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[noahj]

I am new to Travel Pod, I have heard that this is a good site to get information about travel. This is why I am posting this question.

My wife and I are going to Phuket, Thailand in January and we have a 8 hour layover in Hong Kong. We are trying to figure out if this will give us enough time to get out of the airport and see the city a little. Does anyone know about the Hong Kong airport and how long it takes to get through customs there and if we would have time to see some of the city? Also, with such a short time what places would you recommend seeing?

Any information would be helpful,

Noah

[wakingdream]

Hi Noah,

You can take the express train from the airport Hong Kong Island or Kowloon( directly outside the Arrivals Hall) The express train will get you to Exchange Square/ Central Station downtown HK island in about 25 minutes, give or take. You can head to The Peak for a fantastic view but you might not have time for the tram so may want to consider a taxi ride. You could take the Star Ferry to Kowloon ( a short trip).

Day tours from the airport are readily acquired as well and might take a load off your mind regarding getting back on time. They're about HK $10-30 for 4, 6 and 8 hour trips and will pick you up at the airport and get you back. Can be useful if you're unfamiliar with the area and public transit. Tours cover temples, Aberdeen floating resto, old towns etc.

HK Airport Express
HK Walks
A Few Hours in Hong Kong

I'm not exactly sure what else you can do in a short time (maybe someone else has suggestions) but you may just want to take the express into downtown and take a look around. I haven't been in a long time and when we were there we had a week layover.

Getting through customs could take an hour or so, depending on how busy the airport is. It's hard to say. On the flip side, the airport is massive and many people stay and walk around on layovers although 8 hours might be a long time!

[marissazhang]

Hi Noahi:
There's a lot worthy of doing in Hong Kong, many places to see and visit. People often call Hong Kong "a heaven of shopping". If you are also a shopping fans, you can have a pleasant shopping tour in Hong Kong. If you are not interested in shopping and intend to visit some places or sites, Hong Kong will neither make you disappointed.

According to a very professional travel website : www.chinaspringtravel.com, the following places are worthy of visiting.
The Disney Land
Victoria Peak
You also can have a taste of the local tea and soup.

[thellie]

i think eight hours is pushing it a little, but you may be able to get up to the big buddha at wat pho on lantan island (forgive my spelling...).
other places i went to during my 24 hour or so layover were the peak, via the tram, via the star ferry - star ferry is def worth a go, as is the view from the peak.

check out my first or second journal entry for details on what we did in hong kong - i can't remember as i've having a ball in thailand!)