London to Hong Kong Flights

  About London

London is recognised to be one of the most famous cities in the world, known to be the capital of the United Kingdom. It is also known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. London is a city that has traversed through time to see history in the making. Much like New York City, London is also recognised as one of the biggest economic, cultural, political, education, finance, healthcare and more. London is also raved to host some of the biggest names in the education business.

Best time to visit London

London is known to be rather dreary with a dull climate that takes up most of the year. However, the spring season in London is lovely and something you'll definitely fancy. March through May are months where the city breathes air under the bright sun sans the clouds. The temperatures are between 10 degree Celsius to 17 degree Celsius, which makes for a perfect vacation. It does manage to grab the attention of potential tourists from within the UK as well as internationally. The late spring and summers in London especially get a lot of tourists. Not to mention how the city also thrives with amazing festivals such as Virgin Money London Marathon, Museums at Night State Opening of Parliament, London Coffee Festival, St Patrick's Day Festival and Parade, to name a few. This time in the city is simply super pleasant and something that many tourists would want to experience. You can further see many gardens and parks blossom while the summer makes its way within the city. Of course, it also comes at a rather harsh cost which will affect your pockets. The hotel prices in London during peak season is just as expensive. Thanks to the humongous crowd that the city witnesses, it is not surprising that the hotels and accommodations also spike up their charges.

Prior booking of hotels in London will help you deal with this conundrum. However, the packed streets and city bustle could be a tad bit annoying. Considering how London is a big city with streets always full of people, it is something you're going to have to adjust with. September to November also sees a considerable number of tourists in the city as the fall weather is just as pristine. The autumn foliage forms quite a scenery that travellers would appreciate. The hotel accommodations are also decently priced. You might even get cheap hotel rooms in London during this time. It is essential that no matter which season you choose to visit London, there is going to be some amount of rain. Basically, you will have to pack in such a way that you are able to show off your winter wardrobe and at the same time protect them from the rainy weather. Rains in London are notorious and have a mind of their own. It often starts showering when you least expect. Hence, an umbrella would be the best companion for you during your London trip.

Places to visit in London

As one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the world, London has far too many tourist attractions within the city. It does house the royals, after all. You can start your trip by checking out the famous British Museum, which is an archaeological treasure trove. You can further go ahead and visit the Tower of London, an important structure in the city. Learn about its historical significance because it is quite interesting. Without a doubt, the Buckingham Palace should be on your list as it is where the royals of the UK live. It is the London home of Queen Elizabeth II and has its gates open for tourists. Westminster Abbey is another beautiful and archaic church which is known for the weddings and coronations of the many royals of the UK. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are posh and relaxed areas in the city where you can visit to relax. While you're here, do not miss the National Gallery, comprising of a labyrinth interior that would certainly intrigue you. The Tower Bridge has found itself in several movies by now and should be on your travel list too.

Things to do in London

The city has far too many places that would attract tourists for shopping. The Camden Market would be a good place to start the excursion. This market caters to over 200 stalls and has everything one looks for in London. The West End Theatre District is an astounding place that is quite the rendition of New York city's recognised Broadway. Several big production houses and artists flock over to put up their shows, and you should witness them all. Piccadilly Circus is another lively part of the city, basically the heart of London, where you can indulge in street shopping or bar hopping. You will be thoroughly entertained by the lights and life of the city. Speaking of which, pub crawls are a big thing that happens in London, something you should totally try as they are fun. Plus, it would be a great way to network with people and return home with some fine memories.

Food and Restaurants in London

London's staple food fish and chips, bangers and mash and mince meat pies. However, over the years, the city has managed to upscale its culinary establishments to encourage a plethora of global cuisine. The city now houses the classic British cuisine and the curry magic from the Indian kitchen. With so many choices to pick from, the city only gets better for a foodie. It is important that you know where you should go when in London. The best way to do that would be to opt for a food tour, which is available in the city. In London, high tea experiences are a big deal, and you should definitely get some of that action. The Langham, London, Claridge or even The Lanesborough, are some establishments that would give you the experience that you seek. Make sure to book prior reservations and dress up for the outing. If you've got enough pounds in your pockets and wish to further explore the upscale dining experience, you can view some of the city's Michelin-starred restaurants in the Clerkenwell neighbourhood. While you're on your food voyage, do not miss St. John, a place recognised for its ability to utilise every part of the meat.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay also has a slew of restaurants and food establishments in the city that you could indulge in. Plus, Jamie Oliver also has his own set of restaurants within the city to upscale your dining experience. Other fancy locations in London include Sketch who have egg pods in place of traditional washroom stalls, The Attendant Cafe, Sushi Samba and Duck & Waffle, to name a few. To indulge in some lovely Indian cuisine, you can visit some of the curry houses located on Brick Lane. UK's pub culture is something you simply cannot miss. It defines the British lifestyle and is also one of the top attractions. You can either go to traditional pubs such as Magners or a little modern like Strongbow.

How to reach London (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to London from India is exemplary. There are regular direct flights as well as connecting flights reserved for London. Since the city witnesses a lot of tourists from India, provisions to service a regular flight to London has been made by various airlines. The best thing about flights to London from India is how they have the option of a direct flight, which reduces the duration of travel. British Airways is one such airline that has nonstop direct flights to London from cities in India, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Chennai. Other airlines that fly to London from India are Turkish Airlines, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Emirates, Oman Air, Etihad Airways, Air France, Swiss, KLM Royal Dutch, to name a few. These airlines follow the international routes of the Middle East and Europe to reach London. Hence, their layovers and connecting flights are from cities such as Munich, Amsterdam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Zurich, Muscat, Paris and more. The duration of a layover is not too much, which makes travelling easier, even if there are direct flights to London.

A nonstop flight to London from Mumbai takes approximately nine hours and ten minutes, barring the weather conditions and other delays. Flight tickets to London are quite cheap and affordable. Many airlines begin their flight tickets to London from INR 30,000. There is no major compromise in the flight duration as the maximum it can go up to is 13-14 hours. It is essential that you pick the right airlines to fly to London as the possibility of longer layovers is high. If you manage to get some online flight deals on tickets to London, your budget will further get a nice bonus. In fact, you can use this opportunity to book your hotels in London as well. It is a known fact that London accommodations are exorbitant, as is travelling within the city. To avoid splurging extra on hotel rooms in London, you can make hotel reservations ahead of time along with your flight tickets to London. That way, you will end up saving a major chunk of your money, which can be used to travel more within the city and to purchase loads of souvenirs.

  About Hong Kong

Hong Kong is officially a part of the People's Republic of China. The metropolitan city is located on the South China Sea with the eastern Pearl River Delta flowing within the city. Hong Kong is one of the biggest and influential cities in the world for its stupendous stand in the global finance list. In fact, the city stands at the sixth position in the list of Global Financial Centres Index. Adorned with exquisite skyscrapers and lush lifestyle, the prosperous city is also a hub for tourism.

Various tourists flock over from different parts of the world to indulge in the fancy lifestyle of the city. Hong Kong was once part of the British Empire as a colony. However, after breaking away from its colonial rule, the city managed to flourish and has now become one of the top international cities. Many important flights are connected with Hong Kong. Travelling to Hong Kong via air is quite convenient as the city is well-connected with some of the major international cities.

Tourism in Hong Kong is exuberant, and you need to carry enough notes to ensure that you can afford the luxe lifestyle. Also, it would be beneficial to book flight tickets and accommodations to Hong Kong in advance. With the city's expensive taste, the prices of tickets and hotels continue to fluctuate.

Best time to visit Hong Kong

Hong Kong enjoys agreeable weather, especially during the months of October and December. As a city located on the coasts of the South China Sea, every weather is met with some humidity in the air, making tourism a little tedious. During these months, the temperatures would range between 20 to 27 degree Celsius, which is quite favourable, especially if you're coming from a hotter country. It would be ideal for you to stay away from Chinese national holidays or even large conventions as the hotel prices would see a tremendous surge. The long and hot summers of Hong Kong will be quite tough to deal with and hence, should be avoided at all cost. Meanwhile, the onset of winter with summer waning would be a nice and pleasant time to visit the smart city. The daytime temperatures would also be pleasant to step out and explore the city. Avoid the first week of October though as many Chinese travellers would flock over to Hong Kong for National Day. If you manage to get your plans fixed around the dates for Hong Kong WinterFest, that would be some experience. The city would be bustling with festivities, and the temperatures would also be bearable.

The peak season for Hong Kong is winter, which can be experienced from January to March. This period is also the time when the city, much like the rest of China, celebrates New Year's, Chinese New Year and such festivals. As it is the holiday season for the Chinese, travellers often take this time to head to the coastal city of Hong Kong and make the most of their time there. The two New Year celebrations also pave the way to a spike in the hotel charges. Booking a hotel room in Hong Kong during the months of December and January would be quite expensive. Even flight tickets to Hong Kong would come at an exorbitant cost. Hence, to opt for a cheap travel deal to Hong Kong, the season and month you choose is important.

Places to visit in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's plethora of places will amaze the tourist in you. The city truly matches the expectations of a traveller when it comes to entertaining them thoroughly with fascinating attractions. From the Symphony of the Stars light show that you can witness at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade to Disneyland, Hong Kong has places that cater to the entertainment and happiness of everyone. The city is vibrant with hues of shimmering skyscrapers, sparkling waters of the South China Sea and the fervour of tourists from around the world. No matter what you expect from Hong Kong, they will have what you need and do you even better. One of the first things to do when you visit Hong Kong should be to take the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island from the Kowloon Peninsula. The stretch is scenic and certainly the kind to attract your attention. Victoria Peak is the second famous attraction that you should check out in Hong Kong. Located at the highest point on Hong Kong Island, the peak towers over the prodigious city with views of blue waters passing through the city, with its hues reflecting on the skyscrapers.

If the peak is too much for you to traverse then don't worry, Hong Kong's got you covered. You can visit the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade located at the Victoria Harbour. The promenade gives a wholesome view of the entire Hong Kong Island without any obstruction. The Nan Lian Garden is a lovely place to unwind and relax after a long day of indulging in touristy activities. For some historical relevance on your trip, you should visit Lantau Island. The popular island has preserved historical sites, sunny beaches and amusement parks for tourists. It would certainly keep you busy the whole day. Of course, missing Hong Kong Disneyland would be a shame. A trip to the magical kingdom would surely uplift your spirits.

Things to do in Hong Kong

Giving Disneyland a fierce competition is Hong Kong's Ocean Park. From roller coasters and carnival rides to accommodating an entire zoo, the Ocean Park certainly manages to have it all. If you feel like opting for a legal gambling session, you can go to Happy Valley Racecourse and bet on one of the horses. What would make the day even better would be to dress up in classy ensembles too. The street markets need no introduction as they are basically the one hub where tourists cannot resist from visiting. The marketplace is a bustling space in the city as frenzied tourists flock over to indulge in some street shopping. From Hong Kong, you can actually take a boat ride and skip over to Macau, to continue your wanderlusting.

Food and Restaurants in Hong Kong

Raking up the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, Hong Kong easily becomes a paradisiacal excursion for a food lover. The city is touted to entertain some of the best fine dining establishments as well as boast a flourishing street food culture. The Hong Kong food culture stands next to big cities of the world, such as New York, Paris, and Tokyo, when it comes to thriving food culture. While the city's cuisine is heavily clouted by popular Chinese cuisine, the city also has influences of western food cuisines. Various fusion kitchens and teahouses have cropped up and serve the traditional Chinese barbeque, congee, stir-fries mixed with soy-sauce Western. Barbecued meat is a big seller in Hong Kong which caters to both kinds of audience, the ones who relish ritzy ambience and the ones who find street food comforting. For the traditional Hong Kong dishes such as steamed fish, head to dai pai dong-style stalls (street stalls) where they serve fish with stir-fries. Some of the other dishes that should be on your list of must-haves are put chai ko (rice pudding), egg tarts, pineapple buns, to name a few.

You can also get a similar or maybe even more elevated experience at Temple Street, again an open-air street food stalls and carts. Maxim's MX, Fairwood and Café de Coral are recognised food court chains in Hong Kong. For a luxury setting, head to Mandarin Grill + Bar, Tosca di Angelo, The Oyster House, to name a few places. The meat prepared by the kitchens across Hong Kong are succulent and marinated to perfection. All the dishes will leave a lasting impact on you.

How to reach Hong Kong (Transportation)

Hong Kong airport sees tremendous action as it is one of the busiest airports in the world. Even from India, there is a high demand for flights to Hong Kong. Many opt for the city as an ideal vacation destination. Flight connectivity to Hong Kong from India is excellent. There are many flights that fly to Hong Kong from India. Airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Air India have direct flights to Hong Kong from India. Metro cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, have direct flights flying to Hong Kong. Various flights with layovers in Indian cities take international routes to fly to Hong Kong, resulting in excellent connectivity. The Hong Kong airport also has great domestic route connectivity as it runs bullet trains from the airport to other parts of the city.

Flight tickets to Hong Kong from India are not very expensive, especially if you book it beforehand. Also, if you get lucky, you might even be able to get some sweet online flight deals to Hong Kong along with hotel accommodations. Hong Kong is not very far from India and takes approximately five hours to reach from the capital. From other parts of the country, depending on the flight connectivity, the ticket prices and duration would vary.

  About Hong Kong Airport

Hong Kong International Airport is situated on the island of Chek Lap Kok. It serves as the main airport to the city of Hong Kong. Hong Kong International Airport is also called Chek Lap Kok International Airport. It is one of the biggest hubs in China with respect to flight connectivity, cargo carriers and more. The airport is the busiest cargo getaway in the world. Not to mention, it is also known to have one of the largest passenger terminal buildings. The airport plays an important role in Hong Kong's economy as it employs over 65,000 staff. It is also the world's busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic.

About Airport Terminals

Hong Kong International Airport plays an important role in contributing to Hong Kong city's economy. The airport is capable of accommodating over 100 airlines with flights connecting to more than 180 international cities. Not to mention how it also is the world's busiest airport with respect to cargo traffic. There is a total of 90 boarding gates that the airport has along with 77 jet bridge gates and 12 virtual gates. The gates are used as assembly points for domestic as well as international travellers. Apron buses are available that ferry the passengers to the aircraft.

Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport is sprawled across 6,100,000 sq ft and is recognized worldwide as one of the largest passenger airport terminal. The airport joins Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3 and Beijing Capital International Airport's Terminal 3. Initially, the airport's Terminal 1 faced competition with Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport with respect to the largest passenger terminal. However, with the expansion of East Hall, Hong Kong International Airport managed to take back its spot on the list. Terminal 1 is blessed with world-class decor and facilities such as check-in counters, airline lounges, departures, arrivals and more. Terminal 1 is capable of accommodating Airbus A380 of airlines Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Asiana Airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa, China Southern Airlines, Thai Airways, British Airways, Air France and Emirates.

Terminal 2 is sprawled across 1,500,000 sq ft, including the SkyPlaza, is just as exquisite as Terminal 1 with respect to the interiors. Although the terminal has dedicated gates, check-in and other processing facilities for passengers departing do not have gates. Terminal 2 also lacks arrival facilities. Hence, designated underground transportation facilities have been put in place for passengers to reach Terminal 1 too. Much of terminal 2 sees low-cost carriers with check-in options operation also available. SkyPlaza is also situated in Terminal 2. The terminal has been shut for expansion and maintenance purposes. With the excess flight traffic that the third runway witnesses, the authorities body has opted to add departures and arrivals along with immigrations sections too. Terminal 2 is scheduled to reopen in 2024.

About Airport Authority

Hong Kong International Airport is owned and operated by Airport Authority Hong Kong and functions on a 24 hours-basis. The airport is the primary hub for the airlines Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Air Hong Kong, Cathay Dragon and HK Express. The statutory body falls directly under the government and was formed in 1995. It is an independent body which does not receive any financial assistance from the government. The headquarters of Airport Authority Hong Kong is at the Hong Kong International Airport Tower and employs 2,602 staff. They are currently working towards expansion plans of Terminal 2. The body's aim aside from bringing forth excellent airport experience and financial growth is to bolster its position to be the leading international aviation focal point. Further on their agenda is to excel the management system in terms of operations and development of Hong Kong International Airport.

Top airlines flying from Hong Kong International Airport

As one of the busiest airports in the world, Hong Kong International Airport sees tremendous flight traffic. The number of airlines that operate from the airport exceeds 100 and connects with more than 180 cities globally. The airport is also known to be a focus city for Air India. Aside from the operations of Air India, two more Indian airlines such as IndiGo and SpiceJet, operate from Hong Kong International Airport. The airlines connect to the top three cities of India, namely Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

There are many international airlines too that operate from Hong Kong International Airport. Thanks to the demand for Hong Kong as one of the financial and economic hubs of China, the city's airport sees tremendous flight traffic from international cities. Some of the airlines that operate from Hong Kong International Airport include Aeroflot, AirAsia, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air Seoul, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathay Dragon, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Finnair, HK Express, Hong Kong Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Nepal Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

Facilities at Hong Kong International Airport

Airline lounges - There are about 18 exquisite airline lounges at the Hong Kong International Airport. Cathay Pacific alone has a slew of lounges called The Bridge, The Deck, The Pier and The Wing. They are business class and first-class lounges. Along with this, the airport also has dedicated airline lounges by Emirates, United and Qantas. Alliance airlines carrier SkyTeam also has a lounge that is present at the airport premise.

Postal services - One of the big perks of Hong Kong International Airport is the fact that they also have postal services. You can send documents and letters or even couriers from the airport's premise, especially if they are urgent and need to be delivered within Hong Kong too.

Baggage - You can apply for baggage delivery services at the airport. Prior intimation to the airlines for this kind of service would be beneficial. Along with this, there are baggage measuring gauge devices also available at the airport. Not to mention the luggage packing and wrapping facilities. You can also opt for baggage storage and porter services.

Charging facilities - Hong Kong International Airport has charging facilities as well as tables with battery recharge points as well. You can charge all your devices at these hubs.

Nursing stations - There are dedicated nursing stations and rooms at the airport for parents travelling with infants. The rooms have all the necessary amenities as well as baby products. You can also ask for infant and baby strollers at the airport.

Entertainment decks - Several entertainment decks are available at Hong Kong International Airport. They are perfect for kids, youngsters and adults as well. You can find them at various intervals within the terminals.

Medical services - Hong Kong International Airport has also ensured to keep devoted paramedic services as well as pharmacies. There are medical rooms also available at the airport. Not to mention how they also cater to emergency cases.

Special assistance - In case you require special assistance with respect to traversing within the airport. The airport has trained staff who can help with special assistance for senior citizens, pregnant women and disabled passengers.

WiFi and internet - The airport offers free WiFi which can be availed at all points. You can visit the airport's information desk to get more details on the same. There are internet booths and cafes also present at Hong Kong International Airport.

Smoking lounge - As per the Hong Kong law, you are not allowed to smoke in the public space at the Hong Kong International Airport. Hence, they have reserved smoking lounges as well as areas for the same.

How to reach Hong Kong International Airport

Airport Express

Devoted rail transport is prevalent in the city of Hong Kong that connects perfectly to the airport. In case you need to reach the Hong Kong International Airport, you can take the Airport Express. It'll take you just 24 minutes to reach the airport from the city centre. The frequency of the trains is also quite good and ideal for travelling. You can download the MTR Next Train app to get schedules of the train.

Public transport

The airport also offers bus services that are conveniently located close to the airport. On the official website of the airport, you can find the locations of the bus station. The bus is also considered to be a good way to reach Hong Kong International Airport.

Taxicabs and rentals

There are door-to-door services of taxicabs that you can get from the airport. The taxicabs are coloured in three distinct hues that take specific routes within the city of Hong Kong from the airport. Depending on which area you need to travel, you should accordingly go to the lane and take the coloured taxicab. Within the city, there are many options for hailing a taxicab to reach the Hong Kong International Airport. You can also opt for rentals which are available at the airport's arrivals. There are specific counters where you can book your rental services.