Hong Kong’s world-class infrastructure links it to the rest of the world, offering travellers a host of attractive arrival and departure options.
By Air
The award-winning Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island commenced operations in July 1998. The 24-hour airport is connected to about 220 destinations all over the world through about 1,100 daily flights serviced by more than 120 airlines. There is also a cross-boundary helicopter shuttle service travelling between Hong Kong and Macao. It’s just 15 minutes from Macau Maritime Terminal to the Heliport at Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal.
By Sea
The two world-class cruise infrastructures, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Ocean Terminal, receive international cruise ships at the spectacular Victoria Harbour. In addition, Hong Kong is also linked to a number of ports in Mainland China by high-speed ferries servicing Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Hong Kong International Airport.
By Land
Mass Transit Railway (MTR) runs regular through-train intercity services between Hong Kong and Guangdong province, Beijing and Shanghai in Mainland China. The through-train terminus is MTR Hung Hom Station. A trip of just one hour and 50 minutes will take travellers from Hung Hom to Guangzhou East.
Hong Kong travellers coming to and from Shenzhen in Mainland China via the Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau checkpoints can take a local MTR train into town after passing through Hong Kong Immigration.
Cross-border coach services are also available between Hong Kong and key cities in southern China via five major road-based land crossings in Hong Kong: Shenzhen Bay Port, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
Major infrastructure developments, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Rail (Hong Kong section), also connect Hong Kong with Macao and Mainland China. The High-Speed Rail runs from West Kowloon and connects passengers to the national high-speed rail network.
Travel Tips
Entry Regulations: In general, all visitors to Hong Kong must have a passport that is valid for at least one month after the period of their intended stay in Hong Kong. All potential visitors are strongly advised to check with their Chinese embassy and consulate, or the Hong Kong Immigration Department, for full details of passport and visa requirements.
Visas: Travellers from more than 160 countries can enjoy visa-free visits to Hong Kong for periods varying from seven to 180 days. Visitors are required to have adequate funds to cover their stay without working, and to hold an onward or return ticket (unless in transit to Mainland China or Macao).
144-hour Convenient Visa to Guangdong Province: Foreign nationals in Hong Kong can visit Guangdong province for a maximum of 144 hours (six days) via entry ports in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou and Shantou* using the 144-hour Convenient Visa.
| Entry Ports in Guangdong Province | ||
| Guangdong Province | South China Sea | |
| Zhaoqing | Guangzhou | Hong Kong |
| Jiangmen | Zhuhai | Huizhou |
| Foshan | Dongguan | Shantou |
| Zhongshan | Shenzhen |
To be eligible for the 144-hour Convenient Visa, visitors:
- Must join a tour organised by a registered Hong Kong travel agent
- Must travel in a group consisting of a minimum of two persons and a maximum of 40 persons
- Can have a choice of ports of entry or exit in Guangdong province, except Shantou*
- Must enter and leave the areas together in their group via the ports of entry stated above
*must enter and exit via the same port
At the ports of entry and exit in Guangdong Province, immigration officers will examine passports and the name list of the group. Group members will not be required to fill in any immigration cards for passport stamping.
The above policy is applicable to ordinary passport holders of nations with diplomatic relations with China.
Arrival/ Departure: Generally, visitors are required to complete an Arrival/Departure card for immigration examination. Frequent visitors to Hong Kong can enjoy the convenience of computerised self-service e-Channels, which provide quick and easy immigration clearance.
Duty-free Concessions for Incoming Passengers: The duty-free concessions granted to a passenger are as follows:
- 1 litre of alcoholic liquor with an alcoholic strength above 30% by volume measured at a temperature of 20˚C; and
- 19 cigarettes or 1 cigar (or 25 grams of cigars), or 25 grams of other manufactured tobacco
An incoming passenger aged 18 or above is allowed to bring into Hong Kong the above goods free of duty for his/her own use. If the passenger holds a Hong Kong Identity Card, he/she must have spent 24 hours or longer outside Hong Kong (applies to liquor only).