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5 Options For Your Hong Kong Airport Transfer

Whether it is to attend a trade show or to spend a city weekend break, millions of passengers arrive into Hong Kong International Airport each year requiring to transfer to different parts of the city. Deciding which type of airport transfer is best for you can depend on a number of factors. Below is a guide to 5 of the most popular options for your Hong Kong airport transfer.

Where Are You Headed?

Hong Kong is a city of 8 million people split across multiple islands and peninsulas, so knowing which area you need to be before you arrive is essential. Below is a guide to the main destinations in the city.

• Hong Kong Central – Hong Kong Central is located on the north side of Hong Kong Island and is just across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southern shore of the Kowloon Peninsula. The downtown area is the central business district for all Hong Kong and is located in Central and Western District.
   
• Tsim Sha Tsui – Often referred to by the locals as TST, Tsim Sha Tsui is the southernmost point of Kowloon and faces Hong Kong Island. The area is considered to be the center of Kowloon, with numerous options for shopping, dining, and hotels.
   
• Hung Hum Station - From Hung Hom Station, travelers can take the MTR Intercity Through Train directly into Mainland China, stopping at Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Guangzhou. Located in the south of Kowloon and east of Tsim Sha Tsui, the station can be found next to the Cross-Harbour Tunnel’s northern entrance.
   

1. Hong Kong Airport Transfer By Airport Express

Cost: HKD115

Journey Time To Hong Kong Central: 24 Mins

Journey Time To Tsim Sha Tsui: No Direct Train Available

Journey Time To Hung Hum Station: No Direct Train Available

Comfort & Convenience: 7/10

The Airport Express boasts the ability to get passengers from Hong Kong Airport to Central in just 24 minutes. The train service runs from Hong Kong Airport and terminates at Hong Kong Station in Central, with stops at AsiaWorld-Expo, Tsing Yi, and Kowloon along the way.

Advantages:

• Situated between Terminals 1 and 2, the Airport Express is a just a short walk from either Arrival Hall. The service is well signposted all around the airport so that even first-time travelers to Hong Kong should be able to find the station without much trouble.
   
• If you are heading to Hong Kong Central, there really is no faster way to get there from the airport. The train can reach Hong Kong Station in just 24 minutes.
   
• As far as public transport goes, the Airport Express is a particularly clean and comfortable service. Compared to the rest of the Hong Kong subway system where passengers have the choice of benches or standing, the Airport Express boasts cushioned seats.

Disadvantages:

• It is also equally true that by public transport standards, the Airport Express is significantly more expensive than normal subway and bus routes. At HKD115, travelers may wish to consider spending slightly more money and book a private car for more comfort and convenience.
   
• By far the biggest disadvantage of the Hong Kong Airport Express, however, is that it serves so few stops. Although the service does have a Kowloon stop, the station is still an additional 30-minute subway ride to the popular Tsim Sha Tsui area. It is just as inconvenient for those who are trying to reach Hung Hom Station, with the subway taking 25 minutes. Even though the train goes to Hong Kong Station in Central, it is still a 10-minute walk to the Central station that connects with the rest of the city.

2. Hong Kong Airport Transfer By Subway

Cost: HKD80-115

Journey Time To Hong Kong Central: 25 Mins

Journey Time To Tsim Sha Tsui: 1 Hour

Journey Time To Hung Hum Station: 1 Hour

Comfort & Convenience: 5/10

If travelers are unable to reach their destination by using the Airport Express, they can switch to Hong Kong’s MTR subway system to continue their journey. The system has 23 lines and 161 stops, providing passengers access to most part of the city.

Advantages:

• With such an extensive network of stations, most visitors will be able to reach an area that is, at the very least, close to where they need to be.
   
• Hong Kong has one of the best subway systems in the world. It’s modern, clean, and has a clear layout. All signs are posted in both Chinese and English, while announcements are made in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.For visitors who are unfamiliar with the local language, it makes traveling around slightly less daunting.

Disadvantages:

• While the Hong Kong subway system is undeniably extensive, it is not always the quickest mode of transport in the city. For example, by subway, it is only 1 hour to reach Tsim Sha Tsui, but by car, it only takes 30 minutes.
   
• Additionally, most transfers from the Hong Kong Airport by subway will require at least one or two changes before visitors reach their final destination. This can cause added stress for newcomers to Hong Kong who are unfamiliar with the subway system while some changes involve long walks between the lines.
   
• The Hong Kong subway is busy throughout the day and on all days of the week, but during the morning and evening rush hours, it is especially hectic. During these times, it is impractical to transfer from the airport if you have any luggage. After a long flight, the last thing most travelers would want us to battle on the subway for space while holding onto their heavy luggage.
   
• The combination of carrying a lot of luggage and traveling on overcrowded public transport leaves visitors exposed to thieves operating in the area. Generally speaking, Hong Kong is a safe city, but the local authorities do preach vigilance against pickpockets that operate on the subway.

3. Hong Kong Airport Transfer By Bus

Cost: HKD30-40

Journey Time To Hong Kong Central: 1 Hour 10 Mins

Journey Time To Tsim Sha Tsui: 50 Mins

Journey Time To Hung Hum Station: 1 Hour

Comfort & Convenience: 5/10

In general, the public transport in Hong Kong is well developed and a number of travelers also choose to take the bus from the airport into the city. There are around 60 bus services that run from the airport to all over Hong Kong.

Advantages:

• With the subway costing at least HKD80 and taxis setting travelers back on average by around HKD300, the bus is undoubtedly the cheapest airport transfer option in Hong Kong.
   
• Hong Kong Airport has buses traveling to all over Hong Kong, enabling visitors to find an airport transfer heading to the part of the city they need to be.

Disadvantages:

• While Hong Kong boasts an impressive fleet of buses that run all over the city, the very reason why that network is so extensive is the reason it is considerably slower than a private car service or the subway. Due to the sheer number of stops, a journey that would typically take one 45 minute by private car can take as much as twice as long by bus.
   
• Locals in Hong Kong pay for public transport almost exclusively by using Octopus travel cards. Tourists do not usually have this card when they first arrive in Hong Kong, which can be an issue when trying to board a bus. Unlike the subway, where there are ticket machines to buy single journey tickets, the buses require passengers to pay using the exact change. With the amounts often very specific, it can be confusing for travelers who are still familiarizing themselves with a new currency.
   
• Although the buses that run from Hong Kong Airport to the city have racks provided for luggage, many services can be crowded and passengers can quickly find there is no room left for their suitcase if they are not one of the first to board.

4. Hong Kong Airport Transfer By Taxi

Cost: HKD250-300

Journey Time To Hong Kong Central: 35 Mins

Journey Time To Tsim Sha Tsui: 30 Mins

Journey Time To Hung Hum Station: 40 Mins

Comfort & Convenience: 7/10

For those in a rush or do not desire to ride public transport, travelers can hail a taxi at the airport to take them to where they need to be in Hong Kong.

Advantages:

• After a long flight into Hong Kong, most travelers will not wish to be on queuing up and surrounded by others on public transport. One of the taxi’s most obvious and most compelling advantages over public transport is that it allows passengers to complete their airport transfer in privacy.
   
• While drivers in Mainland China have gathered a reputation for taxi scams and cheating, those in Hong Kong are held in higher esteem. It is rare to find a taxi driver in the city who tries to negotiate the fare of the meter, and in fact, it is not uncommon for a driver to be offended or even angry about being propositioned in such a way.

Disadvantages:

• Hong Kong taxi drivers may be considered to be safer and more reliable than their Mainland China counterparts, but fares are much higher too. The difference in price between hailing a taxi off the street and, for example, booking a private car, is much smaller in Hong Kong.
   
• By choosing to take a taxi for a Hong Kong airport transfer, travelers may find themselves stuck in a long queue at the taxi rank outside the airport. At Hong Kong Airport, the taxi ranks are known to become long at peak hours and passengers can spend as long in the queue as it takes to drive to Central.

5. Hong Kong Airport Transfer By Private Car

Cost: Check Online For Competitive Rates

Journey Time To Hong Kong Central: 35 Mins

Journey Time To Tsim Sha Tsui: 30 Mins

Journey Time To Hung Hum Station: 40 Mins

Comfort & Convenience: 9/10

Be greeted at the airport by your English speaking driver and travel in privacy and comfort in your private car to the doorstep of your destination.

Advantages:

• Arriving into Hong Kong Airport can be an overwhelming experience as passengers are surrounded by people heading down to the bus stops, those going to the Airport Express, and the permanently long queue at the taxi rank. If you rent a car in Hong Kong, however, you will be met by an English speaking driver at the airport, who will then take you directly to the doorstep of wherever it is you wish to go in Hong Kong.
   
• There are a number of options to book a car in Hong Kong, with all services boasting an impressive fleet of car types. Whether you wish to travel in style with a Tesla Model S or are arriving in a group and require a Mitsubishi Rosa, you can find the vehicle for you when you rent a car with driver in Hong Kong.
   
• Travelers can arrange a car rental in Hong Kong and enjoy the perks a VIP fast-track service at Hong Kong Airport. You will be greeted at the gate by an English speaking concierge, who will guide you through every step of your Hong Kong airport meet & assist from immigration, customs, to your private car. A customs fast-track service in Hong Kong enables travelers to get through the airport in a timely fashion and avoid the usual stress associated with immigration and customs.
   
• While there are some taxi drivers who can speak limited English, by booking a private car for your airport pickup in Hong Kong you can guarantee you will be traveling with a driver who speaks English. They will be on hand if any change to the travel plan is required and to handle any question you may have about your journey.

Disadvantages:

• While there are certainly cheaper options for your airport transfer, there are none that offer the same advantages as when you rent a car in Hong Kong. Many travelers find a private car service to be the fastest and least stressful choice for their Hong Kong airport transfer.

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