AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION: The quickest way to get to and from Hong Kong's new airport at Chek Lap Kok (CLK), a journey of about 40 kms from the town center, is by the Airport Express (AE), a high-speed train.

With departures every ten minutes, it takes only 23, air-conditioned minutes from the Hong Kong Station in Central District or 18 from the Kowloon Station in Tsimshatsui.

For departing passengers, AE connects directly to the departure level.

Arriving passengers will find the AE station directly across from the arrival gates.

From the Hong Kong Station in Central, the fare is $70 one way, $60 from the Kowloon Station.

All AE stations have a plentiful supply of free baggage carts.

BUSES: The AE also runs a free shuttle bus service between the major hotels to the stations in both directions.

The airport bus is called Cityflyer (hotline: 2873-0818) and the four routes have many stops near major hotels.
Fares range between HK$33-45.)

• AE hotline: 2881-8888

TAXIS: For normal taxi services to and from CLK, expect to pay HK$230 from Kowloon destinations and up to HK$375 from Hong Kong Island destinations, which includes the two-way toll for the cross-harbor tunnels.

Taxi drivers add a luggage-handling charge of HK$5 per piece.

LIMOUSINES: are also available -- fares range from HK$450-600 depending on the car.

IN-TOWN CHECK-IN: One of the great pleasures of the new Airport Express system is the in-town check-in.

Some airlines open as early as 6 a.m. That means you can check out of your hotel early, check-in your baggage, get your seat and have the rest of the day and night for your own business or leisure.

When you eventually hit Chek Lap Kok, you go straight through to immigration.

Check-in must be at least three hours before you flight. And you cannot check-in downtown unless you are taking the Airport Express train.

Back-of-the-bus folks are only allowed a single hand-carry bag which must fit in a 9x14x22 in/23x36x56 cm box and weigh less than 5 kg.