Mirella Pandjaitan
Sep 19, 2025
Hong Kong International Airport has unveiled a charming new initiative: complimentary city tours for transit passengers, inviting them to explore the city's cultural landmarks and iconic harbour views all within just a few hours between flights.
The program offers three thoughtfully designed tour routes, while two of them are already underway. The first, a midday excursion, guides travellers to the spiritual serenity of Wong Tai Sin Temple and the energetic, bustling streets of Pei Ho in Sham Shui Po for a glimpse into Hong Kong's local life and layered traditions.
The second tour departs in the evening, delivering a front-row view of the city’s after-dark magic. Guests are taken to the West Kowloon Cultural District and the famed Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, where the twinkling skyline over Victoria Harbour offers a truly cinematic moment.
A third route, set to launch in December 2025 (weather permitting), will explore the scenic beauty of Lantau Island and the serene Sunny Bay area for an ideal contrast to the city’s urban pulse.
Designed for transit stops of over seven hours
Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, CEO of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, shared that this new initiative—developed in collaboration with Trip.com, China’s largest online travel agency—was crafted for passengers with layovers of seven hours or more.
“This is just the beginning,” she said. “We’re actively working on further enhancements for transit passengers, including curated retail, dining, wellness, and cultural experiences.”
Each tour is limited to just 20 guests per day, and lasts approximately four hours, as a beautifully compact way to experience Hong Kong’s unique allure without the rush.
Chapman Fong Shui-man, Director of Hub Development for the airport authority, expressed hope that this program will not only enrich the transit experience but also inspire passengers to share their discoveries and return to Hong Kong as a full-fledged destination.
The initiative has the potential to reach 5.5 million transit passengers who spend more than seven hours in Hong Kong annually.
Free of charge!
Hong Kong is one of Asia’s key transit hubs, with roughly 50,000 passengers passing through daily. About 30 per cent of them stay long enough to qualify for this tour.
Eddy Yip, Trip.com’s Director of Product and Marketing, said the program follows successful launches in Beijing and Shanghai, where more than 14,000 travellers joined similar tours in the past year.
Each tour aligns with peak transit times and includes round-trip transportation, a professional English-speaking guide, and on-the-ground support provided by Trip.com. Notably, all operating costs are fully covered by Trip.com, making the experience entirely free for participants.
To join, travellers must hold a valid visa or meet Hong Kong’s entry requirements. Eligible passengers can book online before departure or sign up at Trip.com’s airport counter upon arrival. With limited daily spots, early booking is recommended.