Atlantic 101

Im wondering if I can pick the collective brain here...

I have a flight coming up to Thailand which involves a connection with HK Express on separate tickets at HKG.

My question is, how easy is it to connect from landside to T2 from T1...?

The spanner in the works is that in essence I only have 1.5hrs from landing (BA31) to make check-in on time (-90 mins to departure).

Any advice appreciated!

rocketship87

So easy, you can just walk over to T2 in less than 10 min. You've got lots of time.

Atlantic 101

Thank you Rocketship87! That is just what I needed to hear!

corporate-wage-slave

There is actually only one terminal in HKG in terms of flights, but two terminals for checking in. T2 is just a separate check-in area on the other side of the railway line, it has its own security in the basement, and then a mini transit which takes you the very short distance back under the railway line to T1.

If you can go hand baggage only, it's just like any other airside transfer in HKG, so my advice would be to do that, you arrive in T1 and depart from T1, there is no other terminal at that point. The reason being that the landside walk isn't 10 minutes, but you'd have to enter HKG and leave again, and if you can't use the passport e-gates then immigration and emigration can easily take 30 minutes to do that alone.

On separate tickets this is a dangerous strategy, unless you're ok with the risk and prepared to buy new tickets. You can buy BA + HK Express tickets in one PNR, I think that might even be available via the Contact Centre, and that would protect you. Clearly if you are mixing redemptions and revenue tickets that can't be done on one PNR.

Beano HK

Personally I wouldn't have chosen HK Express but thats another matter.

Is 1.5 hours the same as 90 minutes?

Personally I would HBO, check in 48 hours before and use the direct transit areas rather than faffing around.

Edit: from some of the other replies I may have mis-understood, do you actually have 3 hours then until departure?

Prospero

There are transfer nodes spread out across T1. I have the following images stored in my phone which I frequently refer to whenever I am connecting at HKG.

The BA31 arrival gate is usually in the mid 60s but Gates 20-36 are not uncommon.

Image source: taken from Cathay’s Discovery mag

skba1

Easy peasy connection to make even with luggage assuming no major delays.

Even with immigration and collecting luggage (assume this takes around 30 mins from landing, if unlucky 45 mins). The walk over to T2 check-in should be 8-15 mins depending on luggage and your pace. You will be at check-in line within an hour of deplaning BA31.

Atlantic 101

Yes, I actually have 3 hrs until departure, but check in closes at -.1.5hrs and I cant check in online for flights to Thailand apparently..

And as for HK Express, I have read some pretty bad reviews, but it was cheap and the timings were the best of a bad bunch! Wish me luck

Atlantic 101

Thank you, this is promising info! Now just hope all goes smoothly at London end and all should be fine!

Atlantic 101

Thanks, this is now saved on my phone!

Great info as always. Always a risk on separate tickets..but I am a sucker for saving a few quid!

Swiss Tony

Given where all their planes were parked last week, I assume you'll be going out of the new midfield terminal (200 gates), so from gate 60 to T2 and back to the 2xx gates must be a distance of about 3kms. Yes most of this is by train, but it's going to add up.