Hong Kong Airport - restricted/non-restricted areas
I have booked a flight to the Philippines and I have a layover of 3h 30m in Hong Kong Airport (arrival an departure in Terminal 1). So I looked at the shops in that terminal to see if I can buy a GoPro camera there (it looks they are cheaper in Hong Kong), but I got confused with the map of the terminal.
So far I found the shops that sells eletrical equipment and also a PDF with all the shops in the map.
But I don't know what does it mean those restricted/non-restricted areas. Are those "non-restricted areas" outside the passport control? I don't need to go through the passport control, since I'm not staying in Hong kong and the layover is not too long. In case that's the non-restricted, can I still go there to have a look or do I have to stay in the "restricted area"?
Best Answer
Looks like the restricted area is restricted for the passengers only, so you will be in this area basically.
The non-restricted are is where anyone can come from the city, and which is before border control and security checks (from the perspective of people arriving from the city). You can assume that you will not get to this area (unless you want to go through the Hong-Kong passport control).
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Can non passenger enter Hong Kong airport?
Starting from 1 May 2022, the HKSAR Government will adjust the inbound control measures, including lifting the ban on non-Hong Kong residents entering Hong Kong. Please refer to the Government's webpage https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html for details.Can foreigners travel to Hong Kong now?
Proof of a negative result on a COVID-19 test and proof of vaccination against COVID are required for entry into Hong Kong and subsequent mandatory quarantine. Before traveling, please make sure the names on all COVID-19 documents are identical to the names used on travel documents.Is Hong Kong airport operating normally?
The airport is operated by the Airport Authority 24 hours a day and is the primary hub for Cathay Pacific (the flag carrier of Hong Kong), Greater Bay Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express and Air Hong Kong (cargo carrier).Is quarantine required to travel to Hong Kong?
Quarantine requirement: Undergo compulsory quarantine for 14 days at designated places (home, hotel# or other accommodation); Undergo 2 tests during compulsory quarantine(Days 5 and 12 of arrival at Hong Kong)Hong Kong International Airport when travelling was restricted
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Answer 2
'Restricted area' are the shops near the departure gates, and if you stay within that area then you don't need to go through passport control. However, if you want to go into the non-restricted area then you will have to go through passport control. Hong Kong has fairly open rules for most nationalities and your get the visa as a stamp on-arrival (if you choose to go through passport control).
It really depends on how long your layover is. HK International Airports restricted area shops are mostly duty-free ones and there's a much larger variety of shops in the non-restricted area. If you have a few hours, then you can definitely exit and enter again; security checks don't take too long usually - I haven't had to wait more than half an hour, ever.
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