Growing Old in Style – To Hong Kong aboard the Airport Express
Index:
- 40.. wait? You’re 40???
- Off to Heathrow with National Express
- Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 and British Airways Galleries First
- BA936 London Heathrow to Düsseldorf in Club Europe
- Düsseldorf airport and the most boring lounge… in the world (Lufthansa Business Lounge)
- CX376 Düsseldorf Airport to Hong Kong International Airport in Business Class
- Hong Kong International Airport and CX The Arrival
- To Hong Kong aboard the Airport Express
- Over to Kowloon on the Star Ferry
- Exploring Kowloon
- Holiday Inn Express, Sheung Wan
- The Peak during the Evening and Night
- Riding the Ding Dings and Causeway Bay Presents “The Force Awakens”
- Mong Konk Ladies Market – or the “Hard art of haggling”
- A Symphony of Lights (Pictorial)
- Temple Street Market or “Haggle more”
- Back to Hong Kong International Airport
- The Pier First Class Lounge
- CX253 Hong Kong International Airport to London Heathrow
- The Great Rush Home
- 40 up
Earlier on, I had got my Airport Express Octopus card, so It gives me two Airport Express rides on it, as well as a 3 continuous days use of MTR Trains, Light Rail. In other words – very useful for a city break
With my body and brain back into first gear after visiting the lounge, it was time to head into town.
Thankfully, I had everything in hand… and started recording a video.
I’m still learning how to vlog. Please hold on with me whilst I get used to thinking up content on the go.
With a quick walk to the train, I was aboard – and giving the full spiel as the train left Hong Kong Airport for the Hong Kong station (on Hong Kong island).
Seating
Pretty quiet.
The train itself was pretty quiet for the trip to Hong Kong station – with stops at Tsing Yi and Kowloon. Interestingly, people were getting on at Tsing Yi and Kowloon as well as getting off the train. Guess some people will do anything to avoid the Tung Chung Line in the morning.
I was sat on the left hand side, seeing the construction work that is ever going on in the Hong Kong area
Soon the view changed from blue seas to light above – indicating we were crossing the Tsing Lai Bridge.
With the bridge cleared, our train pulled into Tsing Yi – an urban town in the New Territories of Hong Kong.
From there the train sped on – past an important part of Hong Kong’s trade – Container traffic in and out of the territory.
With the container terminal dispersing out of sight, the Airport Express sped onto Kowloon, and finally Hong Kong Station.
Once you leave the station, you blip your Octopus card – and it deducts the ticket or fare. With that done, I could head straight to the hotel – but that wouldn’t be ready for a good few hours yet. I therefore found a left luggage area (charging HK$45 for up to 3 hours, HK$60 for 3-24 hours – not cheap, but better than lugging my trash around all morning and letting my back give out).
With that done, I decided to head over to Kowloon for some adventures. Or walking. Or shopping. Or any of those things. It didn’t matter – for once the only agenda I had, was my agenda.
And I like to make up my agendas as I go along.
OTHER WAYS TO GET INTO HONG KONG.
There are alternatives to get from Hong Kong International Airport to the city – most of these do a lot longer than the Airport Express (it’s the usual Time vs Money argument).
Route S1 and Tung Chung Line: A cheaper alternative, requiring you to hop on the S1 bus from the airport, and then take the Tung Chung line into town. It goes along the same route as the Airport Express. The downsides are that there are more stops, trains are not set up for luggage…. and it’s a fair bit slower (Airport Express is around 24 minutes).
- Times to Kowloon (excluding wait times) : 42 minutes, $3.50+$18 = $21.50
- Time to Hong Kong Station (excluding waiting times): 45 minutes $3.50+$24 = $27.50
The times above do not include waiting time at Tung Chung and can significantly increase your travel time. If you’re in the rush – bite the bullet and buy an Airport Express ticket.
Bus
Buses run between Hong Kong Airport and different parts of Hong Kong. A full list is here.
Buses prefixed with
- A are “Airbuses” targeted at visitors and locals. These also have WiFi aboard.
- E are “External” buses, which serve the airport area before heading towards their destinations. Some E buses do head to Asia World Expo too.
- NA Buses are Overnight Express services
- N Buses are ordinary night buses
- S Buses are shuttle buses going a short distance
Fares do vary, with some routes offering night versions – and obvious, will be a lot slower than any train option.
Buses are operated by
And again – get an Octopus Card with some credit on it to speed you on your way.
Next: Over to Kowloon on the Star Ferry.
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The Airport Express is pricey but it’s worth mentioning that a same day return costs the same as a one-way – HKD 100. Good value for those just heading into the city on a long layover.