Hong Kong International Airport sits on reclaimed land at Chek Lap Kok, on the far northwestern tip of Lantau Island — about 35 km from the Kowloon waterfront and around 50 km from Central on Hong Kong Island. It sounds daunting, but the city has invested heavily in airport connections: the Airport Express is one of the world's finest airport rail links, and an array of buses and taxis covers every budget and destination.
The Airport Express: fastest and most seamless
The MTR Airport Express is the headline act, and for most visitors it earns its reputation. Trains run from the airport terminal directly to Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong (Central/Admiralty) stations, with the full end-to-end journey taking around 24 minutes to Hong Kong station and slightly less to Kowloon.
Trains run every 10 minutes for most of the day, from around 05:50 until after midnight. Fares vary by destination: Hong Kong station (Central) is the most expensive single journey — roughly HK$115 (around €13–14), with discounts available with an Octopus card. Kowloon station is slightly cheaper, and Tsing Yi less again. Return fares and multi-day passes offer savings for those planning to use the service again.
The carriages are large, comfortable, air-conditioned and have generous luggage space — purpose-designed for airport travellers. Trains are almost never delayed and the schedule barely varies. If you are in a hurry and your hotel is near one of the three stations, this is the obvious choice.
Free Airport Express shuttle buses into the hotel districts
One detail that many visitors miss: the Airport Express operates a network of free shuttle buses between its Hong Kong and Kowloon stations and the major hotel clusters in those areas. These operate at frequent intervals during the day and extend the practical reach of the train considerably — you can arrive at Hong Kong station in Central and take a shuttle directly to hotels in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay or other areas without paying for an additional taxi. Bus stops and timetables are posted clearly at both stations. The shuttle is legitimately free for Airport Express passengers; just show your ticket or Octopus card.
In-town check-in
If you are departing Hong Kong, the Airport Express offers a genuinely rare convenience: in-town check-in at Hong Kong and Kowloon stations. If your airline participates, you can drop your bags and collect your boarding pass at the station the evening before your flight, then travel to the airport with no luggage on your departure day. This is worth doing if your airline is eligible — it turns the departure morning into something quite stress-free.
City buses: the A-routes
A fleet of dedicated airport bus routes — labelled with an "A" prefix — connects the airport to destinations across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories and even Macau Ferry Terminal. These are not ordinary local buses: they are larger, have luggage space and stop at or near major hotels and transport hubs.
The most used routes are A11 (to North Point on Hong Kong Island via the North Shore corridor — Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Fortress Hill) and A21 (to Kowloon via Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui). Journey times are typically around 45–70 minutes depending on destination and traffic, and fares run roughly HK$30–50 (about €3.50–6), making them considerably cheaper than the Airport Express.
The trade-off is traffic exposure: on a clear run at night these buses are quick and comfortable; at busy times on the busiest routes they can slow noticeably through the tunnels and onto the island. For travellers with one moderate piece of luggage and a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui or Causeway Bay, the A-routes are genuinely good value. Bus stops are clearly signed in the arrivals hall.
Taxis: three colour zones, three price structures
Hong Kong's taxis famously come in three colours, and which colour you should use depends entirely on where you are going. Understanding this avoids confusion at the rank.
- Red taxis (urban) operate in the main urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon — which is where most visitors are heading. If your hotel is in Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai, Central or similar, you want a red taxi. These operate island-wide and through the cross-harbour tunnels.
- Green taxis are licensed for the New Territories only. They cannot enter urban Kowloon or Hong Kong Island.
- Blue taxis operate exclusively on Lantau Island, which includes the airport, Tung Chung and Disneyland Resort. They cannot cross to Kowloon or the Island without a special permit arrangement.
From the airport, you will need a red or blue taxi, depending on your destination. For most urban destinations, red taxis are available from the taxi rank outside arrivals. The journey from the airport to Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon typically costs around HK$250–320 (roughly €28–37), plus tunnel tolls which vary. To Hong Kong Island (Central, Wan Chai) add the cross-harbour tunnel toll on top, bringing the total to perhaps HK$300–400 depending on the tunnel used. At night with no traffic, journey times are around 35–50 minutes; in daytime congestion they can be notably longer.
Taxis in Hong Kong are metered, licensed and generally reliable. Drivers are required to use the meter. It is standard to round up a little as a tip, but this is not obligatory. Cash (HK dollars) is the normal payment method; not all taxis accept credit cards, though this is gradually changing.
From the airport to Tung Chung (Lantau local)
If you are only heading to Tung Chung — the new town right next to the airport, which has a large shopping outlet and connects to the Ngong Ping 360 cable car — you can take the MTR Tung Chung Line from the Airport station, which is a different, cheaper and slower service than the Airport Express. The Tung Chung Line also connects onward to Kowloon (Olympic, Nam Cheong, Lai King) and eventually to Hong Kong station via a slightly longer route than the Airport Express. It takes around 40 minutes to Kowloon (Nam Cheong) and is distinctly cheaper than the Airport Express — a useful option if time is not pressing.
Which should you choose?
For speed and convenience, the Airport Express is almost always the best call for travellers heading to Kowloon or Central — especially if you can use the free shuttle to your hotel. For travellers on a tighter budget with destinations along the A-route bus corridors, the A21 or A11 buses are a reasonable compromise. Taxis make most sense when you have a lot of luggage, are arriving late at night, or your exact destination is not well served by the rail or bus network. The three-colour taxi system sounds complicated but in practice is simple: from the airport rank, take a red taxi for most urban destinations.
For a comparable look at airport connections in another major Asian hub, see our guide to getting from Tokyo's airports into the city. And if you are continuing into mainland China from Hong Kong, see our overview of travelling China by train and the relevant East Asia entry requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Airport Express take from Hong Kong Airport to Kowloon?
The Airport Express reaches Kowloon station in around 19–20 minutes, and Hong Kong station (Central) in approximately 24 minutes. It runs every 10 minutes for most of the day.
Are the Airport Express shuttle buses really free?
Yes, the hotel shuttle buses from Hong Kong and Kowloon Airport Express stations are free for passengers who have just used the Airport Express service. They cover major hotel clusters in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and surrounding areas.
Why are taxis in Hong Kong different colours?
Hong Kong taxis are colour-coded by operating zone. Red taxis cover urban Hong Kong Island and Kowloon; green taxis serve the New Territories; and blue taxis operate on Lantau Island (where the airport is located). From the airport, you need a red taxi for Kowloon or Hong Kong Island destinations, available from the arrivals taxi rank.
What is the cheapest way from Hong Kong Airport to the city?
The A-route airport buses (such as A21 to Kowloon or A11 to Hong Kong Island) are the most economical option, at roughly a quarter to a third of the Airport Express fare. They take longer and are subject to traffic, but cover many popular hotel areas directly.
Sources and further reading:
- MTR Corporation — Airport Express routes, timetables and in-town check-in details.
- Hong Kong Airport Authority — transport options from HKIA.
- Entry requirements for Hong Kong and mainland China: consult your own government's current travel advice.