Hong Kong expects 10 million trips at border crossings over National Day holiday period

More than 10 million trips are expected to be made across Hong Kong’s borders during the National Day holiday period, with authorities saying land crossings to mainland China will be particularly congested.

The Immigration Department said on Tuesday about 10.03 million people, including residents and tourists, would pass through the city’s sea, land and air crossings from Saturday to October 7.

About 85 per cent of travellers are expected to use land crossings to Macau or neighbouring mainland cities.

Authorities said numbers were set to peak on National Day on October 1 – the start of the seven-day “golden week” break on the mainland – with about 523,000 outbound trips and 632,000 inbound.

“To avoid congestion and a longer than usual waiting time for immigration clearance, the [Immigration Department] advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points,” a department spokeswoman said.