HONG KONG AIRPORT to TSIM SHA TSUI: Which is Better? Bus or Airport Express Train?
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The Hong Kong International Airport is right here on reclaimed land on Czech Lapkok Island.
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And Tsim Sha Tsui, often abbreviated as TST, is right here.
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Right here in Kowloon.
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It is a favorite among budget travelers because of its endless options
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of small but relatively affordable hotels and inns.
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It's also very, very accessible.
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Let's take a closer look at TST on the map.
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Running through this area, you'll find Nathan Road, which serves as the district's main artery.
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It is punctuated with several bus stops and also MTR stations
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because a big part of it runs parallel to the MTR Chuen 1 line.
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This line is especially useful for tourists.
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Because most of the city's key attractions are accessible from it.
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Tsim Sha Tsui has another popular side, the area surrounding Chatham Road,
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which is also lined with several lodging, dining, and shopping establishments.
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So how do you get here from the airport?
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How do you get from here to here?
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You have two main options, by train and by bus.
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Let's start with the bus.
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The bus to catch is 18.
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Not only is this the cheapest, it is also the easiest and the most convenient option.
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Because unlike the other options that I'm gonna share with you in this video,
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this is a direct way and does not entail switching or transferring along the way.
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At least if your hotel is located near Nathan Road or Chatham Road.
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But before that, you might want to consider getting an Octopus Card,
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which can make your journey much easier and cheaper too.
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An Octopus Card is a prepaid reloading card.
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It's a portable card that you can use for MTR and bus rides and even purchases at select stores.
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It will allow you to skip buying tickets each time you're taking the MTR or scramble for coins when you're taking the bus.
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All you need to do is tap the card above the reader and you're through.
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The fare is also cheaper when you use an Octopus Card than when paying at the station.
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And if you're taking public transportation multiple times, these discounts rack up and you'll end up saving a lot.
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You can get an Octopus Card from Cloak.
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It costs HK$97, but it already comes with a $50 load that you can use right away.
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You can pick it up at the airport's arrival hall.
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In our case, we claimed our Octopus Card at this counter.
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You can also book a Data Sim on Cloak and pick it up at the airport too.
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A Data Sim will make your navigating much easier so you're sure you're getting off at the right stop.
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To reserve an Octopus Card and a Data Sim Card,
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follow the link in the description and pinned comment.
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Don't forget to use the promo code THEPOORTRAVELER for extra discount.
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After claiming your luggage at the carousel, you'll emerge into the arrival hall.
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Pick up your Octopus Card and Sim Card at the right counter,
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and then head to your right or follow the bus signs to the bus terminus,
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which is right in front of the airport building.
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It is located outside, and it looks like this.
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Now, check the signs and look for the A21 bus stop.
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There's usually a queue at the bus stop.
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There's usually a queue at the bus stop. There's usually a queue at the bus stop.
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There's usually a queue at the bus stop. There's usually a queue at the bus stop.
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There's usually a queue at the bus stop. There's usually a queue at the bus stop.
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Because it's a very popular area.
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And wait for the bus, the A21 bus.
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Airport buses are double-deckers.
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They also display the route or bus number in front so make sure you're boarding the right bus.
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When it's time to board, prepare your Octopus Card and tap it or hover it above the card reader,
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installed just by the entrance door of the bus.
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If you decide not to get an Octopus Card, you can pay by cash,
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but make sure you have the exact amount because they don't give change.
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The fare is HK$34.6.
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Upon boarding, you'll immediately see this baggage section where you could leave your suitcase.
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There are also a few seats here, but if none is available, just climb to the top deck.
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Don't worry, there are cameras pointed at the baggage area so you could still keep an eye on your bag.
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Travel time is 60 to 90 minutes depending on where you are alighting and the traffic situation at the time.
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Or if you're bound for Tsim Sha Tsui,
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find out which of these stops is closest to your hotel.
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If you'll be staying at an inn or guesthouse at Chungking Mansions or Mirador Mansion,
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your stop is Middle Road, Corner Nathan Road.
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Oh wait wait wait, before I forget, the A21 bus is available from 5.30 am to midnight.
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But what if your flight is scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong past midnight?
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In that case, instead of taking the A21 bus, take the N21 bus.
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Instead of taking the A21 bus, take the N21 bus.
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Instead of taking the A21 bus, take the N21 bus.
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This bus is available from 1220 am to 440 am.
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It also makes several stops in Tsim Sha Tsui.
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And the fare is HK$23.8.
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Just research first which stop is closest to your hotel.
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Speaking of hotels, prices of accommodations have increased dramatically in Hong Kong over the years.
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If you're still looking for a place to stay and you want to score big discounts,
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book your hotels with Cloop!
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Just click the link in the description or pinned comment and use the link in the description!
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Just click the link in the description or pinned comment and use the link in the description!
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Just click the link in the description or pinned comment and use the link in the description!
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Use our promo code, ThePoorTraveler, that will give you 5% off.
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If the bus is the easiest option, the airport express is the fastest.
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There are two possible routes, but both involve a transfer or two.
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You see, the airport express train runs along this side of Kowloon,
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not along Nathan Road, and it terminates at Hong Kong Station,
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which is located in Hong Kong Island Central District.
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It only has three stops other than the airport.
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Chinggis Station, which is located here,
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Kowloon Station, right here, just outside Tsim Sha Tsui,
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and Hong Kong Station, located in the Central District, over here.
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You can purchase tickets on-site, but it's much cheaper to book online,
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especially on cloak.
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Take a look at this.
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As you can see, you'll end up saving a lot if you book a round-trip ticket
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instead of two one-way tickets.
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And you'll also save more if you purchase from cloak,
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as much as 20 Hong Kong Dollars.
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And you know what? The gift just keeps on giving.
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If you want to score even more discounts,
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use our exclusive promo code, ThePoorTraveler, as you check out.
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Again, you'll find the links in the description and pinned comment.
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But hold on, what station should you choose when booking?
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Chinggis, Kowloon, or Hong Kong Station?
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Well, it depends on your final destination.
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Before you book, check if your hotel is in Hong Kong.
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If your hotel is closer to the Airport Express Kowloon Station
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or MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station.
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If Kowloon Station is nearer, select Kowloon Station.
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If it's closer to the MTR Chuen Wan Line like Tsim Sha Tsui Station or Jordan Station,
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then choose Hong Kong Station.
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Now that we have the tickets out of the way,
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let's talk about what you should do upon arrival.
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At the arrival hall, look for the Airport Express Station.
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If you booked online, just scan your QR code at the electronic gates
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Then, time to hop on board.
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Alight at either Kowloon Station or Hong Kong Station, whichever is more convenient.
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If your hotel is close to Kowloon Station, then good.
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You can simply walk to your hotel from here.
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Otherwise, ride the train all the way to Hong Kong Station, the last stop.
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From Hong Kong Station, walk to Central Station.
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It's a 7 to 10-minute walk, but don't worry, it's all flat and indoors.
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There is an established trail underground that connects to the MTR Central Station.
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It's like walking through a mall.
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The Central Station is no longer part of Airport Express,
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so if you booked online, you'll need to use your Octopus Card from here on.
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Central Station is the first station on the Chuen Wan Line,
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so it's very likely that you'll get a seat on the train.
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Board a train bound for Chuen Wan and alight at Tsim Sha Tsui Station
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or whichever station is closest to your hotel.
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There used to be a free shuttle service carrying passengers
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from Kowloon Station or Hong Kong Station to various spots around the city,
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but this has been discontinued.
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Regardless, the Airport Express is indeed the fastest way to get to the city center.
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Because from the airport, it only takes 24 minutes to Kowloon Station
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and 32 minutes to Hong Kong Station.
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But you'll need to add the transfer time and the travel time from Central Station to your hotel.
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It should still take you almost an hour in total.
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But actually, there is a cheaper way by train.
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It also uses both the Airport Express and the MTR,
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but instead of getting off at Hong Kong Station,
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you'll alight at Tsing Yi Station instead.
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At Tsing Yi Station, switch to Tung Chung Line or Orange Line
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and get off at Lai King Station.
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Switch to the Chuen Wan Line or Red Line
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and finally, alight at either Tsim Sha Tsui Station or Jordan Station, whichever is closer.
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The downside is, this route entails two transfers,
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which some people might not prefer,
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especially those with heavy luggage in tow,
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and I'm assuming you'll be carrying a lot of luggage.
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It's just difficult getting on and off the train multiple times while carrying a bag,
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even more so when it's crowded on board.
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Lai King Station is often crowded at peak hours because it is in the middle of the line.
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It's easy to return to the airport from Tsim Sha Tsui.
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Whether you took the bus or the train, all you have to do is trace your steps back.
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If you took the Airport Express via Hong Kong Station,
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just take the MRT,
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Tsuen Wan Line back to Central Station and transfer to Hong Kong Station.
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And catch the Airport Express back to the airport.
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If you took the Tsing Yi route,
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take the same MTR, Tsuen Wan Line to return to Lai King Station.
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Transfer to the Orange-Tung Chung Line and get off at Tsing Yi.
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Finally, catch the Airport Express to the airport.
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If by bus, just remember to wait for and board the bus on the other side of the road.
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Although, to be honest, we don't recommend taking the A21 bus when airport bound.
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You see, from airport to Kowloon, the bus is always largely empty.
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But when going back to the airport, Tsim Sha Tsui is in the middle of the route,
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which means there are fewer seats available on board.
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Not to mention that the bus is subject to traffic conditions so it can take much, much longer,
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which can be pretty stressful when you have a flight to catch.
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On a recent trip, Vince and I even had a mini contest on who would get to the airport first.
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Vince took the A21 bus while I took the train.
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By a huge margin.
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I was already waiting for 40 minutes by the time Vince's bus reached the airport.
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So guys, we're here at Hong Kong International Airport.
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Vince is supposed to meet me here but he's not here.
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So I think I'm the first one here.
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We're supposed to meet here at that counter.
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He's not here yet so I think I'm the one who got the challenge here.
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So there you go, guys.
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We're here at Hong Kong International Airport.
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It's really faster than the airport express train.
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Yosh and I only drove for 30 minutes.
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I only took the bus for 1 hour and 8 minutes.
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But that's because of the traffic.
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But if you're surprised, it's really cheaper than the bus because it only costs 36 HKD.
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If you compare it to the airport express train, it costs 115 Hong Kong Dollars.
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So, which is the best way to get from the airport to Tsim Sha Tsui?
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If your hotel is close to Nathan Road or Chatham Road, I think hands down the A21 bus is the best option.
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It takes a bit longer but it is the most convenient and the least stressful.
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But when going back to the airport, we recommend the MTR and airport express combo.
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Have you tried any of these routes?
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How was the experience?
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Or do you have questions?
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Or topic suggestions for our future videos?
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Let us know in the comment section below.
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In our next video, we're going on a food trip around Hong Kong.
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We'll show you some of the must-try but affordable restaurants in the city.
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