48 Hours in Hong Kong: A 2-Day Stopover on Your Way to New Zealand
Turn one journey into two adventures with a 48-hour stopover in Hong Kong. Flying from London to New Zealand via Hong Kong gives you time to take in one of the world's great skylines, cross Victoria Harbour by ferry, explore neighbourhoods packed with character and eat very well indeed - before continuing south to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Air New Zealand offers flights from London/Manchester to New Zealand via Hong Kong, with the London/Manchester-Hong Kong leg operated by a partner airline and Air New Zealand taking you non-stop from Hong Kong to Auckland.
More to taste on the way. More of New Zealand when you arrive.
Is 48 hours enough in Hong Kong?
Yes. Two nights in Hong Kong give you enough time for the city's defining experiences without trying to see everything.
A well-planned stopover can include Victoria Peak, Central and Sheung Wan, the Star Ferry, Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui and one of Kowloon's night markets, with plenty of opportunities for dim sum, noodles and milk tea along the way.
The trick is to explore Hong Kong by area rather than zig-zagging across the harbour.
How the London to New Zealand journey via Hong Kong works
Fly from London Heathrow or Manchester to Hong Kong with one of Air New Zealand's partner airlines, break your journey for two nights, then continue non-stop from Hong Kong to Auckland with Air New Zealand.
Our current schedules make Hong Kong particularly suited to a short stopover. Air New Zealand flight NZ80 departs Hong Kong in the late afternoon or evening depending on the season, leaving time to enjoy part of your final day before travelling to the airport. Flight schedules vary by travel date, so check timings when you book.
Getting between the airport and city is easy too. The Airport Express takes around 24 minutes from Hong Kong Station to Hong Kong International Airport, with trains departing roughly every 10 minutes.
48-hour Hong Kong itinerary at a glance
This flight-friendly Hong Kong stopover is designed for UK travellers arriving from London and continuing to Auckland with Air New Zealand. Your two-day Hong Kong stopover, mapped out from arrival to departure, with time for skyline views, local neighbour
Your 48 hours in Hong Kong, planned around the journey to Auckland
Day 1: Arrive and discover Hong Kong Island
Day 2: Harbour views, Kowloon and local flavours
Day 3: One last taste of Hong Kong before Auckland
Stopover tip: Hong Kong is seven or eight hours ahead of the UK depending on the time of year, so an overnight flight from London can leave your body clock catching up. Getting outside in daylight can help your body adjust to the new time zone.
Day 1: Ease into Hong Kong island
After arriving from London, keep your first day deliberately relaxed while you adjust to the time difference. Take the Airport Express into the city, drop off your bags and begin around Central or Sheung Wan, where some of Hong Kong's best-known contrasts are within easy walking distance.
Start with something local at a cha chaan teng, perhaps Hong Kong-style milk tea, toast, noodles or a pineapple bun, before exploring the streets around Central, Hollywood Road and Sheung Wan. Modern towers, historic temples, galleries and traditional shopfronts sit side by side, making this an easy introduction to the city without covering too much ground after your overnight flight.
If the weather is clear, make Victoria Peak the highlight of the afternoon. Take the Peak Tram up from Central and enjoy panoramic views across Hong Kong Island, Victoria Harbour and Kowloon. Late afternoon is a particularly good time to visit, as you can see the city transition from daylight into evening.
Finish your evening close to your hotel with a relaxed dinner around Central or Sheung Wan. Staying on Hong Kong Island for your first day keeps travel simple and gives you time to settle into the new time zone before a fuller day of sightseeing tomorrow.
Day 2: Harbour views, Kowloon and local flavours
With a full day ahead, cross to the other side of Victoria Harbour and explore Kowloon.
Start by taking the Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui. The short crossing is one of Hong Kong's classic experiences, offering uninterrupted views of the skyline and a memorable way to move between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
Once you arrive, spend time along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. Walk past the Clock Tower and Avenue of Stars while taking in views back towards the towers of Hong Kong Island. From here, continue towards West Kowloon Cultural District, where you can visit M+ for contemporary art, design and visual culture, or simply enjoy the waterfront and open spaces if you prefer to stay outdoors.
West Kowloon also gives the itinerary some flexibility. On a particularly hot or wet day, M+ provides an easy indoor alternative without taking you far from the rest of the route.
As evening approaches, head towards Temple Street and the surrounding Jordan neighbourhood. The area becomes livelier after dark, with market stalls, restaurants, neon signs and local food filling the streets. Try claypot rice, dumplings, roast meats or seafood as you wander, then finish with something sweet at a Tong sui shop, serving a variety of sweet soups.
Stopover tip: Rather than a formal dining experience, make the most of your evening by trying out street food, or hop into various speciality restaurants for roast meats, wonton noodles or tong sui (dessert soups) to maximise the local food dining experience.
Day 3: One last taste of Hong Kong before Auckland
Your final day is designed around Air New Zealand's later Hong Kong–Auckland departure, giving you time to enjoy one more piece of the city before heading to the airport.
Start with dim sum or a traditional Hong Kong breakfast close to your hotel. Some traditional restaurants open as early as 6am due to the yum cha culture. Early morning offers a slower meal with tea, dumplings, steamed buns and rice rolls.
After breakfast, keep the rest of the morning flexible. Take a short walk through your neighbourhood, revisit a favourite street from your first day, pick up a few souvenirs or stop for one last milk tea or egg tart.
When it is time to leave, collect your bags and take the Airport Express to Hong Kong International Airport.
From the airport, continue your journey non-stop to Auckland with Air New Zealand.
How to book Hong Kong as part of your New Zealand journey
The easiest way to plan a Hong Kong stopover is to search for a multi-city itinerary rather than a simple return flight.
Instead of booking UK to Auckland and back, look for a route that allows time in Hong Kong before continuing to New Zealand. For example:
London → Hong Kong → Auckland → London
Air New Zealand offers flights from London to New Zealand via Hong Kong, with the London-Hong Kong leg operated by a partner airline and Air New Zealand taking you non-stop from Hong Kong to Auckland.
Business Premier™ Elevating evey moment
Your sanctuary in the sky Thoughtfully designed for a more restful flight
A spacious seat that transforms into a luxurious lie-flat bed.
Enjoy deeper relaxation throughout your journey with a spacious seat that transforms into a luxurious lie-flat bed complete with a mattress, pillows and duvet for optimal comfort. Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure – stretch out or curl up, get to rest or get to work all in your own space.
Products may vary depending on aircraft type, model and configuration.
