Hong Kong and Macau - How long from landing at HKG to Kowloon?

We are landing at 7pm on JFK-HKG CX flight. We will have only 1 night in HKG and would like to catch the 8pm light show on the harbor. Is it realistic for us to make it? If so, what's the quickest place we can get to where we'll have a view of the lights? We'll be staying on Kowloon side. Baggage won't be a problem (one carryon each) and we'll be coming off J.

For this to happen, all the travel gods have to be lined up.

If your flight is on time, and there is no line in immigrations (which can be none or 30 minutes), and you already have your tickets for the airport express train, and you can get right into a shuttle for the hotel, I have done wheels down to hotel room in Kowloon in 1 hour.

What night of the week are traveling? What hotel are you staying in? I would check out the shuttle schedule for the airport express and make a plan from there. Have you been to HK before? If not, it might be a challenge.

FYI... the light show is not what it used to be, I hope for all this rushing you will not be disappointed.

Keep in mind, sometimes the longest delay is on the final leg: waiting for a taxi at the Kowloon Airport Express station to take you to your hotel or the light show. I've done record time with Baggage-immigration-Airport Express, to be confounded by this queue.

Keep in mind, sometimes the longest delay is on the final leg: waiting for a taxi at the Kowloon Airport Express station to take you to your hotel or the light show. I've done record time with Baggage-immigration-Airport Express, to be confounded by this queue.

If your hotel is on the free shuttle route, then no need for a taxi. One hour is about the best I've ever managed.

Recently, the lines at HK immigration have been really long and will hold you back at least 15-20 mins. Unless you have the frequent visitor card, I would guess you would not make the 8pm if wheelsdown at 7pm.

I am also pretty sure that you will not make it if you only touch down at 7pm. Yes, the lightshow is nice but it is definitely not the nicest thing ever to get into a big rush.

If your flight gets in early (it is a long flight, so everything might happen) go for it but with a touchdown around 7pmish, I wouldn't rush myself.

some more dets - not decided on hotel yet. Debating between Intercontinental, Peninsula or maybe the RC (more distant third). I've been to HK before and have see the lights, but my DH has not. It's his first visit. We'll be arriving on Friday night in June.
Does arranging hotel transfer speed things along significantly?
thanks everyone for sharing their experiences.

I'd just say that IMO, the light show is no more spectacular than the skyline itself.

Saw a trip report the other day where someone said it took 1hr to get through immigration at HKG!

I'd forego the blind panic to get to the lights and instead focus more on getting the right room etc, maybe dinner at Felix in the Penn?

I'd just say that IMO, the light show is no more spectacular than the skyline itself.

Exactly! No big deal to miss that "show".

thanks everyone. we'll let fates guide us. if we make it, we make it. if not, that's ok.

I have a similar time window, although starting and leaving earlier.



The one meal I want to have is Tim Ho Wan. The other thoughts are to ride a ferry and go to the Peak.

The one meal I want to have is Tim Ho Wan. The other thoughts are to ride a ferry and go to the Peak.
take the time you have budgeted for Tim Ho Wan, and add some more.

Can experienced players suggest what is the 'must try'? I went there last month and was underwhelmed after the people gushing about it - it was good, but very hyped.