Immigration clearance time around midnight

Question

Hi,

I will be arriving HK around midnight, and my next connecting flight is at 3pm, both via Cathay Pacific on 1 ticket number.

I'm planning to book a room at Regala Skycity. Their last shuttle is at 1.30am. Do you think I can make it in time? I suppose my luggage will be checked in all the way to the final city I'm China and i don't need to collect it in HK.

Alternative, if I missed the shuttle, how do I get to the hotel? It looks like it's quite near the Asia World Expo, but is the metro still running at that hour?

Thanks!

Answer

Arriving in Hong Kong around midnight, you should generally be able to clear immigration fairly quickly, especially since your luggage is checked through to your final destination and you do not need to collect it. Hong Kong International Airport is known for efficient processing, even late at night, though the number of staff may be slightly lower than during the day. Expect to spend roughly 20–40 minutes at immigration and security.

Regarding the Regala SkyCity hotel shuttle:

The last official shuttle from the airport is at 1:30 AM, so if your flight lands at midnight, you should have enough time to clear immigration and catch it. However, delays in landing, long queues, or additional security checks could make this tight.
If you miss the last shuttle, you have alternatives:

Taxi: Airport taxis are available 24/7. The ride to Regala SkyCity is short, typically 5–10 minutes, and fares are reasonable.
Public transport: The Airport Express metro service does not operate at midnight. The MTR will resume around 6:00 AM. Therefore, relying on public transport at this hour is not feasible.
Ride-hailing services: Apps like HKTaxi or other local ride services can be used to book a taxi from the airport to the hotel late at night.

Additional tips:

Confirm with Regala SkyCity if late arrivals can be accommodated at reception, even if the shuttle is missed.
Have cash (HKD) or a credit card ready for taxis, as some drivers may not accept certain foreign cards.
Keep your flight and hotel booking details handy in case you need to show proof to the driver or hotel staff.

In summary, catching the 1:30 AM shuttle should be possible if your flight is on time, but having a taxi as a backup is the safest plan. Public transport options are not available at that hour.