Itineraries Archives - Pale Ale Travel

Layover in Hong Kong? Here’s Exactly What to Do

Do you have a layover in Hong Kong and more than a few hours to kill before the next leg of your flight? I completely understand that you don’t want to waste it at the airport, especially when Asia’s ‘World City’ is at your fingertips.

Well, I’ve got some ~~good~~ stellar news.

Hong Kong is emphatically one of the best cities in the world to spend a layover in. World-class transportation means that you can be smack-dab in the city center in just 24 minutes, it’s home to nearly 100 Michelin-starred restaurants and thousands of more equally just as delicious eating haunts, nightlife rages into the wee morning hours, it has visa-free entry for most travelers, and the city’s must-see sites and attractions are all easily accessible.

Whether you have a 4, 6, 8, or 12-hour-plus layover in Hong Kong, this guide (written by someone who has been living in the city for seven years) will help you make the most of it and ensure that you get a proper ‘feel’ for the city. And, I guarantee you won’t board the second leg of your flight hungry.

Pale Ale Travel Note: Keep in mind that most components suggested in these timeframes can be done individually and paired with each other! So just because I put it under ‘short layover’ or ‘long layover’, it doesn’t mean you should write it off!

1-Day Hong Kong Itinerary: Your 24 Hours in HK Starts Now

March 11, 2025April 2, 2025Destinations BigBody Leave a Comment

At first, one day in Hong Kong might not sound like a lot of time. I mean, it’s just 24 hours after all. Wrong.

I’ll happily die on the hill that Hong Kong is one of the best cities in the world should you only have 24 hours to explore. Its densely packed landscape and layout, affordable world-class public transportation, and palpable (undeniable) energy all make it easily navigable and addictive.

My goal with this one day Hong Kong travel itinerary is to help you (a) explore as much of Hong Kong as possible, (b) do so in a logical way that doesn’t have you running around to all corners of the city like a chicken with its head cut off, and (c) avoid waiting in unnecessary lines and visiting overrated tourist traps.

A typical 3-day Hong Kong itinerary would generally include a full day of exploration on Hong Kong Island, a full day exploring Kowloon with more Hong Kong Island mixed in, and a third day either at Disneyland, Ocean Park, or one of Hong Kong’s several outlying islands. I’m going to get you through 2/3rds of that in just 1/3rd (or less) the time.

I recommend utilizing this 1-day Hong Kong travel itinerary as a baseline, customizing accordingly based on your specific interests, wants, and needs. I’ll also provide some alternative ideas, sites, and recommendations that can be switched in and out for things.

Pale Ale Travel Note: I know that many reading this won’t be in Hong Kong for the full 24 hours so in that case, I recommend mixing and matching any parts of the itinerary to what fits your timeframe! For example, breakfast might be out of the equation so just skip right ahead to lunch!