ITCI and AE question
 

I am asking this to help a friend. I always take the Cityflyer bus to/from HKG and don't know enough about the AE and ITCI. Here's the situation:

2 people taking 2:30p CX flight out of HKG. They're staying in TST, and want to go to Ngong Ping that morning.

I think the best way is to do ITCI, but that means buying an AE ticket. The AE doesn't go to Tung Chung. So, the apparent ways seem to be:

A. Take the AE to airport, then the S1 bus back to Tung Chung ($140 AE + $7 S1 for two)

B. Get off the AE at Tsing Yi, then switch to MTR. Faster and easier.

Now, the questions:

1. If they do option B, do they need another ticket (HK$14 each) to switch over to the MTR to Tung Chung? Or will Kowloon-Airport AE ticket give them free connection to Tung Chung?

2. Do two people doing ITCI really have to show two AE tickets? If they do, I guess if their total checked luggage is within the limit of one traveler, just one person can check-in, and drop all bags with just one AE ticket.

This way, I am thinking they can just buy one AE ticket and then a regular HK$17 MTR to Tung Chung.

3. But then, can someone use the $90 AE ticket to not ride the AE, but just the regular MTR Kowloon to Tung Chung?

I guess even if one buys one $90 AE ticket plus two $17 MTRs, it's still cheaper then buying 2 AE tickets, especially if they have to buy $14 Tsing Yi to Tung Chung tickets.

4. Any other ideas?

I don't think you are allowed to hop off the AE on stops before the airport.

A few months ago I tooK the AE from Central to Tsing Yi for a meeting, got off, and had to argue with someone in a little glass booth to be allowed out through the gate into the main station. They said one wasn't supposed to alight anywhere other than the airport on the the airport bound train.

I could swear this wasn;t the case years ago...

They need to arrive at the airport and switch to a bus. I have not heard of such package deal between the AE and the bus company.

That should work, but should do OLCI first to make sure they secure their seats.

My wife did that years ago for some reason. She checked in at AE but did not use the ticket. I forgot the details.

Yes, if they are near Nathan Road, take A21 (@HKD33, but slower as it goes North on Nathan Rd until it reaches Mongkok) to the airport and check in there first before going elsewhere. If they are near Jordan Road, take A22 (@HKD39) and check in first at the airport.

*** Caution *** Regardless of what they are taking, please be very, very aware of the time. It is not a short ride. Cable car may have problem from time to time (not to mention a long wait) and bus ride takes about 45 min (plus some waiting time). To catch 2:30pm flight, they need to go very early and may not be able to have lunch there.

Thanks very much for the replies.

cxfan1960 -

1. I know there's no free free to the bus. What I was asking is if an AE ticket will give them free connection from Tsing Yi to Tung Chung on the MTR. [I know this is a special case, and from janes addiction's post, it seems like a moot point. But the reason I asked in the first place is that if one rides the AE out of the airport, they can get a free transfer to the MTR.]

2. Good point about OLCI first.

3. Seems like buying one AE ticket then throw it away, and just take the MTR may be the best way now.

4. Hahha... I know all about the buses - that's what I use all the time. Which is why I know so little about the details of the AE. But these travelers probably won't mind some extra cost for convenience, and to get to Tung Chung early and quickly.

Yes, I know about all the previous problems with the Skyrail before and after it opens. And I've been on it last year. I will definitely warn them to leave plenty of time. I agree, probably not enough time to have lunch up there. Better to come back down first and eat in Tung Chung or HKG.