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Hong Kong–Shenzhen crossings

Compare official control points, passenger opening hours and recent immigration waiting bands.

Choose your crossing

Waiting bands cover Hong Kong immigration only. Allow time for mainland clearance and connecting transport; passenger totals do not tell you which crossing is fastest.

Octopus across the border: which product?

Immigration waiting time · No current band: the official feed is unavailable or more than 45 minutes old.

On , the seven crossings recorded 699,870 passenger trips through Hong Kong immigration. Busiest: Lo Wu Control Point

Sha Tau Kok Control Point: clearance services are suspended until further notice (Immigration Department record, ).

Opening hours and getting back late

Guidance checked ·

Which border crossings are open, and when?

Two crossings run 24 hours: Huanggang and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. The Immigration Department lists Lo Wu 6:30 am to midnight, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line 6:30 am to 10:30 pm, Shenzhen Bay 6:30 am to midnight, Man Kam To 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Express Rail West Kowloon 6:30 am to 11:30 pm.

Road-based Lok Ma Chau passenger clearance has been suspended since 12 October. The rail crossing is separate.

Caveat: the Immigration page ends with the date 27-10-2026, after our check on 24 October, which we cannot explain. Confirm on the day.

Immigration Department: Control Point Locations and Operating Hours · MTR: Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau crossing hours · Hong Kong Government: Huanggang Port opening, 9 October 2026

How do I get back from Huanggang late at night?

New Huanggang opened on 12 October 2026 with 24-hour passenger clearance, replacing the old Lok Ma Chau road passenger arrangement. The Transport Department's page (undated, checked 24 October) lists these overnight routes from the Port:

  • KMB bus NB73 to Sha Tin Town Centre, 11:30 pm to 5:30 am, HK$22.6.
  • Minibus 79S to Tin Shui Wai, 12:00 am to 6:30 am, HK$14.6.
  • Minibus N44B to Tuen Mun Ferry Pier, 11:00 pm to 6:30 am, HK$15.7 (HK$21.7 from midnight).
  • Minibus 616S to Mong Kok, 11:05 pm to 6:30 am, HK$28.5.

Five coach routes also run round the clock.

Transport Department: Access to Huanggang Port · Hong Kong Government: Huanggang Port transport arrangements, 7 October 2026

What if I cross at Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau or Shenzhen Bay late?

Check the last departure, not only the closing time. The Transport Department lists East Rail trains leaving Lo Wu until midnight (to Admiralty) and 12:30 am (to Hung Hom); the control point closes at midnight. At Lok Ma Chau Spur Line the control point closes at 10:30 pm, and trains leave the station until about 10:55 pm.

From Shenzhen Bay, buses B2 (Yuen Long) and B3 (Tuen Mun) and minibus 618 (Tin Shui Wai) leave until about 12:20 am. B3A stops at 11:35 pm. The page lists no overnight routes there.

Transport Department: Access to Lo Wu Control Point · Transport Department: Access to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point · Transport Department: Access to Shenzhen Bay Port

What could you not confirm?

Partly confirmed only: Heung Yuen Wai hours (7:00 am to 10:00 pm, one source); overnight airport buses NA and N35 serve the HZMB port, with no times or fares read.

Immigration Department: Control Point Locations and Operating Hours · Transport Department: Access to HZMB Hong Kong Port

Before your first crossing

Guidance checked ·

Which documents do I need?

Requirements depend on nationality, travel document, purpose and any existing visa or permit. Check mainland admission and your right to return to Hong Kong separately. Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong normally need an Exit-entry Permit with an appropriate endorsement; check its permitted journeys. A Hong Kong identity card alone does not establish mainland entry eligibility.

Hong Kong entry requirements · Mainland resident arrangements · NIA entry and stay services

Can I use 240-hour transit for Hong Kong → Shenzhen → Hong Kong?

No: this round trip does not continue to a third country or region. Transit exemption also depends on nationality, an eligible entry port and confirmed onward travel. It is separate from ordinary visa-free entry; check which policy applies to your documents.

NIA transit rules

Can I just get a five-day visa at the border?

Do not assume a port visa will be available or approved. Check the issuing office, eligibility and hours before travelling. A Shenzhen special economic zone tourist visa restricts travel to Shenzhen; it is not permission to travel throughout mainland China.

NIA port-visa rules

How early should I reach West Kowloon?

MTR says departure procedures normally take 30–45 minutes; passport holders and busy periods need extra time. Processing can start 90 minutes before departure. Bring the document used to book: real-name checking and ticket verification stop 30 minutes before departure. Boarding gates close five minutes before departure.

MTR departure steps

Do foreign visitors need an arrival card?

Unless exempt, prepare your mainland arrival information. The official online form is available before travel; onsite equipment and paper cards remain alternatives. An arrival card does not replace a visa or entry permission.

Official arrival form · NIA instructions and exemptions

Can I take the airport ferry after entering Hong Kong?

The HKIA SkyPier ferry is for transfer passengers. If arriving by air for a mainland ferry transfer, stay in the restricted area: do not pass Hong Kong immigration or collect your baggage. Once through immigration, you cannot return to use this transfer. Check the ferry schedule and transfer conditions.

HKIA ferry transfer rules

What about luggage and customs?

Check luggage rules with your train or coach operator and customs rules for each direction. Declare controlled or excess dutiable goods as required; ask customs staff if unsure.

Hong Kong customs · Mainland customs

Is the crossing step-free?

Huanggang lists accessible lifts and toilets, with lifts suitable for luggage and pushchairs. These facilities are at Huanggang only and do not establish step-free access for the whole journey. Confirm the route through both checkpoints and your connecting transport before travelling.

Huanggang facilities

How should I prepare payments and mobile data?

Arrange a payment method before travel: mainland options include mobile payments, supported bank cards and RMB cash. Check your card and app support rather than relying on a single method. Confirm mainland roaming with your provider and save your destination offline. Huanggang’s service centre lists free Wi-Fi and emergency charging.

Official payment guide · Huanggang services

Step-free access

Neihou has not verified step-free access for the whole journey. Missing information does not mean a place is inaccessible.

Use MTR’s station facilities search and ask staff about lifts and boarding ramps. Confirm the route through both border checkpoints and your onward transport separately; station facilities do not establish whole-journey access.

Official guidance · MTR · MTR (PDF)
Sources checked:

Before you go

Entry requirements depend on your documents and circumstances. Check both authorities before travel; opening hours do not guarantee the last connecting service.

Explore the connections Customs: what you can and cannot bring into Hong Kong

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