Hong Kong to Philadelphia (HKG–PHL) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Hong Kong SAR passport holders are not eligible for the US Visa Waiver Program or ESTA. You must apply for a US visa (typically B-1/B-2) at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong before travel. Interview appointments are required and wait times vary. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay.

B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas are typically issued for 10 years with multiple entries, allowing stays of up to 6 months per visit.

Airport Express runs from Hong Kong Station (Central) to the airport in 24 minutes; from Kowloon, 21 minutes. Trains depart every 10 minutes from 5:54am to 1:15am (HK$115 from Central). Hong Kong Station and Kowloon Station offer in-town check-in up to one day before departure.Taxis from Kowloon run around HK$300–350 via the Tsing Ma Bridge; from Hong Kong Island, expect HK$400+. Ferries serve Macau and Pearl River Delta cities. Buses are available but slow. The airport is on Lantau Island, 34km from Central.

SEPTA Airport Line from the terminal to Center City takes 25–30 minutes ($8). Trains run every 30 minutes (5am to midnight) to 30th Street, Suburban, and Jefferson stations; all with connections to the subway and regional rail network. Buy tickets at platform machines.Taxis to Center City cost $28–35 (flat rate). Ride-shares to Center City run $22–35. For New York City, the Bolt Bus and Greyhound stop near 30th Street Station, or take NJ Transit to New York Penn Station (connecting from 30th Street). Amtrak also departs 30th Street Station for New York in 65 minutes.

Humid continental climate on the Delaware River. Winters (December–March) are cold (−2 to 5°C) with snow and ice. Philadelphia sits in the I-95 "snow corridor" and receives significant nor'easter snowfall several times per winter. PHL has solid de-icing capacity, but major storms cause multi-hour and multi-day disruptions.

Summers are hot and humid (28–34°C) with afternoon thunderstorms that cause frequent delays June through August. Spring and fall are transitional with variable conditions. Fog along the Delaware is occasional in fall and early winter mornings.