Flights to Hong Kong
Ride the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, eat your way through Sham Shui Po, then hike a ridge above the South China Sea—Hong Kong packs it all into one easy-to-navigate city.
- Currency
- Hong Kong dollar (HKD)
- Language
- Cantonese and English (Mandarin widely understood)
- Time zone
- Hong Kong Time (UTC+8, no daylight saving)
- Plug type
- Type G (220 V)
- Main airport
- Hong Kong International (HKG)
Overview
Hong Kong is famous for one of the world's great skylines, but the surprise for many first-timers is how green it is. Around three-quarters of the territory is countryside, and trails like the Dragon's Back on Hong Kong Island or the MacLehose Trail in the New Territories are an easy bus or MTR ride from dense neighborhoods. The Peak Tram climbs to Victoria Peak for the classic view, while the Star Ferry, running since the 19th century, still crosses Victoria Harbour between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui.
Food is at the center of everything, from dim sum trolleys and roast-goose shops to cha chaan teng diners serving milk tea and pineapple buns. Sheung Wan's dried-seafood streets, Mong Kok's markets and Temple Street's night stalls feel a world away from Central's rooftop bars. In West Kowloon, the M+ museum and Hong Kong Palace Museum anchor a waterfront arts district.
The airport, on reclaimed land off Lantau Island, is one of the best connected in Asia, with Cathay Pacific flying nonstop from many North American cities. It's also a natural gateway for side trips to Lantau's Tian Tan Buddha, Macau via the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, or onward across Asia.
Highlights of Hong Kong
Victoria Peak
Ride the Peak Tram up from Central for the city's signature harbor view, then walk the flat Peak Circle trail for quieter lookouts.
Star Ferry
A short, inexpensive crossing between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central that delivers some of the best skyline views—especially at night.
Tian Tan Buddha and Ngong Ping
Take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car over Lantau's hills to the giant bronze Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
Dragon's Back
A short ridge hike on Hong Kong Island's southeast with sea views, ending at the surf beach of Big Wave Bay or Shek O.
M+ and West Kowloon
The M+ museum of visual culture and the Hong Kong Palace Museum sit on a harborfront park with views back to Hong Kong Island.
Where to stay
Central and Sheung Wan
Business hub, bars of Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo, and the Airport Express terminus—great for short stays and nightlife.
Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon's waterfront hotels, museums and the Avenue of Stars, with Star Ferry access and skyline views—ideal for first-time visitors.
Causeway Bay and Wan Chai
Shopping malls, local eateries and trams through lively streets, with good mid-range hotel options.
Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei
Dense, local and packed with street markets, including the Ladies' Market and Temple Street—for travelers who want street-level energy and value.
Airports and getting into town
The MTR Airport Express reaches Kowloon in about 22 minutes and Hong Kong Station in Central in about 24 minutes, and participating airlines offer in-town check-in at those stations for the return trip. Cityflyer 'A' routes and other airport buses serve Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories, usually in 45–75 minutes. Taxis are color-coded: red urban taxis go almost anywhere, green serve the New Territories and blue serve Lantau.
Best time to visit
October through December is the sweet spot, with lower humidity, clear skies and comfortable hiking weather. Spring (March–April) is mild but can be misty, and the Hong Kong Sevens rugby and Art Basel Hong Kong typically fall in this season. Summer (June–September) is hot, humid and rainy, and typhoon season runs roughly May to November—flights and ferries can be suspended when Typhoon Signal No. 8 or higher is raised. Chinese New Year brings fireworks and parades but also busy travel.
Airlines flying to Hong Kong
Popular routes to Hong Kong
Travel tips from our desk
- Get an Octopus card (or add one to your phone) to pay for the MTR, buses, trams, ferries and many shops and convenience stores.
- Check the Hong Kong Observatory for typhoon and rainstorm warnings in summer; transport and attractions can close at Signal No. 8.
- Many small restaurants and markets prefer cash or Octopus, so carry some Hong Kong dollars.
- Stand on the right and walk on the left on MTR escalators, and note that eating and drinking are not allowed on MTR trains and in paid areas of stations.
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Shrines, sushi counters and neon towers, with nonstop flights into both Haneda and Narita from across the US and Canada.
Explore Tokyo →Flights to Hong Kong — frequently asked questions
Are there nonstop flights from the US to Hong Kong?
Yes. Cathay Pacific flies nonstop from cities including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth and Seattle; United flies from San Francisco and Los Angeles; and Delta launched Los Angeles–Hong Kong in June 2026.
Can I fly nonstop from Canada?
Yes. Cathay Pacific flies from Vancouver and Toronto, and Air Canada flies from Vancouver.
When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?
October to December offers the most comfortable, dry weather; summer is hot and humid, and typhoons are possible from about May to November.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
The Airport Express train is fastest—about 24 minutes to Central—while airport buses are slower but reach more neighborhoods, and taxis are available around the clock.
Is it easy to visit Macau from Hong Kong?
Yes. Ferries run from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and buses cross the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge; check current entry requirements for Macau before you go.
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