Hong Kong HKG airport to Celebrity Millenium

[royalcruz]

We've never been to Hong Kong. We are arriving at 8 AM and would like to get to the ship and check in. We'll be staying overnight on the ship. We'd love to stay longer, but we'll  be away for over 2 weeks just to take this cruise, and that's a really long time for us. Anyway, we need some advice for getting to the ship.

 

What do you suggest for transportation? (private car or shuttle or cruiseline , NOT trains or buses)

How far is the ride?

How long is the ride?

What is the cost?

Do all taxis accept credit cards?

 

I see that Celebrity has a form to complete for ordering chauffeured transportation but there isn't any information available on the form, and I suspect it would be overpriced. Has anyone used this option?

[loeb]

We faced the same issue, arrived early in the morning (7:00 am) and ended up taking a taxi.  There were a lot of taxis even early in the morning so we didn't have any problems.  I paid in HK Dollars so I'm not sure if they take credit cards.   We got to Kai Tak Cruise terminal in no time since it was so early in the morning, probably about 30 to 45 minutes.  We had to wait a couple of hours until we could get processed and board the ship.  Here is a link that might help you.

 

https://www.taxifarefinder.com/main.php?city=Hong-Kong-China&from=Kai+Tak+Cruise+Terminal%2C+33+Shing+Fung+Rd%2C+Kwun+Tong%2C+Hong+Kong&to=Hong+Kong+International+Airport+(Chek+

[royalcruz]

Thank you Loeb. The fare finder says it's about $40 USD, so taxi will be our preferred way to go.

 

I hope we can find out in advance which port/terminal to tell the driver to go to, and that the language barrier won't be a problem.

 

Is there an indoor area with seats to wait for ship boarding? We have Celebrity Elite membership if that helps.

 

[John Bull]

Yep, you're wise to sus-out in advance how to be taken to the destination that you want.

That's what I'm careful to do after sign language in Rio took us to the ferry terminal, not the cruise terminal 

 

Three way to be sure the driver takes you to the new(ish) cruise terminal at Kai Tak................

 

- most HK taxi drivers at the airport have at least a few words in English, and your destination will  be among them.

- print-off a map

- print-off  开德邮轮码头 Kāi dé yóulún mǎtóu (but a map is the better bet because of different Chines dialects)

 

More like 40 - 50 minutes, you'll be travelling sometime after 9am

 

Most HK taxis are small sedans. Two passengers plus cruise luggage works, more than that probably won't.

 

There's a toll-bridge on the way. Taxi drivers have go-boxes so they don't need to stop & pay, but the driver will add the cost (not huge) to the metered fare. So if he wants a little more than shown on the meter it'll be for the toll, he's not trying to rip you off.

 

JB 

 

[Philob]

No bus or trains, then best would be a taxi.  HK taxis are cash only.  When you exit Immigration, there are restrooms and ATMs nearby.

 

Your ship will be at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, verify by checking the schedule here: http://www.kaitakcruiseterminal.com.hk/

In the upper right corner of the website, change the language to Chinese, bookmark it so you can show the taxi driver where you want to go.

OR

Look for an Airport Ambassador, they may help you write down the name of the cruise terminal in Chinese for you:  https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/passenger-guide/airport-facilities-services/airport-ambassador

 

 

 

. 

 

[royalcruz]

Thank you! You guys are awesome!

 

[loeb]

Most taxi drivers speak some English, but take the location in Chinese.  Unless there is something unusual going on, the cruise port will be Kai Tak (the old airport), we were on the Celebrity Millennium.  There are a lot of seating areas in the terminal so you won't have a problem in finding a place to sit.  About 1/2 hour before they started the  boarding process,  Celebrity provided water.  Porters did take our large  luggage when we got out of the taxi so we only had our carry on luggage.  (the porters were there helping passengers disembarking from the prior cruise).

[loeb]

 

 

 

 

older video on departing, but gives you an idea of what is like.

 

[ROCruiser]

Thanks for sharing the videos. Will be on Voyager in a couple of weeks.

[Sky shield]

When you exit from the airport, there are 3 taxi lines. One is the "Urban Taxies" (red colour), the other is "NT (New Territories Taxies" (green colour) and finally the "Lantau Taxies" (blue colour). Each of the green and blue has restricted areas to operate; but the red ones can operate anywhere. For the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, you will need the Urban / red taxies. Make sure you are in the right line, there are clear markings and signages, and most people will use the red taxies.

 

When you are near the head of the line, there will be some English speaking helpers (employed by the Airport Authority) asking for your destination and point you to a vacant taxi. They will write down the license plate number of the taxi on a card and give it to you and indicate an estimated fare (HK$ 350 most likely in your case). Keep the card if you have a complaint to make later on. The helper will also usually tell the driver in Chinese / Cantonese your destination. Should be easy.  

[Sky shield]

Oh, further, HK Dollars in cash only for your fare. There are ATMs in the Arrival Hall (you may have to ask for directions) and there is a money exchange counter when you exit the customs hall but before you leave the restricted area.  

[royalcruz]

Loeb, That is a HUGE terminal! It looks very modern and organized. Thanks for posting the video tour!

 

Philob, the links that you posted led me to find a great resource...there is a concierge service in the airport that we can order...they'll provide a chaperone from the arrival gate to the taxi line. It costs about $90 USD. My husband tends to be anxious in foreign airports, so I think we'll get the service. For about $150 USD, they'll even drive you the whole way in an electric cart and porter your luggage (that we don't need, LOL!)

 

 

[royalcruz]

12 hours ago, Sky shield said:

When you exit from the airport, there are 3 taxi lines. One is the "Urban Taxies" (red colour), the other is "NT (New Territories Taxies" (green colour) and finally the "Lantau Taxies" (blue colour). Each of the green and blue has restricted areas to operate; but the red ones can operate anywhere. For the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, you will need the Urban / red taxies. Make sure you are in the right line, there are clear markings and signages, and most people will use the red taxies.

 

When you are near the head of the line, there will be some English speaking helpers (employed by the Airport Authority) asking for your destination and point you to a vacant taxi. They will write down the license plate number of the taxi on a card and give it to you and indicate an estimated fare (HK$ 350 most likely in your case). Keep the card if you have a complaint to make later on. The helper will also usually tell the driver in Chinese / Cantonese your destination. Should be easy.  

Thanks! That helps a lot! Red it is!

[mking8288]

Basic English is still spoken at HK Int'l Airport by employees working there and if one can't, they will find a co-worker to assist.  Arriving on an international flight (that's just about everyone) - just follow the crowd & you are heading for luggage claims, border control & immigration, and ground transportation ... same routine & logistics as domestic airports here in the US or anywhere else.  Signage at HKIA are bilingual as it was once a British colony where English was the offical language, and you might be surprised that quite a few "lowai" or "lofan" (that is "non-Chinese" looking or foreigner) that live & work there speak perfect Cantonese as native born.  

 

Airline employees will be there as "greeters" to help direct or point you on each way to walk - there are free luggage carts to use, except you cannot take it thru to the APM (automated trains) but afterward, once in the luggage hall - you will find free luggage carts again to use ... 98% of the arriving and departing passengers are fine with HKIA, rated among the top 10 airports of the world.  

 

If you have mobility issues, alert the airlines in advance & they should be able to provide assistance free of charge ... save your $90 USD for a nice meal.  Airport transfer by private limo is basically your licensed blackcar service, outside the arrival hall (think of Uber Black, except Uber is illegal in HK) for a upscale Benz - haven't look at prices lately, probably $100 to $125 USD for such a ride, IMHO - unnecessary & a waste, but it's your money)  Arriving passengers with luggage all queue up (join the line) for red taxi or airporter buses. 

 

As noted - all taxis in HK are based on metered fare, it should be zero'ed out before the start of any trip and the amount is always in HK dollars, payable in HK currency and a printed receipt is required and given to the passenger. 

These typical Toyota taxi has a capacity of 4 or 5, comfortable for 3 plus luggage (trunk is boxy shape & they can securely bungee cord tied 3 large/jumbo bags in the back ... smaller carry-on, if necessary, can ride inside the compartment.)  The driver's ID/license is on display - when in doubt and/or to file an official complaint - take a smartphone picture of the fare displayed and his (her) license as your record, in the event of any "misunderstanding" (police is 999, not 911)  

 

 

[mpk]

On 6/27/2019 at 3:17 AM, loeb said:

We faced the same issue, arrived early in the morning (7:00 am) and ended up taking a taxi.  There were a lot of taxis even early in the morning so we didn't have any problems.  I paid in HK Dollars so I'm not sure if they take credit cards.   We got to Kai Tak Cruise terminal in no time since it was so early in the morning, probably about 30 to 45 minutes.  We had to wait a couple of hours until we could get processed and board the ship.

 

On 6/27/2019 at 6:54 PM, loeb said:

Porters did take our large  luggage when we got out of the taxi so we only had our carry on luggage.  (the porters were there helping passengers disembarking from the prior cruise).

 

Hi Loeb, sorry for replying to a six month old thread...    🙂

So if my math is right, it was 8 or 9am when the porters accepted luggage curbside?

Edited January 25, 2020 by mpk

[Globaliser]

On 6/30/2019 at 3:41 PM, mking8288 said:

Arriving on an international flight (that's just about everyone) - just follow the crowd & you are heading for luggage claims, border control & immigration, and ground transportation ... same routine & logistics as domestic airports here in the US or anywhere else.  Signage at HKIA are bilingual as it was once a British colony where English was the offical language ...

 

If it helps with the mental image: there are two exits from baggage claim/customs, handily called A and B. You don't have to worry about which one you're using. They disgorge into opposite ends (north and south) of the terminal building. To get to the taxis, you need to walk towards the middle of the building, and then turn away from baggage claim.

 

The signage is more difficult to read quickly than it needs to be, because of combination of font, size and bilingualism makes them visually "busier" than I think they ought to be. But there are both words and icons for taxis, so don't get flustered - the signs are there.

 

But I do have to add that bilingual signage is a feature of almost every big international airport around the world where English is not the local language, including in places where English has never been an official language. This really has nothing to do with Hong Kong formerly having been a British colony (although that influence continues in many ways, including that English is actually still an official language).