How to Use the Hong Kong Airport Express

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The Hong Kong Airport Express is one of the quickest, cleanest, and most reliable ways you can get into Hong Kong from the Airport.

I’ve been using this high speed train since it first opened in the late 1990s and have taken it more times than I can count. And while the Airport Express is genuinely easy to use, there are a few things that can trip up first-time visitors to Hong Kong. Like where to buy tickets (hint: do it online), what happens when you arrive, and why you should always take a taxi for the last stretch to your hotel.

If you’re planning to use the Hong Kong Airport Express, here’s your step-by-step guide on how to do it right.

↳ Book your Airport Express tickets here

1. What Is the Hong Kong Airport Express?

The Airport Express is a high-speed train run by Hong Kong’s MTR system (Metro) that connects the airport directly to the city. It’s one of the fastest, smoothest airport-to-city links anywhere in the world. It takes 24 minutes from the Hong Kong airport to Central.

It only stops at three places:

Tsing Yi (New Territories)
Kowloon
Hong Kong Station (Central on Hong Kong Island)

It’s not part of the regular Hong Kong MTR. This line was built just for airport travellers. This means wide seats, luggage racks, free Wi-Fi, and no crowds.

If you’re used to dragging a suitcase through subways in other cities, the Airport Express will feel like a breath of fresh air.

2. Is the Hong Kong Airport Express Right for You?

The Airport Express is a great fit if you’re a confident traveller who’s happy navigating a few steps on your own, and wants to save money without sacrificing comfort. It works well if:

You’re arriving during normal hours (5:30 a.m.–1:30 a.m.)
You’re comfortable finding your way to a taxi or hotel from Kowloon or Central
You prefer a clean, reliable public transport option over a pricier transfer
You’ve travelled solo before and don’t mind a bit of post-flight navigation

But if you’re landing late, new to Asia, or just want to keep things simple after a long flight, a private airport transfer is probably a better bet. The Airport Express is smooth, but it’s not door-to-door.

For a deeper look at all your transport options from the Hong Kong airport, including taxis, buses, and private transfers, check out my full guide on how to get from Hong Kong Airport to the city.

↳ Book your Airport Express tickets here

3. Where to Find the Airport Express at Hong Kong Airport

Once you’ve cleared customs at Hong Kong International Airport, you’ll step into the main arrivals hall. From there:

Stay inside the terminal
Follow the signs for “Airport Express”
The entrance is clearly marked in both English and Chinese

📍 You do not need to leave the airport building to access the train. Just follow the signs and you’ll be on the platform in minutes.

4. What Times Does the Hong Kong Airport Express Run?

The Airport Express does not run 24 hours. Rather it only operates between 5:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. daily.

📝 Important: If you’re arriving outside these hours (e.g. red-eye flights), you’ll need to arrange an alternative such as a private transfer or taxi.

Trains run every 5-10 minutes, so there’s no need to worry about long waiting times. There’s also no queues. In all my years of using the Airport Express, I have never struck a time when the carriages were overly full or I couldn’t get a seat.

You can check the most up-to-date timetable at the official MTR website.

5. How to Buy a Ticket for the Hong Kong Airport Express

You have a few easy options for buying your Hong Kong Express tickets. Some are better than others.

Ahead of Time (Highly Recommended)

I always buy my Hong Kong Airport Express ticket online ahead of my trip. I use the Klook App and just scan the barcode when you get off at your stop. This saves a lot of hassle grappling with machines at the Airport when you’re tried and grumpy after a long haul flight.

At the Airport

You can get tickets at Self-service machines near the train. But they are not always reliable. The last time I arrived in Hong Kong, there was only one machine working, and there was a queue to use it. The machines take Cash (HKD) or Credit card.

There are also Airport Express ticket counters near the concourse area, but these were not staffed the last time I passed through.

6. Boarding the Airport Express

There are no turnstiles at the airport platform so you don’t swipe in with your ticket or barcode or anything. You simply:

Walk onto the platform
Board any train.
Sit anywhere.
Luggage racks are available near the doors

🎟️ If you purchased a ticket, hold onto it. You’ll need it to exit at your destination station.

Trains are modern, clean, and air-conditioned. You’ll find plenty of space even with luggage. There is also free Wi-Fi onboard, although I had trouble logging on to it the last time I used the Airport Express.

You can also get a discount bundle when you buy Airport Express tickets and the Tourist Octopus Card (Hong Kong’s tap-and-go transport card) together.

↳ Get your Airport Express + Tourist Octopus Card here

7. Airport Express Train Stops (and Where to Get Off)

The Airport Express stops at three major stations:

Tsing Yi Station – New Territories (14 mins from airport)
- Good for connections to Tung Chung Line
Kowloon Station – Located in West Kowloon (22 mins from airport)
- Ideal if staying in Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei or Mong Kok
Hong Kong Station – Central District on Hong Kong Island (24 mins from airport)
- Best for Central, Sheung Wan, Soho, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay

Choose your stop based on your hotel’s location.

🚫 Skip the MTR for the Last Leg

Don’t make the mistake of switching to the regular MTR after the Airport Express. It might look like a simple connection, but here’s the catch:

👉 the MTR is a completely separate system, and you’ll need to figure out tickets, routes etc, and
👉 once you exit the MTR, you’ll still need to walk the rest of the way to your hotel. While it might look easy on a map, it usually means navigating stairs, overpasses, and crowded sidewalks—with luggage—while jet-lagged. I have stupidly done this myself, and gotten lost on my way to the hotel even though I have been coming to Hong Kong for years.

My advice is to take a taxi from your Airport Express stop. It’s direct, cheap, and saves you from a frustrating first impression. The tiny amount of money you’d save by using the MTR just isn’t worth the hassle.

8. What to Do When You Arrive at Your Stop

When the train arrives at your chosen station:

Take your ticket and insert it at the exit turnstile (or wave your Klook barcode if you’ve pre-purchased your ticket)
Follow signs to the Taxi Stand (there are elevators and escalators)
Taxi stands are usually well-marked. If in doubt, ask a local (Hongkongers are friendly and used to visitors)

Taxis in Hong Kong are safe, clean, and affordable. It’s customary to round up your fare for a tip.

If you need cash, ATMs are widely available in each Airport Express station concourse.

📸 Tip: Take a screenshot of your hotel name and address in Chinese. Taxi drivers often speak limited English.

7. Final Thoughts: Is the Airport Express Right for You?

If you’re landing at a reasonable hour, want a smooth, relatively friction-free arrival into the city, and don’t mind catching a taxi at the end, then the Airport Express is a smart, stress-free way into the city.

It’s fast, clean, and reliable. I’ve used it for years, and it still impresses me with how easy it is.

But if it’s your first time in Hong Kong, you’re arriving late, or you just don’t want to deal with logistics after a long flight then book a private transfer. It’s worth the extra cost to arrive feeling settled, and you’ll actually get to see Hong Kong as you drive in (most of the Airport Express is through underground tunnels), which is a pretty magical way to start your trip.

↳ Don’t forget your Airport Express tickets