Ship to Airport / Hong Kong Transfer

[BettyNL]

We will be arriving in the am but don't have a flight until midnight..........

 

Is there a tour operator who will (a) pick us & our luggage up at the pier, (b) give us a day tour, and © drop off at airport ??

 

Of Note: In the past, the cruise line has offered (but not now) this package on disembarkation day at South America ports......looking for something similar in Hong Kong; Thanks !!

[mking8288]

How many in your party arriving in HKG next January (and # of luggage) ?

 

Ship will likely be docking at 1 of 2 berths at the newly (2013) opened Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Kowloon Bay, which is a bit away from the "core" Kowloon "city" core business & tourist districts. Overview is here - http://www.kaitakcruiseterminal.com.hk/passenger-info/

 

HKG has an excellent public transport system and a fast Airport Express train system, 1 station on HK island side and 1 station across the famous Victoria Harbour (Hong Kong & Kowloon Stations, respectively) 25 minutes direct to airport terminal, steps away from same day (up to 24 hours prior) airline check-in counters with free porter services & luggage carts for use. In town at the above stations - there is free airline check-ins, luggage can be dropped off & boarding passes issued.

 

My suggestion is to disembark the Star (loved that ship, sailed her twice) - take a taxi (check closer to sail date to see if NCL offer shuttle transfer to AE Station) to the AE Station (under $15 USD per taxi, fit 3 people & 3 x 25" luggage & carry-on items, in under 30 minutes - to drop off your heavier luggage, keep valuables & get your BP's issued. Then, a DYI sightseeing & walking tour - combined that with buses, trains below ground, and of course - a ride on the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, pick a place for an "early" dinner (plenty of places to eat, many hidden away inside multi-story shopping malls, including food courts with prices & options for all budgets and taste) - catch the nightly 8 PM laser show on the harborfront, before returning to the AE Station for that quick ride to the airport by 9:30 PM (no later than 10 PM) or 90 minutes before your scheduled flight departure ... as you are all checked in with BP.

 

Once at the airport (you will be arriving via train at Terminal 1) - proceed direct to security/checkpoint - BP/passport ready - then, via "exit" border control/immigration and customs (follow signs for "nothing to declare" which are used by most travelers ... beware of bring/buying duty-free cigarettes & alcohol home, as all of the HK are tax-free & duty-free for all purchases and goods, etc.) HKG is one of the best worldwide, free WiFi everywhere & lots of shops & dining for that late night snack - allow a few minutes as you might need to ride the APM to your gates (Automated People Movers/airline tram like those at LAS)

 

LAX being your home airport, you are almost definitely on a non-stop flight, where they do secondary screening at the boarding/gate area for all 3-1-1 & liquid items, not even a bottle of water or soda can from our airport club lounge allowed !! - finish up & drink up anything purchased airside (past security) before getting to the jet bridge or "surrender" it all into those 55 gallon drums.

 

To get around town easily, you need to buy an Octopus Card (at the MTR station's kiosk, credit/debit cards accepted) for transit use, which acts also as a debit card for small purchases, accepted at 7-11's, McDonalds, chain coffee & bakery stores, Watsons & other pharmacies, etc. - as that would often eliminate or minimize the need for using/exchanging local HK currencies. Tourist only Octopus are available at the AE Station, which should be your first stop - there is a variant that include the fares for the airport & unlimited use for 24 hour period.

 

In this thread, which is on the same page now - relating to questions about taxis in Hong Kong, I provided tons of details about transportation, getting around, videos from YT about some of the major / popular attractions on the island of HK & across the ("shrinking" due to landfills) deep Victoria Harbour, things to do/see on the Kowloon side of this SAR. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2172578&page=2

 

Comfortable walking shoes are a must, January is considered "winter" in HKG and can be windy & cold, it never really snow in the city but dress in layers as most places aren't heated and buildings not insulated.

 

Even if this is just for 2 people, you will saved a lot doing things yourself - instead of hiring a tour guide plus a driver, and deal with the quasi-legal Uber arrangement to get around, and, still need to get out & walk around to see things - narrated group tours are generally done on medium-sized buses with seating for 30+ passengers, and, they are frequently oriented for mainland China shoppers to spend $$$$$ - money saved will pay for nice lunches & dinners for yourself.

 

Discover Hong Kong is the official H.K. tourism association website with tons of up-to-date & useful info, please bookmark & reference it - recheck them as you get closer to your sail date. There is a tab for cruise pax with info, sample of tours offered, and things to do on your own. Please review & see what is of interest to you as part of the planning. http://www.discoverhongkong.com/us/index.jsp

 

Unless anyone is religions & believe in spending 3/4 of a day going to Lantau Island, skip or avoid doing the "Big Budda" thing up to the mountaintop - nice & all, but, there are far more things to see ... discover & enjoy with a limited stay before flying home. IMHO, just 45 to 60 minutes northeast of downtown LAX, there is an excellent buddist temple nearby that's great & not tourism-oriented, rather for the faithful - I reviewed it not long ago on TripAdvisors with my other unique ID.

[BettyNL]

mking8288.......thank you for your very nice & quick response; appreciate all your suggestions !!

[4774Papa]

We took the ship's transfer to the Kowloon Station, where we checked our luggage (can check 24 hrs in advance). We then stored our carryon bags in nearby lockers and took a taxi to see a museum before returning to take the Airport Express to the airport.

[chrispb]

Our flights are usually around midnight, so we do the same as Papa - check in the luggage in the morning and enjoy our final day.

 

Note. Not all airlines allow this but most do. Wise to check first.

[mking8288]

Here's a preview of HK's Airport Express Station (this YT video is the Hong Kong AE Station on the island side ... Victoria Peak, Central, Electric Tram on Queensway, Star Ferry, etc. ) it's as if you are inside the airport terminal, vast underground micro-city complexes. Signage & info are typically bilingual - English speakers will find it 100% customer friendly, some of the terms are British (i.e. "mind the closing doors" meant "watch the closing doors" etc.)

 

This is the Kowloon AE Station concourse, integrated below ground into the Elements shopping mall complex in West Kowloon on reclaimed landfills.

 

There are free shuttle routes to/from both AE stations from nearby hotel stops on multiple mini runs - if your sightseeing are done and you are near one, look for the clearly marked bilingual signs - wait & board one (since the trains run every 10 to 12 minutes on late night) to return and you can save the nominal cost of a short taxi ride. This YT video show the typical shuttle buses, K3 route to Nathan Road -

 

Insider's tip - after dropping off the luggage & completing your airline check-in with Boarding Passes issued - you can take these free shuttle buses "upstairs" to the stop nearest to the Peninsula/Kowloon YMCA, get off and walk to the Star Ferry or the waterfront (the Avenue of the Stars is closed for major rennovations & new additions thru 2018, but the watefront/harbour still accessible) Just make sure you hold on to your special MTR/AE Octopus Card as you will need that to exit at the airport, or will otherwise buy another one at full fare ($100 HKD from HKS, $90 from $90 from KS - there are discounts for 2 or more travelers, etc.) http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/transport/to-from-airport/airport-express.html?jskey=19691

 

Details on the services with links to the Kowloon AE Station - http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/aestations_kln.html

 

Here's a long list (close to 100, with local phone #'s) of participating airlines at HKIA (HKG) offering in-town check-in and ticketing counters, including free transfers of luggage directly to your flights (as if you are already at the airport) http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/services/checkin_info.html

 

Checked luggage services (those MLC carry-ons) can be stored for up to 24 hours @ under $8 USD ($60 HKD) each - open 6 AM to 1 AM daily.

 

** Oh, walk to the left & keep left, as locals drive to the left side of the street (we, in the Americas keep right, etc.) so be careful when crossing busy streets & look both ways - and, please no jaywalking (or, the policeman will issue you a summon or ticket) - folks wait & watch for the traffic signs to change, then walk quickly in an orderly manner. On busy Nathan Road & other major, busy street crossings, there are no crosswalks & it's fenced with barriers - look for the nearest underground passageway or pedestrian tunnel to cross to the other side of the street, or, you will have to walk 2 or 3 blocks to find one that permit crossing - intended to make busy city traffic moving efficiently, and, it works.

 

Have fun & please do share with those on your sailing or rollcall - to get the max out of their stay or brief visit / stopover in this crowded city of 7+ million locals.

[chloe kitty]

If we are coming from the old airport cruise terminal, what is the best way to get to the airport without taking a cab?

We would appreciate any help!

[mking8288]

If we are coming from the old airport cruise terminal, what is the best way to get to the airport without taking a cab?

We would appreciate any help!

 

From Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, short answer - unfortunately, just checked with our sources locally who reside on the hillside about 3 MTR stations away from the pier - is "none" ... (not the answer that I wanted to give but, HK Gov't isn't to be blamed for its otherwise, excellent public transport system) KTCT is under-utilized and seasonal in cruise passenger traffic, at best, very difficult to integrated urban planning & design into this "nice" terminal (be careful if & when it rains, not sure if all the roof leaks & flooding had been mitigated or fixed, a well known fact before it officially opened 3 years ago - to the authorities & the public-private joint venture partnership)

 

The free shuttle bus services to nearby malls are designed for pax without luggage (unless you are traveling with a 17" to 22" Euro backpack or equivalent) ... ditto for the PMB (green mini-bus route on port/ship days) to the nearby MTR station, where there is virtually zero provisions for holding/storing luggage.

 

On Sundays & HK local public holidays, there's a special bus route/services for residents to make use of the skypark greens above the terminal - again, not for luggage & it will likely be packed.

 

Leaving basically 2 options on the "best way" - ???? - taxi & the lines for it, which varied in wait. Or, the ship's airport transfer bus services. There is a grey market "Uber" style "ride-sharing" services and equivalent, not licensed properly nor insured - so not recommended (there are high end, luxury limo-style car services in a Benz, Audi or better $$$$$)

 

You are close to your sailing and should know/ask the cruiseline about any available airport transfer services, costs & availability, etc. It might be no better or just as inexpensive as taking a taxi direct to HKIA - which is virtually door to door, dropping you off curbside at T1 @ Lantau's northside for CLK (airport) ... for under $50 USD per taxi, including tolls & tips (no need for 20% as in the Americas, loose change of 10% of the fare would be perfectly fine & appreciated by the driver, most of them speak little to no English) vs. about $12 to $14 to the Kowloon AE Station for the 3 stops ride and complimentary, free in-town airline check-in & luggage drops - something you will appreciate on a hot & humid day, which isn't out of the question even in April) Taxi will fit 3 adults plus 1 checked luggage per person + smaller carry-on cabin bags.

 

You can "struggle" to save that $25 to $30 USD for 2 people, squeeze on to the PMB or mall shuttle (if they allow you to board with "everything") & then drag over to the MTR station, find the elevator or walk the stairs/steps, buy the Octopus Card for travel, get to the correct platform level for the color-coded trains, transfer to the AE Station transfer points, or take the "local" non AE train to Tung Chung out on Lantau, then, go upstairs to find the taxi stand, hop onto a taxi for another short ride to the airport, or, OMG - the local bus for that final segment (that, local airline crews do make use of ... sometimes, from Tung Chung station)

 

Short answer and a long, in-depth explanation - IMO, depending on your flight time & other factors - in that you are disembarkation in HKG post-cruise, and flying homeward directly by heading to the airport ... budget that $50 USD and take a taxi, don't pull/push & sweat it out - it will be pretty "warm" in April, humidity will be around 90% daily.

 

If you are more specifics, I will be glad to offer suggestions & alternatives, if any. What is your flight time & destination airport (LAX or SFO or ??) from KTCT - the taxi can easily access the elevated highway / motorway / expressway & bypass most of the city or in-town urbanized traffic, and get you to the airport in 45 to 60 minutes at most - and, worth spending a little extra money for ... considering the costs of the cruise & typical shore ex, etc.

 

Happy cruising !

Edited March 11, 2016 by mking8288

[chloe kitty]

From Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, short answer - unfortunately, just checked with our sources locally who reside on the hillside about 3 MTR stations away from the pier - is "none" ... (not the answer that I wanted to give but, HK Gov't isn't to be blamed for its otherwise, excellent public transport system) KTCT is under-utilized and seasonal in cruise passenger traffic, at best, very difficult to integrated urban planning & design into this "nice" terminal (be careful if & when it rains, not sure if all the roof leaks & flooding had been mitigated or fixed, a well known fact before it officially opened 3 years ago - to the authorities & the public-private joint venture partnership)

 

The free shuttle bus services to nearby malls are designed for pax without luggage (unless you are traveling with a 17" to 22" Euro backpack or equivalent) ... ditto for the PMB (green mini-bus route on port/ship days) to the nearby MTR station, where there is virtually zero provisions for holding/storing luggage.

 

On Sundays & HK local public holidays, there's a special bus route/services for residents to make use of the skypark greens above the terminal - again, not for luggage & it will likely be packed.

 

Leaving basically 2 options on the "best way" - ???? - taxi & the lines for it, which varied in wait. Or, the ship's airport transfer bus services. There is a grey market "Uber" style "ride-sharing" services and equivalent, not licensed properly nor insured - so not recommended (there are high end, luxury limo-style car services in a Benz, Audi or better $$$$$)

 

You are close to your sailing and should know/ask the cruiseline about any available airport transfer services, costs & availability, etc. It might be no better or just as inexpensive as taking a taxi direct to HKIA - which is virtually door to door, dropping you off curbside at T1 @ Lantau's northside for CLK (airport) ... for under $50 USD per taxi, including tolls & tips (no need for 20% as in the Americas, loose change of 10% of the fare would be perfectly fine & appreciated by the driver, most of them speak little to no English) vs. about $12 to $14 to the Kowloon AE Station for the 3 stops ride and complimentary, free in-town airline check-in & luggage drops - something you will appreciate on a hot & humid day, which isn't out of the question even in April) Taxi will fit 3 adults plus 1 checked luggage per person + smaller carry-on cabin bags.

 

You can "struggle" to save that $25 to $30 USD for 2 people, squeeze on to the PMB or mall shuttle (if they allow you to board with "everything") & then drag over to the MTR station, find the elevator or walk the stairs/steps, buy the Octopus Card for travel, get to the correct platform level for the color-coded trains, transfer to the AE Station transfer points, or take the "local" non AE train to Tung Chung out on Lantau, then, go upstairs to find the taxi stand, hop onto a taxi for another short ride to the airport, or, OMG - the local bus for that final segment (that, local airline crews do make use of ... sometimes, from Tung Chung station)

 

Short answer and a long, in-depth explanation - IMO, depending on your flight time & other factors - in that you are disembarkation in HKG post-cruise, and flying homeward directly by heading to the airport ... budget that $50 USD and take a taxi, don't pull/push & sweat it out - it will be pretty "warm" in April, humidity will be around 90% daily.

 

If you are more specifics, I will be glad to offer suggestions & alternatives, if any. What is your flight time & destination airport (LAX or SFO or ??) from KTCT - the taxi can easily access the elevated highway / motorway / expressway & bypass most of the city or in-town urbanized traffic, and get you to the airport in 45 to 60 minutes at most - and, worth spending a little extra money for ... considering the costs of the cruise & typical shore ex, etc.

 

Happy cruising !

 

Thank you for spending so much time responding to me. I believe we will have to take a cab, as our flight leaves at 11:30am. The ship arrives at 7:am, and being Elite, I hope to disembark ASAP. Our other choice would be Princess transfers.

 

Thanks again

Edited March 11, 2016 by chloe kitty

[mking8288]

If we are coming from the old airport cruise terminal ... we will have to take a cab, as our flight leaves at 11:30am. The ship arrives at 7:am, and being Elite, I hope to disembark ASAP. Our other choice would be Princess transfers. Thanks again

You are welcomed. Is this your own flight booking as booked - I would've opted for an afternoon or evening departure - not to get stressed out.

 

In addition to standard airport security screening, which are efficient & despite long lines at peak period, move rather quickly. If you are running late or close to cutoff time, alert the airline check-in counter staff and/or someone at the checkpoint (be sure to have your passports & mobile/boarding passes ready) so they can usually escort/move you to the front of the line - you will then need to do the quick exit immigration check & then past the customs checkpoint, then be "airside" & head for your departure gate. All USA-bound flights have a secondary security screening at/near the departure gate, primary for final passport/BP/document checks and for 3-1-1 liquid ("to be surrendered" or consumed before reaching that checkpoint) ... per our "TSA" requirements - do not buy any beverages, bottles or cans of juice/water/soda, etc. inside the terminal, as they will NOT be permitted.

 

Not so sure Princess ship transfers will work for you with 11:30 international departure out of HKIA (HKG) ... my advise, which I would do myself, priority disembark with all luggage - get into the taxi lines and direct to the airport, which should be about a 45 to 60 minutes ride once you are inside the red taxi & on your way, under "ordinary" HK traffic & road conditions - Sundays being a little lighter but otherwise, allow a little extra time. As long as you get to HKIA by/before 9:45 AM (9:15 to 9:30 would be better, unless you have priority/elite status with your airline or flying J/F class in the forward cabin) - you should be okay - carriers like CX (Cathay) or UA / AA / DL generally have a cutoff time for checking in with luggage & you need to be at the boarding gate area 45 to 60+ minutes before departure, as they begin the secondary screening & early boarding process fairly early ... for on-time departure. It's generally recommended that pax arrived at the airport for international check-in 2 hours prior (our planning @HKG is always 2.5 to 3 hours) so you really should be there by 9:30 AM and be pulling away from KTCT by 8:30 AM (and, not still in the long taxi line at the terminal)

 

I have not seen or read any news account or report that immigration & customs procedures at the pier terminal being slow or really bad, as not all ships disembark several thousands at KT - some are in transit & doing just a port-of-call visit. If you ship docks early, quickly cleared by local authorities & can begin to allow early priority/self walk-off with luggages ... head straight for the taxi stand (and, be ready to pay with local currencies, HKD for the fares - get them at the ATM inside the terminal, if necessary as you can then bypass the currency exchange counter ... and another line)

 

Good luck & happy sailing - frankly, if you can move the flight time back to a bit later, it would be better (but, I recognize that flight connections might be a challenge & most US bound flights are limited in scheduling with 1 or 2 daily departures only)

[chloe kitty]

You are welcomed. Is this your own flight booking as booked - I would've opted for an afternoon or evening departure - not to get stressed out.

 

In addition to standard airport security screening, which are efficient & despite long lines at peak period, move rather quickly. If you are running late or close to cutoff time, alert the airline check-in counter staff and/or someone at the checkpoint (be sure to have your passports & mobile/boarding passes ready) so they can usually escort/move you to the front of the line - you will then need to do the quick exit immigration check & then past the customs checkpoint, then be "airside" & head for your departure gate. All USA-bound flights have a secondary security screening at/near the departure gate, primary for final passport/BP/document checks and for 3-1-1 liquid ("to be surrendered" or consumed before reaching that checkpoint) ... per our "TSA" requirements - do not buy any beverages, bottles or cans of juice/water/soda, etc. inside the terminal, as they will NOT be permitted.

 

Not so sure Princess ship transfers will work for you with 11:30 international departure out of HKIA (HKG) ... my advise, which I would do myself, priority disembark with all luggage - get into the taxi lines and direct to the airport, which should be about a 45 to 60 minutes ride once you are inside the red taxi & on your way, under "ordinary" HK traffic & road conditions - Sundays being a little lighter but otherwise, allow a little extra time. As long as you get to HKIA by/before 9:45 AM (9:15 to 9:30 would be better, unless you have priority/elite status with your airline or flying J/F class in the forward cabin) - you should be okay - carriers like CX (Cathay) or UA / AA / DL generally have a cutoff time for checking in with luggage & you need to be at the boarding gate area 45 to 60+ minutes before departure, as they begin the secondary screening & early boarding process fairly early ... for on-time departure. It's generally recommended that pax arrived at the airport for international check-in 2 hours prior (our planning @HKG is always 2.5 to 3 hours) so you really should be there by 9:30 AM and be pulling away from KTCT by 8:30 AM (and, not still in the long taxi line at the terminal)

 

I have not seen or read any news account or report that immigration & customs procedures at the pier terminal being slow or really bad, as not all ships disembark several thousands at KT - some are in transit & doing just a port-of-call visit. If you ship docks early, quickly cleared by local authorities & can begin to allow early priority/self walk-off with luggages ... head straight for the taxi stand (and, be ready to pay with local currencies, HKD for the fares - get them at the ATM inside the terminal, if necessary as you can then bypass the currency exchange counter ... and another line)

 

Good luck & happy sailing - frankly, if you can move the flight time back to a bit later, it would be better (but, I recognize that flight connections might be a challenge & most US bound flights are limited in scheduling with 1 or 2 daily departures only)

Thanks again. I'm retired from UA, so I can only fly on their flights This is the latest of their flights for the US. So, I either make this one, or spend the night in HKG, which would not be so bad.

Edited March 11, 2016 by chloe kitty