Airport Express (MTR)

This is about Airport Express of MTR in Hong Kong. For other uses, see Airport Express (disambiguation).

The Airport Express (Traditional Chinese: 機場快綫; Jyutping: Gei1 Coeng4 Faai3 Sin3; pinyin: Jīcháng Kuàixìan) is one of the seven lines of the MTR in Hong Kong, providing the only train service between Hong Kong International Airport and the urban areas in Hong Kong.

Introduction

The line runs from Hong Kong Station in the Central and Western District, through West Kowloon and the southwestern New Territories, to AsiaWorld-Expo station, located adjacent to Hong Kong International Airport.

Unlike all other MTR lines, the Airport Express is not primarily a commuter line. Instead, it provides express service for passengers using the Hong Kong International Airport. The line is not part of the MTR fare system, and its fare is much higher than any other MTR lines.

Except the "Morning Express Service", passengers using the line can only travel between Airport or AsiaWorld-Expo stations and other any stations of the line.

With the opening of Sunny Bay Station on the adjacent in June 2005, the total journey time between the Airport and Hong Kong Stations increased to 24 minutes, up from 23 at the beginning of the line's operation in 1998. With the opening of AsiaWorld-Expo, Airport Express was extended to AsiaWorld-Expo Station on 20th December, 2005. The complete journey time has been extended to 28 minutes, without affecting the journey time between Hong Kong Station and Airport Station.

The line is indicated in the colour teal.

The line runs mostly beside (sometimes directly on) the tracks of Tung Chung Line, but have its own tracks and platforms at stations, as well as diverting itself towards the Airport at the outskirts of Tung Chung town.

History

In October 1989, the Hong Kong government decided to replace the over-crowded Kai Tak International Airport, located in Kowloon, with a new airport to be constructed at Chek Lap Kok. The government also invited the MTR, then called the MTRC, to build an express line to the airport called the Lantau Airport Railway. The project did not begin until the Chinese government and the British government settled financial and land disagreements in November 1994.

The Lantau Airport Railway turned into two MTR lines: the Tung Chung Line and the Airport Express. The Airport Express began service on 6 July 1998, along with the new Hong Kong International Airport.

Features

The Airport Express features a more comfortable environment than the MTR's other operations. There is a baggage hold beside each door, the soft seats are even better than First Class cabin of KCR East Rail and each seat is equipped with a mini LCD television showing current news, flight schedules, advertisements and announcements. The Airport Express has a more spacious environment and more passenger-friendly compartments and stations.

Currently, Airport Express passengers can check-in for flights and receive boarding passes for flights at the Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations, with no extra cost. However, this is not applicable to some minor airlines and most flights flying to United States.

There are free Airport Express shuttle bus services at the Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations, travelling to several major hotels in Hong Kong Island, Yau Tsim Mong District, and also the Hung Hom KCR station.

Free porter service is also available at all stations except AsiaWorld-Expo to help passengers with baggage.

Fare system

Fares for the Airport Express are substantially different from main line fares. Single trips from the Hong Kong, Kowloon and Tsing Yi Stations to Airport Station (and vice-versa) cost Kong dollar|HK$" target="_blank" >^*100, Kong dollar|HK$" target="_blank" >^*90 and Kong dollar|HK$" target="_blank" >^*60 respectively. Apart from single tickets, same-day return tickets (same price as a single), and one-month return tickets are also available. Some of these tickets are available from all MTR stations and MTR online booking service.

As of December 2005, a trip on the Airport Express from Hong Kong Station to the Airport or AsiaWorld-Expo Station costs Kong dollar|HK$" target="_blank" >^*100, $50 concessionary rate. The rate for a one-month return ticket is HK$180. Discounts are available for group travellers of 2-4. Hong Kong residents can also obtain discount coupons, such as those sent from credit card companies.

Same-day return discount will be given to Octopus Card users who have stayed in AsiaWorld-Expo for at least 2 hours. The discounted fare costs HK$72 from Hong Kong Station, and includes free connection to other MTR lines. A single-trip from Airport to AsiaWorld-expo station is HK$5.

For the convenience of Airport passengers, the Airport Station does not have any turnstiles or gate barriers separating the paid and unpaid zones of the station.

Airport Express passengers using Octopus cards can connect the MTR urban lines for free, right before or after the Airport Express journey.

There are various promotions as well, such as Group Ticket Discount, free taxi connctions, Rewarding program, Asia Miles program, etc. Passengers may also buy discounted tickets from some local travel agents.

Morning Express Service

This is a special promotional service, allowing passengers from Tsing Yi and Kowloon stations travel to Hong Kong Station on weekday mornings at a discounted fare.