Following the success of its free layover tour services in Beijing and Shanghai, Trip.com, has launched a brand-new Free Layover Tour in Hong Kong, designed especially for long-haul travellers.

The service, available to any passenger regardless of whether they booked through Trip.com, offers three complimentary tours with English-speaking guides and transport included. The initiative follows the success of similar programmes in Beijing and Shanghai, reflecting growing demand for layover tourism.

Trip.com reports that UK bookings to Thailand routed via Hong Kong have jumped 96% year-on-year, whilst London to Manila has become the top transit route through the city. The surge reflects broader growth in UK-Asia travel, with routes to Bangkok, Hong Kong and Manila showing increases of 37%, 46% and 60% respectively. 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.”The three free tours operate at different times to accommodate various layover schedules: a morning family-friendly tour to Inspiration Lake and Ma Wan Village, an afternoon exploration of Pei Ho Street Market and Wong Tai Sin Temple, and an evening waterfront journey through West Kowloon Cultural District. Three premium paid tours requiring advance booking offer deeper exploration of Lantau Island, Victoria Peak and traditional fishing village Tai O.Tour routes are selected using Trip.com’s AI analysis of user reviews, ratings and booking data to highlight the city’s most popular attractions. The service aims to transform lengthy airport waits into cultural experiences whilst boosting Hong Kong’s position as a regional transit hub.

The complete list of top UK transit routes via Hong Kong includes London-Manila, London-Tokyo, London-Bangkok, London-Taipei, London-Sydney, London-Osaka, London-Cebu, London-Hanoi, London-Bali and Manchester-Bangkok, demonstrating Hong Kong’s strategic importance for UK travellers accessing Southeast Asia and the Pacific region.

Tours can be booked through Trip.com’s mobile app, website, or by registering at Hong Kong International Airport, with all transport and guiding costs covered by the platform.