If you’re going to be stuck in an airport, it might as well be Hong Kong International Airport. The surroundings are comfortably spacious, the architecture is coolly futuristic, and the waiting areas are flooded with natural light. There are also plenty of shops and some really good food to enjoy after checking-in. But killing time is elevated to a whole new level in Terminal 2, where entertainment attractions are open to the public but remain largely uncrowded. Watch a larger-than-life blockbuster movie, play video games for free, or hop on a shuttle to tee off at a nine-hole course located just minutes away.

SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course

Flight delayed by a few hours? Turn this unfortunate event into an opportunity to play nine holes. The nearest golf course is only a short shuttle ride from Terminal 2 Coach Station (Gate 16-20). It is built to United States Golf Association standards, and one of the holes sits on an “island” green, surrounded by water. Equipment rental and baggage storage are available, and the course is equipped with night-time lighting, so you are all set for a leisurely round as planes take off overhead.

20 Sky City Road East, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, Lantau. Tee-off time 7.36am-9pm. Enquiries: 3760 6688

Aviation Discovery Centre

Part museum, part theme park, the Aviation Discovery Centre helps visitors learn about the history of flying and then experience what it’s like to be a pilot. An exhibition of model planes shows how the industry has evolved over the years, and explanatory displays are built in a gallery reminiscent of a retro plane cabin. The Cockpit Simulator provides a detailed imitation of flying a plane, while the action-packed 4D Motion Ride is equipped with computer-controlled seats that move in synch with the 3D images on the screen.

Exhibitions are free of charge. A visit to the Cockpit Simulator is $30. Terminal 2, Level 6. Open 11am-10pm. Enquiries: 3559 1070

i-Sports

This spacious game arcade offers an array of action-packed fun. Loosely themed around sports, the centre lets visitors sweat it out with simulated games of soccer, basketball, golf, boxing, skiing, car racing, shooting and more. A large number of “UFO” prize catchers and instant photo machines are ready for the less athletically inclined.

Terminal 2, Level 6. Open 9am-10.30pm. Enquiries: 3559 1116

4D Extreme Screen

3D is so last year. Before flying home, catch a movie while experiencing Asia’s largest 4D screen. The 360-seater boasts a so-called 4D experience because not only does the cinema offer a beautifully rendered three-dimensional view of films such as "Avatar", it also immerses audiences in other sensory effects such as wind, water spray, fog and bubbles at just the right moments in the film.

Visit www.mclcinema.com or call 3559 1070 for show times and ticketing. Terminal 2, Level 6. Open 11am-10pm

PlayStation Gateway

If you’re bored with the same old puzzle games on your mobile phone, try out some PS3 and PSP games on flat-panel screens for free. The games stick to the family-friendly varieties, revolving around the themes of aviation, transportation and movies. PlayStation Gateway also offers trial downloads of the latest PSP games. Also keep an eye out for the other 14 Sony PlayStations set up throughout Terminals 1 and 2.

Terminal 2, Level 6. Open 11am-10pm. Enquiries: 3559 1070

Stay Connected You don’t need to find a coffee shop or pay for Internet connection: free Wi-Fi is available throughout Terminals 1 and 2. Some self-help kiosks offer free use of computers with broadband access around the clock. At the Connect Zone, the airport’s telecom and business centre, travellers can use computers with broadband free of charge, while other services are available for a fee, including printing, photocopying, faxing, charging your mobile phone and purchasing phone cards. Located near Gate 24 on the Departures Level. Open 8am-9pm.