Flights to Hong Kong

A cosmopolitan corner of East Asia

Hong Kong is a destination offering an interesting blend of Asian traditions and British influence. As a tourism hub, it attracts many visitors eager to discover its unique culture, breathtaking skyline, natural landscapes and the wide range of culinary specialities on offer.

Climate, events and holidays

Because of the subtropical climate in Hong Kong, summers are long and hot, and typhoons occur between June and September. The best period to visit is in March and April, and from October to December. A great variety of celebrations are held in Hong Kong, starting with the Chinese New Year. The dates vary from year to year but the holiday is set on the first full moon between 21th January and 21th February. Then, the Spring Lantern Festival is held in March, followed by the Birthday of Tin Hau (Goddess of the Sea) in late May-early April, and the Dragon Boat Festival in May-June. All dates vary according to the lunar calendar. On 1st June, Establishment Day is celebrated.

Important information

British citizens do not require a visa to visit Hong Kong for stays up to 6 months. In terms of vaccinations, visitors should contact their GP at least 8 weeks before the trip. Vaccines against Hepatitis A, typhus, tetanus, rabies, and diphtheria are recommended. As for prices, these are mainly lower in Hong Kong than in the UK. For instance, it is possible to enjoy a lunch meal for around 100-150 HKD, a beer for about 40 HKD, and soft drinks for around 20 HKD.

Arrival, transport and lodgings

From the airport, the Airport Express train goes to Hong Kong Station in about 25 minutes and the ride costs around 100 HKD. Otherwise, visitors can take bus 44, which runs day and night, with a ticket costing approx. 10-48 HKD. Taxi rides to Kowloon or Hong Kong Island are around 200-350 HKD. Accommodation is available with hostel rooms starting at about 250 HKD, or 3-star hotel rooms at roughly 900 HKD per night per person. Good areas to look for lodging are Mong Kok Jordan and Tshim Sha Tsui. When it comes to public transport, the Octopus card is a rechargeable chip card that is quite convenient. Taxi prices vary and they are cheaper on Kowloon than on Hong Kong Island, with fares around 70 HKD for 3 kilometres and 15 HKD per additional kilometre.

Airport Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok HKG

Hong Kong Airport or Hong Kong International Airport Chep Lap Kok is the main airport in Hong Kong and is also known as Chek Lap Kok Airport. Hong jong airport was built on reclaimed land on the island of Chep Lak Kok. In the north it is connected to the island Lantau and replaced the former Hong Kong International Airport in Kowloon City, also known by its former name Kai Tak Airport and for its spectacular runway.

Due to its relatively short history, Hong Kong Airport has regularly won international prizes for "Best Airport", which it passed on to Singapore Changi Airport in 2006. Hong Kong International Airport was opened in 1998 and is the most important regional hub and gateway for flights to the Chinese mainland, in East Asia and south Asia. It is hub for Cathay Pacific and Dragonair and several smaller airlines including Hong Kong Express, CR Airways and Air Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific ist the former national airline of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok is one of the most important airports in Asia. About half of the worlds population can be reached within 5 hours of flying from the airport, and about 750 aircraft land everyday from all over the world, also serving as an important stopover and transit airport for flights to and from Australasia, Europe and the USA.

There are two terminals at Hong Kong airport.

• URL: Official website
• Parking: yes; paid parking – 2400 short and long stay spaces. 3 car parks: Car Park 1 (short stay), Car Park 4 (multi storey, more than 1700 spaces for short and long stay), SkyCity Car Park (long stay)
• Nearby cities: Hong Kong (24 km), Shenzhen (34 km), Zhuhai (36 km), Zhongshan (61 km), Humen (63 km), Danshui (78 km), Dongguan (84 km), Shilong (90 km), Shiqiao (90 km), Daliang (91 km)
• Directions by car: Airport Express, shuttle buses to the stations in Hong Kong and Kowloon

Location

The airport is located 34 km or 21 miles from Hong Kong and is served by several buses including the Citybus, New Lantau Bus and Long Win Bus. The airport express train is also a convenient and fast way of reaching the city.

Trains: The Airport Express Line links Hong Kong airport to the main station in Hong Kong via Kowloon and Tsing Yi stations. Ferries take passengers to many locations on the Pearl River Delta. There is a coach service to the cities of Guangdong and Macao.

Taxis: three types of taxis are available at the airport.