The Easter four-day holiday began on April 18, 2025, with many citizens traveling north to the mainland, leading to significant congestion at border crossings.
As the clock ticked towards noon on April 18, the MTR announced a strategic adjustment to its train services to accommodate the influx of travelers. Some East Rail Line trains departing from Admiralty would now terminate at Tai Po Market, requiring passengers to transfer to Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau to continue their journey.
By 10 AM, a staggering 248,000 individuals had already crossed various border points, signaling the start of a bustling holiday period. The Shenzhen Bay Highway Bridge was particularly impacted, with traffic jams that transformed a routine five-minute drive into an hour-long ordeal.
Mr. Yu, a traveler caught in the chaos, shared his experience: "I initially wanted to go, but there were just too many people, so I decided to head back and plan my trip for two days later. I can still enjoy a couple of days of fun then." His sentiments echoed those of many others who found the holiday rush overwhelming.
Taxi fares also saw an uptick, with Ms. Fang noting her fare was around HKD 360, about HKD 100 more than she had anticipated. "It’s a bit pricey, but it’s Easter, and it’s worth it to go back and have some fun," she said, reflecting the holiday spirit that many travelers were eager to embrace.
Meanwhile, Miss Jia opted for a different approach, choosing to spend two days at Changlong, a popular destination, rather than sticking around Hong Kong. "There’s not much to do here, and Disneyland is a frequent spot for me, so I thought it best to explore the mainland this time," she explained.
At the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Hong Kong Port, the scene was similar, with a continuous flow of people leaving the country. Despite nearly all customs counters being operational, long queues were inevitable. Ms. Deng, a traveler in line, remarked, "We’re used to queuing, so it’s not a big deal. I’m going with a relaxed mindset to enjoy the holiday."
Mr. Xu, another traveler, anticipated the wait, stating, "It’s normal to queue during holidays. I expect to be in line for about one and a half to two hours. It’s just part of the experience."
The West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station was bustling early on April 18, with many families traveling together, their luggage in tow. The MTR Sheung Shui Station also mirrored this busy atmosphere, with a noticeable presence of elderly travelers among the crowd.
The Immigration Department had previously projected that the Easter holiday would see about 6.04 million people entering and leaving Hong Kong, with approximately 5.05 million using land border crossings. The ports at Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, and Shenzhen Bay were expected to be especially busy, with daily averages ranging from 160,000 to 220,000 people crossing.
As the holiday continued, the Immigration Department highlighted April 21, 2025, as the peak arrival day, predicting around 620,000 individuals would return to Hong Kong. This anticipated surge underscores the popularity of the Easter holiday as a time for travel and family reunions.
In conclusion, the Easter holiday has proven to be a significant event for many Hong Kong residents, with travel to the mainland reflecting a blend of tradition and modern-day convenience. Despite the challenges posed by congestion and queues, the spirit of the holiday remains strong, as families and friends come together to celebrate and enjoy their time off.
