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Experience the iconic Hong Kong double-decker bus from HKIA to Sheung Wan! Discover how to easily navigate with the A11 bus and essential Octopus Card tips for a smooth start to your 2026 adventure.
How to Take the A11 Bus from Hong Kong Airport to
Sheung Wan in the City Center
Text/Photos © HiCouple
Once you arrive at Hong Kong Airport, the very first thing you'll need to do is
board your transportation to the city center.
While there are various options like taxis, the Airport Express train, buses, or private pick-ups,
what I really recommend is taking the bus.
Not only is it budget-friendly, but you also get to experience the unique charm of Hong Kong's
double-decker buses, truly making you feel like your adventure has begun the moment you arrive!
Today, I'll be sharing all the essential information and a real-life review about taking the A11 bus
from the airport to Sheung Wan in the city center!
First off, you'll need a card with contactless payment capabilities as an essential
for taking the bus.
However, even if your card has contactless functionality, there are instances where it might not register depending on the card type.
I actually experienced this myself when my Travel Wallet card wouldn't tag, which was a bit unsettling.
Therefore, I personally recommend using a
pre-loaded Octopus Card to play it safe.
You can book your Octopus Card below.
Book a Pre-loaded Octopus Card
If you book a card that comes pre-loaded with 50 HKD, as shown in the photo above,
you'll find it incredibly convenient to pick up your card upon arrival in Hong Kong and
immediately hop on the bus.
Next, I'll tell you how to get to the A11 bus after arriving at the airport.
After clearing immigration, you can exit into the arrival hall through Exit A or B.
However, since the Octopus Card collection point is near Exit A, if you've pre-booked, I recommend heading towards Exit A.
Afterward, proceed towards the central part of the airport arrival hall, and you'll spot a sign that says "To City".
Just keep following the bus icon.
Continue along the long straight path, and you'll reach the outdoor bus terminal's electronic display.
Here, you can check the bus boarding location and schedule before getting on.
The A11 bus, which you'll take to reach Sheung Wan,
starts at the airport, passes through the Sheung Wan area,
and continues all the way to North Point Pier.
It consists of a total of 22 stops,
operating **from 5:35 AM to 12:30 AM**,
practically **running all day long**.
The service frequency is also **15-20 minutes during daytime hours**,
meaning it's **frequent enough for you to hop on anytime**.
(For reference, the N11 bus operates in the early morning hours.)
To get to Sheung Wan from the airport, you'll need to alight at the fourth stop,
which is the Macau Ferry Terminal.
**The fare is 41.9 HKD, so keep that in mind!**
I arrived at the Hong Kong Airport Bus Terminal around
11:06 AM,
and the display board showed the next bus schedule.
The closest departure time was 11:15 AM,
and the boarding platform was conveniently located to the right rear of the display.
At the A11 bus stop, there were already
nearly 20 people waiting,
and I joined the queue behind them.
At first, I was a bit worried if I'd be able to get on,
but seeing that the bus was a double-decker,
it looked like there would be plenty of room, no matter how long the line.
I was able to board the bus right on time,
and when boarding, I **tapped my Octopus card on the orange part**
of the device and got on.
(Conversely, you don't need to tap when you alight.)
On the first floor of the bus, there were two-tier luggage racks,
so there weren't many seats, only about 20.
On the other hand, when I went up to the second floor,
seats stretched all the way from the front to the very back,
and the bus looked capable of accommodating over 60 people in total.
And to truly soak in the views of Hong Kong,
you really should ride on the second floor of the bus.
Throughout the journey into the city, I really enjoyed
**the unique vibe of Hong Kong's urban jungle!**
After boarding, we drove for about 40 minutes
**and alighted at the Macau Ferry Terminal, near Sheung Wan.**
From there, it was just about a minute's walk to Sheung Wan Station,
making it incredibly quick and convenient to get into the city!
Today, we've covered **arriving at Hong Kong Airport and getting into the city**
We've just covered how to get to Sheung Wan.
Finally, let's quickly recap the whole journey.
Once you arrive at the airport's arrival hall, follow the 'To City' signs
to the bus boarding area.
Then, check the A11 bus times on the electronic display board,
and hop on when it's time.
Keep in mind that you'll need a contactless or Octopus card,
as travel wallets aren't accepted, so keep that in mind.
The A11 bus will drop you off at the Macau Ferry Terminal stop,
which is near Sheung Wan Station.
The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs 41.9 HKD.
You can get to the city really simply and conveniently,
and you can also enjoy the Hong Kong city views along the way,
so I highly recommend taking the A11 bus to the city!
When taking the A11 bus, a contactless card is required, but travel wallets might not be scannable. We recommend using a pre-loaded Octopus Card for a smooth journey.
The A11 bus operates from 5:35 AM until 12:30 AM (midnight). During daytime hours, it runs frequently every 15 to 20 minutes.
To reach Sheung Wan, you should alight at the fourth stop, the Macau Ferry Terminal. The fare is 41.9 HKD, and the journey from the airport takes approximately 40 minutes.
After clearing immigration, exit through Exit A and follow the 'To City' signs to the bus terminal. We recommend using Exit A as the Octopus Card pick-up point is located near it.
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