If you have an HKG arrival or transit point on your plane ticket, we congratulate you: you fly to the best airport in the world! And this is not a poetic metaphor at all, but a well-deserved official title. Hong Kong International Airport is so stunning that even amateur videos about it collect tens of thousands of views on YouTube. This harbor, without exaggeration, is the main gateway to East and South Asia, as well as to mainland China. The hub serves more than sixty million passengers a year. According to this indicator, the airport is the seventh busiest in the world. And if you take into account the service of international flights, the hub goes to third place on the planet. In this article you will find the most complete information about Hong Kong Airport : photos, descriptions of terminals, services and hotels, as well as tips on how to get to the city or in the opposite direction. But even without that you won’t get lost. Tourists in their reviews claim that, despite the huge size of the hub, everything in it is elementary and simple. The inscriptions are duplicated in English, and for those who do not understand "modern Latin", they are also accompanied by schematic drawings.
Kai-Tak and Chk-Lap-Kok
First of all, let's figure out how many airports are in Hong Kong. There is still a popular video among users that shows the landing approach in the Kai-Tak hub. This spectacle is truly mesmerizing. On the one hand, there is a dense residential development, which approaches almost to the runway, and on the other, the waters of Victoria Bay. Pilots needed virtuosity to land in such a narrow space, and passengers who watched it from the plane experienced such a surge of adrenaline, as if they were riding a roller coaster. It was unprofitable to demolish residential areas to increase the Kai-Tak area. Therefore, the Hong Kong government decided to build a new international airport in a more favorable location. A tiny islet Chkhe-Lap-Kok was chosen as the one. But from it, the new airport got only the name. The area of the island was artificially increased many times. In addition, a dam stretched from him to the next piece of land - Lam Chau. It is also expanded. Now both islands occupy only a quarter of the area of the new airport. He opened the door for first flights in 1998. For some time, Kai-Tak still served as an airport for cargo flights. But now it is completely closed.
Construction history
To feel the epic nature of the project, called "The main program of the airport", we give a few figures. The area of Hong Kong after the construction of the air harbor increased by one percent. The builders needed not only to build terminals and runways, but also to provide the entire transport infrastructure (roads and railways with bridges and tunnels). In fact, the terrain itself was changed. Therefore, the construction project alone was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive (at that time). The estimate provided for the implementation of twenty billion US dollars. Construction lasted for six years, until July 6, 1998, Hong Kong International Airport was inaugurated. The first regular flight, which took a new hub, was the board CX292, arrived from Rome. During the first six months, the airport was constantly malfunctioning, so the closing of Kai-Tak was postponed. But gradually, functioning became normal, and Chkhe-Lap-Kok began to win international awards for the best service and the shortest pre- and post-take-off procedures.
Terminals
For a long time, Hong Kong Airport consisted of one, albeit a very large-scale, building. Only in 2007, the second terminal (T2) was opened, which at first was intended solely for registration for flights. Then passengers were taken away by Airport Express Line, a free shuttle, to the old building. But when the grandiose Sky Plaza shopping center was built near T2, the second terminal became full-fledged. In addition to fifty-six check-in counters, customs and border posts, waiting rooms, cafes and other infrastructure appeared there. A free shuttle continues to run between the two buildings. The plans for expanding the airport include the construction of a third terminal by 2030 and one in addition to the existing two runways. But this project is very expensive, because it will be necessary to erect a building and road in deeper waters, and not on the shelf of the islands. So at the moment, Hong Kong's air harbor has two terminals. Consider them more carefully.
Terminal 1
This is the largest building of Hong Kong International Airport. It is an eight-story building, on the roof of which there is an inexpensive restaurant and an observation deck. Passengers arriving at the airport check-in at the first, lower level. On the fourth floor, customs officers and immigration control await them. Visas are checked and stamped by border guards at the sixth level. And finally, on the top floor there are gates for landing. Passengers are taken down express elevators, which are separated from the building. All this is done in order to ensure maximum safety for travelers and aircraft crew. But terminal 1, in addition to direct functions, plays the role of a shopping and entertainment zone. For a long time it was the largest building in the airports of the world, until in 2006 the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi seized the palm. Then the Hong Kong authorities, in order to return the leader, built up the Eastern Hall to the existing terminal with an area of 550 thousand square meters. It was there that the Sky Mart shopping center was located. But it was not long for the glory of the largest terminal in Hong Kong. Already in 2008, it was overtaken by T3 of Beijing Stolichny Airport, whose area is 986 thousand square meters. But even now, Terminal 1 of Hong Kong Air Harbor takes 19th place in the list of the largest structures in the world.
Terminal 2
As we mentioned, T2 has become fully functional. Now there is carried out not only the registration of passengers on the flight, but also other pre-take-off procedures. The second terminal of Hong Kong Airport has its own shopping and entertainment center - Sky Plaza. In addition, many types of public transport arrive there. Terminal 2 has an entire bus station, from which both scheduled cars and tourist cars depart. It is popular with business passengers who have arrived on business in the cities of the Pearl River Delta special economic zone. In 2003, the Sky Pier ferry terminal was opened, which complemented the bus connection to mainland China. Right in Hong Kong's air harbor building is the lower station of the Ngong Ping Cable Car, which leads to Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha statue.
Scoreboard
Many travelers are interested in not the terminal area and services in them, but the schedule of the Hong Kong airport. Well, satisfy their curiosity. The air harbor operates seven days a week and 24 hours a day. It is home to many companies. The flagship of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation, Kathy Pacific, is based here. This carrier has a wide-body fleet of 115 Airbus and Boeing liners. They fly to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, to countries in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Also, the Chk-Lap-Kok International Airport is the base for the Dragon Air airline, in whose flotilla there are 39 airliners. This carrier delivers passengers to cities in Japan and mainland China. Hong Kong Express small planes and helicopters operate regular flights to Macau and Shenzhen. Thailand, South Korea and the cities of China can be reached with the Hong Kong Airlines passenger carrier. Finally, Air Hong Kong Limited provides air freight services. You can fly to Chkhe-Lap-Kok with a direct regular flight from Moscow operated by Aeroflot. Literally every minute, liners start or land from the Hong Kong airport's flight paths. Hub scoreboard is a long list. You can get acquainted with it not only in the halls of the air harbor, but also online, on its official website.
Airport Hotels
Hong Kong Air Harbor is a whole town, with its shops, entertainment centers, cafes and restaurants. Every day there are several tens of thousands of people. Many travelers arriving at the hub in transit or at night are interested in whether there is any hotel at the Hong Kong airport. As befits the city, the hotel is, and not one. True, all of them do not belong to the category of cheap. The most budget in the list of hotels is Regal Airport Hotel. The cost of living in a standard room is $ 170. The renowned Marriott network has its own representative office in Hong Kong's air harbor - Sky City. Prices start there from $ 300 per room per day. A little cheaper is another hotel chain - Novotel Citigate Hong Kong. There, accommodation in a standard room will cost 200 Hong Kong dollars (1,500 rubles) per day. Experienced travelers recommend not leaving the terminals, but going to the Plaza Premium Lounge VIP lounge. There you can rent a full room, which is listed as a "lounge". A night in it will cost $ 119.
What to do to passengers arriving in the country
Hong Kong airport terminals are not just big - they are huge. So, to some gates of passengers the internal train delivers! But getting lost in them is almost impossible. And all after-flight procedures pass very quickly. First, new arrivals are met by border control. For Hong Kong citizens, there are turnstiles through which they can go through their electronic cards. For citizens of China, Taiwan and Macau, there are specially selected windows. Russian passengers should stand in the tail of a long line. But she moves very fast. After passing through passport control, you will find yourself in the baggage claim area. You will see a placard indicating which conveyor your suitcases are being delivered to. Go catch your bags with a moving belt. If you have nothing to declare, follow the “green corridor” of customs. So you get into the arrivals hall.
How to get from Hong Kong Airport to the city: Airport Express
The project to build an air harbor was the most expensive in the world, not only because huge terminals and long runways were built from scratch. The budget also included a very extensive transport connection between the airport and the city and mainland China. But if a traveler is especially interested in Hong Kong, then he should know that the Airport Express is the fastest mode of transport to get there. This high-speed train will take you to the city center in 24 minutes. Airport Express Station is located exactly between the two terminals of Hong Kong Airport. The fare depends on the distance of your trip. Want to get off at the station of the Asia World Expo exhibition center (one minute ride)? Then pay 5 Hong Kong dollars (38 rubles). Everything else is more expensive. A trip from the airport to Qin-Yi will cost 60 (448 rubles), to Kowloon - 90 (670 rubles), and to the terminal station of the route, railway station - 100 Hong Kong dollars (744 rubles). Electric trains run from 5:54 a.m. to 1 a.m. at intervals of 10-12 minutes. Despite the fact that the train runs at a speed of 135 km / h, one can admire the sights of Hong Kong from the window: the tourist zone of Tsim Sha Tsui, Lantau Rocks, the world's largest cargo port. In addition, the train travels through an underwater tunnel through the harbor.
Octopus Maps
Changing money at all airports in the world is not very profitable. The course is rather low, there are queues at the windows of bank branches ... Therefore, experienced travelers are advised to buy Octopus Cards immediately upon arrival in Hong Kong. This piece of plastic costs 150 local dollars (1116 rubles), while on the account there is 100 NK $ (744 rubles), and the rest is a deposit. It will be returned to you, as well as unused money when you pass the card. And you can buy it by bank transfer, in the machine. Such a card can be paid not only in museums and tourist places, but even in some stores. Not to mention travel by bus, high-speed train, ferry or metro. At Hong Kong Airport, Octopus Cart can be purchased at the customs control desk if you follow the signs for Airport Express Station. There you can hand over and get your cash. And you can replenish the account at any metro station and in stores of the Seven / Ileven network.
We consider other ways to get to the city. Metro
“Airport Express” is a quick, but somewhat expensive way. And the train makes too few stops on its way. Therefore, experienced travelers have found a trickier way to get to anywhere in the city: bus + metro. Hong Kong Airport has four free shuttle services. From other buses they are distinguished by the letter "S" in the name. We are interested in the route “S1”. This shuttle bus will take you to the nearest metro station - Tung Chung. Then you can move in any direction you want. Hong Kong Metro is quite ramified and covers the entire city. The disadvantage in this method is the need for transplantation. You will also have to go long enough to the subway train. But significant savings. Subway is the budget way to get to Hong Kong airport.
Bus
This type of transport is cheaper than Airport Express. Although more expensive than the subway. But the traveler has a great opportunity to drive along a long bridge and see the main attractions of the city. In order to catch the bus, we go down to the lowest floor of the terminals of Hong Kong airport. How to get to the city by metro, we have already explained. But now we need routes that start with the letters "A", "E" and "N". Passenger transportation is carried out by several companies. Buses differ in color and on the inscriptions on their sides. But all the cars are very comfortable, two-story. Passengers with a lot of luggage should choose orange buses. Suitcases should be left in a special compartment on the ground floor. The most popular routes for tourists are A11 (the bus goes to Wang Chai) and A21, which goes to Kowloon. The fare depends on the carrier company and ranges from 33 to 40 Hong Kong dollars (from 246 to 298 Russian rubles). Buses are good for making frequent stops in the city. Therefore, the hotel does not have to go far.
Transport links to the Pearl River Delta
Many tourists are interested in how to get from Hong Kong airport to Shenzhen, Macau and other cities of free economic zones. There are two options. If you consider Hong Kong only as a transit point, then you can not even go through passport and customs controls. Directly from the neutral zone of the airport there is access to the ferry pier, which will take you to the Pearl River Delta. Several directions were launched: in Shenzhen, Shekou, Macau, Dungun, Zhongshan, Guangzhou and Zhuhai. Attention: if you are thinking of how to get to Hong Kong Airport from the Pearl River Delta, then the ferry is only suitable for you if you have a ticket for the flight from this hub. Another option is a bus. But in this case, you need to go through all the immigration procedures. The bus station is located at the lowest level of the second terminal.
How to get to Hong Kong Airport from the city
If a taxi ride (250-360 local dollars, or 1860-2680 rubles) seems to you an expensive pleasure, use public transport. Free shuttles run from different areas to Hong Kong Railway Station. But then you have to spend money on a high-speed train. The cheapest way to get to the airport is by metro with a shuttle. The Golden Mean is a bus to the airport. Literally all routes starting with the letters "A", and most with "E" are suitable for us. The buses have a sign indicating all the stops, so it’s just impossible to mix up and go the wrong way. Hong Kong is an open and tourist-friendly city. The intense rhythm of his life at first frightens an unprepared traveler. But all the infrastructure and transport connections are built “wisely”, so moving around the city is easy and simple.