Hong Kong braces for 7.44 million border crossings during National Day Golden Week

The Immigration Department projects that 7.44 million passenger trips—encompassing Hong Kong residents and visitors—will move through the city’s air, land and sea checkpoints between 1 and 7 October, coinciding with mainland China’s National Day “Golden Week”. Peak daily volumes could exceed 580,000 at land crossings on 3 October (departures) and 4 October (arrivals). Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and Shenzhen Bay are expected to handle the lion’s share of traffic, but authorities say service-hour extensions are unnecessary after capacity upgrades earlier this year. Additional e-Channels and mobile clearance counters will, however, be activated to minimise queuing. For corporates, the surge will have both logistical and policy implications. Business travellers using cross-border buses or chauffeur-driven vehicles under the “Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles” quota scheme are advised to secure online slots quickly; 29 September and 2 October are designated ‘no-booking-required’ days, but adjacent dates are filling up. Airlines have also issued “peak period travel” advisories urging travellers to arrive at Hong Kong International Airport three hours in advance. Retail and hospitality operators are optimistic: the Tourism Board estimates mainland arrivals could top 1.29 million, fuelling hotel occupancy over 85 per cent in core districts. Still, the Labour Department has reminded employers that additional shifts during public holidays must comply with statutory day-off rules, and car-park operators in Lo Wu risk HK $5,000 fines for illegal price hikes under the Competition Ordinance. Government agencies will convene daily at the Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre to track passenger flow in real time. Should unexpected congestion occur, contingency plans allow shuttle-bus redeployment and overnight opening of secondary checkpoints such as Man Kam To.