Hong Kong - airport to downtown via taxi
Mar 17th, 2010, 07:43 PM
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I would generally agree that it would take 30-40 minutes to reach the Central district on Hong Kong Island, and most parts of the Tsim Sha Tsui peninsula in Kowloon; however I don’t know what you mean by “downtown” Hong Kong, as there is no such place. If you are going to Causeway Bay or Wan Chai, you probably would also be in that region. But if you are going elsewhere, it could take longer.
While a taxi is certainly the easiest option from the airport (short of a private car service), you also have the very convenient option of taking the Airport Express train to either Central or Kowloon, and then either a taxi or the free shuttle bus to (or close to) your hotel, or even the subway (MTR) from the train station to a stop near your hotel. See http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/a...airportex.html for information on the Airport Express Train. You can take luggage carts right to the train, and there are luggage racks in the cars, which makes it pretty doable even if you have a good bit of luggage. The train takes about half an hour. It is very clean and very safe at all hours (as is virtually all of Hong Kong). It costs substantially less than a taxi (a taxi will be in the US$40-50 range versus the train at US$11 one-way without the slight discount options which are available). When you reach the station, IMO the shuttle bus can be a bit of a pain with luggage (and it may not stop at your hotel but only near it which may then involve a walk), so a taxi to your hotel would be the best option, and should be relatively cheap and quick, generally US$5 or less. I would not take the MTR as it is a pain with luggage, stairs are always involved at some point and taking luggage on the trains is less than ideal as they are not equipped for it.
There are also private and public bus options from the airport, these take longer, but can cost less than the train (especially the public buses). See http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/a...airportex.html for information on all transport options.
If money is not an issue, then you might consider taking a hotel car or a private car service, see http://www.hongkonglimo.com/ for a car service I would recommend. This is even easier as they will meet you at arrivals, and you can either charge to your hotel room or pay by credit card.
For the taxis, you can find the taxi stand quite easily. After you exit the baggage claim area and come into the huge arrivals hall, walk to the center of the opposite side, where you will see signs for taxis. (Please ignore any people approaching you in the airport arrivals area offering taxi rides. This is illegal ) The Airport Express Station is also here, straight ahead. You will turn left and go down a sloping hallway to get to the taxi area. (Just before the turn, you can find some ATM machines on the right, before a set of stairs leading up to the Airport Express entrance.). Once you get down the ramp keep following signs for taxis, you will want red-coloured taxis for Kowloon and Hong Kong (not green or blue taxis which go to other parts of Hong Kong; I assume you are not going to Lantau or the New Territories.) There will be a dispatcher who will help you give the name of the hotel to the driver if necessary. The taxi driver may charge you a luggage charge of about 50 cents per bag which you put in the trunk. No tip is expected or required, although you can leave change.
While a taxi is certainly the easiest option from the airport (short of a private car service), you also have the very convenient option of taking the Airport Express train to either Central or Kowloon, and then either a taxi or the free shuttle bus to (or close to) your hotel, or even the subway (MTR) from the train station to a stop near your hotel. See http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/a...airportex.html for information on the Airport Express Train. You can take luggage carts right to the train, and there are luggage racks in the cars, which makes it pretty doable even if you have a good bit of luggage. The train takes about half an hour. It is very clean and very safe at all hours (as is virtually all of Hong Kong). It costs substantially less than a taxi (a taxi will be in the US$40-50 range versus the train at US$11 one-way without the slight discount options which are available). When you reach the station, IMO the shuttle bus can be a bit of a pain with luggage (and it may not stop at your hotel but only near it which may then involve a walk), so a taxi to your hotel would be the best option, and should be relatively cheap and quick, generally US$5 or less. I would not take the MTR as it is a pain with luggage, stairs are always involved at some point and taking luggage on the trains is less than ideal as they are not equipped for it.
There are also private and public bus options from the airport, these take longer, but can cost less than the train (especially the public buses). See http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/a...airportex.html for information on all transport options.
If money is not an issue, then you might consider taking a hotel car or a private car service, see http://www.hongkonglimo.com/ for a car service I would recommend. This is even easier as they will meet you at arrivals, and you can either charge to your hotel room or pay by credit card.
For the taxis, you can find the taxi stand quite easily. After you exit the baggage claim area and come into the huge arrivals hall, walk to the center of the opposite side, where you will see signs for taxis. (Please ignore any people approaching you in the airport arrivals area offering taxi rides. This is illegal ) The Airport Express Station is also here, straight ahead. You will turn left and go down a sloping hallway to get to the taxi area. (Just before the turn, you can find some ATM machines on the right, before a set of stairs leading up to the Airport Express entrance.). Once you get down the ramp keep following signs for taxis, you will want red-coloured taxis for Kowloon and Hong Kong (not green or blue taxis which go to other parts of Hong Kong; I assume you are not going to Lantau or the New Territories.) There will be a dispatcher who will help you give the name of the hotel to the driver if necessary. The taxi driver may charge you a luggage charge of about 50 cents per bag which you put in the trunk. No tip is expected or required, although you can leave change.
Mar 17th, 2010, 10:52 PM
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Very detailed response from Cicerone. I couldn't said it better. I also agree with the "downtown hongkong" thing. Do you mean Hong-Kong side or Kowloon side? Hong-Kong is about 10 or 15 minutes nearer to the airport.
Aug 4th, 2013, 10:10 PM
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There are some 7-seater van taxis, but they may be hard to find. You can sometimes reserve them but coming from overseas this probably is not feasible. (On the outbound trip you should be able to do this; your hotel should be able to assist). You can of course split your group into 2 taxis.
Otherwise, you can reserve a 7- seater van with the above limo company. That may be the best option as they will meet you as you com out of baggage claim and can assist you to get to the van. With a large party and some elderly in your party, an escort and help with luggage may be preferred.
My only concern with any 7-seater taxi or van is that there may not be enough room for luggage. Make sure you ask the limo company about how much luggage space they have. That is why 2 taxis (or 2 limos) may be better than 1 van.
You can also take the Airport Express Train into town and then split into 2 taxis for what I assume is a short ride to your hotel or take the free hotel shuttle bus (runs on a cycle and may not go to your hotel but only near it). Logistically with 7 people that will be a little bit more hassle but will be a bit cheaper, not sure if you are looking for convenience or cost savings.
Otherwise, you can reserve a 7- seater van with the above limo company. That may be the best option as they will meet you as you com out of baggage claim and can assist you to get to the van. With a large party and some elderly in your party, an escort and help with luggage may be preferred.
My only concern with any 7-seater taxi or van is that there may not be enough room for luggage. Make sure you ask the limo company about how much luggage space they have. That is why 2 taxis (or 2 limos) may be better than 1 van.
You can also take the Airport Express Train into town and then split into 2 taxis for what I assume is a short ride to your hotel or take the free hotel shuttle bus (runs on a cycle and may not go to your hotel but only near it). Logistically with 7 people that will be a little bit more hassle but will be a bit cheaper, not sure if you are looking for convenience or cost savings.
Aug 5th, 2013, 01:34 AM
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Sorry, hit send by mistake...
As far as I know, there are no true 7-passenger taxis in operation now. The couple of Toyota Alphards were removed from service. Currently, a company called Diamond Cab has about a dozen Toyota Noahs equipped with wheelchair lifts, but while they have taxi medallions, they actually operate as hired vans, with much higher rates than taxis. Trust me, my mother-in-law has used them once.
Some regular taxis can legally take 5 passengers, but will be very uncomfortable with 5 adults, and if your luggage won't fall out of the trunk.
As far as I know, there are no true 7-passenger taxis in operation now. The couple of Toyota Alphards were removed from service. Currently, a company called Diamond Cab has about a dozen Toyota Noahs equipped with wheelchair lifts, but while they have taxi medallions, they actually operate as hired vans, with much higher rates than taxis. Trust me, my mother-in-law has used them once.
Some regular taxis can legally take 5 passengers, but will be very uncomfortable with 5 adults, and if your luggage won't fall out of the trunk.
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