6 Things to do During a Layover at Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is a busy airport with millions of travelers passing through annually.

Did you know...

• Opening in 1998, over 50 million passengers passed through Hong Kong International Airport from 2024-2025

• HKG is one of the busiest airports in the world

• There are 140 different airlines that serve this airport and fly to over 200 destinations around the globe

With many people passing through this airport, there are several things you can do if you have a layover at Hong Kong International Airport. Here are 6 things you can do to stay entertained during your layover at HKG.

1. SHOP

Stay entertained and pick up a few items by shopping at duty free stores at Hong Kong International Airport. With approximately 200 shops to choose from, retail options include beauty and personal care, books, arts and crafts, electronics, fashion and accessories, jewelry, children's fashion and toys and travel accessories.

Some retailers include:

• Alexandre Zouari: Highly regarded French hair accessories, located Terminal 1 Departures Level 6 near gate 60

• Asia Favorites: Authentic souvenirs reflecting Hong Kong and Asian culture, located Terminal 1 Departures Level 6 near gate 60

• Beauty&You by The Shilla Duty Free: Skincare products, perfumes and makeup, there are 6 locations at Terminal 1, with 5 located in departures level and 1 located in arrival level

• Bottega Veneta: Italian luxury store with women and men's fashion attire and accessories, located Terminal 1 Departures Level 6

• Hubix: High quality, innovative and practical travel products, located Terminal 1 Departures Level 6 near gate 28

• METAPOD: Digitial, audio, home tech, beauty products and small home appliances, located Terminal 1 Departures Level 7

• Tiffany & Co.: Illustrious jewelry store, located Terminal 1 Departures Level 6

• Wooderful life By NOBLETIME: Wooden crafts, cartoon character collectibles and music boxes, located Terminal 1 Departures Level 6 near gate 60

Airport Shopping Ambassador

Hong Kong International Airport has an Airport Shopping Ambassador program that can provide assistance with:

• Shopping and dining recommendations

• Product research

• Shopping and dining itinerary planning

• Current promotions at airport

  
  

Fill out the online enquiry form at least 48 hours before your arrival here.

HKairport Rewards

HKG has a reward program called HKairport Rewards where shoppers earn rewards for every dollar spent at retail stores and online Hong Kong Airport shop.

• Rewards include HKIA Dollars, Airport e-coupons and gifts that are easily redeemable

• Travelers signed up with HKairport Rewards receive exclusive benefits such as birthday delights, monthly travel surprises and year-round privileges

• There are 2 reward concierges located in Departures near Gate 5 and Airline Services Desk A

Travelers can download the "My HKG" cellphone app on App Store, Google Play and Android.

2. FREE LAYOVER TOUR

Travelers with layovers greater than 7 hours may qualify to go on a free layover tour of Hong Kong.

To qualify, passengers must meet all 3 criteria below:

1. Transit through Hong Kong Airport

2. Have a layover more than 7 hours

3. Meet Hong Kong entry requirements (including valid travel documents and/or visa)

It is important to ensure you have sufficient time to take this tour as well as returning to the airport and going through security to prevent issues with your connecting flight. If you need to claim luggage, make sure to allocate additional time.

There are multiple ways to participate in free layover tour:

• Best Option - Prebook online here for a tour up to 14 days prior to participating

• When arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, visit Free Layover Tour Service counter at Transfer Desks E1, located at Arrivals Level 5 Terminal 1 before immigration restricted area; note seats are subject to availability when walking up.

The free layover tours have certain schedules, so ensure the scheduled time works for you and provides enough time to return back to the airport and go through security. If the scheduled time doesn't work for your schedule, you can also pay for a layover tour on various sites including Trip.com and Viator.

3. EXPLORE AIRPORT ART

Another great way to spend your time at Hong Kong International Airport during your layover is walking around and exploring its works of art.

• Observe sculptures crafted by local Hong Kong artists

• If you're traveling between 25 July through 8 November 2025, observe:

  • Art in Motion an exhibition located at Arrivals Hall A, Level 5 in Terminal 1, with 4 videos celebrating the creative talent of Hong Kong artists living with intellectual disabilities

  • Reminiscence in the Air was inspired by flight information display boards, features pictures taken at Hong Kong International Airport along with Kai Tak Airport

  • Ink & The City｜Calligraphy in Urban Life are historical, multimedia displays highlighting the popularity of calligraphy in Hong Kong from 1930s-1990s, located at Arrivals Hall A, Level 5 in Terminal 1

  • The Flow of Flights reflects the popular board game of "Aeroplane Chess" sparking childhood memories, located between check in aisles D and E at Terminal 1 Departures Level 7

Hong Kong International Airport also has an outdoor landmark called Airport Landscape, which was started in 2019 to transform the airport into an "airport city." The goal of this landmark is to beautify the airport island including Airport Road, enhance greenery around Terminal 2 and Scenic Hill. There are currently 56 plants and flowers in their collection throughout the year, with different varieties for spring, summer, fall and winter seasons.

Airport Landscape has a viewing guide for airport blooms here.

4. AIRPORT LOUNGE

Hong Kong International Airport has several lounges to choose from where travelers can eat, relax and shower before your connecting flight.

• Currently, there are 10 open airline specific lounges with services such as food and beverages, hot showers and designated areas for work or rest including:

  • Cathay Pacific Lounges: Total of 6 lounges at airport for First and Business Class travelers

  • Club Autus: Hong Kong Airways Business Class travelers and Fortune Wings Club Platinum, Gold and Silver members

  • Emirates Lounge: First and Business Class travelers as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members traveling in Economy Class

  • SilverKris Lounge: Serves Singapore Airlines and partner airline’s First and Business Class travelers as well as members with Elite SilverKris status

  • Qantas Hong Kong Lounge: First and Business Class Qantas and STARLUX travelers; other travelers belonging to Qantas and partner airline frequent flyer programs may be eligible depending on membership status, to check click here

• There are currently 8 open Pay-in lounges at Hong Kong International Airport with various amenities such as hot showers, magazines and newspapers, hot and cold food and beverages, television, beauty and massage services and internet.

  • Some of these lounges, including Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club and The Centurion Lounge, are open to travelers with specific credit card eligible members such as American Express and Chase Sapphire

  • Travelers with Priority Pass membership can access:

    • Chase Sapphire Lounge

    • Kyra Lounge

    • 3 Plaza Premium lounges including Plaza Premium Lounge East Hall, Plaza Premium Lounge West Hall and Plaza Premium Lounge near Gate 35

  • There are 2 Plaza Premium First lounges located near Gates 1 and 35 in Terminal 1 Departure Level 6 which offer upgraded amenities compared to Plaza Premium Lounges such as all-inclusive personalized services including lounge seating, infinity room. exquisite food and beverages, flight displays, hot showers and amenities, charging facilities and bar

• Hong Kong International Airport has HKIA VIP Lounge that provides 24/7 exclusive and deluxe travel experiences to departing or arriving passengers.

  • There are 2 packages available for purchase, the Lounge Deluxe, costing HK$5,000/entry (approx. $641 USD) and Premiere Suite, costing HK$18,000/entry (approx. $2,309 USD)

  • Membership to the lounge can be purchased as well with 4 levels of membership starting at HK$3,200/year (approx. $410 USD)

• HKG also offers the following complimentary lounges and facilities:

  • 19 Resting Lounges throughout the airport

  • 1 Bonded Bus Waiting Lounge on Departures Level 4

  • 2 shower facilities open 24 hours a day on Arrivals Level 5 near Gate 12 and Gate 43

5. DINE

Hong Kong International Airport currently has 55 places to eat and drink at. Food choices include Asian and international restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, dessert, fast food, vegetarian, western and halal. Here are some places to take into consideration:

• A-1 Bakery: Japanese bakery located end of Check-in Aisle E, Departure Level 7

• % ARABICA: International specialty coffee chain located near Gate 10 Departures Level 6

• Beef & Liberty: British dinery specializing in hamburgers located after Departures, South region, Departures Level 7

• Tap + Brew: Western eatery with selection of craft and classic bears, meat and vegetarian options located in the Food Court near Gates 40-80 on Departures Level 6

• Maison Kayser: French bakery with 2 locations on Departures Level 6 near gates 6 and 25

• Yung Kee: Authentic Cantonese tastes well known for its charcoal grilled Roast Geese and Preserved Century Egg with vegetarian options located in Food Court near Gates 40-80 on Departures Level 6

6. SLEEP

If you have a long layover during nighttime, consider staying at a hotel. Only 1 hotel is directly connected to Hong Kong International Airport, Regal Airport Hotel. This 5-star hotel has great ratings, with Trip Advisor reviewers rating the hotel a 4.0 out of 5.

• The hotel is a short two-minute walk from Terminal 1

• Has been recognized as the World's Best Airport Hotel by Business Traveller UK Magazine in 2024

• Hotel has 1,171 smoke-free guest rooms and suites

• Rooms feature several amenities including blackout curtains, air purifier, air conditioning, bathrobes, walk-in showers, housekeeping, room service, bottled water, VIP room facilities, tile/marble floors, electric kettle, complimentary toiletries and hair dryer

• The hotel has 6 restaurants and bars on-site and recreational facilities such as the award-winning OM Spa, state-of-the-art gym, outdoor pool and indoor heated pool

There are a few hotels located close to the airport. Find out more here.