Airport Express train
 

hi i will coming into HKG with Cx and have a 6 hour layover, at which point im switching over to another airline. Anyway i have never been to Hong Kong (though HKG a few times) and a friend suggested i simply take the train into Hong Kong , and then turn around. it sounds like fun but i have a few questions, first if im taking the train back and forth to Hong kong station, do i need to get off and get on again, if so is this hard for someone who has never been to hong kong? also were can i get more information. thanks

Hey bundi... The train will drop you off into Hong Kong Station, which is located in Central. Takes about half an hour and is a quick and painless ride. No, you don't need to get off and on again as the Airport express only has 3 stops, with the last being central. Not hard at all. you just get on, and get off. more info can be found on http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/airport_ex...tro_index.html . It'll have all you need on there.

The train ride into HK is not very scenic. It takes 24 mintues from the Airport to Hong Kong Station. There are a number of express buses that go into Central that you get to see a lot more on. They are express, but still take about twice the time of the train. You could take the train into Central, then go up to the Peak to get the ultimate view over Hong Kong. You can do this buy bus, taxi or on the Peak Tram.
Alternatively, you could go to Tung Chung, which is just near the Airport and go on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car up to the buddha.
What to do all depends on what time of the day you are arriving and how much pollution is around.

Go to Hong Kong on the Airport Express train. Forget the other stuff. Here's how

1.) Get off plane, clear immigration, get bags, walk through customs. Duh.
2.) Once you exit the customs area: Walk towards massive sign that says "Trains to City". You can buy tix at the automated thing there or with the person sitting in the booth under the massive sign. Impossible to miss both tix and where the train is, because both are on the exact same level as where you walk out of customs and you're staring right at them both.
3.) Get on the train. It comes every 12 minutes, takes 24 minutes to downtown. Runs like clockwork. Hong Kong (downtown) is the very last stop on the train. Same going back to the airport - leaves every 12 minutes like clockwork, takes 24 minutes.

You will understand how simple it is when you do it, they make it easy.

Note you can actually buy train tix right as you're exiting the customs area (you have your bags and you're "clear", but you haven't walked out into the masses of people at the arrival halls yet). Sometimes people freak out and figure they MUST buy their tix there as they're exiting (a realistic assumption if it's the first time to HKG, given how ridiculous many other cities/countries are with figuring out how to get into town), but it's not the case - you just walk out into the arrivals hall and you can see the massive sign and buy all the tickets you need.

If you purchase one-ways it's $100HKD each way, but you can buy a round-trip ticket for $180.

and in OP's case he/she should buy a "same day" roundtrip ticket for HKD 100 (same as one way)

Take the bus. Get a seat at the front of the top deck. Go down Nathan Road, have a wander around then get the same number bus back again to the Airport.

You'll see nothing from the train - especially when going over the bridges (the train track is deep inside the lower level of the bridge).

The cable car has been closed since an accident in June during off-hours testing, but I believe it's opening again soon. Not a bad suggestion if you can find the bus to Tung Chung. There's also a bus from Tung Chung to the big Buddha, #23.

Ngong Ping 360 opens again.
See
http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/front/index.asp

#23 bus takes almost an hour to the big Buddha.
I don't recommend for short time of the transit.
The cable car takes 20 min to the hill.
An local bus to Tung Chung from the airport is No. S1.

I've done the bus - HK is not a scenic ride into the city - unless you like seeing apartment buildings with laundry drying on every balcony. The sights are once you get there. Thus, use the Airport Express, get there much, much faster, and enjoy this great city. The only thing I might suggest different than some is to stop first at Kowloon so you can see across the Harbor to HK Island. But with as many hrs as the OP has, I'm sure he/she can enjoy both sides.

I would not advise the bus. I assume that your bags are checked all the way (otherwise check them immediately to your final destination). You probably wish to leave your hand luggage at the airport. I let som experts tell you where it can be stored.
Then take the train to Hong Kong station (buy a same-day return ticket). From there I suggest that you walk to the Star Ferry pier. If you have never been to HK, the ride on the harbour between Hong Kong Island (Central) and Kowloon, back and forth is the most wonderful view of HK, hassle-free and at very little cost. Actually you could even try to stay onboard and come back with the same ship. It is illegal, but I've done it many times. Walking around Hong Kong at that time of the year is fun. From HK station, you should try to walk uphill (south) to get into the older part of town, holywood street, open market streets, etc... Spending 3 hours is great. And HK is evry safe and efficient. If you get lost, its easy to get a taxi.

I also recommend taking the train. It is easier and faster and the interesting sights are in town......

In any case get the day return for 100 HK$ - not all of the ticket both have it. You can even buy the ticket at the arrival station.
To save time i recommend: walk to the train station until you see the overhead sign when the next train will be leaving. If you have only 2 or 3 min left just board the train and buy the ticket at the arrival station. Same if there is a long line at the ticket booth at the departure station (they take credit cards).

This is good advice regarding something that is not particularly apparent, particularly to first-time visitors. It's also one of the many great features about the Airport Express in general.

Is there some good spa places I can go for a fantastic massage in downtown HK? Don't want to be trapped at the airport..

Mandarin Oriental SPA
 

Mandarin Oriental Hotel SPA is excellent.. and only walking distance from the Train station.