Hong Kong is open to international tourism
Hong Kong — The Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China — is open to fully vaccinated foreign travelers. In September 2022 the city removed most travel restrictions for international arrivals. Only a negative result from any over-the-counter RAT test conducted 24 hours before departure is required (you can voluntarily declare the result online prior to your arrival in Hong Kong).
Unvaccinated non-residents are still denied entry. Mask-wearing remains mandatory throughout the city.
Transiting through Hong Kong International Airport is permitted to all destinations except the Chinese Mainland.
Arriving in Hong Kong
- If you are flying to Hong Kong from abroad, you will most likely land at its main international airport — Hong Kong International Airport
HKG(known locally as Chek Lap Kok). It has two terminals connected by driverless train and two separate concourses - North Satellite and Midfield. Terminal 1 is one of the largest in the world (90 boarding gates are located on the upper level), and Terminal 2 serves just as a check-in point for passengers who are then transported to Terminal 1 for their flights.
Despite its daunting size, though, the airport's minimalistic layout aims to ease navigational problems. Things run surprisingly smoothly after the arrival - there are short wait times at immigration (up to 15 minutes), and luggage arrives at the carousel within 10-15 minutes.
There are various options for shopping, dining, and entertainment, including SkyMart in Terminal 1 and SkyPlaza in Terminal 2. Free WiFi is available throughout all terminals ("#HKAirport Free WiFi" network, no registration required), and there are plenty of outlets for charging mobile devices (Hong Kong/English plugs and USB only). If you want to relax during your layover, you can purchase a lounge pass for one of the 24-hour lounges (some of which offer showers) or head to IMAX Theatre in Terminal 2 (with Hong Kong’s largest IMAX screen). - Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, IndiGo, Scoot, VietJet, Air Busan, Hong Kong Express, Spring Airlines, and Thai Smile. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.
Airports of Hong Kong
HKG. It is connected to the mainland via Route 8, running along the coast of the adjacent Lantau Island and over the Ma Wan Channel. The drive to the downtown area from the airport takes approximately 30 minutes.
What is the best time to book flights to Hong Kong?
The best time to book flights to Hong Kong is between 2 to 8 months before your travel date. The prime booking window (the most likely time to find the bargains) for Hong Kong flights is 4–6 months before takeoff. During this period, you should monitor airfares by setting alerts on popular flight search websites. Book when you notice a significant drop in price.
Why do prices fluctuate?
Airfare prices for Hong Kong flights fluctuate due to demand, seasonal trends, and competition, causing numerous price drops and increases as your departure date approaches. The airlines use sophisticated revenue management systems to adjust pricing for optimal seat sales. Generally, as seats are sold, prices tend to become more expensive.
Don’t book too early
Most airlines start selling their flights 9–12 months in advance. However, booking a ticket too early in that window can be an expensive mistake – airlines typically start by setting prices at a relatively high level to capture early demand from those willing to pay more to secure their seats
Prime Booking Window
For long-haul flights to Hong Kong, the best time to book your ticket is around 4–6 months before departure. It is the “Prime Booking Window” – after some seats have already been sold, airlines start dropping prices to stimulate demand. They may also offer promotions and sales. This is the ideal time for bargain hunting.
Fly on weekdays
It makes a difference which day of the week you board the plane. Midweek travel (especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is less busy and likely cheaper than flying on weekends. Airlines charge higher prices for weekend travel due to the high demand from people going on short getaways or visiting family and friends.
Opt for early morning flights
To save on airfare, select a late night or early morning (1–5 am) flight. Airlines often offer discounts on their first flight of the morning (up to 15-20%) simply because of lower demand – most people are not willing to go to the airport so early. Moreover, morning flights tend to have fewer delays, and airport queues are usually shorter.
Set alerts
Track flight price fluctuations for your desired routes to Hong Kong using email alerts on search sites like Google Flights to catch price drops. These drops will be your chance to book the flight at its best price.
Avoid last minute
Avoid booking flights to Hong Kong less than 30 days before takeoff. Prices spike sharply then, as airlines are taking advantage of any last-minute travelers who have no choice but to pay up (learn more about last-minute pricing).
Peak seasons are expensive
Peak travel seasons are always expensive – due to higher base prices set by airlines for dates they expect to be popular. Try to avoid the high season during summer and major holidays (including holidays in China), and check the best time to fly to Hong Kong. If you must travel during peak times, book a bit earlier – 6 to 8 months in advance.
Join ATC
A useful way to find discounted airfare is to sign up for a deal newsletter such as Air Traveler Club. The ATC team is constantly looking for price drops on popular routes, and we share them with our members free of charge.
Hong Kong: The gateway to China
Geologically and culturally speaking, Hong Kong is a key gateway to Mainland China. With many English speakers and familiar standards of life, it’s a good city to “acclimatize” to China.
Hong Kong is well-connected with the Chinese mainland. Its international airport has regular flights to over 40 cities, including Beijing (3 hours 20 minutes flight time), Shanghai (2 hrs 30 min), Guangzhou (1 hr), Chengdu (2 hrs 40 min), and Xiamen (1 hr 25 min).
Many key cities in the Chinese mainland have a 144-hour visa–free transit policy, which allows anyone to enjoy a longer stay (up 6 days) in China without a visa — a great opportunity to take an extension tour while transiting through the country. Please note that you will be required to present an onward ticket departing the Chinese mainland within 144 hours.
The cheapest time to fly to Hong Kong
The cheapest time to fly to Hong Kong is between June and September. This is a low tourist season and the monsoon season – the weather is rather hot and humid, and there’s a lot of rainfall. As there are not many tourists visiting the city, this is the best time to look for deals on flights and hotels.
Months between June and September are a good time to fly to Hong Kong if you want to experience its nightlife or visit its high-end malls and local markets around Kowloon (like the Jade Market or Temple Street Night Market) for great shopping opportunities. For those interested in culture, the ancient Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng Festival) happens in June – with spectacular boat races and amazing parties thrown around the harbor.
When planning your visit to Hong Kong, try to avoid Chinese national holidays and large conventions, when flight and hotel prices soar (even during the off-peak season). Check out the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s events calendar for updated information.
Travel cheaper to and from the airport
Hong Kong’s taxis are great and readily available. But you can save a few dollars if you take the Airport Express instead – part of Hong Kong’s fantastic MTR network. It costs HK$100 (~US$13/A$19/€12) to get to Kowloon Station from the airport.
You can save even more by taking the bus from the airport: Citybus A21 to Kowloon or A11 to Hong Kong Island cost less than half the train. You will travel in a comfortable, double-decker bus with air-conditioning and large luggage racks to store your luggage. The bus stop is situated outside the Arrival Hall on the right side (look for the Ground Transportation Centre sign).
In-Town Check-in
Sometimes, your hotel check-out time is hours before your flight departure time. In that case, go straight to In-Town Check-In office located at the Kowloon MTR station, drop off your luggage, check in for your flight, and collect your boarding pass. You’ve just got a few extra hours to enjoy Hong Kong city!
In-Twon Check-In is available as early as one day in advance or as late as 120 minutes ahead of your flight departure time. Among the airlines that accept Day Before Check-In are Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, EVA Air, Hong Kong Airlines, and Singapore Airlines.
Please note that Airport Express fare to the airport will be charged when you enter the In-Town Check-In area (you can reuse the ticket at any time on the same day).
Flight sales and promotions to Hong Kong
Flight promotions, ticket sales, student discounts, and airline promo codes are your best bet for saving on airfares to Hong Kong. These special offers can save hundreds of dollars or give you free travel perks like seat upgrades or extra checked baggage.
OTAs miss out on most sales
Airlines flying to Hong Kong often use sales and promotions as key marketing tools to attract and retain customers while boosting seat occupancy. However, when you search for airfares on popular OTA websites like Expedia, Kayak, or Skyscanner, you won’t find these heavily discounted tickets there. Airlines often reserve the most aggressive or enticing promotions for their own direct sales channels — primarily their websites.
How to find Hong Kong promotions?
To take advantage of promotional flights to Hong Kong — including special codes, vouchers, student discounts, and even flights discounted by up to 50% — your best strategy is to check airline websites consistently. You can also follow their social media channels and subscribe to newsletters from leading carriers.
The catch
That being said, finding truly valuable promotions can be tricky, as the uncomfortable details are often hidden in the fine print. Many sales are limited to unpopular routes, with inconvenient layovers or blackout dates. Some promotions come with strings attached or conditions that are difficult to match.
Top promotions from 100+ airlines
That’s where our team steps in. We do all the heavy lifting for you, keeping track of all ongoing sales and promotions from more than 100 airlines! We vet each sale, discount, or promotion and ensure that only quality offers with authentic value make it onto our final list.
Hong Kong flight promotions can often be found among our list of best airline discounts — emailed weekly to 110,000 Air Traveler Club subscribers.
Flights to Hong Kong from United States and Canada
- There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Hong Kong. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Hong Kong, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston have direct flights to Hong Kong Intl with United Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. These flights are between 14 and 16 hours long, and you can book them for around $800 one-way.
Direct flights from Canada to Hong Kong depart from Toronto and Vancouver and you'll be flying with Air Canada, Cathay Pacific or Austrian Airlines. Expect to pay 900-1100 CAD for a one way flight that last between 13 and 15 hours. - Hong Kong is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Hong Kong with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta
ATL, DallasDFW, DenverDEN, ChicagoORD, Los AngelesLAX, Las VegasDFW, MiamiMIA, SeattleSEA, HoustonIAH, New YorkJFK, and San FranciscoSFOin the United States and TorontoYYZ, VancouverYVR, CalgaryLAS, and MontrealYULin Canada. If you are booking a ticket to Hong Kong with two connecting flights the best airports for a layover are Manila, Seoul, and Tokyo. - The best airlines to fly to Hong Kong from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hong Kong Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
Best aircraft for long-haul flights to Hong Kong
For long-haul flights, the aircraft type can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board — especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, USB charging ports, WiFi connectivity, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin.
When booking a flight to Hong Kong, it’s worth spending a few minutes researching the type of aircraft you’ll be flying on. Look for airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as:
- Airbus A350. Best choice. Known for its advanced air filtration and higher cabin pressure, which enhance overall passenger well-being. Operated by Delta Air Lines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.
- Airbus A380. Offers unparalleled spaciousness and amenities like onboard lounges and shower spas in premium classes. Used by non-US airlines such as Emirates, Qantas, Lufthansa, and British Airways.
- Boeing 767. Often features a 2-3-2 seating configuration in economy, reducing the number of middle seats. The largest operators are Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Japan Airlines and ANA.
- Boeing 777. Renowned for its wide cabin, it offers a sense of spaciousness and often includes advanced in-flight entertainment options. Used by American Airlines, United Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, and Air France.
- 787 Dreamliner. Celebrated for its larger windows and dynamic lighting, designed to help regulate passengers’ circadian rhythms and reduce jet lag. Operated by Air Canada, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, and Etihad Airways.
Store your baggage at the airport
If you want to explore the airport (check the largest IMAX screen in Hong Kong!) or head into the city during your layover, use the convenient baggage storage located on Level 5 of Terminal 1.
The price for one piece of luggage is just HK$12 (~$1.5/A$2.3/€1.4) per hour or HK$140 (~$18/A$26/€17) per day.
Know your time zone
When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket and boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.
Hong Kong has only one time zone all year round – HKT (Hong Kong Time) which is UTC+8. It is 13 hours ahead of New York, 8 hours ahead of London, and 3 hours behind Sydney. Among other countries that observe the same UTC+8 time zone are China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Philippines.
Unlike western countries, Hong Kong does not have an associated daylight saving time.
Get a VPN before traveling to Hong Kong
In 1997 Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. As democracy in Hong Kong is slowly being eroded by growing interference from Beijing, its internet freedom status has slipped to a “partly free” (ranking by advocacy body Freedom House). The internet in Hong Kong isn’t as heavily censored as in mainland China (yet), however, it is monitored – and if you’re a traveler, you should be concerned.
For this reason, we recommend installing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app on your phone and laptop before visiting the city. It will not only encrypt your internet traffic but also protects you from any future censorship introduced in Hong Kong by the Chinese Communist Party.
Using a VPN in Hong Kong is still legal, so you will not break any local laws.
Download My HKG app for real-time updates and notifications
If you are traveling through Hong Kong Airport, make sure to download the official app to receive real-time updates on your flight status, gate changes, baggage arrival, etc, or to navigate the terminals with interactive maps and wayfinding assistant. The app will also help you to find and connect to the airport Wi-Fi via its Auto Wi-Fi function, and the integrated helpful chatbot will answer your inquiries about HKIA.
You can download the My HKG app for your Android or iOS phone.
Flights to Hong Kong from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe
- There are no direct flights from Europe to Hong Kong — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. If you are flying direct from Europe to Hong Kong be prepared to spend at least 11 hours on a plane. Cathay Pacific has the most non-stop flights to Hong Kong International Airport. There are also European airlines that serve routes to HKIA from London and Manchester (British Airways), from Frankfurt and Munich (Lufthansa), from Zurich (SWISS), from Helsinki (Finnair), and from Istanbul (Turkish Airlines).
- Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Hong Kong include Air China, Air France, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Finnair, Hong Kong Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
- Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Hong Kong from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
- These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Hong Kong: London
LHRand ManchesterMANin the United Kingdom, FrankfurtFRAand MunichMUCin Germany, ParisCDGand NiceNCEin France, AmsterdamAMSin the Netherlands, MadridMADand BarcelonaBCNin Spain, RomeFCOand MilanoMXPin Italy, BrusselsBRUin Belgium, CopenhagenOSLin Denmark, OsloOSLin Norway, StockholmARNin Sweden, ZurichZRHin Switzerland, LisbonLISin Portugal, ViennaVIEin Austria, WarsawWAWin Poland, PraguePRGin the Czech Republic, and DublinDUBin Ireland.
Hong Kong flight deals. How to book the best fares?
Our go-to solution for finding and booking the best deals to Hong Kong is Google Flights. Whenever we send SuperDeals to 110,000 members of Air Traveler Club, we include links to Google Flights so each deal can be secured immediately.
Google Flights’ powerful engine simplifies deal hunting. It searches and compares flight prices available from airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia, Opodo, or eDreams. However, it doesn’t sell flights directly to travelers—instead, it passes users on to the airline or OTA to book directly with them.
How to know if the Hong Kong deal we sent you is actually saving you money? One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar underneath the booking options. This bar provides a visual representation of the price compared to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline)—indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher. If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”), don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly — 40% to 80% — cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.
If you see that your flight has the marker within the orange zone (“price is typical”) or in the red zone (“price is higher”), it means that the deal has already ‘expired’. Airfare deals often ‘expire’ because airlines frequently move cheaper flights further away from the departure date. This is when the Google Flights Price Graph tool comes in handy:
Using this tool, you can experiment with various dates and trip lengths. This perfect deal to Hong Kong may still be available — but for different date combinations.
Last-minute flights to Hong Kong. The real cost of convenience.
Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Hong Kong almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.
The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.
Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.
Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Hong Kong is 2-8 months before the takeoff.
Looking for the best deals for Hong Kong? Check different departure airports.
Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Hong Kong from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Hong Kong, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.
For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Hong Kong, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.
The same goes for long-haul flights to Hong Kong from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!
Domestic flights from Hong Kong
Most domestic routes in China are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Xi'an from Hong Kong Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express, and Greater Bay Airlines.
This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Chinese destinations.
Flights to Hong Kong from Australia and New Zealand
- Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Hong Kong. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australasia to Asia are operated by large international carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.
Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Hong Kong. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.
Direct flights to Hong Kong depart from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Auckland with Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Qatar Airways. Expect 8-11 hours on a plane and ticket prices ranging from 500 to 800 AUD one-way. - Airfare costs can vary widely depending on the route and the airline’s pricing strategy. To find the cheapest flight to Hong Kong, compare ticket prices from various international airports in Australia – Sydney
SYD, BrisbaneBNE, MelbourneMEL, PerthPER, AdelaideADL, CairnsCNS, Gold CoastOOL, CanberraCBR, and in New Zealand – AucklandAKL, WellingtonWLG, ChristchurchCHC, QueenstownZQN, and DunedinDUD. - For optimal savings, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a key Asian hub, then connect to Hong Kong via a regional low-cost carrier. Among budget airlines that fly to Hong Kong are AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, IndiGo, Scoot, VietJet, Air Busan, Hong Kong Express, Spring Airlines, and Thai Smile.
For the first leg, use the budget carriers that fly out of Australian airports, leveraging sales and promotions they run frequently: AirAsia (connects with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore), Cebu Pacific (Manila), Jetstar (Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo), Scoot (Singapore), VietJet Air (Ho Chi Minh City), Bamboo Airways (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing), and Batik Air (Jakarta, Singapore).
“Hot seats” on long-haul flights
Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Hong Kong, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.
If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.
Booking group flights to Hong Kong
Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Hong Kong can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.
To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.
Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.
If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Hong Kong and can help with logistics and scheduling.
Flights to Hong Kong from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia
- Hong Kong International Airport (known by locals as Chek Lap Kok) is the 4th biggest airport in Asia, and is well-connected with most other Asian hubs. You can fly direct to HKIA from Bangkok, Beijing, Delhi, Dubai, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Phuket, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, among others.
- Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Hong Kong look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
- Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Hong Kong will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
- Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting China and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
- Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Hong Kong — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.
Proof of onward travel – a simple hack
Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from China to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.
The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of China and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.
Fly now, pay later
Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.
The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).
When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Hong Kong, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.
