A guide to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is one of the busiest airports in the world, hosting dozens of airlines and serving about 75 million passengers per year.

Hong Kong International Airport is also sometimes known as Chek Lap Kok Airport as it sits on Chek Lap Kok Island, which is made of reclaimed land. Since it’s a hub for the oneworld alliance as well as several airlines, you may find yourself making connections there when flying to or through Asia.

Which terminal do you need? – finding your airline

Hong Kong International Airport is home to two terminals — Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 — with the vast majority of arrivals and departures occurring in Terminal 1. Check this handy list to see where your airline is located.

Terminal 1

Terminal 2

Hong Kong International Airport lounges – luxury and relaxation

Hong Kong International Airport has more than a dozen airport lounges available to passengers on various airlines. If you’re fortunate enough to be flying with the right carrier, you can spend your layover in comfort at any of these airport lounges.

Cathay Pacific lounges

Because Hong Kong International Airport is a hub for Cathay Pacific, the airline boasts several elegant lounges spaced throughout Terminal 1.

The Pier, near Terminal 1’s Gates 61-63, has two sections, one open to passengers flying first-class on Cathay Pacific and the other for business-class passengers. Marco Polo Club members at the Silver level or above, and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members also have access to both lounges.

The first-class bar at The Pier serves unique craft cocktails, with a refined wine list at The Dining Room. Further relaxation is available at The Retreat, a full-service spa that offers personalized massages, shower suites, and private suites with daybeds. Half a dozen work suites equipped with iMacs are also available.

Business-class passengers can dine at the Noodle Bar or a teahouse with an interactive tea menu. At The Relaxation Room, business-class passengers can snooze in resting pods, then freshen up in the shower facilities. A unique Yoga and Meditation Room also helps passengers de-stress.

The admission requirements for The Pier are duplicated at The Wing, Cathay Pacific’s lounge near Gate 2, which also has first-class and business-class sections, including day beds, a large bathtub with a rain shower, and luxury amenities including bathrobes, pillows, and duvets.

Hong Kong Airlines lounges

Club Autus, Hong Kong Airlines’ new VIP lounge, caters to first-class and business-class passengers not only on Hong Kong Airlines, but also on Aurora Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Fiji Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines S7 Airlines, Sky Angkor Airlines, VietJet Air, and Virgin Australia. This lounge is located away from the terminals in the Midfield Concourse, near Gates 201-230.

Club Bauhinia, Hong Kong Airlines’ lounge near Gate 23 in Terminal 1, is open to business-class and first-class travelers on Air Belgium, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Drukair, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, HK Express, Philippine Airlines, and S7 Airlines, as well as Hong Kong Airlines.

Plaza Premium lounges

Plaza Premium lounges are open to elite travelers on a variety of airlines, while other passengers may also pay for access. Plaza Premium operates several independent lounges in the Hong Kong International Airport.

The Plaza Premium First lounge is open to first-class passengers on Finnair and Virgin Atlantic, as well as those who want to pay for access.

The Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge in Terminal 2 is designed especially for travelers who aren’t able to check into their hotels yet but still need a space to work or relax in. Showers are available, as are massage and spa services. A business center provides high-speed Wi-Fi and workstations, and a wide range of international food and drink is available.

Plaza Premium operates two Departures lounges in Terminal 1. The East Hall lounge near Gate 1 serves elite passengers on Air Astana, Air Mauritius, Air Niugini, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Finnair, Jet Airways, Malindo Air, MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Shenzhen Airlines, SWISS, Thai Smile Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

At this lounge, you’ll find breakfast in the morning and tapas in the evening, showers, comfortable seating, and fast Wi-Fi.

Similar facilities, plus workstations, are available at the Plaza Premium Departures lounge near Gate 40. This lounge serves premium passengers on Air Astana, Air India, American Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Finnair, Jet Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Smile Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

CNAC Lounge

This small lounge, which offers a limited selection of food and drink, usually has plenty of available seating. Premium passengers on Air China, China Southern, Myanmar National Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines all have access to this lounge, which is near Gate 26 in Terminal 1.

Emirates Lounge

Premium passengers on Emirates and members of the Emirates Skywards Club have access to this spacious lounge, which overlooks both Terminal 1 and the tarmac. Buffet tables feature hot and cold dishes as well as Middle Eastern snacks. Premium wines and champagnes are poured here, as well as top-shelf liquors. A business center means access to computers and Wi-Fi, and shower facilities give weary passengers a spot to refresh themselves.

Royal Orchid Lounge

This Terminal 1 lounge, operated by Thai Airlines, is open to all premium passengers flying on Star Alliance airlines, plus eligible Star Alliance cardholders. This lounge is at the far end of the terminal, near Gate 40, and offers great views of the planes outside. The hot and cold buffet is especially strong in the areas of fruits, salads, and juices, and individual workstations with PCs are available if you need to work.

SilverKris Lounge

This lounge hosted by Singapore Airlines near Gate 5 is open to all Star Alliance premium passengers. Food offerings are typically limited to finger sandwiches, Asian canapés, and a few hot dishes. Showers are available.

SkyTeam Lounge

This lounge near Gate 5 is accessible to premium-class passengers flying on SkyTeam airlines, as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus members. Food offerings include a noodle bar, a cold buffet, and several hot dishes, including a self-serve pancake machine at breakfast. While there are a few business workstations with iMacs, this lounge tends to get quite crowded.

The Centurion Lounge

You’ll need an American Express Platinum card to enter this spacious lounge, though some sections are open only to holders of the Centurion Card (Amex’s invitation-only, million-dollar-club card). Look for excellent food featuring Western and Asian choices, with superb cocktails served around the clock. Shower facilities are available, and a couple of meeting rooms let you sit down with your team to prep your presentation.

Qantas Lounge

Those flying first and business-class on Qantas or on other oneworld alliance airlines have access to this lounge, as do those flying on Emirates, plus Qantas Club and Qantas frequent flyer members.

At this lounge, signature cocktails and coffee drinks are served, and trolleys bring tempting treats around to guests constantly. You can also dine at the Spice Temple BBQ Bar or the buffet. All dining tables are equipped with power outlets, as are the workbenches in the fully-equipped business center. First-class passengers receive an added level of service, with shoe shines, garment pressing, and showers available.

United Club

If you’re flying first or business-class on United or any other Star Alliance airline, you have access to this lounge, as do Star Alliance Gold and United Club members. Others may be able to purchase a day pass, space permitting.

This smaller lounge boasts mesmerizing views of the tarmac, and the buffet offers everything from make-your-own-noodle bars to taste-of-home hot dogs. A small business center with all the necessary equipment is available, as are a couple of shower rooms.

Hong Kong International Airport hotels – convenience and comfort

Hong Kong International Airport doesn’t have an in-transit hotel inside the airport itself, so you’ll have to go through customs and immigration to reach a hotel. While there are many business hotels in Hong Kong to choose from, the closest airport hotel, available by an air-conditioned footbridge, is the Regal Airport Hotel, which is also very close to the AsiaWorld Expo-Convention Centre.

Top hotels in close proximity to HKG Airport include:

Regal Airport Hotel

Considered the best airport hotel in the world by many, this convenient hotel is only a two-minute walk away from Hong Kong International Airport. Rooms at the Regal Airport Hotel feature soundproofed windows and a wide assortment of amenities, including tea/coffeemakers and hair dryers. An outdoor spa offers body treatments and a fitness center to work up a sweat. Guests can also take advantage of six restaurants and 30 function rooms for business meetings.

Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel

This hotel is minutes from HKG Airport and connected by walkway to the AsiaWorld-Expo Convention Center. Don’t worry about airport noise — rooms at Hong Kong SkyCity feature soundproof windows, as well as free Wi-Fi, room service and premium bedding. The Marriott also features three restaurants, a fitness center, and a full-service spa.

Novotel CityGate Hong Kong Hotel

Only five minutes away from the airport, Novotel CityGate Hong Kong Hotel offers direct rail access to Hong Kong’s city center as well as to HK Disneyland. A connected shopping mall offers discounts on dozens of major brands, and proximity to AsiaWorld-Expo Convention Center lets you stay on top of your conference appointments. From your room, you can expect spectacular views. Take advantage of four restaurants, a 24-hour gym, and a swimming pool.

Disney Explorers Lodge

If Hong Kong Disneyland is one of your destinations, this high-end resort hotel should be one of your choices. Two restaurants and a café keep you well-fed, with rooms and restaurants reflecting tropical climates and cultures from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. Rooms are large with serene ocean views, high ceilings, and windows that open.

Also near the airport are a few very affordable hotels, including the City Oasis Guest House, Seaview Holiday Resort, Silvermine Beach Resort, and Silverview Resort Hotel.

Shopping at Hong Kong International Airport – high-end designers

Shopping goes on 24/7 at HKG, which recently saw a revamping of its shopping vibe. Where the airport shops previously focused on high-end luxury items, now their offerings include more affordable options, which is probably good news for most passengers. But don’t worry, the top designers are all still here.

Terminal 1 shopping

If you’re looking for those designer goods, Terminal 1’s SkyMart is where you want to be. The Airport Skymart offers some of the best offerings in a city known for shopping — and as an extra piece of good news: vendors in the Skymart are prohibited by law from charging more for goods than would be charged in downtown Hong Kong.

You can pick up tech products at 1010, Sound & Vision, or Nobletime AV. When you need travel essentials (maybe you forgot your eye mask), head to Agnes b, Go Travel, or Delsey Paris. Several branches of the Chung Hwa Book Company and Relay are scattered throughout the terminal to get you that vital reading material for the plane.

If you’re looking for duty-free liquor or tobacco, head to any of the dozen DFS Duty-Free Shops in the terminal, or pick up designer sunglasses and watches at the many DFS Gallerias. Those last-minute skin care products are available at Kiehl’s, Mannings, and M.A.C.

And of course, those top fashion designers are beckoning you to check out their exclusive offerings of clothing, shoes, and accessories. In Terminal 1, you can find:

Terminal 2 shopping

Most of HKG’s shopping options are in the larger Terminal 1. But you’ll still be able to pick up some necessities and indulge in a little retail therapy in Terminal 2.

The 759 Stores offer Japanese lifestyle products, while Breo provides massage-related products to take the relaxation of a Hong Kong spa with you. You’ll find a wide selection of intriguing and useful gadgets at the Exploration Store, Fortress, Nobletime Media, and DG Lifestyle. Meet your practical needs for travel at Mannings and Rolling Luggage.

If you need to pick up another outfit for your journey, casual wear is available at Baleno, Bossini, and G2000. For higher-end fashion, head to Himalaya Cashmere, Hinji, or Lacoste.

Pick up quality beauty products at Chanel Beaute or The Best New Zealand Shop, or indulge in some fine jewelry as a keepsake or special gift at Chow Sang Sang or Enzo. If you need a little reading material for the plane, Chung Hwa Book Company and Relay have you covered.

In addition, shops offer a wide variety of practical items for your flight and souvenirs to remember your journey.

Whether you’re heading to Hong Kong for business or your trip involves plenty of shopping and a visit to Disneyland, making each connection easy helps make the journey more enjoyable. Book a professional Hong Kong Airport transfer with Blacklane to get your party to and from the airport in comfort and style.