Flights to Hong Kong

Airlines flying directly to Hong Kong from the UK include British Airways, Virgin Atlantics, Quantas and Cathay Pacific.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Tel: 2181 8888.
Website: www.hongkongairport.com  

Hong Kong's airport is located 45km (28 miles) from central Hong Kong, at Chek Lap Kok on Lantau Island. The expanse and quality of shopping, dining and relaxation facilities at Chep Lap Kok are a real eye-opener for any first-time visitor.

Airport facilities
These include the Hong Kong SkyMart shopping centre, which has more than 130 shops, three information centres, free Wi-Fi access, bureaux de change, the 24-hour Plaza Shower & Relaxation Lounge, which offers showers and rooms for napping between flights, and the Connect Zone business centre (Level 6 departures hall). Car hire is available at the Ground Transport Centre from Avis, Hertz and other major operators.

Transport to the city
Rail, bus and taxi links from the airport to central Hong Kong leave from the Ground Transportation Centre. The easiest connection is via the high-speed MTR Airport Express train (tel: 2881 8888), which runs daily and leaves every 12 minutes (journey time - 24 minutes). The Airport Express is operated by the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), which also connects districts through Kowloon and Hong Kong Island with the airport. Passengers can take advantage of free shuttle buses linking MTR's Hong Kong and Kowloon stations with major hotels.

By bus, the quickest way to central Hong Kong is on the Airbus (tel: 2261 2791) and Cityflyer airport buses (tel: 2873 0818; www.nwstbus.com.hk), which depart every 15 minutes (journey time - 1 hour) for services to Central. About 30 franchised routes serve the airport, including night buses, with 17 pick-up bays.

Taxis to Hong Kong are readily available. Red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, green taxis serve the New Territories and blue taxis serve Lantau Island (journey time to Hong Kong - 45 minutes and costs approximately HK$240-300).

Ferry links operate between the airport and Tuen Mun in the New Territories every 30 minutes (journey time - 9 minutes). Turbojet (tel: 2307 0880; www.turbojetseaexpress.com.hk) provides direct ferry services from Chep Lap Kok airport to/from Macau (journey time - 45 minutes) and Shenzhen (journey time - 40 minutes).

Approximate flight times to Hong Kong
From London is 11 hours 45 minutes; from New York is 20 hours (due to non-stop New York-Hong Kong services); from Los Angeles is 14 hours 35 minutes; from Toronto is 15 hours 15 minutes and from Sydney is 9 hours.