Earliest route HKG to ADL with time constraints

[MG1]

I thought I'd ask for some tips on a potential trip that I'm about to book for later this year.
Due to time constraints, date flexibility is not option but I am happy to travel any route (as long as the cost isn't astronomical) to get my destination on time (even if that means giving up comfort).
I will have checked luggage.

My constraints are as follows:
* I have a night event in Hong Kong that won't conclude until ~22:30.
* I'll likely be able to get to HKG between 23:30 and +00:00.
* I need to arrive in ADL with enough time to go through customs, collect my luggage, then re-check it in for a flight leaving at 20:00. (I've looked into changing my flights but it will be too difficult and re-cost at too high a price).

The most cost-effective option I have found is the following:
HX707 01:55 HKG-DPS 07:05, then JQ126 10:20 DPS-ADL 17:40.

The HX flight costs $290-460 for Y, and $870-3,315 for J. I can either purchase and credit to VA, or use VA points at a cost of 21k + $64 for Y or 40k + $77 for J.
The Bali Max ticket for JQ costs $635 (I assume that I'd get the bonus 10SC for the QFF Extra as this is an international flight)

Would this be doable?
The flights would be on separate tickets.
Is 1.5-2 hours before my HKG flight cutting it too fine?
Is 3 hours enough to go through Indonesian customs, collect luggage, then re-check it in for the next flight.
I believe that I'll probably need to purchase a visa as well. If so, how long before does this need to be purchased?

Would HX and JQ be reliable on those routes?
Has anyone flown HX overnight before?

I'm curious to know your thoughts. I'd like to purchase these tickets ASAP. I don't mind paying a little bit extra for flexible tickets in case my plans change.

 

[Mattg]

Would taking CX659 from HKG to SIN at 01:45, arriving SIN 05:30, and then SQ277 from SIN to ADL at 08:20, arriving 16:20 be an option?

 

[elanshin]

CX105 00:20 departure for MEL? Or will that be too tight.

CX181 00:45 to SYD.

Both those should give you loads of time to connect to ADL.

 

[kamchatsky]

I would do CX181 to SYD at 0045 arriving at SYD at 1145. Catch taxi from your event to HKG directly, should be no traffic at that time.

Also it depends on where at HK is hosted in. If it is at Central/Kowloon, it should be fine. If it is at Sai Kung it would take ages to get to the airport.

CX105 would be too tight imo.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When later in the year! The Cathay non-stop re-starts in November, Departing 1130pm

Otherwise… check-in *generally* closes around 60 mins before departure. That’s more than enough time to make the flight, with time to spare. So 1.5-2 hours prior would give you plenty of leeway.

With the new e-visas and e-gates at denpasar you can through immigration in about 5 minutes or less - and most of that is walking to the e-gates. Bags shouldn’t be more than 30 mins. So three hours would be l,entry of time, if the flight arrives on schedule.

The e-visa is easiest purchased as part of the pre-arrival customs declaration for indonesia. That can’t be completed until within three days of arrival.

I think the bigbest issue with a transit via Bali is the reliability of flights. If one is cancelled that’s a major problem. But if you get to Australia the. there are multiple connections to ADL.

 

[MG1]

Would taking CX659 from HKG to SIN at 01:45, arriving SIN 05:30, and then SQ277 from SIN to ADL at 08:20, arriving 16:20 be an option?

Thanks, @Mattg. This is an interesting option.
It would leave a layover of 2-2.5 hours in SIN, which would involve going through customs, collecting luggage, changing terminals, then checking in again.
I've checked for the date that I'm interested in, and as DST would already have commenced, arrival time in ADL would be 17:20. 2.5 hours should be enough in ADL to go through customs, collect luggage, then check it in again (as no terminal change is required).
Let's hope that they they aren't late.

CX105 00:20 departure for MEL? Or will that be too tight.

CX181 00:45 to SYD.

Both those should give you loads of time to connect to ADL.

Thanks, @elanshin. These would definitely be on the tight side. I'll likely arrive at HKG between 23:30 and 23:59 (and that's if everything goes well). The 00:20 departure would be too tight, the 00:45 departure is a possibility but still on the tight side. I agree that once I get into Aus with either of those two, there'll be no issue catching a flight to ADL.
If I change my accommodation to be at airport hotel, then these may become possibilities.

I would do CX181 to SYD at 0045 arriving at SYD at 1145. Catch taxi from your event to HKG directly, should be no traffic at that time.

Also it depends on where at HK is hosted in. If it is at Central/Kowloon, it should be fine. If it is at Sai Kung it would take ages to get to the airport.

CX105 would be too tight imo.

Thanks, @kamchatsky. The event is in the Kowloon area. I agree that if I caught a taxi from where I'll be to the airport, I should get there without too much issue. Part of the problem is that I'll have luggage that will need to be checked in. I won't be able to bring this with me to the event. I could store it at my accommodation, but that involves me then needing to travel back to the accommodation which could take 20-30 minutes by train, including walking time (I'll be staying in Kowloon but could swap to an airport hotel to make remove this portion of the travel time).

When later in the year! The Cathay non-stop re-starts in November, Departing 1130pm

Otherwise… check-in *generally* closes around 60 mins before departure. That’s more than enough time to make the flight, with time to spare. So 1.5-2 hours prior would give you plenty of leeway.

With the new e-visas and e-gates at denpasar you can through immigration in about 5 minutes or less - and most of that is walking to the e-gates. Bags shouldn’t be more than 30 mins. So three hours would be l,entry of time, if the flight arrives on schedule.

The e-visa is easiest purchased as part of the pre-arrival customs declaration for indonesia. That can’t be completed until within three days of arrival.

I think the bigbest issue with a transit via Bali is the reliability of flights. If one is cancelled that’s a major problem. But if you get to Australia the. there are multiple connections to ADL.

Thanks, @MEL_Traveller. It will be in November. As convenient as the direct flight would be, I can't make it there for a 23:30 departure.
Your point about making it into Australia as the first port of call and then dealing with issues is definitely worth it (even if it costs a little more), because, as you said, I can easily get to ADL from any major city in Aus.
I can see that there are departures at 24:30 - I've not seen it listed like this before. Is that supposed to be 00:30? When I click on the details, it's still not really cleared up. I could take one of these, which transit through MEL, to then arrive in ADL at 16:45. This would be ample time to then catch my flight out at 20:00.
00:30 is still on the tight side. I would definitely consider staying at an airport hotel (whether for the whole trip, or just the night before, will still need to be worked out).

Thanks all for your advice. These are some extra options to consider. I'll keep you informed with the options that I end up picking. I hope/plan on purchasing the tickets this week (but that is dependent on the activity of others).

 

[elanshin]

Thanks, @Mattg. This is an interesting option.
It would leave a layover of 2-2.5 hours in SIN, which would involve going through customs, collecting luggage, changing terminals, then checking in again.
I've checked for the date that I'm interested in, and as DST would already have commenced, arrival time in ADL would be 17:20. 2.5 hours should be enough in ADL to go through customs, collect luggage, then check it in again (as no terminal change is required).
Let's hope that they they aren't late.


Thanks, @elanshin. These would definitely be on the tight side. I'll likely arrive at HKG between 23:30 and 23:59 (and that's if everything goes well). The 00:20 departure would be too tight, the 00:45 departure is a possibility but still on the tight side. I agree that once I get into Aus with either of those two, there'll be no issue catching a flight to ADL.
If I change my accommodation to be at airport hotel, then these may become possibilities.


Thanks, @kamchatsky. The event is in the Kowloon area. I agree that if I caught a taxi from where I'll be to the airport, I should get there without too much issue. Part of the problem is that I'll have luggage that will need to be checked in. I won't be able to bring this with me to the event. I could store it at my accommodation, but that involves me then needing to travel back to the accommodation which could take 20-30 minutes by train, including walking time (I'll be staying in Kowloon but could swap to an airport hotel to make remove this portion of the travel time).


Thanks, @MEL_Traveller. It will be in November. As convenient as the direct flight would be, I can't make it there for a 23:30 departure.
Your point about making it into Australia as the first port of call and then dealing with issues is definitely worth it (even if it costs a little more), because, as you said, I can easily get to ADL from any major city in Aus.
I can see that there are departures at 24:30 - I've not seen it listed like this before. Is that supposed to be 00:30? When I click on the details, it's still not really cleared up. I could take one of these, which transit through MEL, to then arrive in ADL at 16:45. This would be ample time to then catch my flight out at 20:00.
00:30 is still on the tight side. I would definitely consider staying at an airport hotel (whether for the whole trip, or just the night before, will still need to be worked out).

Thanks all for your advice. These are some extra options to consider. I'll keep you informed with the options that I end up picking. I hope/plan on purchasing the tickets this week (but that is dependent on the activity of others).

What about early check in then head to event? I'm not sure if in town can be done ahead of time.

 

[Saab34]

The daytime flight DPS-ADL starts as the 6am departure from Adelaide so relatively small chance you will be hit will earlier aircraft delays, it would only be fog in Adelaide which will hinder its departure, unlikely for late in the year! Engineering issues they seem to switch out domestic allocated NEOs for DPS to keep them on schedule (I got hit with a domestic cancellation as they moved our A321N to a DPS flight for an aircraft that had issues over at the Int Terminal)

 

[offshore171]

* I need to arrive in ADL with enough time to go through customs, collect my luggage, then re-check it in for a flight leaving at 20:00.

Could you potentially fly direct from HK to the whatever is the destination of that 20:00 flight out of Adelaide?

Part of the problem is that I'll have luggage that will need to be checked in. I won't be able to bring this with me to the event.

Consider using the downtown check-in, which is a key feature of HKG that isn't found many other places. Kowloon Station has one of the downtown check in facilities. Do this before your function and you're free of luggage.

 

[equus]

Consider using the downtown check-in, which is a key feature of HKG that isn't found many other places. Kowloon Station has one of the downtown check in facilities. Do this before your function and you're free of luggage.

Definitely this. See In-town Checkin At the most it will end up costing you an Airport Express fare that you may not use. Gets your backage dealt with before your event, and frees you to make the fastest way to the airport.

 

[kamchatsky]

Could you potentially fly direct from HK to the whatever is the destination of that 20:00 flight out of Adelaide?



Consider using the downtown check-in, which is a key feature of HKG that isn't found many other places. Kowloon Station has one of the downtown check in facilities. Do this before your function and you're free of luggage.

Depending on which part of Kowloon @MG1 has event on, and where his accommodation is located. But looking at the In-town checkin opening hours, flying CX is definitely his best bet

Definitely this. See In-town Checkin At the most it will end up costing you an Airport Express fare that you may not use. Gets your backage dealt with before your event, and frees you to make the fastest way to the airport.

I have never used In-Town Checkin even though I have used Airport Express. If @MG1 leaves area back to town, after in-town checkin, I assume that he is NOT unchecked in, right?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have never used In-Town Checkin even though I have used Airport Express. If @MG1 leaves area back to town, after in-town checkin, I assume that he is NOT unchecked in, right?

Correct.

There is no need to take ‘the next train’ after in-town check-in.

 

[equus]

According to the linked documentation, there are two gates - one to the intown checkin and one to the platform. You need to use the same card / octopus on both. You are charged the Airport Extpress fare when entering the checkin, but not charged again when entering the platfrom provided that there are not 9 other Ocropus interactions done after the intown checkin (apparently it only keeps track of the last 10 to prevent charging again). Should not be a problem for most, and if in doubt, use a different card / octopus for the Airport from that which you use for travel after checking in.

 

[cwd]

There's definitely no issue using in-town check-in regardless of whether you catch the train or not, you just have to pay for it. Can use it from 6am. Can buy a ticket with a Credit Card if you want (or online with Klook etc).

Keep in mind Cathay close boarding 15 minutes prior to departure at HKG now. Security and immigration are likely to be very quick, but getting to the furthest gates can take a while. You'll at least know your gate by the time you're on your way to the airport.

 

[exLXCXFF]

On in-town check-in, be aware that it is not actually available for all airlines - CX and HX are fine. So, need to re-check this offering again once an actual flight is chosen.

My two cents doing TST - HKIA once a month (assuming not doing in-town check-in or doing in-town check-in but then not actually taking Airport Express):

1. Take an Uber, should be approx HKD 290 - 310 from TST / parts of Kowloon

2. Travel time around 10/11pm shouldn’t be more than 40 mins, BUT make a good choice which street that you wait for the Uber so that the driver does not have to go around. That could cost you time.

3. Assuming you already have your boarding pass, around 11pm is busy, so I’d say between entering the building and getting through security and immigration, allow for 15-20 mins (worst case).

4. To gate, really depends on where you are. If you are under gate 40, you can easily walk to the gate, and that adds another 10 mins max post immigration. If you are gate > 40, you need to allow for an additional 10 mins to take the airport train. However, you need to consider that the aiport train stops at 2355, after that you need to walk. Immigration to Gate 67 is a solid 20 mins walk (at good pace).

5. If you fly HX, there is an additional complexity that check-in (if not done in-town) now happens at T2 while you need to back-track to T1 and then go into the add-on terminal -- that is the longest possible way to get to your flight. I would not do that, incl. not transiting in Bali. It is possile, as Gusti Rai airport is small and efficient but I would not jinx it. As an Australia passport holder, you can apply for a visa and then use the egates but luggage often takes long.

6. Singapura: Yes, CX arrives at T4. You will arrive at gate 19/20 which is a 8 - 9 minutes walk to immigration. Immigration is quick and in most cases (I am Sapphire) your luggage will already been on the belt by the time you reach the belt. You then need to take a Grab back to T1/2/3 as you cannot take the airport airside shuttle if you are on two separate ticket. Also, this shuttle is only leaving every 20 / 25 mins - that would not be in my risk appetite.


My personal risk appetite for this one:
1. Fly direct from HKG where you need to go rather than via ADL (if possible)
2. Fly with CX into MEL and go onwards with QF to ADL.
3. Try transiting via SIN
4. Would not do Bali.

 

[Chatswood]

According to the linked documentation, there are two gates - one to the intown checkin and one to the platform. You need to use the same card / octopus on both. You are charged the Airport Extpress fare when entering the checkin, but not charged again when entering the platfrom provided that there are not 9 other Ocropus interactions done after the intown checkin (apparently it only keeps track of the last 10 to prevent charging again). Should not be a problem for most, and if in doubt, use a different card / octopus for the Airport from that which you use for travel after checking in.

A QR code ticket bought from a reseller like Klook tends to work out cheaper than the Octopus fare anyway and would eliminate this issue.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Also, if you take a taxi on the way in and keep the receipt and present it at the in-town check-in station (HK Station/Kowloon/Tsing Yi), you get a 50% discount on the return fare.