Hong Kong - Layover to and from USA to PI

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

Tell me about Hong Kong layover for 1.5 to 4 hours switching planes

 

I did the Beijing layover for a couple of  hours years ago, I swore I would never enter China again.

 

I understand Hong Kong is not really China, but is.  How was your stay?  Nice Airport?  Easy to get around?  Do they speak any English in Hong Kong?

[Just Paul 4,591]

I fly thru there over a dozen times per year.  English is spoken.  Very easy to get around. When you arrive look for the transit checkpoints to clear security before going all the way to the immigration area. 

 

You won't have time to leave the airport but there is tons of shopping and restaurants.  If you have access to the airport clubs they can be very spectacular.  On our last trip thru with my wife we picked a 12 hour layover just so we would have time to go to the clubs, dine, take a shower, a massage and a get a  day room to take a nap.

 

I always forget it is even related to China!

[payxibka 10,044]

1 hour ago, Chris Duffy said:

Tell me about Hong Kong layover for 1.5 to 4 hours switching planes

 

I did the Beijing layover for a couple of  hours years ago, I swore I would never enter China again.

 

I understand Hong Kong is not really China, but is.  How was your stay?  Nice Airport?  Easy to get around?  Do they speak any English in Hong Kong?

I would not hesitate to transit Hong Kong again 

[juggy_11 18]

On 1/5/2019 at 6:03 AM, Chris Duffy said:

Tell me about Hong Kong layover for 1.5 to 4 hours switching planes

 

I did the Beijing layover for a couple of  hours years ago, I swore I would never enter China again.

 

I understand Hong Kong is not really China, but is.  How was your stay?  Nice Airport?  Easy to get around?  Do they speak any English in Hong Kong?

Beijing airport has got to be one of the worst if not the worst airport I've been in. 

[juggy_11 18]

On 1/5/2019 at 6:36 AM, Paul & Mary said:

I fly thru there over a dozen times per year.  English is spoken.  Very easy to get around. When you arrive look for the transit checkpoints to clear security before going all the way to the immigration area. 

 

You won't have time to leave the airport but there is tons of shopping and restaurants.  If you have access to the airport clubs they can be very spectacular.  On our last trip thru with my wife we picked a 12 hour layover just so we would have time to go to the clubs, dine, take a shower, a massage and a get a  day room to take a nap.

 

I always forget it is even related to China!

So you're saying you still have to go through immigration even when just transiting?

[payxibka 10,044]

3 minutes ago, juggy_11 said:

So you're saying you still have to go through immigration even when just transiting?

Not if you don't leave the international terminal.   If you leave the airport then you will 

Edited January 7, 2019 by payxibka

[John & Rose 7,237]

Hong Kong is one of the nicest and best laid out airports I've ever seen.  My usual flight only has 50 minutes stopover and I've never missed a flight yet.  It is very easy to navigate and the signage is excellent.  We even spent a few days in Hong Kong.  I highly recommend that.  It is clean, safe and very friendly.  Make sure you get an Octopus Card if you visit there.  The mass transit is laid out as nicely as the airport.

 

After our visit we checked into Cathay Pacific at the Airport Express train station in the morning and we had time to keep exploring until we had to go to the airport.  We got our boarding passes and they took our bags at the train station so we had hours of free time.  It is truly an indication on how well things can work if you pay attention to the details.  

 

Edited January 7, 2019 by John & Rose

[Hank_ 9,171]

4 hours ago, juggy_11 said:

So you're saying you still have to go through immigration even when just transiting?

I don't know about the other countries but when we transit through Japan we have to clear through a security/screening check, not immigration.

[dnavinnie 132]

I just got back from a visit with my fiance in Cebu. I flew Cathay Pacific thru Hong Kong. Nice airport and they speak English so no worries.

[payxibka 10,044]

English is the international language of aviation.   Ever wonder why the safety announcements are done in the native tongue of the air carrier and English?

[juggy_11 18]

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

I don't know about the other countries but when we transit through Japan we have to clear through a security/screening check, not immigration.

When I transited through Beijing I went through passport control.

[Just Paul 4,591]

9 hours ago, juggy_11 said:

So you're saying you still have to go through immigration even when just transiting?

You just go thru security.

[payxibka 10,044]

4 hours ago, juggy_11 said:

When I transited through Beijing I went through passport control.

Did you have a Visa to enter China?

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

10 hours ago, Hank_ said:

I don't know about the other countries but when we transit through Japan we have to clear through a security/screening check, not immigration.

Beijing you actually go thru immigration (passport Stamps) just to catch another plane, or at least we had to. It was total BS

[Chris Duffy 1,256]

7 hours ago, juggy_11 said:

When I transited through Beijing I went through passport control.

Same here, then when they kicked me out of the country the put on my passport stamp "Revocked"