HKG Hong Kong · rules of Hong Kong
Can I leave Hong Kong International Airport on my layover?
Choose your passport and enter your layover. You get the official entry rule for Hong Kong and a time budget that counts the queue, the trip into Hong Kong and the way back.
Choose your passport to see whether you can leave Hong Kong International Airport.
United States passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Ordinary passports; US diplomatic passports need a visa.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
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Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
Canada passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
United Kingdom passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- British citizens 180 days; British Overseas Territories citizens, British Overseas citizens, British subjects and British Protected persons 90 days.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
Australia passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
New Zealand passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
EU / EEA / Switzerland passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- All EU member states, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland are listed at 90 days.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
India passport
Yes, with an online travel authorisation
- Leave the airport
- Visa-free for 14 days only after completing online Pre-arrival Registration (PAR), free, valid six months, multiple visits of up to 14 days each; also needed to enter during a transit.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Pre-arrival registration not required in direct transit by air without leaving the airport transit area.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
-
Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
not required for Indian nationals in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area.
China (mainland) passport
Yes, under the visa-free transit rules
- Leave the airport
- PRC passport holders in transit through Hong Kong to or from another country or territory may be granted 7 days on each landing without a prior entry permit, with valid entry facilities for the destination and a confirmed onward booking. Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong itself need an Exit-Entry Permit (EEP) with endorsement.
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (2), checked 2026-11-01
-
Entry Arrangements for Mainland, Macao, Taiwan & Overseas Chinese Residents (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
may be granted a stay of seven days on each landing without the prior need to obtain an entry permit ... valid entry facilities for the destination and confirmed onward booking for the overseas journey.
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
Brazil passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
Mexico passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
South Africa passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
Philippines passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
Japan passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
South Korea passport
Yes, no visa needed
- Leave the airport
- Stay airside
- No document needed to stay airside Direct transit in the airport transit area.
Official sources (1), checked 2026-11-01
-
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (updated August 2026) (Immigration Department, HKSAR Government):
Always require VISA, except in direct transit by air and when the person does not leave the airport transit area
HKG Your layover
Before you go
Going into Hong Kong
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Leave your bags in Hong Kong
Radical Storage
Book a luggage locker near the station or your sight, so you can walk the city light.
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Short tours in Hong Kong
Klook
Skip-the-line tickets and short guided tours that fit a few hours.
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Fixed-price transfer from HKG
Kiwitaxi
A driver waiting at arrivals, useful when trains are not running or you travel in a group.
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Mobile data for the layover
Saily
An eSIM you install before you fly, for maps and your airline app in town.
Staying at HKG
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Lounge passes at HKG
Klook
Pay-per-visit lounge access where your card or ticket does not get you in.
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Missed your connection?
AirHelp
Check whether a delay or a missed connection entitles you to compensation.
These are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. They never change what the planner tells you.
Who can leave HKG without a visa?
Hong Kong has its own immigration control, separate from Mainland China. Passengers in direct transit by air who stay in the airport transit area need no visa or registration. All nationalities covered here can enter visa-free (or, for Indians, after free online pre-arrival registration) for a city visit; periods range from 14 days (IN, PH) to 180 days (British citizens). PRC passport holders travelling to or from another country may land for 7 days without an entry permit.
| Passport | Leave the airport |
|---|---|
| United States | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
| Canada | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
| United Kingdom | Yes, no visa needed · 180 days |
| Australia | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
| New Zealand | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
| EU / EEA / Switzerland | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
| India | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 14 days |
| China (mainland) | Yes, under the visa-free transit rules · 7 days |
| Brazil | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
| Mexico | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
| South Africa | Yes, no visa needed · 30 days |
| Philippines | Yes, no visa needed · 14 days |
| Japan | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
| South Korea | Yes, no visa needed · 90 days |
14 of the 14 passports we cover can leave the airport without applying for a visa first (some need an online authorisation). Other passports: check the official sources linked in the planner.
Transit rules in Hong Kong
Direct airside transit
Who: Passengers of any nationality covered here (some other nationalities marked in the ImmD table need a visa even airside)
- Direct transit by air
- Do not leave the airport transit area
Source: Immigration Department, HKSAR Government, Immigration Department, HKSAR Government
PRC passport 7-day transit
Who: Holders of People's Republic of China passports travelling to or from another country or territory
- Up to 7 days on each landing
- Valid entry facilities for the destination
- Confirmed onward booking for the overseas journey
- Normal immigration requirements met
Getting from HKG into Hong Kong
We measure to Central (Hong Kong Station). Times are the operators' own figures; ≈ marks a timetable-based estimate where no official door-to-door time is published.
| Option | Time | Fare | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTR Airport Express to Hong Kong Station (Central) source | 24 min | HKD 120 (adult single, Octopus/contactless/QR); HKD 130 Smart Ticket | 05:54-00:48 (from Airport to city, timetable effective 13 Sep 2026) |
| Urban (red) taxi from the arrivals taxi stand, metered (HKD 29 first 2 km) source | – | – | 24h |
Good to know: No hotel in the restricted (airside) area per airport FAQ; Regal Airport Hotel (linked to T1) and others are landside, so immigration is needed. Airport Express runs ~05:54-00:48 from the airport; outside that, night buses or taxi. Free in-town check-in at Airport Express Hong Kong/Kowloon stations exists (conditions not confirmed).
If you stay in the airport
- Transit hotel
- No airside hotel listed. source
- Left luggage
- Short-term baggage storage, Terminal 1 non-restricted (landside) area; HKD 14/hour or HKD 165/day per piece, whichever is less source
- Free layover tour
- HKIA Free Layover Tour: transit passengers with layover over 7 h who meet Hong Kong entry requirements; tours Ma Wan 10:00-14:00, Temple 12:00-16:00, Victoria Harbour 17:30-21:30; book online up to 3 months ahead or at service counters on arrival (subject to availability); fast-track immigration for participants source
Questions
Do I need a visa for a layover in Hong Kong?
If you stay airside, it depends on your passport: Hong Kong has its own immigration control, separate from Mainland China. Passengers in direct transit by air who stay in the airport transit area need no visa or registration. All nationalities covered here can enter visa-free (or, for Indians, after free online pre-arrival registration) for a city visit; periods range from 14 days (IN, PH) to 180 days (British citizens). PRC passport holders travelling to or from another country may land for 7 days without an entry permit. Choose your passport above for the exact rule and its official source.
How long does it take to get from HKG to Hong Kong?
The fastest public option, MTR Airport Express to Hong Kong Station (Central), takes about 24 minutes to Central (Hong Kong Station) (official figure). The planner adds 20% for waiting and delays.
How long a layover do I need to leave Hong Kong International Airport?
With our cautious defaults (45 minutes to get out, 120 minutes back before departure, the transfer both ways plus 20%), you need about 6 hours for 90 minutes in the city. Below that, stay in the airport.
Is there a free layover tour at HKG?
HKIA Free Layover Tour: transit passengers with layover over 7 h who meet Hong Kong entry requirements; tours Ma Wan 10:00-14:00, Temple 12:00-16:00, Victoria Harbour 17:30-21:30; book online up to 3 months ahead or at service counters on arrival (subject to availability); fast-track immigration for participants
Rules checked against official sources on 2026-11-01; airport facts from Hong Kong International Airport. Found something out of date? Tell us.