Hong Kong Airport to the City: Why I use the A21 & A11 Bus and not Airport Express
The most popular way to get from Hong Kong Airport to the city, either Kowloon or Central, is via the Airport Express Train on the MTR network. Right? Sure, but here I am going to explain why I prefer the A21 Cityflyer bus, especially when heading to Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Tsa Shui and also Hong Kong Island.
Why would I take the bus and not the fast express train? Because the bus is super comfortable, cheaper, more convenient, more scenic, and timewise, very similar. Moreover, while I love the HK MTR, I’m not a fan of all the stairs and escalators to actually get to the trains.
The Cityflyer Bus uses modern double-decker buses that have amazingly comfortable seats, a view along the way, a/c, luggage racks, free Wi-Fi, and a large screen displaying upcoming stops. Best of all, everything happens at ground level.
First, let’s start with a cost comparison
Airport Express to Kowloon
- Single Journey: HKD $100
- Return Journey ticket: HKD $185
A21 Cityflyer Bus to Kowloon
- Single Journey: HKD $34.6
- Return Journey ticket: HKD $69.2
The savings on a return journey are substantial, about HKD $115. That’s a decent meal for two at any good Dim Sum restaurant or almost three breakfast combos at a Cha Chaan Teng.
Now let’s consider the convenience
Airport Express to Kowloon (inc. Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, or Tsim Sha Tsui)
- Option A, take the Airport Express to Hong Kong Station, walk 10 mins to Central Station and then take the Tsuen Wan line to Tsim Sha Tsui or other stations in Kowloon as needed. Note, the fare is HKD $100 when purchased online at mtr.com.hk (QR Code ticket). Time: 40 mins
- Option B, take the Airport Express to Kowloon Station, and take one of the free transfer buses to various destinations. Note: the fare, is the same HKD $100. Time: around 40 mins+.
- Option C, take the Airport Express from HK Airport to Tsing Yi station and transfer to Tung Chung Line and head to Lai King station and transfer to Tsuen Wan Line to Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Jordan, or Tsim Sha Tsui stations depending on which is closest to your hotel. The cost in this case is HKD $65 one way. Time: 50 mins+
A21 Cityflyer Bus to Kowloon (inc. Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, or Tsim Sha Tsui)
- Take the A21 bus from the Ground Transport Centre at Hong Kong Airport without any transfers and there are actually 15 stops you can choose from in Kowloon. The cost is HKD $33 one way and $55 return. Time: 50 mins without traffic.
Not only is the bus direct, but it is also likely to have a stop nearer to your hotel. Even when there is traffic, it rarely adds more than another ten minutes to the journey.
How about the Airport to Sheung Wan, Central, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay?
The A11 Cityflyer bus services Airport to Sheung Wan, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and North Point, and in most cases, I would still prefer to take the A11 bus unless I am going to Central.
For destinations other than central you will need to transfer to the MTR or one of the free shuttle buses. The Airport Express free shuttle buses depart every 15-20 minutes from Hong Kong Station and go through the same traffic the A11 bus will be going through. Timewise, there is not much difference. The upside with the A11 bus is that there is no need to transfer and it’s cheaper.
How to buy Cityflyer bus tickets?
You can buy single-journey tickets and discounted return tickets at the Airport Ground Transportation Center (6:00 am – 11:50 pm daily) which is adjacent to the bus stop. Alternatively, you can pay for a single journey on the bus via Octopus or by Hong Kong Dollar noting that no change is given on the bus so take the exact amount.
Cityflyer bus routes to/from Hong Kong Airport
There are several Cityflyer bus routes operating day and night. Click the bus name for a route and bus stop map on the Cityflyer website.
| Route No. | To/From Airport or HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge | Service Area |
|---|---|---|
| A10 | Ap Lei Chau | Airport Passenger Terminal, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Kowloon Station, Shek Tong Tsui, Kennedy Town/ West Point, Mount Davis (Victoria Road), Mount Davis (Mount Davis Road), Pok Fu Lam Road (Pok Fu Lam Village to Mount Davis Road), Chi Fu, Wah Fu/ Wah Kwai, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Lei Tung, Ap Lei Chau Estate, South Horizons |
| A11 | North Point Ferry Piers | Airport Passenger Terminal, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Kowloon Station, Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Causeway Bay (Moreton Terrace & Tin Hau), Fortress Hill, North Point |
| A12 | Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort) | Airport Passenger Terminal, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Kowloon Station, Shek Tong Tsui, Wan Chai North, North Point, Quarry Bay, Cityplaza/ Kornhill, Sai Wan Ho, Shau Kei Wan, Chai Wan, Siu Sai Wan |
| A17 | Sham Wan | Kowloon Station, Admiralty, Queen’s Road East, Happy Valley, Wong Nai Chung Gap, Ocean Park, Wong Chuk Hang, Sham Wan |
| A20 | Hung Hom Station | Airport Passenger Terminal, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Mei Fo, Cheung Sha Wan, Sham Shui Po, Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Tai Kok Tsui, Ho Man Tin, Hung Hom Station |
| A21 | Hung Hom Station | Airport Passenger Terminal, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Hoi Lai Estate / AquaMarine, Sham Shui Po (Nam Cheong / Fu Cheong), Tai Kok Tsui, Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, Tsim Sha Tsui / Hung Hom Station |
| A22 | Lam Tin Station | Airport Passenger Terminal, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Jordan, Hung Hom, To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Wai, Kowloon City, San Po Kong, Rhythm Garden / Choi Hung, Ngau Chi Wan / Ping Shek, Kai Yip, Ngau Tau Kok / Kolwoon Bay, Kwun Tong Town Centre, Tsui Ping (South), Lam Tin (Sceneway Garden / Kai Tin) |
| A23 | Tsz Wan Shan(N) | Jordan, Hung Hom, Whampoa, To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Wai, Kai Tak, San Po Kong, Tsz Wan Shan |
| A25 | Kai Tak | Airport Passenger Terminal, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Lantau Link Bus-Bus Interchange, Wong Tai Sin, Diamond Hill, Choi Wan, Shun Lee, On Tai / Oi Tat, Po Tat, Hong Sing Garden, Tsui Lam, Sheung Tak, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, LOHAS Park |
| A26 | Yau Tong | Airport Passenger Terminal, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Wong Tai Sin, Ngau Chi Wan / Choi Wan / Shun Lee, On Tai / Oi Tat, Po Tat, Sau Mau Ping, Hing Tin / Tak Tin / Kwong Tin, Ko Chiu Road, Yau Tong |
| A28 | LOHAS Park | Airport Passenger Terminal, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Lantau Link Bus-Bus Interchange, Wong Tai Sin, Diamond Hill, Choi Wan, Shun Lee , On Tai / Oi Tat, Po Tat, Hong Sing Garden, Tsui Lam, Sheung Tak, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, LOHAS Park |
| A29 | Tseung Kwan O (Po Lam) | Airport Passenger Terminal, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Tai Wo Ping / Chak On, Lok Fu / Wang Tau Hom, Wong Tai Sin, Diamond Hill, Ngau Chi Wan / Choi Hung / Ping Shek, Ngau Tau Kok / Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong Town Centre, Tsui Ping (South), Hang Hau, King Lam, Po Lam / Metro City |
| NA10* | Ap Lei Chau | Airport Passenger Terminal, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Kowloon Station, Shek Tong Tsui, Kennedy Town/ West Point, Mount Davis (Victoria Road), Mount Davis (Mount Davis Road), Pok Fu Lam Road (Pok Fu Lam Village to Mount Davis Road), Chi Fu, Wah Fu/ Wah Kwai, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Lei Tung, Ap Lei Chau Estate, South Horizons |
| NA11 | North Point Ferry Piers | HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Airport Passenger Terminal, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Kowloon Station, Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Causeway Bay (Moreton Terrace & Tin Hau), Fortress Hill, North Point |
| NA12 | Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort) | HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port (To the Port/ Airport bound only), Airport Passenger Terminal, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Kowloon Station, Shek Tong Tsui, Wan Chai North, North Point, Quarry Bay, Cityplaza/ Kornhill, Sai Wan Ho, Shau Kei Wan, Chai Wan, Siu Sai Wan |
| NA20 | Whampoa Garden | HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Airport Passenger Terminal, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Mei Fo, Cheung Sha Wan, Sham Shui Po, Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Jordan, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom, Whampoa Garden |
| NA21 | Tai Kok Tsui | Airport Passenger Terminal, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Lantau Link Bus-Bus Interchange, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hung Hom, Whampoa, To Kwa Wan, Kai Tak |
| NA29 | Tseung Kwan O (Po Lam) | HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge HK Port, Airport Passenger Terminal, Lantau Link Toll Plaza, Tai Wo Ping / Chak On, Lok Fu / Wang Tau Hom, Wong Tai Sin, Diamond Hill, Ngau Chi Wan / Choi Hung / Ping Shek, Ngau Tau Kok / Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong Town Centre, Tsui Ping (South), Hang Hau, King Lam, Po Lam / Metro City |
