Flight Stopover: How to Spend 6 Hours in Hong Kong
This is a short article I wrote following my trip in 2019. While planning our flights to Australia, we were given several choices of stopover cities. After pondering a few, we chose Hong Kong and wondered if it was possible to visit the city while waiting for our next flight. This answers the question if 6 hours is enough time.
Hong Kong is a major international city, and many passengers travel through it on their way to their destination, typically Australia or Hawaii. It can become part of the vacation experience and Hong Kong should be considered in the overall travel planning as a flight stopover. There are plenty of things to do in Hong Kong but is 6 hours between flights enough time to visit?
Is 6 Hours enough time for a Flight Stopover in Hong Kong?
The short answer to this question is YES; but it does require some planning. Read on to discover how to spend 6 hours in Hong Kong.
Efficient Transportation
Hong Kong has a very efficient transportation system from the airport to the downtown areas. When you arrive at the Hong Kong airport for your flight stopover, and pass-through customs, make your way to the Hong Kong Airport Express terminal inside the airport.
The Airport Express train offers the most direct connection between the airport and the downtown areas: Kowloon and Hong Kong. It runs every 12 minutes from 05:50 to 01:15 next day and costs about 205HK$ per person for a round trip. The trip takes about 25 minutes from the airport to downtown. Tip: Remember where the train station is so you can make the return trip to the airport. If you plan on taking any local transit, you should purchase an Octopus card to get around.
Kowloon Station
Kowloon is the area of the city directly opposite Hong Kong island. There are many things to do in this area. If you are up for a relaxing day at the park, or to just stretch your legs after a long flight, the Kowloon Park is about a 15-minute walk.
If you are more into museums, there are several within walking distance. The Hong Kong Science museum, Hong Kong museum of History, Space museum and Art museum are all in the area. If shopping is your thing, the Kowloon station is part of a large up-scale shopping complex. For me, I chose to walk down to the harbor front and view the beautiful shoreline on the other side of Victoria harbor.
Depending on your arrival time in Hong Kong, you may be able to catch the Star Ferry and venture across Victoria Harbor for a better view. Passengers may use Octopus or tokens (Jeton) to pay for the ride. Tokens are available in the vending machines at the piers. Direct payment by coins at turnstile is no longer accepted. Keep in mind that the city does tend to be smoggy on occasion.
If you do venture across to Hong Kong Island, be sure to take the Peak Tram to the top of the peak. The Peak Tram is a funicular railway in Hong Kong, which carries both tourists and residents to the upper levels of Hong Kong Island. It provides the most direct route to the peak and offers good views over the harbor and skyscrapers of Hong Kong. It was the first funicular railway in Asia. A round trip ticket costs about 99 HK$.
Hong Kong Station
Hong Kong Station is on Hong Kong island which is also the business centre of the city. Here you will find Government Buildings and the centre of International Finance. The Hong Kong central market is also not too far away. If you are looking for a more relaxing, eco-friendly visit, the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is also in the area.
Shopping is also plentiful in this area of town. Here, you will find some of the most sought-after, high-end names in fashion, including Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, and Victoria’s Secret.
Tip: Go earlier in the day as it tends to get busy later.
Food during your flight stopover in Hong Kong
You cannot visit Hong Kong without trying its famous dim sum. These delicious bite-size dishes are a classical part of Hong Kong cuisine. For many locals, City Hall Maxim’s Palace is the recommended place for the best local dim sum. Many other enticing flavors and delicacies can be found in the local markets across the city.
Back to the Airport
When planning your visit to Hong Kong, one of the considerations is the time it will take you to get back to the airport and go through customs. Since you should leave about 60 minutes to go through security and customs at the airport, and the airport express train takes about 25 minutes, I would give yourself 90 minutes to get from downtown back to the airport prior to your next flight. Remember to take note of where the train station is so you will not waste time looking for it.
Also, to save valuable time, I would recommend pre-purchasing your tickets for the airport train or the Octopus pass prior to departure of your first flight. If you do choose to take the Peak Tram, this too, should be pre-purchased to avoid lineups.
Tip: Be sure to check your carry-on luggage as you will have to go through security again.
Advance Planning for a Flight Stopover in Hong Kong is Required!
So, if you have a short flight stopover in Hong Kong, plan the trip in advance and venture into the city. Not only is this possible in 6 hours, but I would strongly recommend it!
I second that Kowloon is a great place to go on a stopover. It's big, has lots to do, and great views of Hong Kong Island. It's also a contained so you can hop on the train and head back when you are ready.
That was also one of my concerns, but we did so much research that it made it possible. Pinning the location of the train station is the best way not to get lost when you need to return to the airport.