Cecelia ChangIf you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong, take note! The city’s airport departure tax is set to increase by a significant 67% starting 1 October 2025. This also marks its first increase in 22 years.
The Air Passenger Departure Tax (APDT) applies to all passengers aged 12 and above departing by air from Hong Kong. The new rate will be HKD$200 per person (~S$33), an increase of HKD$80 from the current HKD$120.
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While some have criticised the tax hike for potentially deterring tourists, officials defend the increase as both “affordable” and “reasonable”. They also noted that it’s expected to generate an additional HK$1.6 billion in government revenue per year.
Who are exempted?
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Currently, certain passengers — such as those on direct transit flights who remain airside or those arriving and departing on the same day—are exempt from paying the tax.
From 1 October, these exemptions will expand to include:
- Passengers arriving at and departing from the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) by aircraft who have stayed for no more than 48 hours.
- Passengers arriving in Hong Kong by land or sea and departing by air within 48 hours.
For those who meet these new criteria, the tax will still be included in the ticket price for the flight. However, a new online portal is set to launch, allowing passengers to manually claim the cost back from the Hong Kong International Airport.
Tax included in flight tickets
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As the APDT is typically absorbed into the price of your flight ticket, you may not notice the difference when booking. However, tickets purchased before 1 October will not be affected by the increase.
If you are planning a trip, consider booking your flight soon to avoid the new fee.
