Arriving to Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport is located at Chek Lap Kok, some 40 kilometres west of the city. Built on reclaimed land and inaugurated in 1999, Check Lap Kok took six years to build at a cost of US$20 billion. Said to be the largest civil engineering project up to that time, the 1.27 kilometre terminal building is the largest covered space in the world. Nonetheless, despite its enormous size passengers move quickly and easily.

An internal shuttle train runs between the East and West Halls and while arriving passengers need not change levels to exit the building, departing passengers will need to change levels once to board their plane. The airport has total of eight levels with check-in, arrivals and departures on 3 different levels. As with any modern airport there are any number of cafes, restaurants and bars, souvenir shops, newsstands and even 150 ATMs!

The airport is connected to Hong Kong island by several bridges including the longest suspension bridge of its kind in the world capable of carrying both rail and motor vehicle traffic. That said the quickest, easiest and least expensive route to either Hong Kong island or Kowloon is the 34 km high speed train known as Airport Express (click here).

Upon disembarking your flight there will be clear signage directing you to the immigration counters. Nationals of most developed countries do not require a visa to enter Hong Kong as a tourist. However conditions of stay vary according to nationality. For more information, please check out Hong Kong Immigration Department's web site

Passport holders of a number of countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for a period of up to 90 days. Anyone wishing to stay longer than the visa-free period must apply for a visa before traveling to Hong Kong.

All visitors to Hong Kong must have valid travel documents, endorsed where necessary for Hong Kong. Passports or other documents must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from Hong Kong.

When you arrive at the Immigration Hall you should have the following documents ready:

Once you clear immigration you can collect your luggage (the baggage carousel will indicate the flight number on the big blue sign as you enter the area). Once you have collected your luggage you then proceed to Customs and the Arrivals Hall and Ground Transportation Centre.

Travel Tip
It is advisable that you carry your passports at all times as immigration authorities frequently do spot checks to catch illegal workers and those who have overstayed their visa.