Airport (Hong Kong International Airport)

Hong Kong is the transport hub of Asia, being directly accessible from more than 100 cities worldwide.For more information about Hong KongInternationalAirport, please visit www.hkairport.com.

Upon your Arrival

Visitors will find a number of services on site at the airport including hotel counters and private limousine services. These services are located at counters 1 to 4 in the Arrival Hall, right in the centre of the Meeters and Greeters area.

As the hub for all surface transport to and from downtown, the Ground Transportation Centre - connected to the PassengerTerminalBuilding is where passengers can board the Airport Express, taxis, Airbuses or tour coaches at specially designated area. The following fares and routes are quoted for your reference:

Airport Express (AEL)
This high-speed rail service takes passengers from the airport to Hong Kong Station in Central, via Tsing Yi and Kowloon in just 23 minutes. Airport Express passengers can enjoy free shuttle service between most of the hotels and the Hong Kong Island AEL stations. HK$100 per single journey and HK$180 per a round-trip ticket.

Hotel Transfer
Please call at the Hong Kong Hotels Association Hotel Reservation Centre inside the Buffer Hall immediately after the customs area, or look for the Hotel Pick-Up Counters at the Meeters and Greeters Hall. The Staff on duty will advise and direct you to the transportation of your choice. HK$100 to HK$140 per single journey.

Taxi
Metered taxis are reasonable. Rates start at HK$15.00 on flag fall plus HK$1.40 every further 250 metres. Taxis only accept HK$, only pay the fare shown on the meter plus any additional charges when applicable (e.g. luggage, tunnel tolls). Hong KongIsland passengers pay the two-way Cross-Harbour tunnel toll. All passengers pay an extra fee per piece of luggage (charges displayed in taxi). The estimated fares and distances from the airport to major areas in Hong Kong are as follows:

Hong KongIsland - Wanchai HK$325 (39 km)
Kowloon - Tsimshatsui HK$270 (34 km)

Airport Departure Tax

Adults (12 years and over) HK$120.00
Children (under 12 years) Free
This is either included in the price of your ticket or will be collected at check in counters.

Business, Post Office and Banking Hours

Generally, offices of most of the commercial establishments and government departments are open from 0900 to 1700 hours with a lunch hour from 1300 to 1400.Some of them work on Saturdays and the hours are usually from 0900 to 1300.Major banks are open from 0900 to 1630 on weekdays, 0900 to 1230 on Saturdays.

Postal rates are cheap and post offices are scattered far and wide across the city.Post offices are open from 0900 to 1700 hours from Monday to Friday, 0900 to 1300 hours on Saturdays.Stamp vending machines are available at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and major hotels.

Most of the shops and department stores are open daily from 1000 to 2100 hours.

Climate

The August weather in Hong Kong is usually humid with fair share of thunderstorms. The temperature ranges from 26oC to 30oC.Most of the time in August is sunny and hot.However, there will be showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad trough of low pressure occasionally.All Congress sessions will be held in air-conditioned venues.For more information, please visit the Hong Kong Observatory's website at www.hko.gov.hk.

Currency

The Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) is the unit currency used in Hong Kong. The official exchange rate of Hong Kong dollar to US dollar is 7.80 (subject to fluctuation). Most foreign currencies and traveller's cheques can be changed over banks, hotels and moneychangers. Major credit cards are accepted in Hong Kong. There are no restrictions on the type or amount of money that can be brought into or taken out of Hong Kong.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied as alternating current and the voltage is 200/220 Volts/frequency 50 cycles.

Health

Vaccination certificates are not required for yellow fever, cholera and typhoid for visitors traveling to Hong Kong. However, you are advised to check with your doctor well before departure as requirements can change without prior notice.

Language

Hong Kong has a population of 7 million people. Almost 95% of the population is Chinese. The official languages are Chinese and English, with Cantonese the most widely spoken Chinese dialect.All major signage is in Chinese or bilingual. English is widely spoken in Hong Kong.The official language of the Congress is English.

Passport and Visa

Passport holders from most countries are granted a 90-day stay upon entry to Hong Kong.For country-specific visa information, please check the most updated information from the Hong Kong Immigration Department at www.info.gov.hk/immd/english/topical/e/1.htm.

Participants attending ISPD 2006 Hong Kong Congress who require an entry visa for Hong Kong are advised to make the necessary arrangements well in advance of their departure.They should ensure that their visa is valid for a sufficient duration.A letter of invitation from the Congress Secretariat may be requested in writing for facilitating your visa application.

Public Transport

Hong Kong is so compact, getting around is quite easy. Fleets of taxis, buses, trams, harbour ferries, complemented by the excellent Mass Transit Railway (MTR) underground system, enable visitors to explore Hong Kong on their own safely and conveniently.

Safety
Hong Kong is generally considered a safe city by day or night.As in all big cities, avoid carrying large amounts of cash.Make use of your hotel's safe-deposit boxes for valuable items.

Sales Tax

There is no sales tax on goods and services in Hong Kong.

Telecommunications

Local calls are free.Local calls from public coin phones cost HK$1 per five minutes.Most hotels have International Direct Dialing (IDD), but may charge an extra fee for local and/or IDD calls.Stored-value phone cards (available at the Information Counter of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong Tourism Board Information and Gift Centres and most convenience stores) allow you to make calls on (IDD) public coin and card phones.

Internet access can be found in some of the cafes round the city and is generally available in most of the hotels.

Country code for Hong Kong is "852" immediately followed by the local telephone number. However, if you are making a call to other cities in China, you should dial the country code "86" then followed by the area code and the local telephone number.

Time

The local time in Hong Kong is GMT + 8.

Tipping

Restaurants would expect a tip of around 5% to 10% of the bill, even when a service charge of 10% is already included.Taxi drivers tend to round up the fare to the nearest Hong Kong dollar and if not, will appreciate a little extra.Bellboys, porters and washroom attendants will also expect a modest tip.

Water

Water that runs direct from taps satisfies the United Nations World Health Organization standards.Bottled water is widely available in hotels, supermarkets and convenience stores.

For more information on getting around Hong Kong, you may also wish to visit www.discoverhongkong.com

Disclaimer:All information provided in this section is considered to be accurate and correct at the date of upload.We accept no responsibility should the information change between the date of upload and the date of your arrival in Hong Kong.