Trip.com Launches Free Layover Tour Service in Hong Kong for Long Haul Travellers

Sep 9, 2025Trip.com

· Exclusive Local Experiences for Transit Passengers with Layovers of 7 Hours or More · Six unique itineraries, three of which are free, all with English speaking guides · Trip.com also announces top 10 long-haul transit routes from UK with layovers in Hong Kong To improve the experience for long-haul travellers transiting through Asia and following the success of its Shanghai Express and Beijing Express free layover tours, Trip.com [http://uk.trip.com/?locale=en-gb], a leading global online travel service provider, has announced the launch of its brand-new “Free Layover Tour Service” in Hong Kong, including transport and tour guides. This service is designed for international long-haul travellers transiting through Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with layovers of seven hours or more.To improve the experience for long-haul travellers transiting through Asia and following the success of its Shanghai Express and Beijing Express free layover tours, Trip.com [https://uk.trip.com/?locale=en-gb], a leading global online travel service provider, has announced the launch of its brand-new “Free Layover Tour Service” in Hong Kong, including transport and tour guides. This service is designed for international long-haul travellers transiting through Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with layovers of seven hours or more. The Free Layover Tour Service offers six curated routes all with transport and an English-speaking guide, three of which are free, perfect for travellers looking to explore more of Asia without breaking the bank. Travellers do not need to have booked any element of their holiday with Trip.com in order to partake. The layover tours can be booked for free via the Trip.com mobile app or official website or register on-site at the airport to embark on a short journey into the heart of Hong Kong’s vibrant culture. Andy Washington, General Manager for Europe says: “Travelling with a layover is a fantastic way to fit even more culture and discovery into your trip. Trip.com is dedicated to opening up travel without breaking the bank, and the Hong Kong Free Layover Tour Service is the perfect way for Brits to discover more of Asia and soak up the city’s unique charm with total ease and peace of mind that they won’t miss their next flight.” Six Curated Routes, Three Free Tours Now Open for Registration The free layover tour features three curated routes, showcasing Hong Kong’s nostalgic cityscapes, natural beauty, and vibrant nocturnal arts scene. To further enhance the traveller experience, Trip.com has introduced three premium paid itineraries, offering deeper exploration of Lantau Island and the traditional fishing village of Tai O — revealing the city’s rich cultural diversity. All routes are selected from Trip.com’s Trip.Best rankings, powered by AI analysis of real user reviews, ratings, and booking data to highlight the city’s most iconic attractions. Each tour is scheduled to align with peak transit hours, allowing transit passengers to make the most of their time in Hong Kong. Travellers can enjoy hassle-free transport, expert English-speaking guides, and all the essentials taken care of — all arranged and fully funded by Trip.com. Best of all, the entire experience is completely free for passengers, with no planning stress, no hidden costs. Simply travel light, hop on board, and take in the vibrant sights of Hong Kong. Three Free Itineraries 1. Serenity & Stories: A Harmony Journey Time: 09:00 – 13:00 Dates & Frequency: Daily departures (available from December 2025) Highlights: Ideal for families - Visit Inspiration Lake near Disneyland and Ma Wan Village for a peaceful blend of nature and history. 2. Heritage and Local Lifestyle Citywalk Time: 12:00 – 16:00 Dates & Frequency: Daily departures Highlights: Explore the Pei Ho Street Market in Sham Shui Po and visits the iconic Wong Tai Sin Temple. More information & booking: https://www.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/93095128/ 3. Victoria & West Kowloon Waterfront Journey Time: 17:30 – 21:30 Dates & Frequency: Daily departures Highlights: Tour the West Kowloon Cultural District and Avenue of Stars, enjoying the fusion of cinematic heritage and harbour night views. More information & booking: https://www.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/93124068/ Three Premium Itineraries (advance booking required by 12:00 noon the day before; minimum 6 participants): 1. Lantau Island Half-Day Tour Time: 10:00 – 15:00 Dates & Frequency: Daily departures Highlights: Ride the award-winning Ngong Ping 360 cable car, visit the Big Buddha, Ngong Ping Village, and Wisdom Path. More information & booking: https://www.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/95631887/?locale=en_xx 2. The Peak Half-Day Tour Time: 14:00 – 20:00 Dates & Frequency: Daily departures Highlights: Explore colonial architecture at Stanley Police Station and Murray House, then ascend Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram. More information & booking: https://www.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/95667367/?locale=en_xx 3. Tai O Water Village Tour Time: 10:00 – 15:00 Dates & Frequency: Daily departures Highlights: Discover century-old stilt houses and the charm of Hong Kong’s traditional fishing village. More information & booking: https://www.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/95627217/?locale=en_xx High-res photos and images can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bxrWHItMlyWY4wr4Ex1TwnQqkm-Uo_RP?usp=drive_link Top transit routes from the UK with layovers in Hong Kong Trip.com data shows that UK travellers are turning to Asia-Pacific in record numbers this year. The three most booked routes from the UK to the region are London–Bangkok, London–Hong Kong and London–Manila, reflecting both popularity and rapid year-on-year growth (+37%, +46% and +60% respectively). Beyond the top three, Japan and China are also driving demand, with London–Tokyo (+53%), London–Shanghai (+52%) and London–Beijing (+66%) all ranking among the most popular routes. With Thailand already in the lead, this confirms that China, Japan and Thailand remain cornerstone destinations for UK travellers. Hong Kong stands out with a dual role — ranking as the second most booked Asian destination after Bangkok, while also acting as a key gateway hub. Stopover data highlights the impact: UK–Thailand bookings routed via Hong Kong are up 96% year on year. To better understand which air routes will best benefit from the Hong Kong Free Layover Tours, Trip.com has collated a list of its top ten most booked transit routes from the UK with layovers in Hong Kong in 2025: * 1. London-Manila * 2. London-Tokyo * 3. London-Bangkok * 4. London-Taipei * 5. London-Sydney * 6. London-Osaka * 7. London-Cebu * 8. London-Hanoi * 9. London-Bali * 10.Manchester-Bangkok For more information, please visit: https://www.trip.com/hot/hongkongexpress-halfdaylayovertour/#sdk_init_7NDjq9xY-n-wrap How to register: Travellers can choose a suitable itinerary based on their arrival and layover time. Booking is available now via the Trip.com mobile app, official website, or in person at HKIA’s transit counters E134 and E135 and Trip.com Travel Services Counter (A03 and A04) in Arrival Hall A. After clearing immigration, participants will meet their guide at Trip.com Commercial Services Counter. Each tour accommodates up to 20 guests, lasts approximately four hours, and includes thoughtful airport transfer arrangements. Upon completion, participants will receive a fast-track pass to re-enter the restricted area and seamlessly connect to their onward flight.

8 Incredible Places to Visit in and Around Chengdu—China’s City of Pandas, Hotpot, and Heritage

May 29, 2025Trip.com

Once a hidden gem, Chengdu—the capital of China's Sichuan province— is fast becoming one of the country's most talked\-about destinations. For visitors looking to explore the city’s most iconic experiences, discover eight highlights that stand out.

Trip.com Unveils 2025 Trip.Best Europe and UK Rankings: UK Hotels and Restaurants

Apr 16, 2025Trip.com

* New regional rankings: Trip.Best 2025 introduces Europe 100 for the first time, alongside existing Global 100 and Asia 100 rankings._ * UK highlights in Stays: The Ritz named the UK’s top luxury hotel. * UK highlights in Restaurants: Travellers increasingly seek destinations where exceptional food experiences are a pivotal part of travel, with Sketch in London #2 in the world for fine dining. Want to know where people are travelling in 2025? Discover the hottest travel spots in the UK and globally with leading travel platform Trip.com’s [https://uk.trip.com/?locale=en-gb] 2025 Trip.Best global rankings. This annual collection of curated “Top 100” lists offers a comprehensive, data-backed AI guide to the best travel experiences of the year. For the first time, Trip.com has announced its Trip.Best Europe 100, expanding the regional rankings beyond the established Global and Asia 100 lists to celebrate more of the world’s best destinations. To read the full list of global rankings, click here [https://us.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/annual/2025/global-best-luxury-hotels-100001427943/?locale=en-US&isHideNavBar=YES&isPreview=true] Stays: Luxury and unique accommodation are top choices for global travellers In the Stays category, Trip.Best 2025 highlights the most popular hotels in the UK for the first time ever - from ultra-luxe city hotels to idyllic countryside retreats. The top 10 UK luxury hotels in the Europe 100 are: London boasts all ten of the UK’s top luxury stays, with The Ritz London, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and Bulgari Hotel topping the UK list – and all ranking within the top 20 in Europe. Across Europe, France’s legendary Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, clinched the No.1 position globally, with other Parisian icons like Le Bristol Paris and La Réserve Paris also featured in the global top five. The top UK 10 cultural hotels in the Europe 100 are: 8 UK hotels appear in the most photogenic Europe 100: Globally, the “Photogenic Hotels” category is dominated by stylish design hotels in Asia and Europe - a nod to social media-driven travel inspiration. For instance, the fictional “White Lotus” hotels**,** featured in the hit HBO series, are, in fact, real-world luxury resorts. Travellers flock to the featured Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, and San Domenico Palace in Italy**.** Picture-perfect properties like Mai House Saigon in Vietnam or Good Nature Hotel in Kyoto have also become destinations of choice for the Instagram era. Across continents, whether it’s a villa in Bali or a ski chalet in Switzerland, Trip.Best’s 2025 hotel rankings capture a broad trend: travellers increasingly seek memorable experiences and unique themes (luxury, cultural, photogenic, etc.) in their accommodations, not just a place to sleep. For the full list of global rankings, see here [https://us.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/annual/2025/global-best-luxury-hotels-100001427943/?locale=en-US&isHideNavBar=YES&isPreview=true] . **Restaurants: Fine Dining and Local Culinary Hotspots Shape Global Food Travel ** No travel experience is complete without great food, and Trip.Best 2025’s restaurant rankings confirm the importance of culinary travel. This year’s lists – spanning Fine Dining, Local Restaurants, and Restaurants for Views & Experiences – celebrate everything from haute cuisine to beloved local favourites. Six UK restaurants appear in the Global 100 for Views and Experiences: The “Restaurants for Views & Experiences” category also features Korea's and Dubai’s skyline restaurants, offering travellers dinner with a view as part of their travel experience. From the top of the Burj Khalifa, to Bicena in Seoul, these venues serve up memorable experiences that combine atmosphere and culinary artistry. Eight UK restaurants appear in the Global 100 for fine dining: In the Global 100 Fine Dining category, Europe leads the charge with top-ranked restaurants like Arpège in Paris and Sketch (Lecture Room & Library) in London. Other standouts include Per Se in New York and Le Bernardin, as well as DiverXO in Madrid. Tokyo’s Sushi Saito and Bangkok’s Sorn demonstrate Asia’s growing influence in the global fine dining scene. Across local cuisines, Singapore and Thailand stand out as top foodie destinations, boasting several high-ranking spots like Palm Beach Seafood and Jeh O Chula in Bangkok. These cities' diverse food scene continues to draw visitors from around the world, cementing their place as rising gastronomic hubs. For the full list of rankings, see here [https://us.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/annual/2025/global-best-luxury-hotels-100001427943/?locale=en-US&isHideNavBar=YES&isPreview=true] . Trip.Best 2025 Brings Travellers Closer to the World’s Best Experiences Underpinning Trip.Best 2025 is an AI-powered selection process that analyses various factors, including verified user ratings, reviews, and search and booking statistics, to identify top-performing travel experiences. The curation balances user feedback with human expertise: service quality, actual popularity (demand and sales), reputation among travellers, and unique special features are all weighed in the ranking criteria. The result is a set of lists that are both insight-driven and traveller-centric, showcasing standout hotels and restaurants that consistently impress visitors. By updating these lists every month with new reviews and booking trends, Trip.Best ensures the rankings stay relevant and reflect the latest travel buzz. The lists are published on Trip.com in multiple languages, making them accessible to a global audience of travellers seeking the crème de la crème of travel options.

Trip.com Unveils 2025 Trip.Best Global Rankings: New Destinations, Themes & Trends

Apr 14, 2025Trip.com

Discover the hottest travel spots and see where fellow travellers are heading with Trip.com’s 2025 Trip.Best global rankings.

Trip.com Wins Double Recognition for Exceptional Customer Service at the International CRE Awards

Nov 21, 2024Trip.com

Trip.com has been recognised for outstanding customer service in two categories at the International Customer Relations Excellence Awards (CRE Awards): Contact Centre of the Year and Global Support Services of the Year.

Trip.com joins GSTC’s Market Access Program

Nov 11, 2024Trip.com

Trip.com, one of the world’s leading online travel service providers, has introduced a new feature that highlights sustainable hotels and accommodations certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.

Trip.com Group Celebrates 25 Years of Unforgettable Journeys with Customers and Partners

Oct 28, 2024Trip.com Group

Trip.com Group is marking a significant milestone—25 years of innovation and leadership in the travel industry. From its humble beginnings in 1999, the company has evolved to become a global powerhouse, committed to the pursuit of creating the perfect trip for millions around the world.