Located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong International Airport consistently ranks within the world’s top ten busiest airports, handling just under 75 million passengers a year, at last count. The two-terminal airport has been awarded ‘World’s Best Airport’ by Skytrax numerous times, and is famous for its state-of-the-art facilities and high level of service. It is often referred to as Chek Lap Kok Airport and offers no shortage of things to do, with over 320 shops and 100 restaurants. Click here for cheap flights to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong International Airport is highly regarded for its standard of service, whether that be the friendly Airport Ambassadors who are always on hand to help, the infant and baby strollers you can hire to make your transit time easier, or the dedicated ‘caring corner’ for the elderly, pregnant women or people with special needs to rest.
To check in at Hong Kong International Airport, you can do so via the counters or at the self check-in kiosks. You’ll find a staggering 321 check-in counters at Terminal 1, 56 counters at Terminal 2, and 76 self check-in kiosks across the two terminals. Some airlines offer in-town check-in services at Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations to passengers who are travelling to the airport via Airport Express, so check with your airline directly or Flight Centre Travel Expert if this option is open to you.
Check-in counters are numbered alphabetically with Qantas using aisle J and Air New Zealand aisle G in Terminal 1 and Jetstar aisle P in Terminal 2. As with flights at most international airports, passengers are advised to arrive at last 120 minutes before flight departure time.
Baggage requirements will vary depending on your airline and the class of ticket you’ve purchased. To make sure your cabin baggage meets the appropriate guidelines, you can use one of the many measuring gauges found at each check-in aisle in the Check-in Hall and at the Immigration Hall entrances of the Departures Level.
If you need to store some baggage at Hong Kong International Airport, you’ll find a short-term storage facility located on Level 3 of Terminal 2. Open each day from 05:30 until 01:30, storage is available on both an hourly and daily rate. Be aware that payment can be made only with cash, Visa or MasterCard. The airport also offers a convenient baggage pick-up and delivery service if you want to lighten your load on the way to the airport. Contact Worldwide Flight Services directly if you’d like to take advantage of this option.
Many people prefer to pre-order currency before arriving in China but decent exchange deals can be found in both terminals at Hong Kong International Airport. In Terminal 1 you’ll find nine different banking service providers, including ANZ Bank, while in Terminal 2 there are four different outlets. Many of the ATMs at the airport also allow you to withdraw funds in Hong Kong dollars. Another easy option is to order and pick up any foreign currency before you leave home, at Travel Money.
What’s the best way to get to and from Hong Kong Airport?
As one of the world’s busiest airports, you can bet that there are plenty of ways in and out of Hong Kong Airport.
Airport Express: The quickest and most efficient way to get from the airport to central Hong Kong is without a doubt the train. Departing around every ten minutes, the Airport Express train will have you at Central Station just 24 minutes after your train departs. Fares are very affordable too at HK$100 and passengers can even take advantage of the free flight check-in service at Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations.
Buses: Hong Kong International is well connected by bus with local tour coaches making around 670 trips a day from the airport to downtown. Citybus and Long Win are the major providers but private run companies offer around 40 different routes. A busy 24-hour airport, you’ll never have to wait long for a bus departure. Most buses run from around 06:00 until midnight but ‘N’ route buses can take you to a good selection of destinations outside these hours.
Taxis: Taxis offer a quick and easy way to get to and from Hong Kong International Airport. Upon arrival you’ll find a taxi station located just by the left-hand ramp outside the Arrivals Hall. You’ll need to pay attention to the colour of the taxi you line up for. Different rows are for different colours, with red taxis serving central areas of Hong Kong, green taxis designated for the New Territories and some roads in Lantau, while blue taxis serve the airport and all destinations in Lantau. Unlike some destinations in Asia, you’ll almost always get a better price by using the metre rather than by haggling for a set fair.
Car rental: Taxis and public transport is so efficient and affordable in Hong Kong that hiring a car isn’t the most popular way to get around. Still if you want to brave Chinese traffic there are a few options to hire a car located on Level 5 of the Arrivals Hall. Major rental car chains including Avis and Hertz have offices in both Hong Kong and Kowloon and there are also a number of local Chinese providers. Since renting a car is not a popular option in Hong Kong, reservations are recommended so speak to your Flight Centre consultant to find out how to get the best deal on a rental car before you arrive in Hong Kong.
Parking: Over Hong Kong International Airport’s three car parks is parking space for 3,000 vehicles. Parking is available on hourly, daily, monthly and long-term rates. If you’re on a budget, Car Park 2 and the Outdoor Zone in Car Park 4 is the most affordable while Car Park 1 is the best located. All parks have automatic payment so you’ll need a credit card to gain access and pay for your spot.
How do I transfer between terminals?
Transferring between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Hong Kong Airport is easy. It only takes a few minutes to use the walkway and make your way from one terminal to the other.
From outlets of Michelin-starred restaurants to quick-serve burger joints, deluxe desserts and cosy cafes, you have no reason to board your flight out of Hong Kong International Airport hungry. The airport has a world-class array of restaurants, bars and eateries, with cuisine to suit every taste and budget.
Whether you’re hoping to pick up a new timepiece for yourself at BVLGARI or need to buy something as simple as hair product, you’ll find that the shopping at Hong Kong Airport gives you a dizzying number of options. Bookstores, fashion, travel accessories, kidswear and more – it’s all here.
Hong Kong Airport looks after millions of passengers a year and, as such, hosts many of these passengers in its extensive number of airline and airport lounges. At Hong Kong Airport you’ll find lounges by Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and more, including pay-per-use lounges operated by Plaza Premium. Below you’ll find a list of lounges frequented by passengers on flights connected to Australia.
Qantas Airways
Level 7 above Gate 15 is where you’ll find the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge. Also open to eligible passengers on partner airlines including Air France and KLM, Qantas’ lounge prides itself on offering excellent food including yum cha trolleys and innovative cocktails. You will also find a list of services and amenities including showers, newspapers and Internet. The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge is open daily from 09:30 until 23:30.
Cathay Pacific
Eligible Cathay Pacific passengers can rest up at The Wing, Cathay Pacific’s flagship lounge. Open since 1988, the lounge underwent a complete renovation in recent years and offers a full list of amenities including food, drinks, showers and newspapers. The lounge itself is split across two levels; one is set aside as a first class passenger lounge and another for business class travellers. First class passengers are even invited to a drink at the Champagne Bar. Open daily; you can enter The Wing near Gate 2 on Level 6 of Terminal 1. Cathay Pacific also runs four other smaller lounges at the Hong Kong International Airport. The Pier, The Bridge, The Arrival and the newest lounge, The Cabin all offer high standards of comfort and service.
Emirates
Also on Level 7 and close to Gate 40 is the Emirates Lounge. Open to passengers on premium Emirates flights as well as partner airlines, the Emirates lounge is one of Hong Kong’s best, with a wide selection of food and drinks on offer. With a balcony view over the tarmac and ample space, the only complaint some passengers will have is that unlike in Cathay Pacific’s ‘The Wing’, there is no separation for First Class and Business Class passengers.
United Airlines
Eligible passengers on Star Alliance member flights, including Air New Zealand, can take advantage of the United Club. Located just before Gate 61 on Level 7, the United Club is open from 06:00 until midnight each day. This lounge is renowned as one of United’s best lounges but in reality offers the usual facilities include showers, food, drinks and newspapers. With ample room to stretch out, the view of the tarmac is one of this lounge’s highlights.
Plaza lounges are spread around the different areas of Hong Kong International Airport. Each one is open 24 hours each day and offers services including hot showers, a food and beverage buffet, Internet access, newspapers and massage chairs. You’ll find Plaza lounges in Terminal 1 located on Level 6 near Gate 1 in the East Hall, and two lounges on Level 7 at the West Hall, one near Gate 35 and one near Gate 60. Over on Level 3 of Terminal 2 is the world’s first arrival lounge. Catering specifically to passengers arriving on international flights, this lounge offers services such as baggage delivery, and massage and spa services.
There are a number of hotels located within close proximity to Ngurah Rai International Airport. Talk to a Flight Centre Travel Expert about which Hong Kong Airport hotel might be right for you, or browse all Hong Kong Airport accommodation options and book your hotel right now.
Regal Airport Hotel
The Regal Airport Hotel at Hong Kong Airport is a great choice if you want deluxe, comfortable accommodation that’s also directly connected to the passenger terminal of Hong Kong International Airport by an enclosed link bridge. If you’re travelling for business, this hotel has everything you could ever possibly ask for, with state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities, including Hong Kong's largest pillar-free grand ballroom in a hotel (just in case you’re putting on a 5-star event), and 30 function venues. The hotel gives you a choice of six restaurants and bars, and it has a complete range of recreational facilities, including a luxurious spa, an outdoor pool and an indoor heated swimming pool.
Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel
If you’ve come to Hong Kong with your business hat on, this could be the perfect hotel for you. Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel is connected to the convention center and located within a 5-minute walk of SkyPier and AsiaWorld-Expo. Rooms within this 4.5-star hotel feature minibars and LCD televisions, and include free Wi-Fi. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. There’s also a full-service spa, an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a sauna. The hotel gives you a choice of five in-house restaurants, or you can simply take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 6:30am to 11am, for a fee. A roundtrip airport shuttle is free at scheduled times, and a complimentary train station pick-up service is also provided.