Experienced travelers, repeat visitors and locals all agree on one thing. Cathay Pacific is the best way in and out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) due to the fact that it's the Airline of the Year 2009, a 5-star airline and Hong Kong's flag carrier. Cathay Pacific flies all over the world with connecting flights with the oneworld alliance. The key to Hong Kong's tourism success is largely due to the many airlines that fly here, including full-service carriers and low-cost carriers.
Many visitors also may find it convenient to travel between the airport and inner Hong Kong via the exclusive MTR Airport Express train with interchanges along the way. The Free Airport Express Shuttle Bus Service provides a feeder service from Kowloon and Hong Kong stations to a range of hotels in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island. However, the final destinations of these can sometimes be a little vague. First time visitors and novice travellers may prefer a Airport-hotel private or shared shuttle door-door transport option.
In around 25 minutes the train glides back and forth between Chep Lap Kok and Central (Hong Kong Station). The cost is between 90-100 HKD (around 11USD) depending on which of the three stations you join the ride (Central, Kowloon or the tiny island of Tsing Yi). At the airport walk by the Airport Express ticket desk and head to the automated machines near the platform to avoid added delays. The train is comfortable, virtually silent, has tv sets showing random Hong Kong restaurants and shopping malls but the true entertainment is outside the train as it shoots past massive apartment complexes and open coastline. For travellers travelling in groups of two or more, a discount can be had by declaring this situation to the Airport Express ticket desk personnel.
Bus (cheapest option) and taxi may neither be as quick or comfortable, however their views can be arguably more interesting especially across the harbor bridges. The train travels on a lower deck. Bus and taxi travel on the upper decks of the bridges where one can admire impressive bridge architecture, sprawls of gigantic high-rise buildings, and massive traffic of international cargo ships. A taxi becomes more cost effective for 3 or more people. If planning on taking a taxi, it can be a good precaution to have the name and address of your hotel written down in Chinese before you arrive. You can then show this to the driver if communication proves difficult.
International-International connections are also very easy at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, one should follow the 'Departures' sign to the nearest security check point, then proceed through to Level 6 (Departures). However, do note that there will be NO boarding announcements in the Departure Level. Transit passengers check your Boarding Gate number and time of departure on the Flight Information Display Boards (FIDS) or TV monitors.