Best Ways to Get From Hong Kong Airport to the City Center
First time coming to Hong Kong? Here is a simple Hong Kong Airport transfer guide for navigating from HKIA to the city center.
Hong Kong has one of the most convenient and accessible public transportation in the world among the countries I’ve visited, well, to be honest, just right after Japan.
Having traveled to Hong Kong a few times, I can say that public transportation is one of the safest, most convenient, and most reliable among all the countries I’ve traveled to.
What I love about it is the frequency of the public transport, which means that there will be one if you miss one.
Whether it is a bus, ferry, train, tram, or taxi – everything is within your proximity if you stay in the city center.
When I arrived at Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island, I never had issues traveling to the city center. Here are the ways you can get from the Hong Kong International Airport to the city center.
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Bus : Most Convenient and Affordable
The bus is not only convenient but also affordable, making it a great option for budget-conscious travelers.
Once you’ve cleared the immigration, pick up your bags and head towards the bus station. You can use Google Maps to check your route from the airport to your hotel.
Most of the time, if your hotel is located in the main areas like Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, then you don’t have to worry about the bus.
When you’ve reached the bus station, find your bus number and wait for your bus. Don’t worry if you don’t speak or read Canto; most of the signage is clearly written in English!
What I love the most about the bus is its special area where you can store your luggage. It’s usually a double-decker bus, so luggage is below, and you can find a seat either on the lower deck at the back or on the top deck.
There is no need to worry about your luggage on the bottom deck as you can oversee your luggage thanks to the live feed camera screen on the top deck. I’ve used it countless times. It is pretty safe.
The only thing about the bus is that it may take slightly longer than the train and taxi, especially during peak hours. So, if you are pressed for time, I recommend taking the express train.
Pro Tip: Most of the buses will pass by a number of hotels, and will drop you off either in front of the hotel or within a few minutes walk. This way, you don’t have to drag your bags between trains!
So, How Do You Pay for Transport in Hong Kong?
Cash is accepted, but you need more minor and exact changes, which can be troublesome, especially if you have high-value money from the money changer.
The Octopus card is a game-changer. You can easily get one using an Apple wallet or a physical card from the convenience mart at the airport.
I got mine at 7-Eleven the first time I went to Hong Kong, and I still have it. If you’re like my husband who prefers to be card-less, you can use the digital card in your Apple wallet, which works great!
The easiest way would be to pay with credit cards, whether in a physical car or by waving using Apple Pay. All you do is tap with your phone, and the fare is deducted straight from your default card.
Sometimes, I tap with my Wise card, which will be deducted directly from my HK wallet currency. If you haven’t used Wise yet, you are missing out on reasonable exchange rates! 🙂
High-Speed Express Train : Time-Saving
The express train is your best bet if you’re short on time.
It’s the fastest and most straightforward path to the city center, getting you from the airport to Hong Kong Island in just 24 minutes, while the bus can take about 50 minutes to an hour.
Another feature of Express Train that I love is that Hong Kong and Kowloon Station offer free in-town check-in services for specific airlines (the last I checked is for Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and Qantas Airways).
You will see the Express Train boarding counters directly when you come out to the arrival hall. I used this on some of my return journeys to skip the traffic during peak hours to save some time.
Pro Tip: Taking the train is likely more practical if you don’t need to transfer to the metro or bus to get to your accommodation.
Traffic can get worse during peak hours in Hong Kong. Check your arrival or departure times to see which option works best.
The train will take you to the main stations, such as Tsing Yi Station, Kowloon Station, and Hong Kong Station.
If you need to transfer to another MTR train once you reach any of the stations mentioned, that is good news. You will get a free MTR connection only if you are using the same Octopus card!
HK Red Taxi : Old School Vibe
The next option you have in this Hong Kong airport transfer guide is the taxis.
While most drivers are not fluent in English (some don’t even speak English), you can show them where you are going, and they will most likely know where to go.
Taxis use meters, so ensure your meter is running once you take off from the airport.
Pro Tip: While you will mainly see red taxis navigating through Hong Kong, watch out for different coloured taxis! The ones on Lantau Island are in blue, the ones in New Territories are in green, and the ones in Kowloon and the Island are in red.
Private Transfer : Hassle-Free
Traveling hassle-free can be nice sometimes, and you should opt for a transfer only if you have an extra budget.
Whether you have an extra-large suitcase that you’d hate to drag around Hong Kong, have kids who could be cranky by the time the flight lands, or are traveling with a big group like family or friends, you can easily book a private transfer from the airport to your respective hotel.
It is actually one of my preferred ways when it comes to traveling in family group.
So, if you’re a family or in a big group of 5 – 7 pax, know that this option will save A LOT OF YOUR ENERGY.
I didn’t use this in Hong Kong, but I took a private transfer when I went to Japan (a group of 7 adults and a baby), and oh god, it was so convenient and hassle-free after the long flight!!
Insider Tips: Private transfers are great when traveling with family or a big group. The cost can be shared between all of you and is cheaper than the train tickets or the taxis!
How To Get Around Hong Kong
The easiest way to travel around Hong Kong would be to purchase the Octopus card. It is a must, especially if you’re like me that prefer cashless payment.
You can use it in all public transportation, and on top of that, you can also use it to pay for dining, entertainment, and leisure.
Pro Tip: Set an Octopus card as your default travel card on Apple Wallet. After that, set Wise card or bank cards to your default payment card. This will allow you to tap and pay for without unlocking your phone! Thank me later.
Look for the Octopus card logo or ask the counter directly if you can pay using Octopus. All you have to do is tap, and you’re good to go.
As mentioned above, you can use an Octopus physical card purchased at any 7-Eleven, Circle K, 7 Watsons, or Mannings stores across the city or use it digitally.
You can add an Octopus Travel Card to your Apple Wallet and top it up online as you go around. Don’t worry if your battery dies (like ours while exploring Kennedy Town!); you can still tap your phone, and the fare will be deducted.
Here is a quick guide on tapping around the city:
- Bus: Tap once when you board the bus. No tap when descending.
- Tram: Enter from the back entrance. Tap when you descend at the front part of the tram next to the tram driver.
- Taxi: Check if you can pay with Octopus before getting in the cab. Some don’t accept this form of payment.
- Train: Tap in and tap out.
- Shops & Restaurants: Tap at the counter!
FAQ on Getting From Hong Kong Airport to the City Center
1. What is the cheapest way from Hong Kong Airport to the city?
The airport bus is the cheapest option, with fares around HK$35–40 depending on your route and destination — versus roughly HK$105–120 for the Airport Express.
It takes longer (around 50 minutes to an hour versus 24 minutes), but it’s the most budget-friendly way in.
2. What’s the fastest way from Hong Kong Airport to the city center?
The Airport Express is your best bet if you’re short on time. Super reliable and practical.
It gets you from the airport to Hong Kong Island in just 24 minutes, compared to about 50 minutes to an hour by bus.
3. Is it better to use a taxi or Uber in Hong Kong?
Both are viable options. For simplicity, stick with a licensed taxi (red, green, or blue depending on the district) or Uber’s “Uber Taxi” option, which books you a licensed taxi through the app.
Standard UberX (private cars) is currently in a regulatory grey zone: Hong Kong passed a law in October 2025 to formally license ride-hailing platforms, but full rules aren’t expected to be in place until later in 2026 at the earliest.
It’s still widely used, and passengers aren’t penalised, but if you want zero ambiguity, a licensed taxi or Uber Taxi is the safer call.
4. Why is the Hong Kong Airport Express so expensive?
The Hong Kong Airport Express so expensive is because you’re paying for a dedicated, non-stop express line rather than a shared multi-stop metro line, plus extra luggage space, higher frequency, and (for some airlines) in-town check-in at Hong Kong or Kowloon Station.
Compared to a regular MTR fare within the city (often under HK$20), the Airport Express’s roughly HK$105–120 fare feels steep. If the price is the deciding factor for you, the airport bus covers the same route for a fraction of the cost.
5. Do Hong Kong taxis all look the same?
No! Taxi colour tells you where it operates. Red taxis serve Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, green taxis serve the New Territories, and blue taxis serve Lantau Island. All of them run on meters.
Ready to tap tap tap?
Let me reassure you that getting around Hong Kong is easy and practical. All you need is a good sense of direction and high-speed internet connectivity or roaming.
Wifi is pretty accessible as well, especially on public transportation. So, don’t worry about not being connected.
Overall, I am looking forward to returning to Hong Kong thanks to the efficiency of public transportation. Travel is made easier when public transportation is well-connected and reliable. And, of course, for the hikes as well that I’ve been adding to my bucket list!
Hope this Hong Kong Airport transfer guide will help you in your upcoming trip to Hong Kong. Happy navigating!
