Into and on from Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is quite a distance out from both Kowloon and central Hong Kong. It is cheap and easy to take a regular bus to the city. There are several companies that run buses, and you can look them all up at the airport's website.

When I was there in February ’09, I took Citybus No. A21 (senior fare HK16.50, or US$2, and full fare HK33) to Nathan Road, the main drag in Kowloon.

You’ll find these buses easily by following the airport (Arrivals) exit signs, then veering toward Terminal 2 and keeping straight on to where you can see the buses out front. At the curb, walk left to the top of the U, where you can buy your ticket. The buses are well marked and run frequently, and the stops are easily accessed.

While riding, you can watch scrolling text on the ceiling, with constant updates about the next stops. The names are not always identical to those on the website, so print out the list of stops from the website and count them as you go.

It takes about 30 minutes from the airport to the first stop and 50 minutes or so to central Kowloon.

If you are headed for mainland China, don’t go anywhere but the ferry terminal that is connected to the airport by train. On my trip, when I returned from Zhongshan I did the security checks right at the airport ferry terminal, and after that I was in the secure airport area.

LORENZ RYCHNER

Denver, CO