VLDB 2002 28th International Conference on Very Large Data Bases   Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel August 20-23, 2002 Hong Kong, China

AIRPORT INFORMATION

| Location | Arrival | Airport Transportation | Hotel Address | Hotel Location Map | Directions to Hotel in Chinese | Departure |

LOCATION

Hong Kong International Airport is located at Chek Lap Kok on Lantau Island. It is about 34 k.m. (20 m.i.) from the major shopping area in Kowloon where the conference hotel is located. The airport is accessible by via an airport express rail link and by road via taxis, public buses or private airport-hotel buses/limousines.

ARRIVAL

AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION

There are several ways to get from the airport to the conference hotel. The following table provides a rough cost comparison for a one-way fare among the different options described in this section. Transportation Method to Conference Hotel Approximate One-way Cost Airport Express Railway + Airport Express Shuttle Service HK$180 Airport Express Railway + Taxi HK$210 Public Bus + Taxi HK$50 Taxi HK$270 Hotel Limousine Service HK$550 Airport Express Railway The airport express railway provides safe and efficient travel to and from the airport. It is operated by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTR). The 448-seat Airport Express, operating at speeds of up to 135 km/hr, takes approximately 23 minutes between the airport and Hong Kong Station in Central, with 2 stops (Tsing Yi Station and Kowloon Station) en route. Passengers of the Airport Express have the added advantage of being able to use the free in-town check-in service. With this service, Airport Express passengers can check in their luggage and collect their boarding passes anytime from one day in advance until 90 minutes before takeoff from the available airline counters at Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations. Though most airlines have a counter, a few of the smaller ones may not. Therefore, you are advised to check with your airline regarding the availability of this service. Airport Express Fares (to/from airport and indicated station) Adult (Includes persons aged 65 or above) Child (Aged 3-11; free under age 3) Single Journey / Same Day Return / Octopus Round Trip Ticket (Valid for one month) Single Journey / Same Day Return / Octopus Hong Kong Station $100 $180 $50 Kowloon Station $90 $160 $45 Tsing Yi Station $60 $110 $30 Airport Express Tourist Octopus - 3 day Hong Kong Transport Pass HK$220 - Programmed with 1 single journey on the Airport Express and 3 days of unlimited MTR rides   HK$300 - Programmed with 2 single journeys on the Airport Express and 3 days of unlimited MTR rides More detailed Airport Express train, schedule and fare information. The MTR Corporation also provides free Airport Express Shuttle Service to Airport Express passengers. There are seven circular routes running between 29 hotels and both Airport Express stations in Hong Kong and Kowloon at 20 minute intervals. Conference attendees staying at or near the conference hotel should take the Airport Express to Kowloon Station. From there, you can take the K4 Airport Express Shuttle Service (free) or a taxi (approximate cost HK$30) to the conference hotel. Public Bus Service Citybus Ltd. operates route A21 to Hung Hom KCR Station. From there it is a short taxi ride (approximate cost HK$15) to the conference hotel. The buses are air-conditioned and provide luggage space. The cost is approximately HK$35 for a one-way fare from the airport to Hung Hom KCR Station. Tickets can be purchased at the Customer Service counter in the Arrivals Hall. Taxis All taxis in Hong Kong are licensed, air-conditioned, metered and divided into three color types: red taxis serve Hong Kong Island and Kowloon; green taxis serve the New Territories; blue taxis serve Lantau Island. You should take a red taxi to go the conference hotel. The approximate one-way cost is HK$270. Estimated fares and distances from the airport to major areas in Hong Kong. Airport-Hotel Transportation Service This service is private or shared by major hotels for set fees. If you have a hotel booking that includes airport transfer, identify yourself at the Hotel Reservation Center inside the arrivals buffer hall after Customs, or look for the Hong Kong Hotel Association staff inside the arrivals buffer hall. The conference hotel can provide a hotel limousine pick up service at a one-way cost of HK$550. If you want this service, please indicate this on the hotel booking form.

HOTEL LOCATION MAP

DIRECTIONS TO HOTEL IN CHINESE

The following Chinese instructions may help you to communicate with some of the taxi drivers when you go to the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel. Please print these instructions and show them to the taxi driver, if necessary.

DEPARTURE

An airport departure tax HK$80, which is normally included in the price of the ticket, is levied for those aged 12 and above. Transfer/transit passengers taking connecting flights before midnight of the same day are exempt from paying the departure tax. Beginning May 1, 2002, an Airport Security Surcharge of HK$13 will be collected from passengers departing Hong Kong International Airport. Always reserve sufficient time (around 2 hours) for immigration and customs clearance. Complimentary in-town check-in services are available at airline counters at the Airport Express Hong Kong and Kowloon stations, for Airport Express passengers only. Hand baggage carried onto the aircraft should not exceed 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.