Travel to Hong Kong

Flying to Hong Kong

The major international airline is Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific.com), but Hong Kong is a major regional hub so there are plenty of choices for flights. There is no particular time for cheap flights to Hong Kong as the region is popular throughout the year, but the highest prices tend to be around major holiday periods, particularly Chinese New Year.

Airport Guides

Flight times

From London - 12 hours; New York - 16 hours.

Departure tax

Included in the ticket price.

Travelling to Hong Kong by Rail

The Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTR) runs intercity passenger trains between Hong Kong and mainland China. Among its services is a route from Guangzhou, stopping at Dongguan (Changping) on the way to Kowloon in Hong Kong. There is also a daily service from Foshan and Zhaoqing to Hong Kong. In Kowloon, trains terminate at Hung Hom Station in Tsim Sha Tsui East. Note that mainland Chinese know Kowloon as Jiulong, and this will be on destination boards.

Services between Shanghai and Kowloon (journey time - 19 hours) and Beijing and Kowloon (journey time - 24 hours) run on alternate days.

Local East Rail Line trains run regularly to Kowloon from Lo Wu, the last stop before the Chinese border. Just across the border is Shenzhen, a special economic zone in China. To go as far as Lo Wu from Kowloon, you must hold a visa for China, otherwise it is only possible to get to Sheung Shui.

For more information on the intercity trains, see this website www.it3.mtr.com.hk.

Rail passes

None for intercity travel.

Driving to Hong Kong

Getting to Hong Kong by boat

Hong Kong has one of the world’s busiest container ports (www.pdc.gov.hk). The region is also visited by a large number of cruise ships.

Ferry operators

A handful of ferry services run from towns and cities in Guangzhou province's Pearl River Delta, but it’s much faster and more convenient to travel by bus or train from mainland China.

TurboJET (tel: +852 2859 3333; www.turbojet.com.hk) runs fast hydrofoils from Macau to Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong International Airport, Kowloon and Tuen Mun (in the New Territories). There are also services between Shenzhen Airport to Hong Kong.  

New World First Ferry Services (tel: +852 2131 8181; www.nwff.com.hk) runs ferries to several of Hong Kong’s outlying islands, including Cheung Chau, Lantau (stopping at Mui Wo and Chi Ma Wan) and Peng Chau.