Hong Kong Airport to the city: Airport Express, A-buses and taxis compared
Chek Lap Kok sits about 35 km from Central. Four options cover almost every arrival: the Airport Express train, an A-prefixed airport bus, a taxi, or the budget route of a short bus ride to Tung Chung followed by the MTR. The difference between the cheapest and the fastest is roughly HK$90 and half an hour.
1The four options at a glance
| Option | Fare to the city | Journey time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Express | HK$105–120 (Kowloon / Hong Kong Station) | 21–24 min | Speed, luggage, in-town check-in |
| Airport bus A21 | HK$34.60 | 60–75 min | Hotels along Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui |
| Airport bus A11 | HK$41.90 | 50–75 min | Sheung Wan, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, North Point |
| Taxi | Roughly HK$300–400 plus surcharges | 30–45 min | Three or four people with bags, late arrivals |
| S1 bus + Tung Chung Line | About HK$30 total | 60 min | The cheapest reliable route |
All of them leave from the Ground Transportation Centre, directly opposite the arrivals hall. Signage is in English and Chinese throughout.
2Airport Express: the 24-minute option
The Airport Express runs to Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong Station, with trains roughly every ten minutes for most of the day. Fares on an Octopus card or contactless card are HK$73 to Tsing Yi, HK$105 to Kowloon and HK$120 to Hong Kong Station; a paper single ticket costs about HK$10 more at each stop.
Two features make it worth the money for a short trip. First, luggage: there is rack space in every car and no wrestle with stairs. Second, in-town check-in — on the way back you can check bags at Hong Kong or Kowloon Station up to a day before your flight and travel to the airport unencumbered.
It is not a 24-hour service. Trains start around 05:50 and the last ones leave shortly after midnight, so a very late arrival falls back on the bus or a taxi.
3The airport buses: cheaper, slower, more direct
The A-prefixed Cityflyer and Long Win routes are ordinary double-decker buses fitted with luggage racks and USB charging. They are the right choice when your hotel is on the route, because unlike the train they drop you a short walk from the door rather than at a station.
- A21 — down Nathan Road through Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui to Hung Hom. The most useful route for the hotel belt in Kowloon.
- A11 — across the harbour to Sheung Wan, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and North Point.
- A10, A12, A22, A29 and others — cover Aberdeen, eastern Hong Kong Island, East Kowloon and Tseung Kwan O.
- N11 and N21 — overnight versions for arrivals after the regular buses stop.
Pay with an Octopus card or a contactless bank card as you board. Cash is accepted in exact change only — drivers do not give change, and there is no float.
4The cheapest route: S1 to Tung Chung, then the MTR
Take the S1 shuttle from outside arrivals to Tung Chung Station — about ten minutes — then the Tung Chung Line into town. The total comes to roughly HK$30, which is a quarter of the Airport Express fare, and you arrive on the same line that serves Hong Kong Station, Kowloon and Nam Cheong.
The trade is time and hassle: one change with your bags, and Tung Chung trains are commuter trains rather than airport trains. That said, the Tung Chung Line runs later than the Airport Express, which makes this route useful for late-night arrivals.
5Taxis: colours, meters and surcharges
Urban taxis are red and are the ones you want for Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Green taxis serve the New Territories and blue ones serve Lantau; neither will take you to Central. The queue at the airport is well organised and usually moves quickly.
Expect roughly HK$300–400 to the city, plus tunnel tolls and a luggage charge per piece. The meter is the fare — insist on it, keep the receipt, and ignore anyone inside the terminal offering a "better" car.
6Which one should you take?
- Staying in Central or Admiralty, travelling light: Airport Express.
- Staying on Nathan Road or in Causeway Bay: A21 or A11, whichever matches the street.
- Four people, three suitcases, arriving at 23:00: taxi — per head it costs less than the train.
- Landing after the last Airport Express: N11/N21 bus, or S1 plus the Tung Chung Line.
- Tight budget, daytime: S1 plus Tung Chung Line.
Quick answers
What is the cheapest way from Hong Kong Airport to the city?
The S1 shuttle to Tung Chung followed by the Tung Chung Line costs roughly HK$30 in total. Airport buses A21 (HK$34.60) and A11 (HK$41.90) are almost as cheap and need no change of vehicle.
How much is the Airport Express?
HK$120 to Hong Kong Station, HK$105 to Kowloon and HK$73 to Tsing Yi on an Octopus or contactless card. Paper single tickets cost about HK$10 more.
Can I use an Octopus card on the airport bus?
Yes, and on the Airport Express too, where the Octopus fare is lower than the paper ticket. Cash on buses must be exact.
My flight lands after midnight. What still runs?
The Airport Express stops shortly after midnight. The N11 and N21 overnight buses and the S1 to Tung Chung continue later, and taxis run all night.
Where do I catch all of these at the airport?
The Ground Transportation Centre, directly opposite the arrivals hall. Trains, buses and the taxi rank are all in the same complex.
Sources: Airport Express fares · Transport Department — airport bus fares. Last checked 28 October 2026; operators and government departments can change fares and arrangements at any time.