Hong Kong Airport: Transiting Allowed Or Not?

Hong Kong International Airport is one of Asia's premier airport transit hubs. In 2020, the airport suspended transit services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as of January 2023, transit services have fully resumed, and travellers can once again enjoy the range of amenities and services that the airport offers during layovers. While Hong Kong's border controls are notoriously tight, transit passengers are now allowed, with some requirements needing to be fulfilled.

Transit passengers allowed from April 2022

From April 1, 2022, Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) allowed transit passengers for the first time in three months. This was a significant development, as Hong Kong, one of Asia's premier airport transit hubs, had previously banned transit passengers from approximately 150 countries. The ban meant that people from all countries except mainland China and Taiwan were not allowed to transfer through Hong Kong.

The lifting of the ban was part of a wider relaxation of strict Covid-19 border controls in the Asian financial hub. Airlines were informed that transit passengers from so-called Group A "high-risk" countries would now be permitted to transfer through Hong Kong airport. This change was notable given that, in November 2021, Cathay Pacific carried just 70,047 passengers, a 97.3% decrease compared to November 2019.

From April 1, 2022, passengers transiting through Hong Kong International Airport were no longer required to hold a negative COVID-19 PCR test or any laboratory accreditation documentation. However, passengers were reminded to ensure their bookings continued to meet the Airport Authority's specific transit requirements, as well as those required by their final destination. Additionally, passengers who had recovered from a previous Covid-19 infection 14 to 90 days prior to departure had revised testing and documentation requirements, including the use of a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours of their scheduled departure time.

On April 22, 2022, it was announced that Hong Kong would allow non-residents to enter the financial hub from May onwards for the first time in more than two years. This marked a further step in unwinding the stringent coronavirus restrictions that had made the city one of the world's most isolated places.

Covid-19 restrictions easing

In 2020, Hong Kong's international airport was closed to transit passengers as part of efforts to limit the spread of the novel Coronavirus. This resulted in a 99.5% drop in passenger numbers.

However, as of June 1, 2020, Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, announced that transit passengers would once again be allowed to connect through the city's international airport, marking a significant easing of strict COVID-19 protection measures. This decision was made to boost Hong Kong's economy, which had suffered due to stringent border controls.

In March 2022, Hong Kong's airport continued to ease restrictions, reducing the quarantine period for vaccinated international travelers from 14 days to seven days. Flight bans were also lifted for several countries, including the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia. Additionally, Lam suspended plans for mandatory COVID-19 PCR testing for all city residents and extended the deadline for booster shots.

In November 2022, Hong Kong further relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions, allowing visitors upon arrival to enter venues such as theme parks, museums, and exhibition halls. This decision was based on lower transmission risks in places where masks were worn and the stabilization of daily infection numbers. The mask mandate remains a critical protection measure, alongside vaccination, and authorities plan to uphold it until the pandemic is better controlled.

To facilitate travel, Hong Kong's international airport offers a well-developed transportation network. Visitors can easily commute between the airport and the city in approximately 30 minutes using the Airport Express, buses, taxis, or hotel shuttle buses. The high-speed Airport Express train is the fastest option, taking around 24 minutes to reach Hong Kong Island.

No need for a transit visa

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been known to enforce notoriously tight border controls. However, there are circumstances under which you can transit through the airport without a visa.

Firstly, if you are not exiting the airport or going through immigration, you do not need a transit visa. If you are travelling with different airlines and need to collect checked-in baggage, you will need a visa.

Secondly, if you are a domestic traveller, you will not need to go through security again during your layover. However, for all international layovers, you will usually have to go through security again, depending on the airport's policy.

Thirdly, if you are a short-term visitor, you will generally need a U.S. passport valid for at least one month and evidence of adequate funds for your stay and onward transportation. This is a more relaxed requirement compared to other territories in the region, which require a passport with six months of validity remaining.

Finally, if you are a transit passenger from a so-called group A "high-risk" country, you may be allowed to transfer through Hong Kong Airport without a visa. This was the case in April 2022, when Hong Kong lifted its transit passenger ban, allowing transit passengers for the first time in three months.

Therefore, while Hong Kong International Airport has strict border controls, there are several scenarios where you can transit through the airport without a visa.

Quarantine requirements

As of March 2022, Hong Kong eased its strict border controls, allowing transit passengers for the first time in three months. However, quarantine requirements for Hong Kong are subject to change, so travellers should be mindful of the latest updates.

For Transit Passengers:

As of March 2022, transit passengers from Group A "high-risk" countries were allowed to transfer through Hong Kong Airport. Transit passengers are not required to undergo quarantine, even if they remain in Hong Kong for a few days. However, they must follow other safety precautions and protocols mandated by the airline and authorities.

For International Travellers:

Hong Kong has specific requirements for travellers arriving from overseas destinations and Taiwan. Here are the key quarantine requirements:

• A negative PCR-based Covid-19 test is required before departure.
• A room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel (DQH) is mandatory.
• Full vaccination status is required, if applicable. Unvaccinated travellers must undergo a 17-day quarantine.
• A health declaration form must be filled and submitted, generating a QR code to be shown at immigration. This QR code is valid for 48 hours when arriving at Hong Kong International Airport.
• Depending on the departure country, fully vaccinated travellers may be eligible for early release from quarantine.

For Travellers from Mainland China and Macao:

Those arriving from Mainland China and Macao may undergo quarantine at home or other designated places.

For Travellers from High-Risk Countries:

Hong Kong has specific restrictions for travellers who have been in certain high-risk countries. Travellers who have been in Brazil, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Ireland, the United Kingdom, or any other high-risk country for more than two hours in the past three weeks are not allowed to enter Hong Kong.

It is important to note that Hong Kong's quarantine requirements have been dynamic, previously requiring 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day quarantines for travellers. The requirements can change, so it is essential to check the latest updates before travelling.

Connecting flights

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) offers a range of amenities and services to make your layover as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. The airport provides unlimited WiFi, shopping, dining, a Wellness Spa & Salon, an indoor golf simulator, and even an Aviation Discovery Centre. If you are on a layover in Terminal 1, you don't have to go through security as there are sleep cabins with short-term rates. In the public area of the terminal, there is a hotel connected to Terminal 1 and several nearby hotels offering free airport shuttles.

All connecting flights through HKIA are considered international, even those to mainland China, since Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China. If you are staying within the transit area and have a boarding pass for your next flight, you won't need to go through immigration. However, if you need to check in or collect a new boarding pass, you will need to go through immigration.

Transit through the airport is easy if you're already checked in with a printed or mobile boarding pass in hand. Once you arrive at HKIA, follow the signs to the nearest transfer point and proceed to the departures level. Give yourself 45 minutes to one hour to make the connection without stress. Please arrive at your boarding gate at least 20 minutes before the scheduled flight departure time.

If you have at least 6.5 hours to spare, you might want to head downtown. This gives you 30-45 minutes for the journey to and from the airport, two hours to explore, then two hours before check-in. If you prefer a slower-paced day, stay on Lantau Island, where the airport is located. With at least five hours, you could visit the traditional fishing village of Tai O, head to the beach in Pui O, or enjoy lunch on the waterfront in Mui O.

Frequently asked questions