Dim sum for breakfast, the Star Ferry across the harbour and a skyline that lights up every night.
Air China flies from London to Hong Kong from £331 return, with a checked bag included. The price holds from January to March 2027, but there is a long overnight stop in Chengdu each way.
✈️ The Deal
- From: London Gatwick (back to Heathrow), United Kingdom
- To: Hong Kong
- Airline: Air China
- Stops: 1 stop in Chengdu, 19-23 hours
- Price: £331 - £333 return
- When: January - March 2027
Example dates:
20/01/2027 - 27/01/2027
17/02/2027 - 24/02/2027
03/03/2027 - 12/03/2027
Claim up to £520 for your delayed or cancelled flight →
Prices by date: 17/02 - 24/02 and 03/03 - 12/03 from £331, 20/01 - 27/01 from £333. On the February and March dates you leave Gatwick at 19:10, stop for 19h30 in Chengdu and land in Hong Kong at 12:05, two days later. The flight home leaves at 17:25, stops for 19h15 in Chengdu with a change of airport, and lands at Heathrow at 19:20 the next day. You fly out of Gatwick and back into Heathrow. The fare includes a cabin bag and a checked bag. If you want short stops, China Eastern via Shanghai costs from £393 in late November.
💰 How far does your money go?
A pint in a London pub now costs about £6.50. In Hong Kong, a bowl of wonton noodles costs about £4, a ride across the harbour on the Star Ferry costs about 50p and a full dim sum breakfast for one is about £10. The tram along Hong Kong Island costs 30p a ride, less than a single bus fare in London.
☀️ The Weather
January and February are Hong Kong's coolest months. Expect days of 17-19°C, nights around 14°C and mostly dry weather, good for hiking the Dragon's Back and walking the city. By March it warms up to 21-22°C, with more humidity and the odd misty day.
🏨 Where to Stay
A capsule-style budget pick, a Kowloon favourite or a classic harbourfront hotel.
YesInn Causeway Bay · 7.8/10 · From £35/night
A friendly hostel in the shopping heart of Causeway Bay, with private rooms and dorms.
Hotel ICON · 9.2/10 · From £150/night
A design hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui East, run with a hospitality school, with a rooftop pool.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong · 9.6/10 · From £450/night
The 1963 Central landmark, with harbour views and a legendary bar.
⏱️ Making the most of your layover in Chengdu
This is the catch: the stops in Chengdu last 19-23 hours each way, overnight. Chengdu has two airports, Tianfu (TFU) and Shuangliu (CTU), and on some legs you land at one and leave from the other, about 1h15 apart by taxi or metro. UK passport holders can use China's 240-hour visa-free transit, as Hong Kong counts as an onward destination, but check the rules before you fly and be back at the airport 3 hours before your next flight.
Panda layover tour from Chengdu Tianfu: A half-day tour from the airport to see the giant pandas at the breeding base, timed around your connection.
If you'd rather rest:
Tianfu Joyhub Air Hotel · 9.4/10 · From £87/night
About 1.5 km from the Tianfu terminal, for a proper night's sleep between flights.
Tianfu Joyhub Cheer Hotel · 9.0/10 · From £65/night
A cheaper option next door, about 1.6 km from the airport.
🎯 What to Do
Hong Kong is skyline, temples and some of the best food in Asia.
Big Buddha and the cable car: The Ngong Ping cable car over Lantau, the giant Tian Tan Buddha and the fishing village of Tai O.
Victoria Peak and the city: Hop-on hop-off bus around the city, with the option to ride the Peak Tram to the top.
Street food tour: Seven stops for dim sum, wonton noodles and egg tarts with a local guide.
Victoria Harbour night cruise: The Symphony of Lights from the water, with unlimited drinks on board.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
Hong Kong makes a great base for a wider trip.
Macau: Portuguese heritage, egg tarts and casinos, about 1 hour by ferry.
Guangzhou: The capital of Cantonese food, about 50 minutes by high-speed train.
Taipei: Night markets and hot springs, about 1h40 by air. Search flights
Bangkok: Temples and street food, about 2h45 by air. Search flights
£331 return from London to Hong Kong, with a bag included. It takes patience in Chengdu, so use the stop to see the pandas.
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