Hong Kong International
Airport is among the busiest airports
in the world and firmly cements Hong Kong's
position as an aviation hub.
The passenger terminal is perhaps the
world's largest enclosed space and it
is certainly one of the most energy efficient
buildings yet created. Although awe inspiring,
the terminal's interior is not overwhelming.
Reflected sunlight, a soaring arched roof
and unobtrusive air-conditioning create
a comfortable and natural ambience all
year round.
Shopping is a delight for many of the
world's most famous labels and brand names
are represented in the terminal's shopping
complex. Aptly named SkyMart, this world-class
retail and catering facility offers a
huge variety of shops, restaurants and
cafes, and all are committed to a value-for-money
policy of top quality at downtown prices.
Trolleys for hand luggage and shopping
items are readily available.
Despite its vast size, the terminal building
is surprisingly easy to negotiate, as
the needs of travellers were carefully
considered during all design phases. The
pedestrian flow for departures and arrivals
is clearly defined so that all procedures
are trouble free and pleasurable. Where
changes of level are unavoidable, ramps,
lifts and escalators are provided. Signage
is prominent and internationally accepted
icons are used wherever possible as an
aid to clear communication.
HKIA is one of the few airports with its
own internal underground rail network.
An Automated People Mover swiftly transports
arriving or departing passengers from
the furthermost gates in about 70 seconds.
This is complemented by over three kilometres
of moving walkways or travelators located
inside the terminal building.
The passenger terminal is perhaps the
world's largest enclosed space. Designed
to be an energy-efficient building, it
has a natural ambience due in part to
its architecture and arched roof as well
as reflected sunlight. Despite its size,
it is actually easy to negotiate, with
pedestrian flow for departures and arrivals
clearly defined. Signage is prominent
and internationally recognized icons are
used.
The HKIA has an automated
people mover that transports arriving
or departing passengers from the furthermost
gates in about 70 seconds, as well as
more than 2 km of moving walkways or travelators
inside the terminal building.
There are 12 baggage
reclaim carousels, with information boards
throughout the baggage reclaim hall indicating
the carousels designated for each incoming
flight. Bags should reach the appropriate
carousel within 10 minutes of being collected
from the aircraft.
Adjacent to the terminal
is the ground transportation center where
fast transfers to Hong Kong can be made.
The four-level transportation center houses
the station for the Airport Express and
an extensive public transport interchange
with facilities for taxis, franchised
buses, tour coaches, hotel limousines
and private cars. Hotel shuttle buses
and cars are located in the central area
at ground level. Baggage trolleys can
be found at all passenger drop-off points
and free porter service is available at
the passenger terminal departures.
Two counters of the Hong Kong Hotels Association
Information can be found in the Buffer
Hall at Arrivals Level immediately after
the Customs area. Likewise, information
counters operated by the Hong Kong Tourist
Association are located in the Arrivals
Hall. These counters offer a wide range
of information for visitors, including
brochures and maps of Hong Kong.
Airport information counters can be found
in the Departures Hall and under the Farman
bi-plane exhibit in the Arrivals Hall.
Airport maps and information booklets
are available here.
Help Phones are located in public areas
throughout the terminal. Passengers need
only lift the handset to speak to operators
who can provide airport information or
send duty staff to assist.
Departure Tax
Hong Kong's airport authority has halved
the airport departure tax to HK$50 (approx.
$7) at Chek Lap Kok. It is now added to
the cost of your airline ticket.
Restaurants
Several restaurants are found in HKIA
including branches of Maxim's Chinese
Restaurant and Grappa's, both at the Mezzanine
level.
Airport Hotel
The Regal Airport Hotel - the only hotel
on the airport site - is connected directly
to the terminal building via the arrival
hall and by the air-conditioned travelator.
It has more than 1,100 guestrooms and
extensive meeting and conference venues.
Other facilities include game room, gift
shop, outdoor/indoor pools, safe deposit
boxes, shoeshine, health club, and a branch
of HSBC.
Short-stay rates for 4 hours between 8am
to 10pm $51.50
Short stay rates for 8 hours between 8am
to 10pm $96.57
Room-night rates
$270 to $296
Business Centers
The Regal Airport Hotel has a business
center that offers secretarial services,
cellular phones, PC and printers, fax
service and translation. The Plaza Premium
Lounge is patterned after first- and business-class
lounges with facilities such as computers
with Internet and other business equipment,
plus showers, massage chairs, magazines,
and food and drinks available for HK$250.
Fitness Center
Available at the Regal Airport Hotel
Medical centers
Medical centers are located on Departures
Level 6 and in the Arrivals Hall. Help
Phones in the terminal can be used to
call for urgent medical assistance. A
medical clinic can also be found at the
Regal Airport Hotel. Located on the 3rd
floor, it is manned by a nurse six days
a week, with an attending physician available
every morning.
Shopping
The airport's passenger terminal is nearly
a mile long and boasts a shopping mall
appropriately called SkyMart with 140
retail shops and restaurants. Among the
establishments are Ferragamo, Gucci, Christian
Dior, Bvlgari and Bally. There is also
a branch of the pharmacy Mannings at the
Check-In Hall.
Car rental
Limousine service counters are found in
the Arrivals Hall and the Ground Transportation
Centre. There is a comfortable lounge
for travellers waiting for their limos.
Dah Chong Hong (Motor) Ltd
Tel: +852 2262-1888
Farrington
Tel: +852 3121-3128
Intercontinental Hire Cars Ltd
Tel: +852 2336-6111
Swire Travel
Tel: +852 2579-6488
Airport Parking
There are about 3,100 commercial car parking
spaces at the airport for hourly, daily
and monthly parking operated by Wilson
Parking. Car parks 1 and 2 are located
to the south of the terminal; car park
3 and the multi-storey car park 4 (about
1,700 spaces) are located to the north
of the terminal. Fees for the open carpark
is HK$13 per hour, while the multi-storey
carpark charges HK$16 per hour.
Other Facilities
Money changers
Twelve money exchange outlets are located
landside and airside on both Arrivals
and Departures levels.
Post office
The airport Post Office is located in
the Departures Level Check-In Hall. Open
from 9:30am to 8:30pm Monday to Saturday.
Prayer room
A 24-hour multi-faith prayer room is located
in the Departures Check-in Hall, south
concourse, near Check-in.
Banks
Among the banks that have branches at
the HKIA are Bank of China, Bank of East
Asia, Bank of America, Hang Seng Bank
and Hongkong Bank.
