CIKM 2009 - Transportation and Directions
GETTING HERE
Hong Kong International Airport
is some way from the downtown areas, 34km west of Central, on the north
coast of Lantau Island, but it's connected to the urban areas by
excellent rail and road links.
From the Airport, passengers can simply take the 1-minute Airport Express train ride to reach the convenient in-venue AsiaWorld-Expo Station where the CIKM2009 is going to be held.
The high-speed Airport Express
can be accessed directly from arrivals (every 12min; 5.50am-01.15am),
whisking you to Central on Hong Kong Island in 24 minutes (HK$100), via
Tsing Yi (13min; HK$60) and Kowloon (21min; HK$90). There are
taxi ranks, bus stops and free Airport Express shuttle bus stops at the Airport Express stations. Access to and from the airport can be made by franchised bus, taxi, and ferry as well.
By land, the only way into Hong Kong is through mainland China by Intercity Passenger Services (Through Train)
and bus services. The Beijing-Kowloon Railway provides a direct
link between the two cities in approximately 26 hours. Service is
also available from Shanghai in a little more than 23 hours, and from
Guangzhou East, taking approximately 2 hours.
There are alternative routings from other places in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, please check details from here (Chinese).
GETTING AROUND
Hong
Kong's public transport system is efficient, comfortable, extensive and
cheap, although it can be extremely crowded in rush hours. Each
mode of transportation - bus, minibus, ferry, tram, and train/subway -
has its own fare system and therefore requires a new ticket each time
you transfer from one mode of transport to another. However, if
you are going to be in Hong Kong for a few days, consider purchasing
the Octopus. This
electronic smart card allows users to hop on and off trains, trams,
subways, buses, some minibus and ferries without worrying about
purchasing tickets each time or fumbling for exact change.
Alternatively, you can also buy an Octopus good for 3 days of unlimited
travel for HK$300, including the trip from and to the airport on the
Airport Express Line, check here for details.
- Taxis
- Fares are comparatively low. The basic flag fall rate is HK$18 for
the first 2 kilometres in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island, and the
meter adds on HK$1.50 every 200 metres.
- Buses -
Double-deckers and coaches have their final destinations marked in
English and Chinese on the front top panel. Fares are low
(ranging from HK$1.20 to HK$45).
- Ferries - The "Star" Ferry,
Hong Kong's most scenic (and inexpensive) mode of travel across
Victoria Harbour, celebrated 100 years of service in 1998. Other
ferry services are available to the New Territories, outlying islands
as well as mainland China and Macau.
- Minibuses-
Minibuses are small passenger vans, carry 16 passengers, that differ by
their colour. Minibuses can be stopped almost anywhere on the street
(not on double yellow lines), though these often have the destination
written in Chinese only. Fares for both are bit higher than
buses, usually in the HK$1.50 to HK$20 range.
- Trains - The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is fast, clean, efficient and inexpensive (route map and fares).
- Peak Tram
- A quick way to Hong Kong's highest point. This cable railway
has been operating since 1888, and climbs 373 metres to Victoria Peak
in eight minutes. Single journey costs HK$22 while return journey
costs HK$33.
- Hongkong Tramways
- Running along the harbour side of Hong Kong Island, double-decker
trams rock, rattle and roll along the same tracks they've travelled
over since 1904, offering one of the best views in town. Flat
fare only at HK$2.
- Car Hire - Avis, Dah Chong Hong and Toyota Rent-A-Car are available in Hong Kong.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Please check the specific visa requirements for your country at the Hong Kong Immigration Department web site.
Generally,
visas are not required for visitors from most countries. The length of
allowed visa-free stay in Hong Kong varies from 14 days to 3 months.
All visitors to Hong Kong must have a valid travel document, endorsed
where necessary for Hong Kong. These should be valid for at least one
month beyond your planned departure from Hong Kong, and in the case of
certain nationalities, at least six months.
On request, a formal visa support letter can be issued by the organizing secretariat. Please send your request to cikm2009@chinatravelevents.com with the following information:
1. Name as it appears on your passport;
2. Residence and a ship-to address if different;
3.
An indication that you wish to attend CIKM 2009, even if you are only
planning on attending a specific workshop;
4. Registration confirmation number;
5.
If you have any papers accepted for the conference/workshop, please
indicate whether you are the sole author or a co-author, and provide
the full title of the document;
6. Fax number (**Please note** Visa support letters are not issued via email).
