My Hong Kong overnight layover in 2022 turned a long connection into an unexpected mini adventure. I was flying from Manila to Vancouver, arriving in Hong Kong around 8:00 AM with my next flight to Canada not until 10:00 AM the following day. Instead of spending the entire time at the airport, I decided to head into the city and make the most of my 26-hour stop.
I was traveling solo and was already tired because I hadn’t slept before leaving Manila. Still, having almost an entire day gave me enough time to explore the city, experience Hong Kong for myself, meet a friend, eat some local food, and get some rest before continuing to Vancouver.
My 26-Hour Hong Kong Layover
This Hong Kong overnight layover happened in 2022, when Hong Kong had recently reopened to tourists following the pandemic.Since my connection was overnight, I had much more time than I would have had during a typical short layover.
I didn’t want to rush around trying to see everything. My goal was simply to experience a little of Hong Kong, visit a few places I was interested in, and enjoy having an unexpected extra destination on my journey back to Canada.
Can You Leave Hong Kong Airport During a Layover?
Whether you can leave Hong Kong International Airport during a layover depends on your nationality, passport or travel document, and current Hong Kong entry requirements.
For my 2022 trip, I was able to enter Hong Kong without applying for a tourist visa in advance. However, travelers shouldn’t assume that the same rules apply to them. Hong Kong’s Immigration Department says visa-free periods vary according to nationality and travel document, while some travelers need a visa or other authorization before entering Hong Kong. Immigration Department
Before planning to leave the airport during your layover, check the latest requirements directly with the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Check Hong Kong visa and entry requirements
What I Did With My Luggage
Since I was only exploring Hong Kong for one day, I didn’t want to carry all my luggage around the city. I stored my luggage at Hong Kong International Airport and took only my backpack with me.
That made exploring much easier, especially since I planned to walk around, use public transportation, visit Victoria Peak, and ride the tram. Traveling light meant I didn’t have to worry about dragging a suitcase around Hong Kong during my layover.
Because my experience was in 2022, I recommend checking the airport’s current luggage storage options, prices, and operating hours before your trip.
Getting From Hong Kong Airport to the City
After leaving Hong Kong International Airport, I took a public bus into the city. I paid in Hong Kong dollars, although I don’t remember the exact fare anymore.
Taking the bus was an inexpensive way for me to get into the city, and the ride itself became part of the experience. Instead of going directly from one airport to another, I was suddenly watching Hong Kong outside the window and starting a mini adventure.
What I Did During My Hong Kong Layover
With almost a full day available, I was able to experience several different sides of Hong Kong without trying to pack too much into my itinerary.
Exploring Central
One of the areas I explored was Central. Walking around gave me a chance to experience the city at street level rather than simply seeing Hong Kong through an airport window.
For a short layover, I enjoyed simply observing the buildings, streets, transportation, and everyday energy of the city.
Visiting Victoria Peak
Victoria Peak was one of the highlights of my Hong Kong overnight layover. After exploring at street level, heading up to the Peak gave me a completely different view of the city.
It was one of those experiences that made leaving the airport worthwhile. Even though Hong Kong was only supposed to be a connection between Manila and Vancouver, I was now actually experiencing another destination.
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
While visiting Victoria Peak, I also stopped at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. It was a fun addition to my layover, especially getting to see wax figures of famous athletes and personalities such as Manny Pacquiao, Stephen Curry, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Pia Wurtzbach.
As a Filipino, seeing Manny Pacquiao and Pia Wurtzbach there made the visit even more memorable. Pacquiao’s figure had only joined Madame Tussauds Hong Kong in 2021, while Pia Wurtzbach became its first Filipino wax figure in 2019.
Riding Hong Kong’s Double-Decker Tram
Another memorable part of my layover was riding one of Hong Kong’s iconic double-decker trams. Instead of transportation simply being a way to get from one attraction to another, riding the tram became part of the experience itself.
Sitting on the upper deck gave me a different view of Hong Kong as the tram moved through the busy streets. I captured part of the ride in a short video, so you can see what the experience was like from my perspective.
Want to see the ride? Watch my Hong Kong double-decker tram experience on TikTok →
Dim Sum and My Hostel Stay
After spending the day exploring, I stayed overnight at a hostel. I also picked up dim sum from a place close to where I was staying.
By this point, I was exhausted. I hadn’t slept properly before leaving Manila, so having somewhere to rest before my long flight to Canada was important.
An overnight layover may give you plenty of time to explore, but I learned that it’s also important to account for how tired you might actually be after traveling.
What I Would Do Differently
If I could do this Hong Kong layover again, I would try to include Victoria Harbour and the Avenue of Stars.
I managed to see Central, Victoria Peak, Madame Tussauds and other parts of the city, ride the tram, eat local food, and meet my friend, but there was still much more of Hong Kong I didn’t have time to experience.
That’s something I’ve learned about long layovers: you don’t have to see everything for the stopover to be worthwhile.
Is It Worth Leaving Hong Kong Airport During an Overnight Layover?
For me, yes, absolutely.
Instead of spending roughly 26 hours waiting for my next flight, I had the chance to experience another city, explore Hong Kong, enjoy the food, meet a friend, and collect another travel memory before continuing to Canada.
I was tired, but I don’t regret leaving the airport.
If you have a long enough layover, meet the current entry requirements, and leave yourself plenty of time to return for your next flight, an overnight connection can become a mini trip of its own.
Tips for an Overnight Layover in Hong Kong
- Travel light if possible. I stored my main luggage at the airport and explored with only my backpack.
- Don’t try to see everything. Pick a few places you genuinely want to experience.
- Consider booking a hostel or hotel if you’ll need somewhere to sleep.
- Keep your passport, boarding information, and important travel documents with you.
- Check current Hong Kong entry requirements before traveling.
- Check current airport transportation schedules and fares rather than relying on information from older trips.
- If you’re planning a Hong Kong overnight layover, leave yourself plenty of time to return to the airport for your next international flight.
My experience was in 2022, so transportation fares, entry requirements, luggage-storage services, attraction hours, and airport procedures may have changed. Always check current official information before traveling.
Returning to Hong Kong Airport
My flight to Vancouver was scheduled for around 10:00 AM the following morning, so I headed back to Hong Kong International Airport at approximately 6:00 AM.
I would rather arrive at the airport early than end a great layover worrying about missing my flight. After my short Hong Kong adventure, it was finally time to continue my journey to Canada.
Final Thoughts on My Hong Kong Overnight Layover
My Hong Kong overnight layover became much more than a long wait between flights.
Yes, I was exhausted, but I also got to explore another city, visit Victoria Peak, experience Hong Kong’s streets and transportation, eat dim sum, meet a friend, and make another travel memory before continuing to Vancouver.
That’s one reason I enjoy turning long layovers into mini adventures. Sometimes a place that was supposed to be only a connection becomes part of the trip itself.
And if I find myself with another long layover in Hong Kong someday, Victoria Harbour and the Avenue of Stars will definitely be on my list.
Planning Another Long Layover?
If you’re considering turning another airport connection into a mini adventure, read about my 10-hour Seoul layover and how I explored the city before returning to Incheon Airport.