<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rove312:
I've read a little about in-town check-in in Hong Kong, even a day early. I understand that this requires one to be an Airport Express train passenger.</font>
Correct.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Does it work this way: if you check in a day early, they take the train fare from the Octopus card, and it's programmed not to take the fare again when you take the train the next day? </font>
In principle yes, but I'm not convinced that will work if you use the Octopus for anything else in between. I would talk to the person at the Airport Express Customer Service Desk (right next to the barriers for the in-town check-in) and explain what you need to do - they will probably open the gate for you.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Is there any extra fare for the three single bus rides between hotel and station (round trip the day of check-in, and one trip the day of departure)?</font>
The buses from the Airport Express station to hotels are free, and no-one actually checks whether you used the Airport Express.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Can I expect to make it in a comfortable time taking a 6 a.m. bus for a 9 a.m. departure?</font>
Yes, very comfortably.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">I'll have another HK stop on my return (Holiday Inn Golden Mile), taking NW to the U.S. at a similar time, which I understand would not be eligible for in-town check-in.</font>
I think you may be able to in-town check-in if you don't have any bags, but there's not much point, especially if you have a seat pre-reserved.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Perhaps doing in-town check-in on the day of departure, if it just needs to be done 90 minutes early, would work best; any thoughts?</font>
Maximum 90 minutes, but if you are going to the US you may not be able to. Maybe better to take the train on your way back from Vietnam.
[This message has been edited by christep (edited 10-28-2002).]