The best things to do on a Hong Kong layover, from airport entertainment to island hopping
If you’re fed up of airport lounges and duty free shopping, discover how to spice up your Hong Kong layover, whether it’s a quick three-hour stop or a full half-day stretch
It was a brisk winter night in Sai Kung when we heard some rustling in the bushes. A few seconds later, a dark figure emerged not far from our barbecue, flashlight affixed to his head, backpack sagging from his shoulders.
“Do you mind if I join you?” he asks, explaining that he was in town from Singapore – on a layover. “I’ve been hiking all day.”
After a day of walking the MacLehose Trail, his plan was to pitch a tent and catch some sleep before catching his next flight in the morning.
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A remarkably efficient airport (almost no one queues for more than four and a half minutes to pass through security, according to the Airport Authority) and the speedy Airport Express mean that a layover in Hong Kong can be far more exciting than trying to doze off in an airport lounge. Even just a few hours between flights gives you enough time to leave the departures area for a quick Hong Kong adventure. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your layover.
3 hours: Explore the airport
Airlines such as Cathay Pacific recommend being at your gate no later than 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time, but even a three-hour layover should give you enough time to check out everything Hong Kong International Airport has to offer.
