Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [201]
TRANSPORT
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AIR
Airlines
Airport
To/From the Airport
BICYCLE
BOAT
Star Ferry
Other Cross-Harbour Ferries
New Territories Ferries
New Territories Ferries
Outlying Islands Ferries
Other Boats
BUS
Routes & Schedules
Minibuses
Night Buses
CAR & MOTORCYCLE
Driving Licence & Permits
Hire
Road Rules
TAXI
TRAIN
Underground Lines
Overland Lines
Light Rail Lines
TRAM
Peak Tram
TRAVEL & TOURIST PASSES
TRANSPORT TO/FROM MAINLAND CHINA
Air
Land
Sea
Visas
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Amazingly well connected, Hong Kong’s international sea, air, road and rail links make getting there and away easy and largely stress free. Equally, its excellent infrastructure makes it a breeze to get around within the Special Administrative Region (SAR), whether by bus, taxi, ferry, tram or train. Flights, tours and rail tickets can be booked online at www.lonelyplanet.com/travel_services.
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AIR
Hong Kong’s importance as an international hub for China and much of East and Southeast Asia ensures excellent international air connections, and competition keeps the fares relatively low to most places – except China.
A proliferation of budget airlines in recent years has only increased competition and downward pressure on many shorter-haul fares in particular. Specific information on air travel to and from Macau and China can be found on Click here and Click here, respectively.
Tickets are normally issued the day after booking, but you can usually pick up really cheap tickets (actually group fares) at the airport from the ‘tour leader’ just before the flight. Check these tickets carefully as there may be errors (eg the return portion of the ticket being valid for only 60 days from when you paid for a ticket valid for six months).
You can generally get a good idea of what fares are available at the moment by looking in the classified section of the South China Morning Post. Otherwise, check out any of the following websites:
Bargain Holidays (www.bargainholidays.com)
ebookers (www.ebookers.com)
Last Minute (www.lastminute.com)
Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.net)
Travelocity (www.travelocity.com)
You’ll find travel agencies everywhere in Hong Kong, but the following are among the most reliable and offer the best deals on air tickets:
Concorde Travel ( Map; 2526 3391; www.concorde-travel.com; 1st fl, Galuxe Bldg, 8-10 On Lan St, Central; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat) This is a long-established and highly dependable agency owned and operated by expats.
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Things Change…
The information in this chapter is particularly vulnerable to change. Check directly with the airline or a travel agent to make sure you understand how a fare (and ticket you may buy) works and be aware of the security requirements for international travel. Shop carefully. The details given in this chapter should be regarded as pointers and are not a substitute for your own careful, up-to-date research.
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Natori Travel ( Map; 2810 1681; fax 2810 8190; www.natoritvl.com; Room 2207, Melbourne Plaza, 33 Queen’s Rd Central; 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat) Readers have long used and recommended this place.
Phoenix Services Agency ( Map; 2722 7378; Room 1404, 14th fl, Austin Tower, 22-26 Austin Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat) Phoenix is one of the best places in Hong Kong to buy air tickets, get China visas and seek travel advice. It is also the Hong Kong agent for the student and discount-travel company STA Travel.
Traveller Services ( Map; 2375 2222; www.taketraveller.com; 1813 Miramar Tower, 132 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat) Very reliable for good-value air tickets.
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Airlines
More than 70 international airlines operate between Hong Kong International Airport and some 130 destinations around the world. You can check flight schedules and real-time flight information for both Macau and Hong Kong airports