Hong Kong Airport to MONG KOK or YAU MA TEI: Bus vs Airport Express Train • The Poor Traveler
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Mong Kok, often shortened to MK and nearby Yonge Matay,
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are vibrant shopping districts.
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They are also known as the best shopping destinations.
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Together with Tsim Sha Tsui, they form one administrative district called Yau Tsim Mong.
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Tourists flock to this area because it's close to key attractions, especially night markets.
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So if you love shopping, MK is very okay.
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Mong Kok and Yonge Matay look modern with towering buildings and, at night,
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it is illuminated by glitzy neon signs.
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But it is also very traditional in parts.
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It's here that you'll find the vibrant, busy, and crowded scenes
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that first come to mind when we imagine Hong Kong.
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But most importantly, these two areas have a wide, wide selection of hotels and inns.
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Most are pretty small but very affordable, at least by Hong Kong standards.
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Let's zoom in on the map of Mong Kok and Yonge Matay.
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You'll see that it's cut in half by this thoroughfare, called Nathan Road,
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which is dotted with numerous bus stops.
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Nathan Road also runs along a huge part of the MTR Chuen Wan Line,
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which is a commonly-used train or subway line for tourists and locals alike.
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Many of the city's main attractions are accessible from this line.
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Mong Kok and Yonge Matay are located here and here.
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But the airport is way over here.
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One of the best and busiest airports in the world,
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the Hong Kong International Airport is on reclaimed land on Chek Lap Kok Island,
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next to Lantau Island, almost an hour away from the city center.
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So, how do you get from here to here?
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You have two main options, the bus and the train.
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Let's start with the bus.
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The bus to catch is either A21 or A20.
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Both will pass through Mong Kok but with slightly different route in the area.
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Check on Google Maps which bus stop is closer to your hotel.
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But note that there are way more A21 buses than A20 buses.
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Either way, the bus is the cheapest, easiest, and most convenient option.
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With the train, this is a direct way and does not entail switching or transferring along the way.
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But before I go on, you might want to consider getting an Octopus card,
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which can make your journey much easier and cheaper.
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An Octopus card is a prepaid reloadable card that you can use for MTR and bus rides
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and even purchases at select stores.
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It will allow you to skip buying tickets each time you're taking the MTR
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or scramble for coins when taking the bus.
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All you need to do is hover the card above the reader and you're through.
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The fare is also slightly cheaper when using an Octopus card than when paying on-site.
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But if you're taking public transportation multiple times,
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these discounts rack up and you'll end up saving a lot.
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You can get an Octopus card from Cloak.
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It costs HK$97 but it already comes with a $50 load that you can use right away.
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You can pick it up at the airport's arrival hall.
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In our case, we claimed our Octopus card at this counter.
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You can also book a data SIM on Cloak
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and pick it up at the airport.
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A data SIM will make navigating much easier
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so you're sure you're getting off at the right stop.
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To reserve an Octopus card and a data SIM card,
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follow the link in the description and pinned comment.
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Don't forget to use the promo code ThePoorTraveler for extra discount.
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So on your arrival day, after claiming your luggage at the carousel,
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you'll emerge into the arrival hall, right?
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So it is here that you should pick up your Octopus card and SIM card at this counter
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or whatever counter is assigned to you.
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And then, head to your right or follow the bus signs to the bus terminus,
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which is right in front of the airport building.
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It's located outside and it looks like this.
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Now, check the signs and look for the A21 bus stop.
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There's usually a queue because it's a very popular area.
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They display the route or bus number in front so make sure you're boarding the right bus.
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When it's time to board, prepare your Octopus card and tap it or hover it above the card reader.
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Install just by the entrance door of the bus.
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If you decide to not get an Octopus card, you can pay by cash.
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But make sure you have the exact amount because they don't give change.
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I also realized recently that the bus also accepts Visa cards.
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I was able to try it and it worked but I'm not sure if it's accepted on all buses.
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The fare is HK$34.60 regardless of whether you're alighting in Mongkok or Yau Ma Tei.
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The fare will still be the same.
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By the way, airport buses are double-deckers.
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And upon boarding, you'll immediately see this baggage section where you could leave your suitcases or bags.
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There's also a few seats here but if none is available, just head up to the top deck.
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Don't worry, there are cameras here pointed at the baggage area so you could still keep an eye on your bag.
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Travel time is 50 to 90 minutes depending on where you are alighting and the traffic situation at the time.
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If your destination is Mongkok, you can book a seat here.
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If you're in Mongkok, you'll probably have to get off at any of the following stops.
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Oh, wait, wait, wait! Before I forget, the A21 bus is available from 5.30 am to 12 midnight.
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While the A20 bus, from 10.30 am to midnight.
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But what if your flight is scheduled to arrive outside these hours?
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instead of taking the A21 bus, take the N21 bus, which operates from 12.20 am until 4.40 am.
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It also makes several stops in Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei.
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Just research first which stop is closest to your hotel.
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Speaking of hotels, prices of accommodations have increased dramatically in Hong Kong over the years.
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If you're still looking for a place to stay and you want to score big discounts, book your hotel with Kluk.
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Just click the link in the description or pinned comment and use our promo code THEPORETRAVELER
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that will give you 5% off capped at 350 or 280 pesos.
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If the bus is the easiest option, the Airport Express is the fastest.
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But there's a catch.
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It involves two transfers.
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The Airport Express has only three stops other than the airport.
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Ching Yei, Kowloon,
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and Hong Kong Station.
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If your destination is Mongkok, your stop is Ching Yei Station.
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From here, you'll have to transfer to the MTR.
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You can purchase Airport Express tickets on-site, but it's much cheaper to book online.
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As you can see, you'll end up saving a lot if you book a roundtrip ticket instead of two one-way tickets.
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And you'll also save more if you purchase from Kluk.
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Aside from the online discount,
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you can score even more savings if you use our exclusive promo code THEPORETRAVELER
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as you check out.
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Again, you'll find the links in the description and in comment.
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Once you land in Hong Kong, here's how to reach Mongkok.
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First, look for the Airport Express Station which is directly in front of the terminal.
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You won't miss it. There are plenty of signs.
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If you booked online, you just need to use the QR code for Airport Express.
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But you'll need to purchase tickets or use your Octopus cards for the next ride.
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Switch to Tung Chung Line or Orange Line and get off at Lai King Station.
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Switch to the Chuen Wan Line or Red Line.
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And finally, alight at either Mongkok Station or Yau Ma Tei Station.
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From here, you may simply walk to your hotel or inn, assuming it's close to Nathan Road.
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If your Mongkok Hotel is close to the MTR Olympic Station,
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then it's best to do a bus and train combo.
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Catch the S1 bus to Tung Chung Station and then ride the train to Olympic Station.
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Going back to the airport is easy too.
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Whether you took the bus or the train, all you have to do is trace your steps back.
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If by train, take the same MTR Chuen Wan Line to return to Lai King Station,
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transfer to the Orange Tung Chung Line, and get off at Tsing Yi Station.
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Finally, catch the Airport Express to the airport.
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That is, if your hotel is close to Nathan Road or MTR Mongkok Station or Yau Ma Tei Station.
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But if it's closer to the MTR Olympic Station,
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go there instead and take the train to Tung Chung Station.
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There, catch the S1 bus to the airport.
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If by bus, you can take the same A21 or A20 bus.
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Just find the closest bus stop to you.
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On our last trip, we stayed at I-Club Mongkok and the closest stop was the Ming Kei College along Cherry Street.
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Although, to be honest, we don't recommend taking the A21 bus when airport mount.
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You see, from the airport to Mongkok, you're boarding at the first stop,
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which means the bus is mostly empty.
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But when going back to the airport, Mongkok is in the middle of the route,
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which means there are fewer seats available on board.
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Not to mention that the bus is subject to traffic conditions so it can take much much longer,
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which can be pretty stressful when you have a plane to catch.
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So, which is the best way to get from the airport to Yau Ma Tei or Mongkok?
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If your hotel is close to Nathan Road,
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I think no question the A21 bus is the best option.
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Or the N21 bus if you're arriving late night or early morning.
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Unless you're pressed for time.
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If your hotel is along Cherry Street or close to Charming Garden, take the A20 bus.
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It takes a bit longer but it is more convenient and less stressful.
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But when going back to the airport, we recommend the MPR and Airport Express.
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Unless your point of origin is close to Olympic Station,
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then the MTR plus S1 bus is the way to go.
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Have you tried any of these routes?
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How was the experience?
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Do you have questions or topic suggestions for our future videos?
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Let us know in the comment section below.
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Remember, plan smart, travel safe, and make every trip worth it!
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