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The complete Hong Kong Stopover Guide How to enjoy a stopover holiday in Asia's World City Chapter 1……………… Arrival and getting from the airport to the city and back
Introduction Hong Kong is one of Asia's most exciting cities and a popular stopover for European travelers heading to Australia, New Zealand and the Far East... It is therefore, quite surprising to note that many of these travelers waste their precious time, hanging around aimlessly in the shopping malls and the city streets (or even staying at the airport), simply because they don't know of any better alternatives... I decided to write my "Hong Kong Stopover Guide" specifically for all these millions of stopover-tourists who want to make the most of their short stopover holiday in Asia's World City. Naturally, the first chapter of my "guide" starts with the very basics: Arriving at the airport, storing the luggage, and finding transport to the city's main areas, and back‌ I truly hope you will find the information in this guide useful and I'm looking forward to your comments and feedbacks‌ Enjoy, Roni Shwartz Publisher and author www.metropolasia.com
Step 1) Storing your luggage As a transit passenger, your suitcases are handled by the airline, so you don't have to worry about them, but you are still likely to have the trolley luggage, and dragging it with you all over the city doesn't sound like much fun‌ does it? A baggage storage facility can be found at the "Meeters and Greeters Hall", just after immigration and customs. They are open 7 days a week, from 5:30am to 1:30 am and charge HK$ 40 per piece for up to 3 hours, HK$ 55 for 3 - 24 hours and HK$ 130 for more than 24 hours (but less than 48...) Step 2) Octopus anyone? Hong Kong's famous Octopus Card is an electronic stored-value card that allows you to travel on most public transport services without having to bother about getting small change, or wasting time buying tickets from the automatic vending machines... It comes with a refundable deposit of HK$ 50, which you will get back together with any leftover money, once you return the card. The card can be bought at the Airport Express Customer Service Counter in the Arrivals Hall (just a few steps from the baggage storage desk). Step 3) Getting to the city and back Now, that you have taken care of the trolley, you are ready to hit the big city, and the only question remaining is "what is the best way of getting there and back"?
A) Airport Express The Airport Express train provides the fastest and most convenient link for those of you who want to get to city centre areas like Central on Hong Kong Island, or Tsim sha Tsui on Kowloon side. It departs from the platform at the end of the Arrivals Hall once every 12 minutes and covers the distance to Hong Kong Island in only 24 minutes, with stops in Tsing Yi (Which is just an ordinary dormitory town...) and Kowloon (Gateway to Tsim sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau ma Tei and Mongkok). Octopus card holders 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. Moreover, Airport Express passengers traveling within the same day can enjoy a FREE return journey (Offer is applicable to both Octopus Card and Same Day Return ticket holders). First train departs from the airport at 5:54am, while the last one departs at 00:48 after midnight (Trains in the opposite direction leave at the same time, more or less). The main disadvantage of the Airport Express is that it takes you to the train stations, from where you have to use another means of transport to get to where you want (there are free shuttles at the stations, but it still takes a bit of time...) All in all: You can be where you want in approximately 40 - 60 minutes (including a waiting time of 6 10 minutes, traveling time of 20 - 24 minutes and another 10 - 20 minutes to get from the station to where you want) B) Buses Buses are cheaper than the Airport Express (unless you return on the same day and get a free return journey), but take much longer to get to town. Nevertheless, they are worth considering, for two main reasons: - They operate throughout the night, which is important if your flight arrives after midnight or departs before 7am. - You don't have to change means of transport, as the bus normally takes you right to where you want to go. Buses leave from the Ground Transportation Centre, outside the terminal building, and you can pay either by cash or Octopus Card. Citybus A11 travels to Causeway bay, Wanchai and Central, on Hong Kong Island (N11 is the "overnight version" of this bus route). A 21 travels to Mong Kok and Tsim sha Tsui, on Kowloon side (N 21 is the "overnight version" of this line). If there is no heavy traffic, buses can get you to the main areas of Hong Kong Island or Kowloon in 45 - 60 minutes. To conclude this chapter: The Airport Express makes a better choice if you are traveling during rush hour (typically, from 7 to 10am) and you know where exactly you want to go (I will give more details about specific attractions and places-of-interest in the upcoming chapters of this guide). However, If you just want to travel to one of the city's main shopping & entertainment streets, or if you know you have to travel one direction at a late night hour, bus is your best bet! To know more about Hong Kong, including recommended restaurants and nightspots, shopping tips, hotel recommendations and some great suggestions for do-it-yourself trips, visit the Hong Kong Travel Guide:
http://www.metropolasia.com/Hong_Kong