General Airport and Flight Information

Flights Hong Kong Airport is continually busy with flights arriving and departing by the minute. Situated approximately 45 kms from central Hong Kong the airport is joined to the city by a causeway where regular shuttle buses, taxis and hotel courtesy cars provide ground transportation.

The Airport departure tax is HK$50 for those aged 12 and above. The tax will be collected at check-in counters by the airlines with the receipt attached to passengers' tickets. Payment is accepted only in Hong Kong Dollar. Always allow sufficient time (around 2 hours) for immigration and customs clearance. Free phones for local calls are available in the Arrivals Hall and in the baggage claim area. Local calls are free, except when using the public coin phones, card phones and in hotels. Some information counters are reserved especially for Hong Kong residents and are clearly marked. Porter Service is available free of charge to all passengers. There are two Porter Service Desks, located between Baggage Claim Belts No.5&6 and Belts No.9&10. Visitors need to approach the desk to request service between 0600 and 2300 hours daily. Maps Tourist Information & local maps can be obtained from three Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) centers which are located in the transit and arrivals sections of the Passenger Terminal.

International Airlines (Flight schedules) The airport caters to both international and national flights, both of which are extensive. 24-hour hotlines offering (flight and general) information are available in both English 2181-0000 and Chinese 2181-8888. Due to their changeability and the vast amount of information required per airline/per flight we are unfortunately unable to supply flight schedules and suggest you follow the following links for this information

The Airport Transportation Centre is the hub for all surface transport to and from downtown, where passengers can board or disembark from the Airport Express, taxis, airport buses or tour coaches.

The Airport Express (AEL) takes approximately 23 minutes between the new airport and Hong Kong Station in Central, with a total of 3 stops (Tsing Yi, Kowloon & Hong Kong Station), operating at speeds of up to 135 km an hour. Complimentary in-town check-in services for airline passengers at Hong Kong Island and Kowloon stations are also provided. Trains operate from 6am to 1 am daily, at 8-minute intervals.

A new Round -Trip Airport Express Ticket, allows AEL passengers to enjoy any two rides to or from the airport within one month. The ticket will be returned to passengers as a souvenir upon completion of the second journey.

Airport Buses From the airport 27 bus routes operated by Citybus Ltd and Long Win Bus Co Ltd. give another alternative to reach the city. 23 Buses are conventional lines primarily of use to local residents, while 7 are airbuses, dedicated to departing and arriving airline passengers. Airbuses have fewer stops, stop at all major hotels, are air-conditioned and provide luggage space to passengers. Tickets can be purchased at

the Customer Service counter in the Arrivals Hall, or exact change can be dropped into the fare-collection coin box on board. (The Airbus No's are . A11, A12, A21, A22, A31, A41). Additionally, public buses may be taken from among 17 pickup bays and 16 staging areas.

Free Airport Express Shuttle Bus The following buses are free of charge and will take you from the airport express station to your hotel. The services are provided daily between 6 am and 1 am at 15 minute intervals. Check which bus number is the one you require.

Public transport is really the only viable way to get around the city. Fortunately it is cheap, fast and efficient with an extensive bus service, rail, trams, ferries, hover ferries and taxis all in abundant supply. Buses are the most efficient way to explore the south and the New Territories, Kowloon and the North are better served by the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) or the interesting double-decker trams while the best way to cut across the harbour, purely for the spectacular views, is by ferry. Metered taxis are red or green with silver tops. They will not pick up or put down passengers at bus stops

Buses In Kowloon , double-decker buses serve the area by the Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB). KMB buses are easily identified and are a peach/red colour. In Hong Kong , buses are generally blue in colour and are served by the China Motor Bus providing non-stop bus services around Kowloon and Hong Kong. Bus routes 1xx are cross-harbour routes jointly operated by CMB and KMB. Fares are reasonable and you pay as you get off. Fares range from HK$1 to HK$30.60. Exact change is required. You'll find that, in general the drivers do not speak much English Light buses are 16-seaters whose destination is usually written in the front. Fares are adjusted during the journey. You can stop anywhere by request, except for the no-stopping zones.

Trams There are also tram services on the island. Fares are cheap and as Hong Kong is the only operator of double-decker trams in the world thus they form part of the tourist attractions on the island. The flat fare is HK$1.20 (exact change required) and the service operates between 6 AM and 1 AM.

Trains The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) subway serves all major areas in Kowloon and Hong Kong. The Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) runs between Kowloon and the New Territories up to the Chinese border at Lo Wu. To take the KCR, take the MTR to Kowloon Tong where you transit directly at KCR Kowloon Tong Station. Fares range from HK$4 to HK$11. MTR and KCR stored-value tickets (HK$70-200) are also available.

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a high-speed surface system linking the New Territories towns of Tuen Mun Yuen Long. The LRT runs from 5.30am to 12.30am daily. Fares range from HK$3.20 to $4.70.

Taxis are plentiful but are hard to get during rush hour. There are certain areas where you are not allowed to flag taxis. These no-stopping zones are easily identified: look out for a yellow line on the curb of the road. Many drivers speak some English but it is wise to have your destination written in Chinese characters.

Maxicabs are yellow with a green stripe. They run along specific routes and have fixed prices. A sign on the front indicates the destination. Pay as you get in. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon; green taxis in the New Territories and blue taxis on Lantau Island operate at even lower rates. Rates for red taxis start at HK$15 on the flag fall plus HK$1.60 for every 200 metres after the first two kilometres. Waiting time is HK$1.10 per minute. Pay, in Hong Kong dollars only, the fare is shown on the meter, plus any additional charge where applicable. A HK$20 surcharge applies to cross-harbour tunnel trips (includes the driver's HK$10 return toll). There is also a surcharge for rides through the Lion Rock

Taxi drivers expect a tip, but just round up the fare to the nearest dollar. Drivers cannot pick up or drop off passengers on restricted streets, which are marked with yellow lines. New Territories taxis will pick up and drop off only in the New Territories. If you have any queries or complaints, note the taxi's number and call the 24-hour Police Hotline on 2527 7177.

Ferry and Hovercraft The Star Ferry, which has connected Hong Kong and Kowloon since 1898, runs regularly. It must be one of the cheapest and most scenic ferry rides in the world. The crossing takes approximately eight minutes and costs are minimal. The Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company provides other regular and inexpensive services connecting Hong Kong Island to other parts of the Kowloon Peninsula and to the outlying islands.

Rental Vehicles Self-drive rental cars are not often used in Hong Kong, but chauffeur-driven cars are widely available. Hotels have their own limousines for hire.