Hong Kong overnight layover

Question

Hello all,

Please could you advise on the following for overnight layover:

Approx taxi fare 1 way from Olympic MTR area to Victoria peak, about 3pm?

Have read this is the fastest (but expensive, I just don't know how expensive)

I want to then go to HK Island and then do the Star ferry early evening over to Avenue of stars area. Get dinner, watch the light show and then go to the night markets.

I will stay at Dorsett Mongkong overnight (thoughts on the hotel anyone?)

I will then sleep-in a little (8am) have breakfast head to the airport area on the airport express from Olympic. Have read about outlet mall 10mins from airport, is this worth it?

Checkin for flight at 1:30pm.

First time in Hong Kong. Not wanting to do temples or Buddha.

Is this all achievable?

Thanks for your thoughts and advice!

Answer

Your plan for an overnight layover in Hong Kong is ambitious but achievable if you plan carefully. Here’s a detailed breakdown and advice for your itinerary:

Taxi from Olympic MTR area to Victoria Peak around 3pm:

The journey by taxi takes roughly 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.
Approximate fare is HKD 100–150 (around USD 12–20) one way.
Victoria Peak is indeed faster to reach by taxi than by MTR or Peak Tram, especially with limited time.

Victoria Peak:

You can spend about 45–60 minutes at the Peak. Enjoy the views and take photos. If you like, you can use the Peak Tram down to Central for a slightly more scenic descent.

HK Island to Star Ferry & Avenue of Stars:

From Central, you can take the Star Ferry across to Tsim Sha Tsui. Ferry ride is short (approx. 10 minutes) and scenic.
Avenue of Stars area is good for strolling and getting views of Hong Kong’s skyline. Try to arrive before sunset to enjoy the city lights.
Plan dinner nearby; there are many restaurants in Tsim Sha Tsui ranging from local Cantonese to international cuisine.

Night markets:

Temple Street Night Market in Jordan/Yau Ma Tei is the most famous and easy to access from Tsim Sha Tsui.
Another option is the Ladies’ Market in Mongkok, close to your hotel, for shopping and street food.

Hotel: Dorsett Mongkok:

Good choice for convenience. Mongkok is central, close to MTR stations, night markets, and shopping streets. Rooms are standard, clean, and comfortable for an overnight stay.

Morning to airport:

Check out around 8–9am, take the MTR Olympic station to Airport Express (via transfer at Kowloon station) – total travel time roughly 40–50 minutes.
Citygate Outlets is 10 minutes from the airport by shuttle or taxi. It’s a decent stop if you want to browse brands, but not essential unless you are specifically looking for shopping deals.

For your flight check-in at 1:30pm, leaving the hotel around 9–9:30am gives you ample time for Airport Express, shopping stop, and check-in procedures. Overall, your schedule is tight but manageable, especially if you stick to main highlights and avoid overextending.

Tips:

Use Octopus card for convenient public transport.
Keep luggage light or use hotel luggage storage to avoid carrying bags all day.
Prioritize sights you really want to see; Hong Kong traffic can be unpredictable in the evening.

With careful timing, your plan to see Victoria Peak, ride Star Ferry, enjoy dinner and the light show, visit night markets, and still have a relaxed morning before heading to the airport is realistic for a first-time visitor.

Hong Kong overnight layover

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