If you’re on a layover in Hong Kong and wondering what to do with a short amount of time, then look no further. Below is a list of quick and convenient things to do on a short layover in Hong Kong, and also some sightseeing options for 2-3 days in the city.
In this post you can read suggestions which range from a 5 hour to 3 day layover in Hong Kong.
With 5 or more hours to spare you can see a little bit of Hong Kong, before catching your onward flight. If you do leave the airport on a very short layover, make sure you have enough time to go back through immigration.
The journey time on the Airport Express train from Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong Station in Central is approximately 24 minutes. The Airport Express also stops at Kowloon and Tsing Yi Stations.
Here are some things that you might like to do on a very short to medium layover in Hong Kong.
Closer to the airport
If you only have a day or less to spare, then you’ll want to stay close to the Kowloon Airport Express MTR station. Close to this station is the Ritz Carlton. It’s the home to Ozone, the highest bar in Hong Kong and is know for it’s incredible city views. You can visit here for a drink, or maybe even an afternoon tea during a flight layover.
Also next to Kowloon Airport Express station is the Elements Mall. There are restaurants and luxury shopping here. You might fancy a bite to eat and some shopping on your layover. Elements Mall is so close to the airport that it’s possible to visit on a short layover.
Further away from the airport
If you have more time to spare then you should visit Hong Kong’s famous Peak. The Peak in Hong Kong is a popular tourist destination that offers stunning views of the city skyline and Victoria Harbour. The tram station to travel to the peak is close to Central Station MTR. It requires some walking to get to and can often be busy, but worth it it, if you have the time.
If you don’t have time to wait in line for the tram, then you can take a taxi all the way up to The Peak. The taxi fare will be approximately $HK70 – $HK100 from Hong Kong Station MTR. No trip or layover in Hong Kong is complete without a trip to The Peak.
If you are taking the tram, walk to Central Station from the Hong Kong AirPort Express station (it’s well signposted). If you are taking a taxi, catch a taxi from the exit of the AirPort Express.
If you need to stretch your legs after a long flight you can consider a walk along Victoria Harbour. To get here, get off the AirPort Express at Hong Kong Station MTR (the last stop). Walk to Central station and then you can just follow the blue signs to the ‘Ferry Pier’ and enjoy the city views from a lower vantage point than the Peak. It’s a good place for photo opportunities.
The walk from Hong Kong station to Victoria Harbour will take about 20 minutes. Once you arrive at the ferry pier, you have two options. If you turn right you’ll go towards Tamar Park and awesome city views. If you turn left you’ll go towards the ferry pier and some drinks stands.
You will find venders selling drinks and snacks close to the ferry pier. Which will be needed as you’ll get thirsty if you’re visiting in the hot summer months. It’s legal to drink on the street in Hong Kong, so it’s nice to grab a takeaway beer or gin & tonic for the scenic stroll.
If you don’t feel like walking around, but want to explore Hong Kong, you might consider riding the tram. Riding the tram in Hong Kong provides a unique way to see Hong Kong’s vibrant street life and varied neighbourhoods. Interesting neighbourhoods to see on the tram include, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay. You can hop on and off at many MTR stations on Hong Kong Island.
2 days in Hong Kong
If you have longer in Hong Kong you can see more and explore further. No visit to Hong Kong is complete without a visit to The Peak. I highly recommend this for any length of stay and should be included in a 2 or 3 day itinerary.
With 2 days in Hong Kong you may have time to explore a neighbourhood on Hong Kong island. Exploring a Hong Kong neighbourhood is a great way to experience the city’s diverse and vibrant local way of life. The neighbourhoods most worth visiting are: Sheung Wan for city life and a splattering of hidden antiques markets. Wan Chai for colourful buildings, local markets, local life and good restaurants. Causeway Bay for shopping, city life and Hong Kong’s busiest road crossing.
Ladies Market in Mong Kok. The Ladies Market in Mong Kok is a bustling outdoor street market that offers a wide variety of affordable clothing, accessories, and souvenirs. Mong Kok is also an interesting neighbourhood to explore, because it is one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods on the planet. Yes. You read that right. It’s extremely busy and an experience to visit.
Big Buddha. The Big Buddha in Hong Kong is a gigantic bronze statue located on Lantau Island. There is a cable car that you can catch to the Buddha. The cable car ride has great views of the surrounding area and is totally worth taking a ride on.
3 days in Hong Kong
If you’re staying for longer you might want to consider adding a visit to one of Hong Kong’s outlying islands to your itinerary. If you visit an island such as Peng Chau or Cheung Chau, you’ll get to see a quieter, more laid back side of Hong Kong local life.
Peng Chau and Cheung Chau are easily accessed by ferry from the Central ferry pier. On these islands you can find a variety coffee shops, local craft stores, hidden temples, places to eat seafood and small alleyways to explore.
Alternatively you can head over to the Tai O Fishing Village on Lantau Island and possibly see the famous pink dolphins, which are native to the area. In this fishing village you can also see houses on stilts and a different way of life compared to the skyscrapers in Central.
Extras to consider adding to your itinerary
Stanley Market – Stanley Market is an open-air market in Hong Kong that offers a range of souvenirs, clothing, and accessories, as well as restaurants and cafes, in a relaxed and scenic waterfront setting. It’s great if you want to do a bit of shopping and pick up something unique from the market, followed by a bite to eat with a sea view. You might even see a few dogs dressed in cute outfits that frequent the area on their daily walks.
Chi Lin Nunnery – Chi Lin Nunnery is a peaceful Buddhist temple complex. It is a dark wooden beautiful structure that is surrounded by lotus ponds, and Chinese gardens.
10,000 Buddhas Monastery – The 10,000 Buddhas Monastery features thousands of golden Buddha statues that lead up to a temple with views of the surrounding area.
Aqua Luna harbour cruise is a wonderful evening cruise where you can enjoy the city lights from the middle of Victoria Harbour with a glass of something alcoholic. Cruises last approximately 1 hour, depart from Central Ferry Pier or Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s best to book in advance directly on the Aqua Luna website.
Whatever you do, you’ll have a wonderful time is the gem of a city where East meets West in a unique way.
If your staying longer you might also consider having brunch, which is what Hong Kong does really well. You can find the best brunches here Hong Kong’s best champagne brunches .
If you found this post useful, drop me a comment below to say hi and tell me about your trip to Hong Kong. It would be great to hear from you.
