When flying out of Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei or Seoul, did you know that you can check-in for your flight in the city?
In-town check-in is a great benefit because you can drop off your luggage and collect boarding passes any time on the day of your flight. After checking in for your flight in the city, you can then catch an express train directly to the airport without worrying about your luggage.
Alternatively, if your flight is in the evening, you can drop off your luggage in the morning and spend the rest of the day in the city before heading to the airport later. Your luggage will be automatically transferred to your flight, so you won’t see it again until you reach your destination.
Hong Kong
In-town check-in counters are located at both Hong Kong and Kowloon train stations. The service is free, but you need an Airport Express train ticket or Octopus card to enter the check-in area. After checking in, it’s just a short walk to the Airport Express train platform.
The service is available when departing Hong Kong with any of the 68 participating airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines (unless you’re travelling to the United States). You can check-in at Hong Kong or Kowloon stations up to 90 minutes prior to the flight’s departure time, or up to two hours beforehand if you’re flying with Virgin Australia. See the Hong Kong MTR website for a full list of participating airlines and check-in counter information.
If you want to maximise your lounge time, Hong Kong’s in-town check-in service is your friend. For example, Qantas check-in counters at Hong Kong Airport only open 3 hours before departure. But you can collect your boarding pass in the city any time from 7.30am on the day of the flight. Then, head straight to one of Hong Kong’s many excellent Oneworld lounges when you reach the airport.
You can discuss Hong Kong’s in-town check-in service here: CX HK J check-in
Kuala Lumpur
If you’re departing Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific or Malindo Air, you can check-in for your flight at KL Sentral train station. The in-town check-in counters are located near the KLIA Express train platforms at KL Sentral station. To use this service, you’ll need to hold a KLIA Express train ticket. After checking in your luggage, simply board the direct train service from KL Sentral to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. In-town check-in is available up to 2 hours before departure.
Taipei
In-town check-in is also now available in Taipei if you’re flying with China Airlines, EVA Air, Mandarin Airlines or Uni Air. The service is available daily from 6am to 9.30pm, and you can check-in any time on the day of your flight up to 3 hours before departure. Taipei’s in-town check-in counters are located at A1 Taipei Main MRT station. From Taipei Main station, the direct train to the airport takes 35 minutes.
Seoul
In-town check-in is also available in Seoul. Passengers flying out of Seoul-Incheon (ICN) Airport on an international flight with Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, China Southern, Jeju Air or T’way Air are eligible to use this service. You’ll need to hold an Airport Express (AREX) train ticket.
The City Airport Terminal is located at Seoul Station. The great thing about Seoul’s city check-in service is that you actually clear immigration in the city before boarding the airport train! On arrival at Incheon Airport, you’ll just need to clear security and go straight to the gate (or lounge). The Seoul Station City Airport Terminal is open daily from 5.20am to 7pm and you must check-in at least 3 hours before departure.
Vienna
Customers booked on participating airlines including Austrian, Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and TAP Air Portugal can check-in for their flight at dedicated city check-in counters at Wien Mitte train station. This service is available between 24 hours and 75 minutes before departure in conjunction with a City Airport Train ticket. After dropping your luggage and collecting your boarding pass, you can then catch the train directly from the platform below to the airport.
