When you land at Hong Kong Airport, you have a few ways to get to the city, like taking a train, bus, or taxi. Among these, the airport train is the quickest option.
The Airport Express train gets you to Hong Kong Station in Central in about 24 minutes. That's a lot faster than the bus, which can take up to an hour.
This is why the Airport Express is a popular choice for tourists arriving in Hong Kong. If you want to try it too, this article will show you how to take the Airport Express from the airport to your destination.
First, let's get your payment ready for the Airport Express. You can pay with either tickets or an Octopus Card. Here’s how you can buy both:
You can buy Airport Express tickets at the ticket counters in the arrival area of Hong Kong airport. Some counters are near the baggage claim, and others are close to the train station.
Just go to the counter and tell the staff where you’re going. The Airport Express stops at AsiaWorld-Expo, Tsing Yi, Kowloon, and Hong Kong. Here are the ticket prices for each station:
| Destination Stations | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| AsiaWorld-Expo | $6 | $3 |
| Tsing Yi | $70 | $35 |
| Kowloon | $105 | $52.5 |
| Hong Kong | $115 | $57.5 |
Besides counters, you can use vending machines near the counters. Or, buy tickets online in advance from sites like Klook.
The Octopus Card is a popular electronic money card in Hong Kong. You can use it for MTR trains, buses, trams, ferries, and the Airport Express.
You can buy an Octopus Card at Customer Service Centres or vending machines at Airport Express stations. See our post below:
Using an Octopus Card for the Airport Express is a bit cheaper. Plus, you can use it for a free MTR ride after your Airport Express journey.
Once you've got your ticket or Octopus card, it's time to find the train station. It's close to the ticket counter. Just look for signs with a train picture and "To City" on them. They'll guide you to the station.
When you reach the station, you don't need to go through any gates to wait for the train. You can sit on chairs around the station or stand near the train doors marked "To City". Check the monitors in the station for the train's arrival time – they usually come every 10 minutes.
When the train arrives, let others get off before you board. You can sit in any open seat; there's no assigned seating.
If you have a big suitcase or a large item, put it in the storage area at the end of the carriage. Smaller bags or backpacks can stay with you.
The train will wait a few minutes before leaving. Announcements and screens in the train will tell you about each stop. Pay attention so you don't miss your station!
When your station is coming up, start getting ready. Gather your luggage and stand near the door. This way, you can get off quickly since the train only stops for a short time.
As the train reaches your station, the doors will open. You can then step off and head to the exit. Make sure you have your ticket or Octopus card ready, as you'll need it to leave the station.
At the exit gate, scan your ticket or tap your Octopus card on the card reader. Once the gate opens, you can walk through and continue to your next destination.
Just so you know, if you didn't buy an Airport Express ticket at the airport, it's okay. You can get on the train and then buy your ticket at the Customer Service Centre near the exit gate of your destination station.
After you exit the train station, you can keep walking or use another type of transport. Look for signs on the station walls that will point you to the right exit for where you want to go.
Like I said earlier, if you used an Octopus card for the Airport Express, you get a free MTR train ride as a bonus. Just use the same Octopus card to enter the MTR station.
Remember, this free ride is only good for 1 hour after you get to your station. This can be really handy if your hotel is still a bit far from where the Airport Express drops you off.
Also, some hotels offer free shuttle buses from Hong Kong or Kowloon stations. Check out this link for a list of hotels with these shuttles.
So, that's how you take the Airport Express train from Hong Kong airport. It's a great choice for those who want to reach the city fast or are staying near an Airport Express stop.
But if you're looking to save money or if your hotel is far from the Airport Express, the bus might be better. Check out this article for tips on taking the bus from Hong Kong airport:
