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Hi all, would appreciate some advice or suggestions here:
We have a BA 241 booked in J to HK at the end of July, returning August 13th. We are planning to spend a few days in HK and then head off to Vietnam for the remainder of the time.
We want to return from Hanoi to HKG on August 12th, rather than attempt a same day connection on two separate tickets (not worth the risk).
Given we’ll already have spent a few days in HK at the start of the trip, I wondered about spending the night either in Shenzhen, or perhaps Macau.
The permutations of transit options and visa requirements are making my head spin! I’m wondering if such a thing is even feasible or desirable , so would love to hear from others may have attempted anything similar?
Cheers
My understanding is Shenzhen will be a headache in terms of visas but Macau will be no problem (assuming UK passport etc etc)
However “old” Macau was essentially eradicated 20 or so years back when they did the big land reclamation project. Some old bits are left but not much. One other option would be to fly from VN to Macau, but in your position i’d look to spend the first night in HK either at the airport or near an express train station. Have dinner in town then get a flight to VN early the next day. Then on your return have the longer stay as the flight won’t leave until late anyway.
You could catch the bus from the airport (ground floor in Terminal 2) which goes across the bridge to Macau. The ferry from the airport seems to be suspended. As Tony says there isn’t much of the old Macau left, but if you are only there overnight there should be enough to keep you interested. I went once on a day trip from HK and in the eight years I lived there I never went back. If you think you will have seen enough of HK at the start of your trip you could overnight on Lantau Island where the airport is. There are a lot of nice places to stay and visit on the other side of the island from the airport (Tai O, Silvermine Bay, Mui Wo, Pui O) with some hotels and a lot of airbnb accommodation . Cheung Sha village and beach is my favourite with nice restaurants and cafes and you can try various water sports there if that’s your thing. There are some airbnb places and a couple of places with various forms of glamping in the village. August is typhoon season so you have to take that into account if you decide on glamping.
Thanks for the tips! You both have given us some food for thought.
There’s enough to see and do for the whole 2 weeks especially if you haven’t been before.
Depending on whether you’re staying on Kowloon side or HK Island you could stay on the other on your return. I see that there is now a Fullerton on the south side of the island.
Depending on whether you’re staying on Kowloon side or HK Island you could stay on the other on your return. I see that there is now a Fullerton on the south side of the island.
We’ve booked the GH, so a night on the Kowloon side could be an option.
Most aitlines have multiple daily departures so with the BA flights leaving in the ‘witching hour’ I’d not be too worried with a same day connection. I’d be mire worried about typhoons than flights-related issues.
Most aitlines have multiple daily departures so with the BA flights leaving in the ‘witching hour’ I’d not be too worried with a same day connection. I’d be mire worried about typhoons than flights-related issues.
There’s actually only 3 direct flights on the 12th, and 4 on the 13th, one of which will arrive too late. And a typhoon seems like a great way to get a flight related issue!
By flight-related issue I did not mean things beyond the control of the airline. The three flights are between 9 and noon and all get you into HKG 8h+ before your departure. Personally I’d be relaxed about that but you’re obviously not so best go day before to allay needless anxiety. FWIW I think Macao is worth visiting and better than spending 8h in the airport so an overnight there woukd be no hardship or inconvenience.
If you do go to Macao you can see some of the old Macao in Coloane – the village still has old village houses – or did about 5 years ago. I was going to suggest the Posado de Coloane to stay but it appears to have gone but Fernando’s on Hac Sa Beach is an institution and serves great Macanese food.
Thanks all. Still no decision made but much clearer on the options now.
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