishing village tour. Kaito ferries serve remote coastal villages and islands.

Cable Cars & Funiculars

Peak Tram ascends Victoria Peak. Ngong Ping 360 cable car connects Tung Chung to Ngong Ping. Mid-Levels Escalators are the world's longest outdoor covered escalator system.

Specialized Transportation

Unique Local Transport

Hong Kong has a number of unique methods of transport beyond the standard options.

Local Icons

Trams (Ding Ding): Historic double-decker trams along Hong Kong Island's northern coast.
Star Ferry: Iconic, inexpensive cross-harbor services with stunning skyline views.
Red-top Public Light Buses (PLBs): Operate on fixed or semi-fixed routes.

Accessibility Services

Hong Kong's public transport system generally provides good accessibility.

Accessible Travel Features

MTR: Most stations have elevators, ramps, accessible toilets, and designated spaces in train cars.
Buses: Newer buses are low-floor and wheelchair accessible. Historic trams are not.
Accessible Taxis: Some taxis are specifically designed to be wheelchair accessible; book in advance.

General Public Transit

MTR Mass Transit Railway

Hong Kong's backbone of public transport. Efficient, extensive, clean, air-conditioned, and punctual. Covers most urban areas.

Buses

Comprehensive network complementing the MTR. Double-decker and single-decker buses serve areas not covered by the subway.

Ferries

Integral to Hong Kong's transport. Iconic Star Ferry, and ways to outlying islands such as Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau.

Helpful Tip

For a truly iconic Hong Kong experience, take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour. It offers breathtaking views of the skyline for a very low fare, especially around sunset.

How to Get to Hong Kong