Hong Kong and Macau - Very quick shopping trip to LCC?

First, my apoligies for asking a question that I'm sure has been asked and answered a million times here but I did a search and couldn't find an answer.

I will be flying into HKG at 15:15 (on a Friday if this is relevant) if the plane is on time and would like to go to Luohu Commercial City to do a quick bit of shopping and maybe get a massage before my next flight leaves HKG at 00:20 that same night. I would like to be back at the airport no later than about 22:00.

Is this a realistic goal given the time frame? What is the best way to get there and back? Is it better to take the MTR Airport Express into the city then the MTR out to Luohu or is the A43 bus to Sheung Shui then the MTR to Luohu a better option?

A43 to Sheung Shui is the cheaper, faster, more convenient and comfortable way. Only issues are that it's only every 20 minutes, and they can be packed at times with standing room only. But still, even standing to Sheung Shui isn't that bad, considering that East Rail is standing room only all day all the time.

There are also cross boarder shuttle services that use the large people carriers. Can't for the life of me find the card of the company that I used but they should show up on google...

Upon arrival and after customs there are plenty of desks/kiosks of travel agents and mainland transport services. Best to ask them if you don't find anything. Should not be a problem.

Worst case scenario - you take a cab from HKG to the border at Lo Wu, probably a few hundred HKD.

For most locations in SZ, yes just take one of the many coaches. But for LCC, A43 to one stop on East Rail has to be the easiest and simplest method.

You have a Chinese visa, right?

A43 to Sheung Shui is the cheaper, faster, more convenient and comfortable way. Only issues are that it's only every 20 minutes, and they can be packed at times with standing room only. But still, even standing to Sheung Shui isn't that bad, considering that East Rail is standing room only all day all the time.

Not if you get on at the origination point at East TST!

Not if you get on at the origination point at East TST!

Sorry, but East Rail now originate at the madhouse called Hung Hom. Having said that, the really packed section is only between Kowloon Tong and Tai Wai, where one may have to wait for a couple of trains before able to get on - if traveling south at Tai Wai or north at Kowloon Tong. Still, even if one find the train relatively "empty" at University, it certainly won't be once it gets to Sha Tin.

Thanks for all the info so far everyone.

You have a Chinese visa, right?

Not yet, but I'll be traveling on an Australian passport so not required for KHG and I'm pretty sure I can get one just for the SEZ at the border.

Not yet, but I'll be traveling on an Australian passport so not required for KHG and I'm pretty sure I can get one just for the SEZ at the border.

This process will eat up a huge amount of time and net you a relatively useless visa at a high price (if it's still, in fact, possible for Australians; I'm not sure). Get your visa out of the way beforehand.