HKG Arrivals lounges / ground transfers / 1 day visit
Sorry to semi-duplicate several other recent threads but this seemed different enough to get its own thread. If not mods please merge/move/etc.
I have a 4pm meeting in Hong Kong on Monday (Causeway Bay area). I am flying in to HKG from PEK that morning, arriving around 1pm, and departing around 8pm that same day. The meeting is one for which I have to look presentable (suit, etc) and I was planning to carry (not wear) the suit on the 3.5 hr flight from PEK, then change in a lounge at HKG on arrival. I'm on CA but should have access to any *A lounge (or RCC as I'm a member). Will I have physical access to lounges after arrival or do I need to clear customs first?
Is a taxi my best bet for going to and from the meeting?
Alternatively I can simply wear the suit (prefer not to) or change on the plane, but it seemed like changing on arrival was the best bet.
Also alternatively I can fly in on Sunday but prefer not to move all my stuff from my PEK hotel for one day, or pay for two hotels on the same night.
but if you're just changing, why not do it in the washroom at baggabe reclaim. Clean enough.
Where's your meeting? If it's not a main mega building, you might have some troub finding it. You may prefer the A11 for some sights, as most HK cabs stink from stale baccie.
You can't readily access any of the airside lounges at HKG since they are all on the Departures level and you'll be on the arrivals level. There are ways round this but they're a hassle.
As to travel to Causeway Bay that depends if cost is an issue. You seem to have plenty of time, so the A11 bus, if it has a stop somewhere near where you are going, would be fine. I think I'd actually find that at least as comfortable as a cab.
Well I will prefer a less hassle version : If you don't have Octopus, buy an airport express same day return ticket at airport / Hong Kong station then travel to Causeway Bay on MTR single trip ticket, on return do MTR + Airport Express again, that will cost you approx HKD 115 but as a time freak in me I prefer this.
My plan will be (Assuming baggage check all the way though)
1:00 : Plane Arrival (well PVG / PEK flight can be randomly delayed for the all-famous ATC hold)
1:30 : Enter Arrival Longue, Quick Bath and Clothing Change, get some snacks to refresh yourself and get online check emails / catch up
2:25 : Exit Longue
2:36 : Airport Express to HK
3:00 : Arrive HK station
3:15 : Arrive Causeway Bay, find the way to client and arrive early (well if it is near MTR, help cooling down yourself by stepping into Sogo / Time Square and check if there's anything match your shopping list)
3:50 : @ meeting location ...
...
...
...
6:00 : Meeting Finish, Go finish your shopping (if any)
6:15 : Go to MTR, by that time it should be filled with people and a train every 100 seconds (still way less packed than Tokyo)
6:30 : arrive HK station, go catch next train
6:36 : on train airport direction
7:00 : airport
7:15 : finish immigration, hop by longue and get some snacks
7:30 : head to gate and wait for boarding
8:00 : bye bye, thanks for visiting Hong Kong
Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlTheWebmaster
Thanks very much for the tips -- A11 bus sounds like a plan.
A11 is not a plan for you, especially you NEED airport express on your return if your meeting did not ends by 5:30 (which will make you arrive airport at 6:30, assuming no traffic (which is impossible) )
Last edited by ChrisLi; Nov 6, 09 at 8:04 am.
Reason: OP .. help yourself by taking Airport Express
Wow awesome detail and exactly what I was hoping to find out. THANK YOU!!
to ChrisLi!
-C
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisLi
Well I will prefer a less hassle version : If you don't have Octopus, buy an airport express same day return ticket at airport / Hong Kong station then travel to Causeway Bay on MTR single trip ticket, on return do MTR + Airport Express again, that will cost you approx HKD 115 but as a time freak in me I prefer this.
My plan will be (Assuming baggage check all the way though)
1:00 : Plane Arrival (well PVG / PEK flight can be randomly delayed for the all-famous ATC hold)
1:30 : Enter Arrival Longue, Quick Bath and Clothing Change, get some snacks to refresh yourself and get online check emails / catch up
2:25 : Exit Longue
2:36 : Airport Express to HK
3:00 : Arrive HK station
3:15 : Arrive Causeway Bay, find the way to client and arrive early (well if it is near MTR, help cooling down yourself by stepping into Sogo / Time Square and check if there's anything match your shopping list)
3:50 : @ meeting location ...
...
...
...
6:00 : Meeting Finish, Go finish your shopping (if any)
6:15 : Go to MTR, by that time it should be filled with people and a train every 100 seconds (still way less packed than Tokyo)
6:30 : arrive HK station, go catch next train
6:36 : on train airport direction
7:00 : airport
7:15 : finish immigration, hop by longue and get some snacks
7:30 : head to gate and wait for boarding
8:00 : bye bye, thanks for visiting Hong Kong
A11 is not a plan for you, especially you NEED airport express on your return if your meeting did not ends by 5:30 (which will make you arrive airport at 6:30, assuming no traffic (which is impossible) )
3:00 : Arrive HK station
3:15 : Arrive Causeway Bay
No way! Central to Causeway Bay is 7 mins of train time, but including the walk from HK station to Central station and the up and down escalators and so on, and bearing in mind the route is not familiar) I doubt that the OP would be at street level in Causeway Bay before 15:30.
Airport Express is always my preferred option in HK
On your return journey you ABSOLUTELY want to take the Airport Express .. mainly because you have high predictability. If your meetings are anything like mine, they always over-run. Rather than panicking as you make a mad dash for the airport in peak hour traffic, jump on the AEx train, which runs frequently .. and once on board you can accurately predict your arrival time.
I'm in HK for a day later this week too ... my plan is Airport Express in (and out); cab from station to meeting. If I have time, I'll take the MTR back to the AEx station. Simple, little hassle. You arrive point to point. My view is that I've spent $X getting there, the meeting is important, so I wouldn't worry about saving a few dollars here & there.
Just one tip (I am sure your familiar with this but shall include for completeness) HK cabs can be a little hit and miss. Make sure you have your destination (office location) written both in English and Chinese. That way you have a better chance of avoiding any last minute uncertainty re finding your location. If you don't have it with you before you land - ask for some help at the airport information counter - I have found them to be pretty helpful!
Well I will prefer a less hassle version : If you don't have Octopus, buy an airport express same day return ticket at airport / Hong Kong station then travel to Causeway Bay on MTR single trip ticket, on return do MTR + Airport Express again, that will cost you approx HKD 115 but as a time freak in me I prefer this.
My plan will be (Assuming baggage check all the way though)
1:00 : Plane Arrival (well PVG / PEK flight can be randomly delayed for the all-famous ATC hold)
1:30 : Enter Arrival Longue, Quick Bath and Clothing Change, get some snacks to refresh yourself and get online check emails / catch up
2:25 : Exit Longue
2:36 : Airport Express to HK
3:00 : Arrive HK station
3:15 : Arrive Causeway Bay, find the way to client and arrive early (well if it is near MTR, help cooling down yourself by stepping into Sogo / Time Square and check if there's anything match your shopping list)
3:50 : @ meeting location ...
...
...
...
6:00 : Meeting Finish, Go finish your shopping (if any)
6:15 : Go to MTR, by that time it should be filled with people and a train every 100 seconds (still way less packed than Tokyo)
6:30 : arrive HK station, go catch next train
6:36 : on train airport direction
7:00 : airport
7:15 : finish immigration, hop by longue and get some snacks
7:30 : head to gate and wait for boarding
8:00 : bye bye, thanks for visiting Hong Kong
A11 is not a plan for you, especially you NEED airport express on your return if your meeting did not ends by 5:30 (which will make you arrive airport at 6:30, assuming no traffic (which is impossible) )
So, what do you do on your spare time?? OK, I see..
On your return journey you ABSOLUTELY want to take the Airport Express .. mainly because you have high predictability.
I'm in HK for a day later this week too ... my plan is Airport Express in (and out); cab from station to meeting. If I have time, I'll take the MTR back to the AEx station. Simple, little hassle. You arrive point to point. My view is that I've spent $X getting there, the meeting is important, so I wouldn't worry about saving a few dollars here & there.
Exactly. Train + Cab sounds like the best option to me (applies to Tokyo, and many other cities as well).
Quote:
Just one tip (I am sure your familiar with this but shall include for completeness) HK cabs can be a little hit and miss. Make sure you have your destination (office location) written both in English and Chinese. That way you have a better chance of avoiding any last minute uncertainty re finding your location. If you don't have it with you before you land - ask for some help at the airport information counter - I have found them to be pretty helpful!
Great tip -- just as I do in Beijing.
Thanks again all for the helpful information. This is exactly why FT is so great -- many others have been there and done that!
No way! Central to Causeway Bay is 7 mins of train time, but including the walk from HK station to Central station and the up and down escalators and so on, and bearing in mind the route is not familiar) I doubt that the OP would be at street level in Causeway Bay before 15:30.
I agree, I would definately suggest A11 if one had never been to Hong Kong. As it is not that easy to look at all the signs to go from HK station to Central station, it is a long walk plus one also need to figure to go to the right platform.
On the return maybe easier to get the airport express if it is time consuming.
Airport Express is always my preferred option in HK
