Crossing at Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau: which MTR route to take
Hong Kong has several land crossings to Shenzhen, but two of them sit on the MTR network: Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau, both at the end of the East Rail Line. They are not interchangeable. One drops you in the middle of Luohu, the other in Futian, and the onward connections differ.
1Two stations, two Shenzhen districts
Both stations are on the East Rail Line, which runs from Admiralty through Kowloon Tong and Sha Tin to the border. The difference is what is on the other side of the gate:
| Hong Kong station | Shenzhen checkpoint | Onward connection |
|---|---|---|
| Lo Wu | Luohu | Shenzhen Metro Line 1 — the direct route to Dongmen and the city centre |
| Lok Ma Chau | Futian | Shenzhen Metro Line 4 — better for Futian and the high-speed rail station area |
If your destination is Luohu commercial city or Dongmen Old Street, Lo Wu is the obvious choice. If it is Futian, the Civic Center or a connection to Shenzhen North for high-speed trains, Lok Ma Chau usually saves you a metro ride.
2Getting there from the city
Take the East Rail Line towards the border. Since the cross-harbour extension opened, you can board at Admiralty and ride all the way without changing at Kowloon Tong, which removed the most annoying transfer on this route.
Trains are frequent, but the last leg is slow: the line passes through a lot of New Territories suburbia. Allow around 45–55 minutes from Admiralty, 35–40 from Kowloon Tong.
Lo Wu opens in the early morning and closes at midnight. Lok Ma Chau keeps shorter hours, generally closing in the evening rather than at midnight — check the current times before planning a late return, because missing the last train means a bus or a taxi back from Sheung Shui.
3What it costs, and why your pass will not cover it
Trips to Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau are priced as cross-border journeys, not ordinary domestic fares, so they cost more than a similar-length ride inside Hong Kong. They are also explicitly excluded from the Tourist Day Pass and from the unlimited-ride products sold to visitors.
Pay with an Octopus card — the gates accept it and the fare is deducted automatically. Single-journey tickets work too, but there is no advantage in buying one.
4The return trip is the part to plan
Queues build at the Hong Kong side on Sunday evenings and at the start of mainland public holidays, when a lot of people cross in the same direction at once. Immigration and customs are efficient, but the volume is real: allow 30–60 minutes at peak against 10–15 minutes mid-morning on a weekday.
Two practical habits help. Cross back before 18:00 if you can, and buy your onward MTR ticket or check your Octopus balance before joining the queue, not after.
Bring your passport or travel document and, depending on your nationality, the correct visa or permit for the mainland. The Hong Kong side has no exit formalities for most visitors, but the Shenzhen side does.
Quick answers
Which is better, Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau?
Lo Wu if you are heading to Luohu, Dongmen or Shenzhen Metro Line 1. Lok Ma Chau if you are heading to Futian, the Civic Center or Shenzhen North for high-speed rail.
Can I use an Octopus card to Lo Wu?
Yes, the gates accept Octopus and charge the cross-border fare automatically. Day passes and unlimited-ride products do not cover these stations.
How long does the border crossing take?
Usually 10–15 minutes off-peak. Sunday evenings and mainland holiday periods can take 30–60 minutes on the Hong Kong side.
Do I need a visa to cross?
It depends on your nationality. Hong Kong and the mainland have separate immigration regimes, so check the current requirements for your passport before travelling to the border.
Sources: MTR — East Rail Line · Immigration Department — cross-boundary travel. Last checked 28 October 2026; operators and government departments can change fares and arrangements at any time.