I always spend the layover when flying Los Angeles-Bangkok, Bangkok-Los Angeles in the Hong Kong airport. On my last trip I purposely scheduled a 9 hour layover so I could go into the city. I met a person who lived there who planned a nice 5 hour tour for me and told me I could store my bags at the airport.

Upon departing the plane I was taken en masse like cattle through the immigration on the fifth floor I think and then led to the 6th floor departure area and left. (I HAD HAD A SPRAINED ANKLE SO I GOT WHEELCHAIR SERVICE FROM AIRLPLANE. ) tHE ATTENDANT SAID SHE WOULD GET ME 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE FLIGHT AND LEFT. all the time I kept telling her I wanted to exit the airport, store my carryon and get city bus for bus tour of city and ferry ride.. sHE SAID SHE HAD TO TAKE ME TO THE DEPARTURE AREA.

When I went to the helpdesk to get help with my intended plan I was told once you leave the immigration area you cannot leave the airport. I asked what I was supposed to do and she rudely said go shop! I had 8.5 hours to kill-the most boring time--I think I saw every shop at the airport and did not shop.

Help--on my next trip to Bangkok with another Hong Kong layover coming up next month, I still want to see Hong Kong--short of staying overnight--how can an American citizen exit Hong Kong airport for a daytour and store your carryon luggage post 9-11?????

You will have to exit immigration so make sure your ticket is not just a layover but a stopover which makes a difference in if you are able to leave the airport.

Plenty of luggage options. Terminal 1 on level 5 at about 180 Hong Kong Dollars.

Details and prices here;

hongkongairport.com/eng/tbu/baggage_left.htm

Easy to take train in to the city or near the airport one great mall is the City Gate Mall which is quite close to the airport so you will be able to kill some time there with good shopping and decent restaurants, cinema, and supermarket.

If I have a layover I can't exit the airport? I have to have a paid onward flight connection(that is a stopover)if I understand you. That adds up to the cost of the trip significantly--hotel as well as the extra flight cost. There is no other way?

If I have a layover I can't exit the airport? I have to have a paid onward flight connection(that is a stopover)if I understand you. That adds up to the cost of the trip significantly--hotel as well as the extra flight cost. There is no other way?

If your ticket has mark "X" on the stopover column, you can not exit Hong Kong Airport (according to airline regulation). But I still can come out for a few hours to meet friends. On return, the immigration (departure floor) just want to see my boarding card and passport.

If I have a layover I can't exit the airport? I have to have a paid onward flight connection(that is a stopover)if I understand you. That adds up to the cost of the trip significantly--hotel as well as the extra flight cost. There is no other way?

If your ticket has mark "X" on the stopover column, you can not exit Hong Kong Airport (according to airline regulation). But I still can come out for a few hours to meet friends. On return, the immigration (departure floor) just want to see my boarding card and passport.

Except now with Electronic tickets there is no X or O. X means connect and O means stopover. A stopover is a when you are waiting more than 4 hours and layover is less than 4. Though if the airline you are connecting with has no connecting flight within 4 hours it automatically becomes a stopover at no charge. But if you have requested a later flight because you want to see HKG then it's a stopover. Check with your travel agent or the airline you booked with and they will advise you better.