whirlwind07

I have a very early morning layover in Hong Kong, but want to get out of the airport if I can. I arrive at 5:05 am and my next flight leaves at 9:35. Although I know this is tight, I think it's doable for sure.

My thought is to take the first Airport Express to Central and then have breakfast. Then, take the Star Ferry to TST and the Airport Express back from Kowloon. Since we will be checked through and have only very light hand baggage, it seems as if we need to be at the MTR 90 minutes before the flight (8 am) not at the airport 90 minutes before.

First question: am I insane? I love whirlwind travel and don't know if or when I would ever get back. Fast pace doesn't bother me and I know I'll barely get a glimpse, but as long as I'm not risking my return flight that's okay.

Second question: is my take on the 90 minutes accurate or do I need to be at the airport 90 minutes in advance? The Cathay Pacific site seems to support what I found, but I want to double check.

Third question: Will breakfast places be open this early? If so, any recommendations near either the Central/Kowloon MTR or Star Ferry stops are welcome!

Fourth question: How close are the MTR stops to the Ferry? Is this walking distance, cab distance, etc?

Thanks so much!

jobin

IMO, few worse nerve-wracking moments in life compared to notion that i will be late for expensive air flight. So, to me your plan puts far too much hope on elements out of your control. Esp, considering the supposed benefit, escape from the airport and breakfast at 6am.
You may look into the nearby town of Tung Chung, only a short bus ride from airport. Many buses go direct from airport to TC MTR station, which is usually the center of activity for life in HK. Loads of hungry folks at any time, and with some investigation might give the address of quality 'dim sum' spot. Check <geoexpat hk dot com> for advice. And Wikipedia for info. Save your nerves, enjoy a walk and delicious dim sum.

rkkwan

First train departs airport at 5:54a, and arrives Hong Kong 6:18a. If your bags are checked through and have boarding passes already, you can arrive back at airport as late as say 8:45 or so (or even 9 if you are willing to risk it. You should be able to get your BPs from CX before you head out to the city.

That means you have almost 2 hours in the city. The Star Ferry is a very short walk from the Hong Kong station, and first ferry starts at 6:30a. Problem is that not many tea houses open this early in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central (at least not the good and popular ones close to the train station). I suggest you take the Star Ferry immediately back to the Hong Kong side, and then walk up to Luk Yu Teahouse on Stanley St - one of the most famous ones in Hong Kong and opens at 7. Just be prepared to pay quite dearly. Then walk back to the Hong Kong station by around 8:15 and be back at airport at around 8:45a.

But you are going to waste time walking to and from Luk Yu and be hurrying. The airport actually has decent food landside - including Crystal Jade (arrival hall, opens 6:30a) and Chao Inn (Terminal 2, 7:00). So, if you just want to see Hong Kong, better just take the Airport Express to city, take Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui, reverse the whole thing. And then have dim sum at airport until you need to go through security again for your flight. More relaxed that way.

whirlwind07

Thank you both! Rkkwan, excellent advice and that's very helpful! Having a chance to see Hong Kong a bit - albeit briefly - is definitely the goal and I am glad to hear that it sounds doable.

Any recommendations as to the TST-Central route vs the TST-Wan Chai one - or should we do both? I was thinking we could take the train to Central, then do Central-TST, wander for just a little bit, then TST-Wan Chai, Wan Chai-TST and then take the train back from Kowloon. Seems like if we decide food isn't the priority that would fill the time nicely without being too rushed.

october_fun

Would there be time to go to the Intercontinental at TST and have a coffee as you enjoy looking at the harbour?

rkkwan

Wan Chai ferry runs a bit less frequently and starts later at 7:20 (from TST) or 7:30 from Wan Chai. Views are not not different, though the Wan Chai one will get you closer to the imposing Convention and Exhibition Centre, as well as the Gold Bauhinia statue, which only mainland Chinese care about.

The issue with your plan is that it requires a taxi or shuttle ride from TST to the Kowloon Airport Express station, while it's only a short walk from the Central Star Ferry to the Hong Kong Airport Express station.

whirlwind07

Thanks again!

I think we've got our plan then and am confident and excited about this use of our layover.

whirlwind07

Sometimes unexpected flight changes work out for the best!

We will now be arriving in Hong Kong at 12:10 pm and departing at 7:45 pm. So revising our strategy, I'm hoping that we now have time for the following (order to be determined):

Star Ferry
Peak Tram
Mid afternoon meal

Questions regarding that:

A - Are the lines for the peak tram so bad on a Sunday that we should not attempt?

B - Will it be difficult to find a meal at "off" hours? Any recommendations?

C - If you were me, is there a different way that you would use this limited time?

Thanks!

rkkwan

When's your trip? Assuming the protests and road closures are gone by the time you're here, this is what I'd suggest:

Take Airport Express to Hong Kong station. Immediately take either Minibus #1 or Bus 15 to the Peak. Then take Peak Tram down. Walk or take Bus #15C to Star Ferry. Return to airport either from Kowloon or Hong Kong Airport Express station. This way, you for sure will get up to the Peak. If the line for the Peak Tram down is long, then bus/minibus or taxi.

You won't have trouble finding food throughout the day.

whirlwind07

That's a great recommendation, thank you!

We will be there on Sunday, November 16.

rkkwan

Make sure you bring this up closer to your arrival and the current protests and road blockade does have an effect on how you go up to The Peak.

whirlwind07

Thanks - I'll check back in a couple of days prior to our visit.

whirlwind07

Just checking in prior to our layover on Sunday. I read some very specific walking directions on another post and look to following those unless advised otherwise. Thanks!

rkkwan

Yes, walking between the Airport Express station and the lower Peak Tram terminus is your best bet. Weather is nice and cool now, so pleasant walks through Central with no worries about traffic.