Shanghai Express, A Free Layover Tour Service

Free Layover Tour are complimentary four-hour sightseeing experiences designed for transit passengers at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with layovers of 7 hours or more. These tours offer a unique opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Hong Kong. Collaborating with Hong Kong International Airport, Trip.com provides free transportation, guides tours, and curated itineraries that showcase the city’s most iconic attractions. Participants can immerse themselves in Hong Kong’s rich history, dynamic culture, and world-renowned cuisine – all within a few hours.

Free Layover Tour is open to all transit travelers at HKIA with a layover of 7 hours or more, subject to eligibility verification and tour availability. If you’re carrying checked luggage, please allow extra time to retrieve it before joining the tour. For assistance and registration, simply visit our friendly staff at one of the Free Layover Tour Services Counters:

· Registration Counter - Transfer Desks E1, Arrivals Level (L5) Terminal 1, in the Restricted Area, before Immigration.

· Meeting Point at the Trip.com Commercial Services Counter (No. A03 & A04) in Arrivals Hall A, Terminal 1, Non-restricted Area, after Immigration and Baggage Reclaim.

Transit passengers joining the Free Layover Tour are permitted to enter and exit Hong Kong SAR once during their layover. Before joining, please ensure you meet entry requirements and have obtained any necessary visa or entry permit. For details, visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department website https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html

Absolutely! As proud sponsors, Trip.com Group, collaborating with Hong Kong International Airport, is delighted to provide this Free Layover Tour for HKIA Transit Passengers at no cost. Don't worry about transportation, tickets, or tour guide - we've got these covered so you can just focus on enjoying your time in Hong Kong.

Currently, we offer services in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Our experienced multilingual guides will meet you directly at the airport and accompany you throughout the entire layover tour.

Upon arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport, you can register for the Free Layover Tour at the Registration Counter in Transfer Desks E1 (Before Immigration). Our friendly staff will assist you in verifying your eligibility and signing up for the next available tour. They’ll also help ensure a smooth immigration clearance process. After completing immigration, your dedicated tour guide will be ready to welcome you at the Free Layover Tours Meeting point at the Trip.com Commercial Services Counter (A03 & A04) in Arrivals Hall A. From there, your guide will lead you on an unforgettable journey through Hong Kong at the schedule time!

Missed the Registration Counter in Transfer Desks E1? If you’ve already completed immigration without visiting us at the Transfer Desks E1, you can still register at the Trip.com Commercial Counter (A03 & A04) in Arrivals Hall A.

New! Online Registration for Free Layover Tour Now Available. To enhance your experience, we’ve introduced a convenient online registration system via Trip.com. A limited number of seats are released exclusively for HKIA transit passengers, allowing you to reserve your spot in advance and plan your layover in Hong Kong with ease.

If You Are a Passenger Transiting Through HKIA (Walk-in or Online Reservation)

If you already have your onward boarding pass and no baggage requiring handling, please arrive at the Registration Counter in Transfer Desks E1 more than 60 minutes before your intended tour departure time.

If you plan to drop off baggage at the airport during the tour, we recommend allowing extra time, preferably 90 minutes before departure, to ensure smooth processing.

If You Have Already Completed Immigration (Walk-in Passengers)

If you miss the Registration Counter in Transfer Desks E1, you can still sign up for the next available tour by visiting the Meeting Point at the Trip.com Commercial Services Counter at Hall A, Arrival Hall, no later than 45 mins before departure.

If You Have Already Completed Immigration (Online Reservation)

Your reserved spot will be held at Meeting Point at the Trip.com Commercial Services Counter (A03 & A04) until 30 mins before your selected tour departure time. Please make sure to arrive time to avoid cancellation of your reservation.

Yes, Registration confirmation will depend on the coach bus capacity and our effort to keep the experience comfortable and enjoyable. Even if there's only one participant, the tour will still go ahead—so you're always welcome to join!

Transit passengers joining the Free Layover Tour must enter and exit Hong Kong SAR once during their layover. Before joining, please ensure you meet entry requirements and have obtained any necessary visa or entry permit. For details, visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department website https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html.

Before confirming your participation in the tour, our staff will ask you to sign a travel agreement and present your passport. This step ensures travel safety and formally establishes a Tour Contract between you and Trip.com.

If you don't arrive at Meeting Point by the scheduled departure time, unfortunately, you won't be able to join that tour. However, you may still have the chance to join the next available tour as a walk-in participant, subject to tour availability. To check for open spots, please visit one of our service counters:

· Registration Counter - Transfer Desks E1, Arrivals Level (L5) Terminal 1, in the Restricted Area, before Immigration.

· Meeting Point at the Trip.com Commercial Services Counter (No. A03 & A04) in Arrivals Hall A, Terminal 1, Non-restricted Area, after Immigration and Baggage Reclaim.

Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities. If you decide to end your tour early, you're free to leave at any time. However, please note that transportation services will not be provided for departing passengers at HKIA.

If time allows, we encourage you to experience Hong Kong as much as possible. There is no limit on the number of times you can participate.

To avoid any risk of missing your next flight, we recommend arriving back at the airport two and half hours before your scheduled departure. This ensures you have enough time for immigration, security check, and other procedures. Each Free Layover Tour route is designed with an estimated return time to the airport. Simply choose a tour that fits well with your transit schedule to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.

We provide free transportation for the whole tour and internet service as well. While we're happy to offer dining recommendations, please note that we do not provide meals.

Yes, this activity includes team insurance.

While the half-day tour program does not include accommodation, feel free to book hotels through Trip.com if needed. Let us help make your stay in Hong Kong as comfortable as possible.

While we're unable to provide pet storage services, luggage storage is available at the airport's luggage storage counters, check Hong Kong International Airport's website for more information or inquire with the airport's staff. If space permits on your journey, we're more than happy to assist in transporting your luggage on the shuttle bus.

In case of adverse weather not reaching extreme conditions (e.g., Black Rainstorm), we will adjust the itinerary based on real-time weather, traffic and safety, to ensure travelers’ safety and a pleasant experience.

In the event of extreme weather, Hong Kong Observatory may issue a Rainstorm Warning or Tropical Cyclone Signal.

Before the tour:

If Black Rainstorm warning / Typhoon no. 8 signal or above is issued or announced to be issued within 2 hours before the tour departure, the Tour will be cancelled.

During the tour:

If such a warning is issued during the Tour, the remaining itinerary will be suspended immediately, and travelers will return to the airport if road conditions allow.

 

For a detailed definition of extreme weather conditions, please visit the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO)website:

Tropical cyclone warning signals: https://www.hko.gov.hk/dps/publica/gen_pub/tcws.pdf

Rainstorm Warning System: https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/wservice/warning/rainstor.htm