Hong Kong layovers: Hong Kong International (HKG)

At a glance

• Terminal 1 plus the T1 Midfield Concourse, linked by the Automated People Mover (APM). Transfer desks are listed as E1, E2 and W1 in T1 and M1 in the Midfield Concourse ^[S4a]; the desk codes aren't fully confirmed, so check with your airline.
• Home airline: Cathay Pacific. Its lounges at T1 include The Pier. ^[S6]
• Very easy to leave on a layover for US and Philippine passports, because both are visa-free (90 and 14 days). ^[S1]
• No airside transit hotel. The airport says there is "currently no transit hotel in the airport restricted area." ^[S2]

Minimum connection times

• Not published by the airport. The airport says minimum connection time "varies according to airlines and destinations" and to check with your airline. ^[S2]
• Our guidance (not an official rule): 90 minutes on one ticket. Allow 3+ hours if you need to collect bags and re-check them on separate tickets.

Terminals and transfers

• With an onward boarding pass: follow the signs to the departures level. You must go through transfer security screening before your gate. ^[S3]
• Without a boarding pass: go to your airline's transfer desk (look up the location before you arrive), then security, then your gate. ^[S3]
• Liquids bought earlier in your trip in sealed tamper-evident bags get extra screening at transfer security, so allow extra time. ^[S3]
• US-bound flights have extra security measures on electronic devices. Ask your airline. ^[S3]
• Ferry or coach on to mainland China or Macau without entering Hong Kong: buy a same-day ferry ticket at Transfer Area E2 and show your bag tag. Your bags go through to the destination port. ^[S2]

Transit visas

• Visitors need enough money for their stay and an onward or return ticket (unless traveling on to mainland China or Macau). ^[S1]
• The Immigration Department table was "updated in August 2026." ^[S1]
• For contrast, the same table shows Pakistan as "Visa Required," including airside transit (except diplomatic and official passports). ^[S1]

Leaving the airport on a layover

• Into the city: the MTR Airport Express runs to Hong Kong Station in about 24 minutes (timetable effective Sept 13, 2026). ^[S7] Free in-town check-in at Hong Kong and Kowloon stations is for Airport Express riders. It's available the same day, no later than 90 minutes before departure. ^[S2]
• After midnight: overnight buses and taxis run downtown. The airport doesn't run a free shuttle bus. ^[S2]
• Free transit tours: the airport doesn't run one. It refers travelers to the Hong Kong Tourism Board for transit tour information. ^[S2] No free official tour was confirmed; check with your airline.
• Bag storage: T1, Level 5, landside. ^[S2]

Lounges and sleep

• Free resting lounges on Departures Level 6 (airside). ^[S2]
• Pay-in lounges with refreshments, internet and showers, plus airline lounges for eligible passengers. ^[S2]
• Cathay Pacific, The Pier: 14 shower suites and a Relaxation Room with resting pods (low loungers). It's an airline lounge, so you need eligibility. ^[S6]
• Airport hotels: Regal Airport Hotel and SkyCity Marriott Hotel. ^[S2] Both are outside the restricted area, so you'd have to enter Hong Kong; Regal's link to T1 by bridge isn't confirmed on an official page, so check with your airline.
• No airside transit hotel. ^[S2]

Layover ideas by length

Editorial suggestions, not official guidance.

• Under 6 hours: stay airside. Use the Level 6 resting lounges or a pay-in lounge. ^[S2]
• 6–12 hours: with a US or Philippine passport, take the Airport Express (about 24 min) into Central ^[S7] for a few hours, leaving time for exit and re-entry security.
• Overnight: both passports can enter and stay at Regal or SkyCity Marriott at the airport ^[S2], or in the city.

Pitfalls

1. There's no single published MCT. Check your airline's own rule. ^[S2]
2. Liquids screening at transfer can slow you down. ^[S3]
3. Separate tickets: you'll need to enter Hong Kong, collect bags and re-check them. That's easy visa-wise for US and Philippine passports, but it takes time.
4. No airside hotel means overnight sleep is a lounge or resting area unless you enter Hong Kong. ^[S2]