Quick answer
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is on Lantau Island, about 35 km from the city centre. The Airport Express takes 24 minutes to the city centre and is the usual choice for most travellers. It costs HK$120 to Central with an Octopus card, or HK$130 on a smart single journey ticket. Taxis are metered on the government tariff (HK$29 for the first 2 km, then HK$2.1 per 200 m), with tolls and luggage charges on top. A pre-booked transfer is a fixed price quoted before you book.
Fixed-price private transfer
HKG Hong Kong City Center
From€79for 2 passengers
Other destinations
What actually happens after landing
After landing, follow signs to Immigration, then Baggage Claim, then the Arrivals Hall. Terminal 1 arrivals is on Level 5.
From the arrivals area you can reach:
- Airport Express train -- follow signs to the Airport Express station
- Buses and taxis -- follow signs to the ground transport areas
- Pre-booked transfer -- meet your driver in the arrivals hall (if meet-and-greet is included in your booking)
Signs are in English and Chinese.
Transport options explained honestly
Airport Express -- trains run every 10 minutes and reach the city centre in 24 minutes. Costs HK$120 to Central with an Octopus card (HK$130 on a smart single journey ticket), HK$105 to Kowloon and HK$73 to Tsing Yi with Octopus. Children aged 3-11 pay half fare; children under 3 are free. MTR offers free in-town check-in at the city stations, and group tickets for 2 to 4 people (from Hong Kong Station HK$170 for 2, HK$230 for 3, HK$280 for 4). Some hotels run their own shuttles from Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tsing Yi stations; ask your hotel.
Taxi -- metered on a government tariff: a red urban taxi starts at HK$29 for the first 2 km, then HK$2.1 per 200 m (or per minute of waiting) until the fare reaches HK$102.5, after which it drops to HK$1.4 per 200 m (Transport Department, effective 14 July 2024). Add HK$6 per piece of luggage and tolls; a harbour crossing adds a HK$25 toll plus a HK$25 return toll unless you board at a cross-harbour taxi stand or end on the same side of the harbour. Red taxis serve most of Hong Kong, green taxis the New Territories, blue taxis Lantau and the airport island only. There is no published flat rate from the airport; the meter, not this page, is the authority.
Pre-booked transfer -- a driver meets you in arrivals, if meet-and-greet is included in your booking. The price is fixed and shown before you book, so you can compare it against the taxi tariff above. Worth it if you have lots of luggage, are in a group, or need child seats.
Airport bus (Citybus Cityflyer) -- fares are set per route: A21 HK$34.6, A11 HK$41.9 and A29 HK$44.0. Check Citybus for stops and timetables.
Hotel shuttle -- MTR lists a hotel shuttle service from Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tsing Yi stations operated by 11 designated hotels. Check with your hotel before arrival.
Realistic pricing expectations
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Airport Express to Central | HK$120 (Octopus), HK$130 (smart ticket) |
| Airport Express to Kowloon | HK$105 (Octopus), HK$115 (smart ticket) |
| Airport Express to Tsing Yi | HK$73 (Octopus), HK$80 (smart ticket) |
| Airport bus A21 / A11 / A29 | HK$34.6 / HK$41.9 / HK$44.0 |
| Taxi | Metered: HK$29 first 2 km, HK$2.1 per 200 m, HK$1.4 after HK$102.5 |
| Pre-booked transfer | Fixed price quoted before you book |
Taxi extras: luggage is HK$6 per piece; a harbour crossing adds a flat HK$25 toll plus a HK$25 return toll unless you boarded at a cross-harbour taxi stand or end on the same side of the harbour; other tunnel tolls apply (for example Tai Lam Tunnel HK$28, Tate's Cairn Tunnel HK$20).
Late night arrivals
The MTR timetable shows a last Airport Express train around 12:48 AM; allow time to reach the gates, which close shortly before departure. After that, airport overnight bus routes (N routes) and taxis are the options, and a pre-booked transfer is quoted at a fixed price before you book.
Families and luggage
The Airport Express suits families: children under 3 travel free and children aged 3-11 pay half fare. Taxis charge HK$6 per piece of luggage and do not carry child seats; since 1 November 2025 children under 8 and under 1.35 m must use a child restraining device in private cars, so if you need one, arrange a private transfer. See the family guide for nursing rooms at the airport.
Where you meet the driver
Airport Express: follow signs from arrivals to the Airport Express station. Ticket counters and machines are there, and you can buy an Octopus card.
Taxi: follow signs to the taxi station from arrivals.
Pre-booked transfer: your driver meets you in the arrivals hall (Level 5) with your name on a sign, if meet-and-greet is included in your booking.
Decision helper
- Going to Central or Kowloon: Airport Express (HK$120 with Octopus, 24 min)
- Going to Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, or other Hong Kong Island areas: Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, then MTR or taxi
- Family with lots of luggage or needing child seats: pre-booked transfer
- Budget traveller: airport bus (e.g. A21 at HK$34.6)
- Going to Disneyland: MTR via Tsing Yi and Sunny Bay, or a blue Lantau taxi
- Group of 3-4: compare the taxi tariff with the Airport Express group ticket (from Hong Kong Station HK$230 for 3, HK$280 for 4)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Airport Express and how do I use it?
The Airport Express is a fast train from HKG to the city. It takes 24 minutes to the city centre and costs HK$120 to Central with an Octopus card, or HK$130 on a smart single journey ticket (HK$105 to Kowloon and HK$73 to Tsing Yi with Octopus). Trains run every 10 minutes. Buy tickets at the station or tap an Octopus card. Fares are reviewed periodically, so check mtr.com.hk before you travel.
Should I get an Octopus card at the airport?
Yes. It gives the lower Airport Express fare and works on MTR and buses. An on-loan adult Octopus carries a HK$50 refundable deposit plus stored value.
How much is a taxi from Hong Kong Airport to Tsim Sha Tsui?
Taxis are metered on the government tariff -- HK$29 for the first 2 km, then HK$2.1 per 200 m, dropping to HK$1.4 once the fare passes HK$102.5 (Transport Department, effective 14 July 2024) -- plus HK$6 per bag and any tolls. There is no published flat rate, so the meter decides.
Can I get to Macau from Hong Kong Airport?
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port is served from the airport by feeder bus (New Lantao Bus B4 runs from the Airport / SKYCITY Transport Terminal). Private cross-border transfers are bookable at a fixed price quoted before you book.
Which tunnel should my taxi take?
The Transport Department lists the same toll for taxis at the three harbour crossings: a HK$25 toll, plus a HK$25 return toll unless you boarded at a cross-harbour taxi stand or you are not ending on the opposite side of the harbour. So the choice is about traffic, not toll; let the driver take the faster route.
Sources (checked 2026-10-17)
- Airport Express fares (Octopus, single journey ticket, round trip, child), children under 3 free: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/tf_index.html
- Airport Express 24 minutes to the city centre, free in-town check-in, hotel shuttle service listed: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/airport_express_index.html
- Airport Express runs every 10 minutes: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/train_service_index.html
- Urban taxi tariff (HK$29 first 2 km, HK$2.1 per 200 m, HK$1.4 after HK$102.5, HK$6 per bag, harbour crossing tolls and return toll): https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/taxi_fare_of_hong_kong/index.html
- Taxi colours and operating areas, e-payment rule from 1 April 2026: https://www.td.gov.hk/en/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/taxi/index.html
- Cityflyer airport bus fares A11, A21, A29: https://www.citybus.com.hk/en/uploadedFiles/concession/cityflyer_e_txt.html
- Octopus on-loan card HK$50 deposit: https://www.octopus.com.hk/en/consumer/octopus-cards/products/on-loan/standard.html
- Airport Express group tickets (2 to 4 people): https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/tickets/promotions_4persons.html
- Hotel shuttle service: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/hotel-shuttle-service.html
- Child restraining device rule: https://www.td.gov.hk/en/road_safety/crd/index.html
- Airport Express timetable (last train around 00:48): https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/service_hours_search.php?query_type=search&station=47
- HZMB feeder bus B4: https://www.hzmb.gov.hk/en/local-public.html
- Arrivals Level L5 (Terminal 1): https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/passenger-guide/airport-facilities-services/nursing-rooms