Hong Kong is the main gateway to China and much of East Asia. Therefore, the international air service is excellent and competition keeps the fares relatively low compared to neighbouring countries.

Hong Kong International Airport, also known as Chek Lap Kok, is a highly modern institution set on reclaimed land off Lantau Island. The passenger terminal consists of nine levels, 120 shops and 288 check-in counters. In addition to the usual airport passenger facilities, the Plaza Lounge offers in-transit passengers a place to rest and refresh before their next flight. Showers, nap rooms, beauty salon and massage services are on-hand to perk up any weary traveller. There is also a Children’s Play Area and Children’s Television Lounge to keep the little ones happy.

The four-star Regal Airport Hotel is directly connected to the passenger terminal by a covered walkway, and provides superb accommodation along with well-equipped business and recreation facilities.

The airport is connected to the mainland by one of the largest suspension bridges in the world. The 2.2 kilometre-long Tsing Ma Bridge links the airport to the islands of Tsing Yi and Ma Wan and mainland Kowloon. There are also high-speed ferry routes that ply the waters between the airport and various destinations, including Macau Island.

The current rate of the airport departure tax is HK$120 per passenger (12 years of age or above) departing by air from Hong Kong International Airport, or by helicopter from the Hong Kong - Macau Ferry Terminal.

Air passengers will have to pay the departure tax when they buy air ticket from the airlines or travel agents or helicopter companies. Airlines normally will not collect departure tax at the check-in counter unless it has not been collected upon the issue of air tickets.

Passengers under 12 years of age are exempt from the tax. Passengers who arrive and depart from Hong Kong within the same day are also exempted from the tax.

Hong Kong International Airport is served by a highly efficient and comprehensive transportation network. Connected to the passenger terminal, the four-level Ground Transportation Centre houses the station for the Airport Express trains and an extensive public transport interchange with facilities for taxis, franchised buses, tour coaches, hotel limousines and private cars. Baggage trolleys can be found at all passenger drop-off points and porter service is available at the passenger terminal departures curb side.

Airport Express Train is an efficient railway providing fast and reliable service between the airport and Central Hong Kong in approximately 24 minutes. The Airport Express also stops in West Kowloon and Tsing Yi. Trains provide comfortable seating with individual television sets (nine channels, four languages), relaying flight information, world news and entertainment programs. There is an in-town check-in service in Kowloon and Central, whereby you can check in your baggage, leaving you free to go shopping. 

AirBus connects the airport with Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. While "A" buses provide speedy transport to different parts of Hong Kong, "E" buses serve daily commuters. “N” buses offer all-night services to various districts. The most useful for international travellers are the A11, A12 and the A21, which go to most major hotels and tourist areas. The buses are air conditioned and have plenty of luggage space. English and Chinese announcements notify passengers at each stop. No change is given on the buses, although change is available at the AirBus service centre. Buses run at 10-15 minute intervals and every 20 minutes during late night/early morning hours.

Limousine Service counters are found at the Arrivals Hall and the Limousine Lounge. Travellers can wait at the comfortably decorated limousine lounge for hotel limousines. Service providers are: Intercontinental Hire Car Ltd., Arrivals Hall Counters A01, B01. Tel: 2261-2155 / 2261-2188. Fax: 2261-2020. Parklane Limousine Service Ltd., Arrivals Hall Counters A16, B16. Tel: 2261-0303 / 2261-0728. Fax: 2261-0298 

Helicopter service is available from Heliservices, offering airport transfers as well as sightseeing tours for up to five passengers. For more information, visit their website at: www.heliservices.com.hk/

Taxi stands are located on the north side of the Ground Transportation Centre (the left-hand ramp if you are leaving from the Arrivals Hall). Separate aisles are designated for different taxis:

Urban taxis (red) serve all destinations throughout Hong Kong including the airport except Tung Chung Road and roads in south Lantau.

New Territories taxis (green) serve only the New Territories and specified roads on Lantau and the airport for access to/from the Ground Transportation Centre.

Lantau taxis (blue) serve all destinations in Lantau and the airport. Taxi passengers using the Lantau Link are required to pay an additional toll fare of HK$30 irrespective of the direction of travel, and additional fares are also charged for using toll tunnels. Taxi access to Discovery Bay is not allowed.

Hong Kong is small and crowded, therefore public transport is the only practical way to get around. Consequently, public transport is cheap, fast, widely used and generally efficient.

Key to Transportation Abbreviations:
MTR    Mass Transit Railway (subway)
KCR    Kowloon-Canton Railway
LRT     Light Rail Transit
HKF    Hong Kong Ferry

Bus
The extensive bus system offers a bewildering number of routes that take you just about anywhere in Hong Kong. Most visitors use the buses to explore the south side of Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. Northern Hong Kong and Kowloon are best explored and well-served by the MTR.

In Central, the most important bus station is on the ground floor under the Exchange Square. From this station, you can catch buses to Aberdeen, Repulse Bay, Stanley and other southern destinations.

In Kowloon, the Star Ferry Bus Station is the most useful, with buses to the KCR station and points in eastern and western Kowloon.

Ferry
Hong Kong’s ferries are almost always faster and cheaper than the buses and provide fantastic photo opportunities. The Star Ferry crosses the harbours such as between Central and Kowloon, taking just 7 minutes. Ferries operate every 5-10 minutes. Adults over 65 years of age ride free and there are discounts for children under 12. 

The HKF Company operates a number of useful ferries and hovercrafts between Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. Hovercrafts are twice as fast as conventional boats, more modern and more comfortable. The drawback is that they are not particularly smooth and when the weather is rough, hovercrafts bounce considerably.

HKF also operates ferries to the Outlaying Islands of Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau islands. These ferries depart from in front of Exchange Square in Central. The piers are all clearly signposted. On weekends there are a few ferries to Lantau and Cheng Chau from the Star Ferry terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. Fares are reasonable, except on weekends when the prices nearly double.

Light Rail Transit (LTR)
The LTR is like a modern, air conditioned version of the rickety old Tram; however, the LTR is much faster. It runs along the city streets and stops at designated stations. Some routes connect with the MTR routes.

Mass Transit Railway (MTR)
The MTR is clean, fast, safe and easy. It is one of the world’s most modern subway systems. Though it costs a bit more than other forms of public transport, it is the quickest way to get to most destinations. Trains run every 2-4 minutes from 6am to 1am daily on three lines. Fares range from HK$5 to HK$15. If you plan on doing a lot of travelling, the Octopus Card offers excellent value on MTR, LRT, KMB, Citybus and HKF ferries. Octopus Cards can be purchased from ticket offices or customer service centres in MRT, KCR East Rail and LRT stations, and certain ferry piers of the HKF.

For short trips, the MTR is not the best value. For example, if you want to cross the harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central, the MTR is about five times the price of the Star Ferry without the views and is only slightly faster. However, if your destination is further away, the MTR is considerably faster than a ferry or bus and about the same price.

Taxi
Hong Kong taxis are not too expensive compared to other major modern cities. With more than 18,000 cruising the streets, taxis are usually easy to flag down, except at bus stops and restricted areas where the curb is painted yellow. Taxis can also be difficult to flag during rush hours. Taxi fares start at around HK$15. If you go through any harbour tunnels, you must pay twice the toll as the driver’s return toll must be paid as well.

Many taxis have a card that lists the top 50 destinations in English, Cantonese and Japanese. This is useful as most drivers don’t speak English. It’s a good idea to have your destination written down in Chinese. If you left behind something in the taxi or feel a taxi driver has ripped you off, get the taxi number and call the police hotline on 2527-7177.

Travelator
The Travelator is the world’s longest escalator and consists of elevated escalators and moving sidewalks. It caters to the commuters who live up in the steep hillside and work down in the city, but can be a fun way to sightsee as well.

Tram
Trams are tall and narrow double-decker streetcars that service northern Hong Kong Island. The trams are not fast, but they are cheap and a fun way to sightsee. For a flat fare of HK$3 you can go as far as you like. The longest route is from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, taking around 90 minutes. Trams operate between 6am and 1am at 2-7-minute intervals.

Vehicle Hire
There is no real need to drive yourself around Hong Kong, unless you are planning an excursion to the New Territories. Even then, you may do better with public transport unless you are going to a very remote location. Car rental companies require either an International Driver’s Permit or one from your home country and a credit card deposit of HK$5000. Drivers must be at least 25 years of age. Daily rates range from HK$700 for a small car to HK$3000 for an up-market vehicle. Reputable car rental companies are: Ace in Happy Valley (Tel: 2560-8689); and Avis in Causeway Bay (Tel: 2890-6988)