Hong Kong Airport Express: The Complete Guide to First and Last Train Times
The Hong Kong Airport Express is one of the finest airport rail links in the world: fast, clean, reliable, and ruthlessly punctual. But it does not run around the clock. If you are catching a very early morning departure or arriving on a late-night flight, the difference between making the last train and missing it can be the difference between a smooth journey to your hotel and a very expensive taxi ride.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the first and last Airport Express trains — broken down by station, direction, and scenario — and tells you exactly what to do if you land after the trains have stopped running.
The Airport Express at a Glance
The Airport Express (MTR line code: AEL) connects Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to the heart of the city across a 35.3-kilometre route in approximately 24 minutes. It calls at five stations: AsiaWorld-Expo, Airport, Tsing Yi, Kowloon, and Hong Kong (Central). The line runs at a top speed of 135 km/h and operates seven days a week, every day of the year including public holidays, with identical timetables on weekdays and weekends.
Trains run every 10 minutes throughout the operating day. There is no difference in frequency between peak and off-peak hours, which makes the Airport Express unusually dependable — you never have to worry about reduced services during the middle of the afternoon or on a Sunday morning.
The line does not run 24 hours. It shuts down in the small hours of the morning, and any passenger arriving at or departing from the airport outside operating hours must find an alternative.
First and Last Train Times: The Master Table
The following times represent the first and last trains in each direction from each station, current as of the June 2025 timetable update. All times are Hong Kong Time (HKT, UTC+8).
CITY TO AIRPORT (toward HKG)
Hong Kong Station (Central) First train: 05:50 Last train: 00:48
Kowloon Station First train: 05:53 Last train: 00:52
Tsing Yi Station First train: 06:00 Last train: 00:59
Airport Station (arriving from city) First train: ~06:20 Last train: ~01:15
AIRPORT TO CITY (toward Central)
Airport Station (departing) First train: 05:54 Last train: 00:48
Tsing Yi Station (arriving from airport) First train: ~06:05 Last train: ~00:58
Kowloon Station (arriving from airport) First train: ~06:12 Last train: ~01:05
Hong Kong Station / Central (arriving from airport) First train: ~06:18 Last train: ~01:12
ASIAWORLD-EXPO (both directions) First train: 05:50 (first train of the day from AsiaWorld-Expo toward city) Last train: 00:48 (service ends around the same window as the Airport Station)
Note: "Approximately" times for intermediate and terminal arrival stations reflect the standard journey time added to the departure. Exact times are displayed on platform screens and the MTR Mobile app. Always confirm precise departure times on the day of travel via the MTR website at mtr.com.hk or the official MTR app, as schedules are subject to change.
DAILY SERVICE WINDOW SUMMARY
The Airport Express operates from approximately 05:50 to 01:15 each day. The service window spans just over 19 hours. The gap between the last train of the day and the first train of the next morning is approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes — from around 01:15 to 05:50.
Understanding the First Train: Arriving on Early Morning Flights
Hong Kong is a major hub for ultra-long-haul routes, and a significant number of flights touch down in the very early morning — particularly services from Europe, the Middle East, and North America whose schedules place them at HKG between midnight and 06:00.
If your flight lands at or after 05:54, the Airport Express is available to you immediately. The platform is located on the Arrivals Level (Level 5) of Terminal 1, approximately a five-minute walk from the baggage claim area. The route is very well-signposted and is almost impossible to miss.
However, the critical question for early morning arrivals is not just when the first train runs — it is when you will physically be able to board it, accounting for landing, taxiing, deplaning, immigration queuing, and baggage reclaim.
Practical guidance by landing time:
Landing before 05:00: The Airport Express is not running. You cannot use it for your onward journey regardless of how quickly you clear immigration. See the section on Alternatives to the Airport Express below.
Landing between 05:00 and 05:30: You will likely clear immigration and collect bags somewhere between 05:30 and 05:50 depending on the efficiency of your connection, queue lengths at immigration, and whether your bags are among the first or last off the carousel. You may just catch the first train, or you may find yourself waiting on the platform for the second or third departure. Either way, you will be on your way to the city by around 06:10.
Landing between 05:30 and 06:00: You will in almost all normal circumstances be in position to board the Airport Express without a wait. The first few trains depart at 10-minute intervals from 05:54, and by the time most passengers from a flight that landed at 05:30–05:45 have cleared arrivals procedures, there will be multiple trains available.
Landing after 06:00: The Airport Express is running at full frequency by the time you exit arrivals. No special planning needed — simply walk to the platform and board.
One important practical note: if you are arriving on a very early flight and are unfamiliar with Hong Kong's immigration process, be aware that queues at immigration can be substantial when multiple widebody aircraft land in close succession. Flights arriving from mainland China, Southeast Asia, and on long-haul services from the west tend to converge at similar early-morning times. If you want to maximise your chance of catching the first Airport Express departure, consider applying for the Hong Kong e-Channel fast-track immigration service in advance if you are eligible.
Understanding the Last Train: Departing on Late Night Flights
For passengers travelling to the airport in the evening, the last train constraints are equally important. The final Airport Express departure from each city station is:
Hong Kong Station (Central): 00:48 Kowloon Station: 00:52 Tsing Yi Station: 00:59
These times feel generous until you factor in the check-in and security process at the airport. Most airlines require passengers to check in at least 60 minutes before departure for domestic routes, and 90–120 minutes before departure for international flights. Baggage drop typically closes 45 minutes before wheels-up.
If your flight departs at, for example, 02:30 (a common departure window for long-haul services heading west), you would need to be at the airport by approximately 00:30 at the latest. This means boarding the Airport Express no later than around 00:05 from Hong Kong Station — giving you comfortable margin before the 00:48 last departure. For a 02:30 flight, the Airport Express works fine.
However, for very late departures — say a 03:00 or 03:30 departure — even the last train may not get you to the airport early enough. Do not assume that because the last train departs at 00:48, you can use it for any flight departing before dawn. Always work backwards from your airline's check-in deadline.
An equally important scenario: the last train from the Airport back to the city departs the Airport Station at 00:48. This means that passengers landing after approximately 00:00 — accounting for the time needed to deplane, clear immigration, and collect bags — will find the last Airport Express has already left. In practice, if your flight touches down after approximately 23:45, you should assume the Airport Express is no longer an option.
Critical reminder: MTR staff strongly advise all passengers to enter the Airport Express station at least five minutes before the last train departs. Turnstile entry and walking to the platform takes time. Arriving at the station concourse at 00:47 for the 00:48 last train from Hong Kong Station is not sufficient.
The In-Town Check-In Service: Why the Last Train's Timing Matters Even More
One of the Airport Express's most remarkable features is its in-town check-in service, which allows departing passengers to check their bags and collect their boarding passes at Hong Kong Station or Kowloon Station — directly in the heart of the city — rather than at the airport.
This service is available for flights operated by Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines. Passengers must complete check-in at the in-town counters no later than 90 minutes before their scheduled departure, and the counters close at the times stipulated by each individual airline.
For passengers using in-town check-in, the last train timing takes on even greater importance. If you check your bags in Central at Hong Kong Station and then miss the last Airport Express, you face a serious problem: your bags are already on their way to the airport, but you are not. You will need to take alternative transport immediately and allow time for the airport's security process.
The practical lesson is this: if you plan to use in-town check-in for a late-night departure, do not cut your timing close. Aim to complete check-in at least two hours before your departure and board the Airport Express with a comfortable buffer before the last train.
Frequency Throughout the Day
Away from the critical first and last train questions, the Airport Express frequency is straightforward and easy to work around.
From the first train to the last, trains depart every 10 minutes from each station. This means the maximum wait time at any station, at any time of day, is 10 minutes — and in practice, if you arrive at the platform mid-cycle, it will typically be less than five minutes.
This frequency applies throughout the entire operating day: there is no timetable change between peak hours (roughly 07:00–09:30 and 17:00–20:00) and off-peak periods. The Airport Express does not reduce to every 15 or 20 minutes during quiet periods, which is a notable advantage over many airport rail services elsewhere in the world.
On days when AsiaWorld-Expo is hosting a major event — a large-scale concert, an international exhibition, or a sporting event — MTR typically supplements Airport Express services with additional Tung Chung Line trains to handle the surge in demand. Note that these supplementary Tung Chung Line trains do not stop at Airport Station. They serve the overflow of passengers travelling between the city and AsiaWorld-Expo only.
Journey Times by Station
For context, here is a full breakdown of journey times from Hong Kong International Airport to each city station:
Airport to Tsing Yi: approximately 11 minutes Airport to Kowloon: approximately 19 minutes Airport to Hong Kong (Central): approximately 24 minutes Airport to AsiaWorld-Expo: approximately 1 minute (direct, one stop, the opposite direction to the city)
In the reverse direction, journey times from the city to the airport are the same. The train's journey time from Hong Kong Station to the airport is consistent at 24 minutes regardless of the time of day.
Fares (Current as of June 2025)
Fares on the Airport Express are fixed — there is no peak or off-peak pricing, and no difference in cost based on the time of day or day of the week.
STANDARD SINGLE JOURNEY TICKETS (adult) Airport/AsiaWorld-Expo to/from Tsing Yi: HK$80 Airport/AsiaWorld-Expo to/from Kowloon: HK$115 Airport/AsiaWorld-Expo to/from Hong Kong (Central): HK$130
OCTOPUS CARD FARES (adult, discounted) Airport/AsiaWorld-Expo to/from Tsing Yi: HK$73 Airport/AsiaWorld-Expo to/from Kowloon: HK$105 Airport/AsiaWorld-Expo to/from Hong Kong (Central): HK$120
CHILD FARES (ages 3–11, Octopus card) Children pay half the adult Octopus fare. Children under 3 travel free.
SAME DAY RETURN If you travel to the airport and return to the city on the same day using the same Octopus card (or a Same Day Return ticket), the return journey is free. This is an exceptionally good deal for passengers dropping off or collecting travellers, or for anyone making a quick airport trip and returning the same day. For this benefit to apply, both journeys must use the same Octopus card, and the card must not exceed 9 transactions between the outbound and return trip.
Note: The Same Day Return benefit does not apply to journeys between Airport Station and AsiaWorld-Expo Station.
ADVANCE ONLINE BOOKING Third-party booking platforms including Klook, Pelago, KKday, and Trip.com frequently offer discounted Airport Express tickets, typically 20–40% below the standard single-journey fare. These are issued as QR codes that scan directly at the platform turnstiles without needing a physical ticket. Round-trip tickets booked this way require the return journey to be used within 30 days of the first trip.
What Happens After the Last Train: Your Options
If you land after the last Airport Express or need to reach the airport after 00:48 from Hong Kong Station, you have three main alternatives.
OVERNIGHT BUSES (N-ROUTES) Hong Kong operates a network of overnight bus routes — identified by the prefix "N" — that serve the airport throughout the night when the Airport Express is not running. These buses are operated by Citybus and Long Win Bus, and run from the Ground Transportation Centre located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
The key routes are:
N11 (Citybus): Runs between the airport and Central (Macau Ferry Terminal) via Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. This is the most popular overnight route for passengers heading to Hong Kong Island. Fare: HK$31.
NA11 (Citybus): An express version of the N11, also serving Central. Fare: HK$52.
N21 (Long Win Bus): Runs between the airport and Mong Kok via major Kowloon districts. Fare: HK$23.
NA21 (Long Win Bus): A variant of the N21 serving other parts of the Kowloon Peninsula.
These buses accept both cash (exact fare only — no change given) and Octopus cards. They are clean, well-lit, and safe. The journey time is significantly longer than the Airport Express — typically 60–90 minutes to Central and 45–60 minutes to Mong Kok, depending on traffic — but the buses run throughout the night and are a perfectly viable option for budget-conscious travellers or those without another choice.
The key limitation of overnight buses is routing: they follow fixed bus routes with fixed stops, and may not stop near your specific hotel. Check the route maps carefully before relying on this option.
TAXIS Taxis operate 24 hours from the taxi rank in the Ground Transportation Centre. Red urban taxis serve Kowloon and Hong Kong Island; green Lantau taxis serve the airport, Tung Chung, and other parts of Lantau Island.
Approximate taxi fares from the airport (2025): Airport to Central/Wan Chai: approximately HK$290–350 (using Cross-Harbour Tunnel) Airport to Tsim Sha Tsui/Mong Kok: approximately HK$250–300
If travelling to Hong Kong Island by taxi, ask the driver to use the Cross-Harbour Tunnel rather than the Western Harbour Crossing — the Cross-Harbour Tunnel toll is lower and the cost difference to the passenger can be meaningful.
At peak taxi demand times — such as when several flights land in succession late at night after the Airport Express has stopped — taxi queues at the airport can become very long. If the queue appears unreasonably extended, consider taking the overnight bus to a major interchange point first (such as the Tsim Sha Tsui area or Central), then taking a shorter taxi ride from there to your hotel.
STAYING AT THE AIRPORT Hong Kong International Airport is open 24 hours and is designed to accommodate passengers at all hours. If you land extremely late (for example, between 01:30 and 05:30) and have no pressing reason to reach the city immediately, waiting at the airport until the first Airport Express departs at 05:54 is a genuine option.
The airport has a range of facilities available around the clock, including: the HKIA Sky Bridge, seating lounges throughout Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, 24-hour dining options (including restaurants in the arrivals and transit areas), airport hotel connections (including the Regal Airport Hotel, directly connected to Terminal 1 via a sky bridge), and left luggage storage services.
If you need a full night's rest after arriving late, the Regal Airport Hotel offers direct terminal access and is consistently ranked among the best airport hotels in Asia. Booking in advance is strongly recommended during peak travel periods.
Planning Your Journey: Specific Scenarios
SCENARIO 1: Early morning departure, flight at 06:30 You need to be at the airport by approximately 05:00. The first Airport Express from Hong Kong Station is at 05:50 — too late. The first from Kowloon is at 05:53 — also too late. Take the overnight N11 or N21 bus, or arrange a taxi in advance. Alternatively, stay the night in the Regal Airport Hotel or a Tung Chung hotel and walk or take a short S-series bus to the terminal in the morning.
SCENARIO 2: Early morning departure, flight at 08:00 You need to be at the airport by 06:00–06:30. The first Airport Express from Hong Kong Station (05:50) or Kowloon (05:53) arrives at the airport by approximately 06:14 and 06:12 respectively — perfectly timed. This is one of the most comfortable scenarios for using the Airport Express on an early morning departure.
SCENARIO 3: Late night arrival, flight lands at 23:30 You land at 23:30. Assuming normal deplaning and baggage collection (approximately 30–45 minutes), you will be in arrivals at approximately 00:00–00:15. The last Airport Express departs the Airport at 00:48. You have a comfortable margin of 30–45 minutes — this is fine. Walk to the platform and take the train.
SCENARIO 4: Late night arrival, flight lands at 00:30 You land at 00:30. Even with fast clearance, you will reach arrivals no earlier than 01:00–01:10. The last Airport Express departed at 00:48. The train is gone. Take the overnight N11 bus (to Hong Kong Island) or N21 bus (to Kowloon), or join the taxi queue.
SCENARIO 5: Late night departure, flight at 02:00 Your flight departs at 02:00. Most airlines require check-in to close 90 minutes before international departure, so you need to be at the airport by 00:30. The last Airport Express from Hong Kong Station is at 00:48, giving you a comfortable 18-minute buffer if you board at 00:30 and arrive at approximately 00:54. However, this is tight. For a 02:00 departure, aim to board the Airport Express no later than 23:45–00:00 from Hong Kong Station to give yourself proper check-in and security time.
SCENARIO 6: Late night departure, flight at 03:30 Your flight departs at 03:30. Check-in closes around 02:00. You need to be at the airport by approximately 01:30. The last Airport Express from Hong Kong Station (00:48) arrives at approximately 01:12 — cutting it extremely close for a 02:00 check-in deadline. For flights departing at 03:30 or later, plan to either take the last Airport Express very early in the evening and wait at the airport, or take an overnight bus or pre-booked taxi to the airport.
Tips for First and Last Train Passengers
Know your check-in deadline before planning your transport. Airlines enforce check-in cut-off times strictly, and being at the airport station at 01:05 AM is meaningless if your airline's check-in desk closed at 01:00.
Download the MTR Mobile app. Available for both iOS and Android, the app shows real-time departure information for all Airport Express stations. You can see exactly when the next train leaves and plan your walk to the platform accordingly. The app also provides service disruption alerts.
Get an Octopus card before relying on ticket machines late at night. Ticket machines at Airport Express stations operate around the clock, but the queue for them can be slow if other passengers are also buying tickets. Having a pre-loaded Octopus card means you simply tap and go. Octopus cards are available from the MTR Customer Service Counter at the airport (open until the last train), from vending machines in the arrivals hall, and from convenience stores throughout the city.
For the last train, enter the station at least 10 minutes early. Five minutes is the strict minimum cited by MTR, but in practice, if you are navigating an unfamiliar station at midnight with luggage, 10 minutes is a more comfortable buffer. Hong Kong Station in Central involves a walk from the concourse to the platform that new visitors consistently underestimate.
If you are in any doubt, take an earlier train or an earlier bus. The Airport Express runs every 10 minutes throughout the day. There is never a good reason to take the absolute last train unless all your other options are exhausted.
Use the free shuttle bus from Kowloon and Hong Kong Stations. Valid Airport Express ticket or Octopus card holders can board the complimentary hotel shuttle buses that depart from Kowloon Station and Hong Kong Station after your Airport Express journey. These buses stop at major hotels across Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay. Check the current shuttle timetable on the MTR website, as routes are subject to suspension and alteration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the first Airport Express train from the airport? The first Airport Express train from Hong Kong International Airport departs at 05:54 daily.
What time is the last Airport Express train from the airport? The last Airport Express train from Hong Kong Airport departs at 00:48 daily.
What time is the first Airport Express from Hong Kong Station (Central) to the airport? The first departure from Hong Kong Station is at 05:50, arriving at the airport approximately 24 minutes later.
What time is the last Airport Express from Hong Kong Station to the airport? The last departure from Hong Kong Station is at 00:48.
Is the Airport Express timetable different on weekends or public holidays? No. The Airport Express operates an identical timetable every day of the year, including weekends, public holidays, and Chinese New Year.
How often does the Airport Express run? Every 10 minutes throughout the operating day, from the first train to the last.
What do I do if I miss the last Airport Express? Take one of the overnight bus routes: N11 (to/from Hong Kong Island, fare HK$31), NA11 (express to Central, HK$52), N21 (to/from Kowloon, HK$23), or NA21. Alternatively, take a taxi from the Ground Transportation Centre.
Is there an Airport Express at 5am? No. The first Airport Express from the airport is at 05:54, and the first from Hong Kong Station is at 05:50. There is no service before these times.
Can I use an Octopus card on the overnight buses? Yes. All overnight N-route buses accept Octopus cards in addition to exact cash.
