Hong Kong and Macau - Hong Kong International Airport - Terminal 2

They really need to move some meaningful airlines into that Terminal to get the crowd going. If HKIA wants to really market T2 to be the place to be (shop, eat, a big entertainment center of its own and not just a check-in place, they should move some big operators like CX or KA over. They will probably never touch CX as T1 is great, but really, it's ashamed that T1 is buzzing and T2 looks like a ghost town from time to time.

Moving this thread to the Hong Kong forum. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
TravelBuzz moderator

What's so bad about having a quiet and uncrowded place in Hong Kong? Plus I doubt the Chao Inn there will offer all the good deals if it's packed all the time. I am all for T2 as it is now.

What's so bad about having a quiet and uncrowded place in Hong Kong? Plus I doubt the Chao Inn there will offer all the good deals if it's packed all the time. I am all for T2 as it is now.

Yeah, T2 shop owners really love your philosophy... the shops are getting more and more pathetic. Pretty soon T2 will turn into a big food court.

At least two things they can do:

1. For get more airlines use T2 for check-ins - rebuild that automatic people mover so it's same ride SkyPier - T2 - East Hall - West Hall. No reason why with a linear layout, one has to transfer to get from SkyPier/T2 to the gates at the west end.

2. To get more locals to eat and shop - lower the price of the AE. Simple as that. Or offer free parking.

Otherwise, it'll be the same.

Your concern is misplaced - in time, T2 will be as busy, if not more so, than T1. That's just how these things turn out.

Therefore, I enjoy the relative quietness (it can actually be pretty busy there). Plus, I like the unique diversity of T2 passengers. Cherish it while you can. :)


They really need to move some meaningful airlines into that Terminal to get the crowd going. If HKIA wants to really market T2 to be the place to be (shop, eat, a big entertainment center of its own and not just a check-in place, they should move some big operators like CX or KA over. They will probably never touch CX as T1 is great, but really, it's ashamed that T1 is buzzing and T2 looks like a ghost town from time to time.

Your concern is misplaced - in time, T2 will be as busy, if not more so, than T1. That's just how these things turn out.

Therefore, I enjoy the relative quietness (it can actually be pretty busy there). Plus, I like the unique diversity of T2 passengers. Cherish it while you can. :)

Where do you get such confidence? All I see in T2 is how it started as a Terminal with 5-star rated shops, and over the years those high-end shops are replaced by cheap express dining. I don't see how that will be different considering the airlines that are there. I mean it's almost like HKIA purposely put all the LCC airlines there....

T2 actually has a dual function of being a mall for Tung Chung residents, and the last thing they want is a high-end mall. It's good to have more options - the expensive brands can sit in T1 while there are plenty of middle-class options in T2. Back in the day when T2 first opened, there was a lack of dining options in T1 land-side, and all those restaurants at T2 were a big welcome.

I usually head to T2 for a landside lunch if not intending to go downtown during a layover. Not bad at all and closer to comfort food in taste.

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And for me I use T2 for my exit immigration if I already checked in at Kowloon station. It helps me to skip the massive security line at T1 !

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And for me I use T2 for my exit immigration if I already checked in at Kowloon station. It helps me to skip the massive security line at T1 !

We're flying with RJ tonight to BKK, who "depart" from T2. If we've already checked in online/dumped bags in town, do we need to go through T2 security/immigration, or can we just head through T1? And the million dollar question - which is likely to be quieter, given CNY? We're both travelling with HKID cards if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance!

We're flying with RJ tonight to BKK, who "depart" from T2. If we've already checked in online/dumped bags in town, do we need to go through T2 security/immigration, or can we just head through T1? And the million dollar question - which is likely to be quieter, given CNY? We're both travelling with HKID cards if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance!

You can enter security/immigration at either. And T2 is always quieter with shorter lines. Just need an extra train ride back to the main terminal after immigration.

You can enter security/immigration at either. And T2 is always quieter with shorter lines. Just need an extra train ride back to the main terminal after immigration.

^ Thanks - literally just found the same answer on the HKIA website (though without the useful advice on lines!):

After check-in, passengers can choose to go through immigration procedures and security control in either terminal.

May give T2 a whirl for once.