Hong Kong Airport - Are you able to leave when in transit

[serfty]

... If have time central one time and Kowloon the other.

For Kowloon, take the Star Ferry for a great view of the evening Honk Kong Skyline.

I'd keep my options open but would be unlikely to leave the Kowloon ferry terminal, simply doing a turn around. Allow an extra ¾ hour for the return including the 5 minute walk each way to/from the Ferry terminal at Central.

If you first flight is on time/early and you are sure you have enough time then do Kowloon then; don't leave it to chance as you may not have enough time on you second journey.

 

[JohnK]

... If have time central one time and Kowloon the other.

For Kowloon, take the Star Ferry for a great view of the evening Honk Kong Skyline.

I have 2 separate trips to HKG.

The way I understand it if everything is on time then I can take a train ride to central walk around for a few minutes and return to airport.

For the second trip again if everything is on time can I get a ferry straight from airport to kowloon and return in time to airport?

 

[serfty]

... If have time central one time and Kowloon the other.

For Kowloon, take the Star Ferry for a great view of the evening Honk Kong Skyline.

I have 2 separate trips to HKG.

The way I understand it if everything is on time then I can take a train ride to central walk around for a few minutes and return to airport.

For the second trip again if everything is on time can I get a ferry straight from airport to kowloon and return in time to airport?

If everything is on time you would have an hour to either 1) fossick around Central; maybe having a bite or 2) take the Star ferry across to Kowloon and back.

I am suggesting is that you keep your options open about what you actually do until you get to Central on either trip.

If you still have at least 2 hours left before scheduled departure by the time you get to Central you'll have time for the ferry & I would do the ferry there and then.

If this happens on the first trip, well and good, do Central exploration on the second trip.

If not, explore Central and hope you can do the Ferry/Kowloon thing next time as Plan B.

If you don't have time on either trip, then perhaps you'll need to schedule a longer layover; it's all still pretty tight.

 

[JohnK]

What I am suggesting is that you keep your options open until you get to Central on either trip.

If you still have at least 2 hours left before scheduled departure by the time you get to Central on the first trip, then I would do the ferry there and then; doing the central exploration the next time. If not, explore Central and hope you can do the Kowloon thing next time as Plan B.

How long is ferry trip? Regular departures? Returns to central? I will need to do some research. Thanks for the tips.

If you don't have time on either trip, then perhaps you'll need to schedule a longer layover.

I would have stayed a few days but after finding the cheap Finnair flights in D class I decided on the status runs instead to get QFF scum gold.

 

[serfty]

... I would have stayed a few days but after finding the cheap Finnair flights in D class I decided on the status runs instead to get QFF scum gold.

D class???

That means you will have Busness Lounge Access :shock: .

When the term lounge was used I believed it meant "Gate Lounge".

You will have access to

HONG KONG
Dragonair Lounge
P, G, S, FC, BC
7th floor, departure hall.
Open daily 06.00 - 22.00

 

[JohnK]

D class???

That means you will have Busness Lounge Access :shock: .

When the term lounge was used I believed it meant "Gate Lounge".

You will have access to

HONG KONG
Dragonair Lounge
P, G, S, FC, BC
7th floor, departure hall.
Open daily 06.00 - 22.00

Is this good? :?

Maybe on one of the trips just stay airside and sample the lounge.

 

[Mal]

JohnK

The ferry is the "Star Ferry". See their website here:

http://www.starferry.com.hk/new/en/index.asp

The timetable you're looking for is the "Central To Tsim Sha Tsui Service"

I think it's about 10 mins across the harbour plus a few mins to load and unload the passengers. They are very frequent.

 

[Mal]

Oh, and as for lounges...

I'd recommend trying to get into one of the Cathay J lounges instead. I have not been into the DragonAir lounge, but the Cathay one is regarded as one of the best lounges in the world...

I have seen written before that no status pax with J passes on other OW airlines have been allowed in. Worth a try... Just choose the one closest to your departure gate! If you get refused entry, no worries - just wander off to the DragonAir one.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Oh, and as for lounges...

I'd recommend trying to get into one of the Cathay J lounges instead. I have not been into the DragonAir lounge, but the Cathay one is regarded as one of the best lounges in the world...

I have seen written before that no status pax with J passes on other OW airlines have been allowed in. Worth a try... Just choose the one closest to your departure gate! If you get refused entry, no worries - just wander off to the DragonAir one.

You may be thinking of the F lounges which are very good. Still the airport is not too shabby. Plenty of shops as well.

 

[xsprint]

Shouldn't be an issue. I assume the two flights are on the same ticket? If not, you will need to ask in LHR that they check the bags through to SYD and show the two tickets/ bookings.

Thanks for the info Mal. Yeah flights are on the same ticket.

Thought I would clarify specifics with a QF call centre rep, however her response was not quite what I expected...

Her view was that one is able to check bags straight through from LHR to SYD; however this would mean you wouldn't be allowed to leave HKG airport. Apparently Customs/Immigration would see from your bag receipt you had bags and hence deny entry.

Since I would have a cabin bag I asked the obvious: 'Whats to stop me removing the checked bag receipt from my boarding pass!?'
Reply was - well you could but no guaruntees

I always thought HK was pretty liberal on transit pax - wanting the tourist dollar and all. Anyone able to share experience in transiting whilst bags being checked through?

thanks,
XS

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

That sounds like scaremongering to me. While I havent done so at HKG I have left airport while in transit with through checked bags at many airports around the world without any difficulty. I find it hard to believe a major transit hub like HKG would deny.

 

[Mal]

That sounds like scaremongering to me. While I havent done so at HKG I have left airport while in transit with through checked bags at many airports around the world without any difficulty. I find it hard to believe a major transit hub like HKG would deny.

Agree,

Note from a previous post of mine in this thread "The last time I entered HKG, I put for the address of residence "Transit Vist of approx 5 hrs". That was all I needed for the few hours I spent in town"

My bags were still at the airport somewhere in between a CX and QF flight.

I'm sure some country probably has regulations like the ones QF talk about. However in HKG, I've never had to show my BP when arriving, nor have I had to show anything bar the BP for the onward flight when departing the airport (ie going back into the airport to leave HK).

I've also walked through customs in HKG twice with just a backpack and nothing was said...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Last week I walked through SIN immigration with nothing other than clothes on my back, and back again several hours later in the middle of the night. Not an issue in the slightest.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK

The ferry is the "Star Ferry". See their website here:

http://www.starferry.com.hk/new/en/index.asp

The timetable you're looking for is the "Central To Tsim Sha Tsui Service"

I think it's about 10 mins across the harbour plus a few mins to load and unload the passengers. They are very frequent.

Thanks Mal.

That sounds great. Frequency looks very good at 6/8 minutes. So all up around 40 minutes for the "Central To Tsim Sha Tsui Service" return. Assuming that i need 1 hour for HKG airport to Central retrurn train journey it could easily fit into around 2 hours. Perfect.

 

[xsprint]

That sounds like scaremongering to me. While I havent done so at HKG I have left airport while in transit with through checked bags at many airports around the world without any difficulty. I find it hard to believe a major transit hub like HKG would deny.

Agree,

Note from a previous post of mine in this thread "The last time I entered HKG, I put for the address of residence "Transit Vist of approx 5 hrs". That was all I needed for the few hours I spent in town"

My bags were still at the airport somewhere in between a CX and QF flight.

Cheers guys,

With through-checked bags to Sydney, a walkin' through HKG customs I shall go.

have a great weekend

XS

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

have a great weekend

XS

You too

 

[JohnK]

Darn I have just been doing some research and it looks like I won't have time to take the ferry ride on this trip to HKG.

I have a 2:45 tranist in HKG. Assume clear immigration in 1/2 hour, then get airport express to Hong Kong station potentially 45 minutes (walk, 5 minute boarding buffer, possible 12 minute between trains, 24 minute trip), then same time for return trip to airport has used up 2 hours. This is probably worst case scenario but need to expect the worst. :?

Leaves 45 minutes to clear immigration and board return flight. :shock:

Revised plan is for first status run do train trip (depending on immigration clearance), and second status run sample the dragon air lounge.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I would also take note of the arrival time. Looks like inbound only needs to be 15 minutes or so late to ruin even the modified plan.

 

[JohnK]

Flight is due to arrive in HKG at 18:30.

If I am not at the airport train station by 19:00 (this includes late arrival, slow immigration clearance) then I'll be in the lounge drowning my sorrows.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

and no doubt posting on AFF