Hong Kong Airport: Location And Travel Tips

Hong Kong International Airport is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, north of Lantau Island, in western Hong Kong. The airport is also referred to as Chek Lap Kok International Airport or Chek Lap Kok Airport. It is about 34 kilometres from Downtown Hong Kong.

Hong Kong International Airport location

Hong Kong International Airport (IATA: HKG, ICAO: VHHH) is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, north of Lantau Island, in western Hong Kong. The airport is also referred to as Chek Lap Kok International Airport or Chek Lap Kok Airport.

The airport is situated 34 kilometres (21 miles) from Downtown Hong Kong and is accessible by the Hong Kong Airport Express, which offers a swift 24-minute, 35.3-kilometre-long journey from the airport to Central Downtown. The Airport Express boasts five stations: AsiaWorld-Expo Station, Airport Station, Tsing Yi Station, Kowloon Station, and Hong Kong Station.

Hong Kong International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world for passenger traffic and the busiest for cargo. It is a significant hub for the region, connecting much of Asia with the rest of the world. The airport is in operation 24 hours a day and serves as the main hub for Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways, and Air Hong Kong (cargo carrier).

The construction of Hong Kong International Airport involved reclaiming land from the small island of Chek Lap Kok, off Lantau Island, and its neighbouring islands of Lam Chau and part of the seabed. This expansion added nearly 1% to Hong Kong's total surface area.

Chek Lap Kok Island

The island's name may be derived from the bareness of its landscape, with 'da chek lak' translating to 'naked body' in Cantonese. Another theory is that the island resembles the shape of a red tripletail fish, known as 'chek lap' in Cantonese.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the inhabitants of Chek Lap Kok practised farming and quarrying. By the 1950s, the population had grown to around 200, but this declined when the construction of a new airport was announced in the early 1990s.

Hong Kong International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports for both cargo and passengers. It is home to one of the world's largest passenger terminal buildings and is the primary hub for several major airlines, including Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines. The airport is operated by Airport Authority Hong Kong, a statutory body of the Hong Kong government.

Lantau Island

The airport is connected to Lantau Island and the rest of Hong Kong by the Route 8 highway, which runs through North Lantau. The Hong Kong Airport Express, a dedicated rapid-speed rail link, also services the airport, with five stations: AsiaWorld-Expo, Airport, Tsing Yi, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Station. The journey from the airport to Central Downtown takes as little as 24 minutes.

The construction of Hong Kong International Airport involved significant land reclamation, adding nearly 1% to Hong Kong's total surface area. The airport site includes the former Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau islands, which were flattened and levelled, as well as reclaimed seabed adjacent to these islands. The resulting airport site covers an area of 4,707 acres or 1,905 hectares.

Hong Kong's economy

Hong Kong International Airport is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok in western Hong Kong. The airport is a significant contributor to Hong Kong's economy, with the air travel industry generating US$33 billion in 2018, accounting for 10.2% of the region's GDP. Hong Kong's economy is a highly developed free-market economy, characterised by low taxation, almost free port trade, and a well-established international financial market. The Hong Kong dollar, the region's currency, is pegged to the US dollar and is issued by three major international commercial banks.

In recent years, Hong Kong's economy has faced challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, political upheaval, and competition from mainland Chinese cities like Shanghai. Despite these challenges, Hong Kong remains an attractive destination for foreign direct investment and is ranked highly in terms of economic freedom and financial secrecy. The region's economic policy has often been cited as an example of laissez-faire capitalism, with a relatively low level of government involvement.

Hong Kong's economic strengths include its gross domestic product, which grew 180 times between 1961 and 1997, and its GDP per capita, which rose 87 times during the same period. In 2023, Hong Kong's GDP per capita at purchasing power parity was the twelfth highest globally. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is the sixth-largest in the world, with a market capitalisation of about US$3.732 trillion as of mid-2017.

Transport to the airport

Hong Kong International Airport is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, north of Lantau Island, in western Hong Kong. The airport is also known as Chek Lap Kok International Airport or Chek Lap Kok Airport. It is easily accessible by various means of transportation, including the Airport Express, public buses, taxis, and private transfers.

Airport Express

The Airport Express is a rapid-speed rail link that offers swift transportation between Hong Kong International Airport and the city centre. The journey from the airport to Central Downtown takes as little as 24 minutes, and it takes only one minute from the airport to AsiaWorld-Expo. The Airport Express has five stations: AsiaWorld-Expo Station, Airport Station, Tsing Yi Station, Kowloon Station, and Hong Kong Station.

Public Buses

Hong Kong International Airport is well-served by public bus routes, providing convenient and relatively inexpensive transportation options to and from most parts of the city. There are five bus routes, "A", "E", "N", and "S", offering distinct services.

Taxis

Taxis offer a fast and flexible service to and from the airport. At the airport, the Taxi Station is located on the left-hand ramp outside the Arrivals Hall. Taxis in the city are colour-coded, indicating the areas they serve. These include red urban taxis, green New Territories taxis, and blue Lantau taxis. It is important to note that none of the taxis have access to Discovery Bay.

Private Transfers

For a more personalised and luxurious experience, private airport transfer options are available, including private cars, taxis, and limo services. These can be booked in advance to ensure a hassle-free journey to and from the airport.

Hong Kong International Airport offers a wide range of transportation options to suit different needs, ensuring that travellers can reach their desired destinations efficiently and comfortably.

Frequently asked questions