Visiting Shenzhen? If you’re flying home via Hong Kong, there’s a little-known sea transfer that lets travellers sail directly from Shenzhen to Hong Kong International Airport. There’s even a Cathay Pacific Lounge at the ferry terminal to make the journey even more seamless.
Better yet, you complete airline check-in and exit China’s borders before boarding the ferry. Once you arrive at Hong Kong Airport’s transit area, there are no immigration queues or lengthy airport formalities – just a quick security screening before you’re on your way to the departure gates.
Checking in at Shenzhen Shekou
The journey starts at Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Homeport, located on the city’s western waterfront. It is a fair drive from the city centre, so keep that in mind.
Although we booked our ferry ticket separately from our Cathay Pacific flight, we can still use the dedicated airline check-in facilities at the ferry terminal. Our bags are tagged through to Perth, and we receive our boarding passes before even boarding the ferry.
You’ll also get a slip to claim back HK$200 (~A$36) per person in unused departure tax. Since your flights include a Hong Kong Departure Tax and you won’t actually pass through Hong Kong immigration when taking the ferry, you can claim that money back in cash. More on that later.
After check-in, we pass through Chinese exit immigration, which has absolutely no lines. Honestly, the whole experience feels like checking in for a flight that just happens to depart by sea.
Visiting the Cathay Pacific Shekou Lounge
After checking in, we make a beeline for Cathay Pacific’s unique lounge inside the Shekou ferry terminal. Designed by London-based Studioilse – using the same blueprint as many Cathay lounges worldwide – it features a warm residential aesthetic with sweeping 270-degree views of the bay.
While it’s naturally much smaller than the airline’s flagship lounges in Hong Kong, it’s a pleasant space to relax before boarding. A selection of comfortable seating, complimentary drinks and light refreshments make it an easy place to unwind away from the busy public departure hall.
There’s no Noodle Bar, but you’ll find a small range of hot and cold bites, such as baos and puffs. It won’t replace the dining or facilities you’ll find at lounges like The Pier or The Wing, but given those are less than an hour away, there’s little need for a more elaborate offering.
Once boarding is called, the lounge exit opens directly into a priority boarding line, so we are among the first passengers to take our seats.
Taking the ferry to the airport
The ferry ride across the Pearl River Delta takes around 30 minutes. The ferry itself is fine – there’s allocated seating, and not much else. The journey goes by rather smoothly.
On arrival, the ferry docks at Hong Kong International Airport’s SkyPier, which sits within the airport’s secure airside zone. Just to reiterate, you aren’t entering Hong Kong with this method. You’re only passing through as a transit passenger (that’s why you need an onward flight to book this).
We follow the transfer signs, complete a quick security screening and board the shuttle directly into Terminal 1. It takes less than 10 minutes – and don’t forget to stop by the tax refund counter to get your HK$200 back in cash.
With plenty of time before our flight to Perth, we headed straight for Cathay Pacific’s lounges. My first stop is to report on the recently reopened The Wing First.
Afterwards, we make our way to The Pier First to relax properly. It remains one of our favourite First Class lounges anywhere in the world thanks to its quieter atmosphere and thoughtful design. Even though we’re flying in Economy, oneworld Emerald status unlocks this lounge.
Who can do the Shenzhen ferry transfer?
Granted, this service is a rather niche one. But if you’re travelling from Shenzhen and flying out of Hong Kong, it’s absolutely worth considering. It’s also open to a wider list of airlines beyond Cathay Pacific, including Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Thai Airways, Air New Zealand and more.
Check out a ticket seller to see the current list of eligible airlines. The standard price for an adult is HK$320 (~A$58) per person for a standard seat on the ferry. You can also pay a bit more for ‘First Class’ on the upper deck. Cathay Pacific also includes the ferry on some select ‘Direct Air+Sea’ itineraries.
The ferry transfer removes much of the hassle normally associated with airports. There’s no waiting in immigration queues at the airport and no need to re-check your luggage if you’re using an eligible airline.
Our verdict
Being able to check in, drop off bags, and complete immigration before leaving Shenzhen made the entire journey feel effortless. By the time we reached Hong Kong Airport, the only remaining formality was a quick security screening before heading straight to Cathay Pacific’s excellent lounges.
If you’re flying an eligible airline from Hong Kong after visiting Shenzhen, it’s an option that’s well worth considering.
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Offer ends: 17 Nov 2026
- Bonus Points
- Up to 120,000 bonus Qantas Points¹
- Annual Fee
- $450 p.a.
- Earn
- 1.25 Qantas Points earned per $1 on eligible everyday purchases. 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia. 0.5 Qantas Point per $1 at government bodies in Australia. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent.
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Disclaimer: Photography by Brandon Loo, who travelled at his own expense.
