Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

TerminalsInsights » Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

One of the most famous and the world’s most functionally advanced aviation hub is Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), also extensively known as Chek Lap Kok Airport. Located on the artificially reclaimed island of Chek Lap Kok on the northwest of Lantau Island,HKG is set at a distance of approximately 34 km west to Hong Kong’s city center. The facility which opened on 2 July 1998, replacing Kai Tak Airport before then, has become an essential connecting nexus to the rest of the world in Asia.

As one of Asia’s busiest hubs, Airport Authority Hong Kong manages this airport around the clock. This facilitates constant operation throughout 365 days on three runways measuring three kilometers and eighty meters in length. With approximately sixty-one million passengers visiting in 2025, the airport stands as among the top ten busiest in the world by number of travellers. Furthermore, it is as well the world’s biggest cargo destination, holding its prestigious title for consecutive years and playing an instrumental role not just for travellers, but also for global trade and online retail distribution.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Contact Details

Airport Address: 1 Sky Plaza Rd, Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong

Contact Number: +85221818888

Airport Website: https://www.hongkongairport.com/

Airlines that operate out of HKG Airport

More than one hundred airlines fly to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), servicing scheduled and direct journeys to over two hundred twenty (220) worldwide locations. Main comprehensive airlines operating from HKG consist of:

  • Cathay Pacific
  • Hong Kong Airlines
  • Greater Bay Airlines
  • HK Express
  • Air China
  • China Eastern Airlines
  • Emirates
  • United Airlines
  • Ethiopian Airlines
  • Qantas
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Japan Airlines (JAL)
  • All Nippon Airways (ANA)

To verify the location of your assigned airline terminal and check-in row, have a look at the flight details screen you see on your arrival at the airport,or, visit the Hong Kong Airport Official Website hongkongairport.com.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Baggage Claim

The baggage claim facilities at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) are located on Level 5 of Terminal 1, within the Arrivals Hall. This level is signposted throughout the terminal and can be accessed by means of elevators, moving walkways, and escalators from the areas used for Immigration and Customs clearance. The primary baggage services at HKG include:

  • Free Luggage Trolleys
  • Left Baggage / Luggage Storage
  • Baggage Wrapping Service
  • Baggage Porter Service
  • Oversized and Special Baggage
  • Lost and Found

With one of the world’s most sophisticated automatic baggage handling systems, waiting at the baggage carousel at HKG is minimized, and luggage mishandling is significantly reduced. HKG also provides baggage size gauges within its check-in areas for departing passengers; these will assist with making sure that luggage complies with the size limitations imposed by airline companies prior to checking it in.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Lounges

There is a variety of airline and lounge facilities to suit various passenger preferences available on Levels 6 and 7 of HKG’s Departures Halls; in total, there are roughly 14 airline lounges which may be used by those who fly first or business class or are elite flyers with a particular airline, as well as travelers with one of the specific payment options.

Cathay Pacific Lounges

HKG’s flagship airline provides five premium lounges which many travelers regard as the best airport lounges within the entire system:

  • The Pier (Business Class)
  • The Pier (First Class)
  • The Wing (Business Class)
  • The Wing (First Class)
  • The Deck

Other Airline Lounges

  • Emirates Lounge
  • Hong Kong Airlines Autus Club
  • Qantas Lounge

Pay-Per-Use Lounges

Passengers without airline lounge benefits still have several luxurious pay-per-use options at HKG to choose from:

  • Plaza Premium First Lounge
  • Plaza Premium Lounges
  • Centurion Lounge

Free Wi-Fi, charging stations, complimentary beverages, and snacks are all available in HKG lounges, as well as showers. For travelers who wish to bypass waiting lists for lounge entry and are not qualifying elite frequent flyer members with an airline, consider pre-booking your Plaza Premium lounge pass online.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Maps

Getting around HKG just got a whole lot easier, now that HKG’s biggest terminal, T1, is one of the largest passenger terminal buildings on Earth. We highly recommend that you invest in some comfy footwear; if you’re travelling the length of the terminal – and let’s face it, you probably will if you’re switching between the main T1 building, T1 Satellite Concourse, and T1 Midfield Concourse – you’ll end up doing a lot of walking.

Terminal layout

Terminal 1 (T1) has a Y-shaped layout of eight levels and includes: 

  • Level 5: Arrivals Hall includes Baggage Claim area, Customs and Excise, Ground transportation and vehicle pick-up points, Currency exchange service, ATMs, Information desk, and Tourist service area.
  • Level 6: Departure Hall is for Security clearance and boarding, Airline lounges, retail, dining, duty-free shops, and airline check-in. Also, it is for Skydeck, which provides a bird’s-eye view.
  • Level 7: Check-in Hall is the Main airport and check-in concourse, Airline check-in counters and self-check-in service areas, Currency exchange services, ATMs, and Information and security desks.
  • Level 8: Airlines lounges and offices.

T1 Satellite Concourse: The Satellite concourse has some of gates and is well connected by automated people mover (APM) from Terminal 1 (T1). Gates area has 13-21.

T1 Midfield Concourse: It houses additional check-in counters, lounges, retail outlets and restaurants. It is connected by an automated people mover (APM) system. Gates area has 201-220.

SkyPier Terminal: Ferry terminal service connects passengers directly to nine cities and two Special Administrative Regions of the Greater Bay Area.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Parking

HKG provides both short-term and long-term parking facilities to suit passengers and the public. These can be reached by covered walkways connecting straight into Terminal 1.

Available car parks

  • Car Park 1: Hourly parking only, no daily parking. Close to Terminal 1.
  • Car Park 4: Accepts both hourly and long-term (daily) parking. Charges are made either at an hourly or daily rate, whichever is cheaper, over 24 hours, to cater for travelers with different work schedules.
  • Car Parks 3 and 4: Free and accessible for cars that are picking up or dropping off passengers, they are perfect for short stops when paying isn’t necessary.

Parking charges and payment

Rates for HKG airport car parks vary with duration and the car park used. Each trip (even for under an hour) will be charged as one hour. Payment can be made by:

  • Octopus Card
  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • UnionPay

We recommend checking the HKG airport parking page for up-to-date rates and viewing real-time space availability information.

HKG Car Park Hotline: 2186 4360

Accessible parking

If you have a valid disabled parking permit you will receive a 50% discount on any standard car park fees. The disabled parking bay at each car park is situated close to the entrances to T1.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Shop

HKG is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost airport shopping destinations, and for good reason. It features some 200 retailers located in T1 and the Midfield Concourse, serving every travel need, from high-end luxury shopping to duty-free bargains and essential travel goods.

SkyMart (Terminal 1 Restricted Area)

HKG’s main shopping is found in its duty-free outlets within SkyMart. Shop types available at HKG are categorised as follows:

  • Luxury & Fashion: This extensive retail experience includes luxury fashion brands from all over the world – including Gucci, Chanel, Zara, H&M, Dior, Louis Vuitton – found mostly in the duty-free area of T1.
  • Beauty & Cosmetics: This large offering caters to any beauty product need, from perfume and cologne to the widest variety of makeup and cosmetic care brands.
  • Electronics & Technology: You’ll be able to pick up all the latest gadgets here, including a broad range of products from retailers such as 1010, Sound & Vision, and Nobletime AV.
  • Jewellery & Watches: There’s a varied assortment of fine Jewellery and watches available, with various brands.
  • Books & Travel Essentials: There are plenty of airport shops for your holiday reads. They’re spread throughout Terminal 1, from the well-stocked Chung Hwa Book Company shops and RELAY for travellers’ accessories. You’ll also find shops offering travel essentials at Agnes b, Go Travel, and Delsey Paris.
  • Souvenirs & Local Delicacies: Look for some last-minute gifts for the family back home, and pick up some packaged local goodies – everything from egg rolls to pineapple cakes.
  • Convenience Stores: You’ll be glad to know that a 7-Eleven store is conveniently located in the airside area for all your immediate needs and offers a wide range of drinks, snacks, and essential travel supplies, and this one stays open 24/7!

SkyPlaza (Terminal 2: Under Renovation)

Hong Kong International Airport’s other airport shopping zone, SkyPlaza, is located within Terminal 2. The vast SkyPlaza, which houses numerous outlets and various entertainment facilities, is currently undergoing development for the future. Most airport shops are at the present time located in T1 and at the Midfield Concourse.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Smoking Area

The law in Hong Kong is extremely stringent about smoking – in fact, any form of smoking inside the building is strictly prohibited. You’ll be very happy to hear that things have changed from previous years, as all of HKG’s indoor smoking rooms have been shut down entirely, and you will now have to visit an exterior smoking location for a puff at the airport.

1. The Sky Garden: Term 1 (Airside, After Security) – The Primary Spot If you’re flying out of Terminal 1 and in need of a smoke post-security, then you want to go to Sky Garden. You’ll find this a quite modern outdoor terrace just after Gate 10 that offers Ashtrays (and it’s currently operating in 2025, so it should remain up to date).

Directions: After going through airport security on Terminal 1, make your way to the vicinity of Gate 10, take a sharp right, and go up one level of the escalator (or just use the elevator beside Gate 10), then make another quick left.

2. Observation Deck: T1 Midfield (Gates 201-220) – Outdoor deck where smoking is allowed. It’s located just beyond the security check on that section of the concourse that links with the train back to the main terminal when flying out of Gates 201-220. This one was in full swing as of April 2024 and should remain open as of July 2025.

Directions: Go into the midfield portion of T1 and find the vicinity of Gate 202, or look for the main escalator near Gate 209.

3. Outside Areas on Landside: Smoking on the landside will be possible from an outside smoking area available near both the departure-level bus stops (Level 7 -Accessible by car or Taxi) and the designated area at the taxi exit (arrival ground level).

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Security Wait Time

In any normal operating day at HKG Airport, the wait for a traveller to proceed through the security check at the airport is minimal, between 5 and 15 minutes on most occasions. On occasion, there might be peak hour travel times that include the very beginning of the day (early mornings), the latter of the afternoon, and/or early evening, plus special holiday times that could see this number reach 20 – 30 minutes plus.

Your best times to make it through security at HKG with virtually no wait: Early morning hours from around 5 am – 6 am, and from 2 pm – 4 pm on any normal afternoon.

Time-saver tips for security screening at HKG

  • Arrive at the airport a minimum of 2 to 3 hours before your flight departure – especially those departing for international flights.
  • Use the “check-in online” options that are available, or, even better, utilise HKG’s self-service kiosks to avoid any long queues at check-in desks.
  • Having your Passport and boarding pass at the ready when joining the line up at security will save you significant time when eventually reaching the counter for screening.
  • Liquids that you are transporting through will require that each of them has no more than a capacity of 100ml, and will also have to be put into a single clear plastic bag to be stored in the carry-on baggage.
  • Prior to reaching the actual screening checkpoint, take out your laptops, iPads, and other portable electronics. They’ll have to be pulled out before being placed into the security X-Ray Scanner.
  • If you happen to qualify for “Express Lane”, now is the time to get ahead of the queue.
  • Take a gander at the E-Gate to use it, IF you are a resident and eligible to do so. It can cut back your waiting time at immigration significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IATA code for Hong Kong International Airport?

The IATA code for Hong Kong International Airport is HKG. Its ICAO code is VHHH.

How do I get from Hong Kong International Airport to the city centre?

The fastest and most popular option to get from Hong Kong International Airport to the city centre is the Airport Express train. It can take you to Hong Kong Station (Central) in approximately 24 minutes and to Kowloon Station in about 22 minutes. Trains runs every 5-14 mins between 5:54 am – 12:48 am.

How many terminals does Hong Kong International Airport have, and which should I use?

Hong Kong International Airport currently operates with a single active terminal. Terminal 1 is the primary terminal building, which includes the T1 Satellite Concourse and T1 Midfield Concourse. The other building at Hong Kong Airport is the IATA-coded T2 or Terminal 2.

Can I access a lounge at HKG without a business class ticket or frequent flyer status?

Yes! Hong Kong International Airport boasts several pay-per-use lounges which are accessible to all passengers regardless of airline class or frequent flyer status for an entry fee. These include several Plaza Premium Lounges (near Gates 35 and 60) as well as the Plaza Premium First Lounge (near Gate 1).

Is there free Wi-Fi at Hong Kong International Airport?

Yes! You’ll be pleased to know that free high-speed Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the entire airport, on every level of Terminal 1, Satellite Concourse, Midfield Concourse and even at SkyPier.