samanthatracey,

2 hours isn't really a long time when you're transitting. By the time you've disembarked your inbound flight and made your way through connections, I bet half will have gone. Transitting passengers normally just have a walk to strech their legs, have a drink or bite to eat, a quick look around duty free then board your onward connection. That's assuming you're through checked and don't need to collect luggage and check-in again. You'll find international currencies such as the pound, euro and US Dollar are widely accepted in the departure lounge

Darren

I've done the LHR/HKG/SYD trip a few times. HKG airport is great to wander around whilst in transit for an hour or so and nice to stretch your legs. I did take some HKG$ so we could buy snacks and drinks but equally you won't starve or die of thirst if you don't want to take local currency. Cash machines available. Larger purchases in the duty free shops and restaurants can also be made with a credit card or in USD$/AUD$ but at a poor exchange rate.

When I last did the route in October, all liquids over 100ml were being confiscated at the gate for the onward HKG/SYD flight unless they were spirits purchased in the duty free shop and in a sealed bag. Quite a few people in transit had bought bottles of Evian in the airside shops at HKG and were having these taken away from them at the gate.

For me I personally always either have a small amount of "local" currency for transit stops or small denomination USD$ bills. I learnt the hard way a few years back when caught on a delayed flight at a transit airport with no cash to buy water/snacks etc.

Thank you for your responses - sorry it took a while to acknowledge!