The Transiting in HK Thread
#61



Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 7,224
I think CX might be adding more flight time now? All TPE-HKG flights are now over scheduled for over 2 hours, whereas pre-pandemic this was not the case.
#62




Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brussels
Programs: QR Platinum, TK Elite Plus, Hilton Diamond, Shangri-la Jade, All Accor Platinum, Trip.com Diamond
Posts: 300
These days I am doing many connections at 7 am with huge lines everywhere, including the one in 44 and the one in 27 gates, which used to be less crowded in the past. The only silver lining is that these days there seem to have the new scanners everywhere and you don’t need to take out anything’s from your bags as before.
As I can use the e-gates (having registered recently) next time I can I am planning to do what many people do in LHR, that is, cross the border and do the security from land-side. Anyone has tried this way?
As I can use the e-gates (having registered recently) next time I can I am planning to do what many people do in LHR, that is, cross the border and do the security from land-side. Anyone has tried this way?
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 11,078
These days I am doing many connections at 7 am with huge lines everywhere, including the one in 44 and the one in 27 gates, which used to be less crowded in the past. The only silver lining is that these days there seem to have the new scanners everywhere and you dont need to take out anythings from your bags as before.
As I can use the e-gates (having registered recently) next time I can I am planning to do what many people do in LHR, that is, cross the border and do the security from land-side. Anyone has tried this way?
As I can use the e-gates (having registered recently) next time I can I am planning to do what many people do in LHR, that is, cross the border and do the security from land-side. Anyone has tried this way?
Morning outbound security can be easily over 15 minutes
Morning is very crowded getting to HKIA that I have my driver drop me off at train and do online check in.
The vehicle access can be as long as 15+ minutes from CXcity.
#64



Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,729
These days I am doing many connections at 7 am with huge lines everywhere, including the one in 44 and the one in 27 gates, which used to be less crowded in the past. The only silver lining is that these days there seem to have the new scanners everywhere and you dont need to take out anythings from your bags as before.
As I can use the e-gates (having registered recently) next time I can I am planning to do what many people do in LHR, that is, cross the border and do the security from land-side. Anyone has tried this way?
As I can use the e-gates (having registered recently) next time I can I am planning to do what many people do in LHR, that is, cross the border and do the security from land-side. Anyone has tried this way?
#65




Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brussels
Programs: QR Platinum, TK Elite Plus, Hilton Diamond, Shangri-la Jade, All Accor Platinum, Trip.com Diamond
Posts: 300
So you'll go through the e-gates, go landslide into the arrivals hall, then take the escalator up to departures and go back through security? I must admit that's a novel approach! I can see the logic in it if there are very long and very slow-moving queues at the transit points and if your arrivals gate happens to be near the top of the terminal and thus a short walk to the e-gates... so please let us know how this experiment goes!
In LHR terminal 5 this is a common approach as there is a special line air-side for First class passengers and OWE, normally with very few or no one there, which is not the case in HKG unfortunately.
I will reply back if I try it
#66
Original Poster


Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 8,239
I never transit at 7am, although I do occasionally transit HKG. I sometimes exit and reenter for different reasons (usually to drop off or pick up physical items for my next flight), the end result is the same as what you propose.
Its efficiency is gate dependent. If you're dropped off at gates 1-25 or so, and your departure gate is a similarly low number, it could maybe make sense if the transit lines are as congested as you experienced. I've personally never experienced them that bad but I've also never experienced the 7am transit (at least not in a decade, well outside my memory window!).
The plans inefficiency breaks down in a few places:
*Arrival gate, which is fairly random, but CX seems to have nearly exclusive access to most of the 60s gates and some of the 40s meaning those gates get a high pct of flights and happen to be the most inconveniently located from immigration/security aka farthest (but closest to Pier and Bridge)
*Departure gate: same issue as above, special sting if your arrival and departure gate are 60+ for example, and trying what you suggest
*Departure security, I'm not sure if you get the CX priority security pass thing, I rarely navigate the regular line and it usually seems fine but occasionally I've noticed maybe a 5-10 min wait vs. usually instant for the priority line
*A not-small amount of potential walking, if you care
Overall I probably wouldn't recommend it, however I'll also add the exit transit / reenter strategy is extremely easy and very predictable. About as easy as it can get. Just I'd be surprised if it really was a time saver, unless perhaps you arrive at like gate 5 (next to immigration) or something like that, and the transit checkpoint there is backed up. I wouldn't do it to save time with a gate 40-60 arrival and departure, although as I mention above I've done the landside transit a few times before for other reasons including a unlucky gate pairs, and it's never a huge problem.
Its efficiency is gate dependent. If you're dropped off at gates 1-25 or so, and your departure gate is a similarly low number, it could maybe make sense if the transit lines are as congested as you experienced. I've personally never experienced them that bad but I've also never experienced the 7am transit (at least not in a decade, well outside my memory window!).
The plans inefficiency breaks down in a few places:
*Arrival gate, which is fairly random, but CX seems to have nearly exclusive access to most of the 60s gates and some of the 40s meaning those gates get a high pct of flights and happen to be the most inconveniently located from immigration/security aka farthest (but closest to Pier and Bridge)
*Departure gate: same issue as above, special sting if your arrival and departure gate are 60+ for example, and trying what you suggest
*Departure security, I'm not sure if you get the CX priority security pass thing, I rarely navigate the regular line and it usually seems fine but occasionally I've noticed maybe a 5-10 min wait vs. usually instant for the priority line
*A not-small amount of potential walking, if you care
Overall I probably wouldn't recommend it, however I'll also add the exit transit / reenter strategy is extremely easy and very predictable. About as easy as it can get. Just I'd be surprised if it really was a time saver, unless perhaps you arrive at like gate 5 (next to immigration) or something like that, and the transit checkpoint there is backed up. I wouldn't do it to save time with a gate 40-60 arrival and departure, although as I mention above I've done the landside transit a few times before for other reasons including a unlucky gate pairs, and it's never a huge problem.
Last edited by QRC3288; Dec 26, 2025 at 8:44 am Reason: Original post went before done
#67

Join Date: Jul 2021
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH Senator
Posts: 231
Useful Tip: Familiarize Yourself with the Terminal Layout
Will transit in two weeks arriving on a flight from Europe shortly before 7am. Last time in November there were huge lines at gate 27 and E2. E1 was closed.
#68



Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TPE / HSZ
Programs: CX GO (=SPH), IHG Diamond Amb, Hertz 5*, Accor, Hilton, National
Posts: 7,224
#69



Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: XMN
Programs: CX / Hyatt / SPG / IHG
Posts: 313
Now, lots of ppl at W1, and staff keep redirecting them to gate27 transit point.
#70


Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: DL DM, UA MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 180
I've got plenty of time with my connection but obviously, would just like to get through security quickly to relax in the lounge.
#71


Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London (mostly) & Wernstein am Inn
Programs: LH SEN, Marriott LT Platinum, BA Pleb
Posts: 3,045
I don't have a question, just wanted to say that yesterday was one of my best transiting experience I ever had.
Arrived from KLA and transited to LHR in PE - it was a long taxi after landing and a very long walk from arrival to the transit point, however transit was empty and I had almost 45mins in the Bridge Lounge. More than expected. Would do again any time.
Arrived from KLA and transited to LHR in PE - it was a long taxi after landing and a very long walk from arrival to the transit point, however transit was empty and I had almost 45mins in the Bridge Lounge. More than expected. Would do again any time.
#72


Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 768
HK Express transit question
Have an upcoming trip in which I'm arriving QR and departing UO to Taiwan. Assuming that I only have hand luggage and have successfully OLCI for the HK Express flight, where can I get the document verification done ? I didn't purchase their "U Connect" option, so can I access one of the HKIA transfer desk for this, do it at the gate, or need to clear HK customs/immigration ?
#74




Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brussels
Programs: QR Platinum, TK Elite Plus, Hilton Diamond, Shangri-la Jade, All Accor Platinum, Trip.com Diamond
Posts: 300
I'll be on a similar schedule end of February and am also curious about this. Did transit at 63 open back up? Someone above said it was closed until the New Year.
I've got plenty of time with my connection but obviously, would just like to get through security quickly to relax in the lounge.
I've got plenty of time with my connection but obviously, would just like to get through security quickly to relax in the lounge.
These days, I assume that arriving early morning it will be messy, so I try not to stress too much. CX in particular knows who is going to miss a connection and wait for you at the gate, hold your hand and cut the line for you in security and assure you to get to the right gate on time.
#75


Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 768
Thanks, having never done this before I'm just hoping they don't insist that I must have the "U Connect" paid option and force me into immigration route - which is not end of the world as I have time



