MTR Lok Ma Chau Same-Day Return to Shenzhen Saves HK$6: Ends September 30 (4 Shenzhen Redemption Points + Terms Explained)

Still Time to Save on Cross-Border Trips Before the End of September

The MTR's "Same-Day Return via Lok Ma Chau to Shenzhen — Save HK$6" promotion officially states that the promotion period runs from 27 April 2026 to 30 September 2026. That means you can still use it before the end of September; the MTR has not announced whether it will be extended beyond October, so if you're planning a trip north, use it before the end of this month.

This offer isn't automatic — you have to tap your card at a designated redemption point in Shenzhen to claim it. The most common mistake is thinking that tapping your card at the border crossing is enough, only to find no discount when exiting the gates back in Hong Kong. Below, we break down the official terms one by one so you'll know exactly how to get the full HK$6 in one go.

What the Offer Includes: HK$6 Off Same-Day Return, HK$3 Off One-Way Return to Hong Kong

• Same-day return offer: Travel to Shenzhen via MTR Lok Ma Chau Station, then return to Hong Kong from Lok Ma Chau Station on the same day using the same card, and enjoy a HK$6 fare discount.
• One-way return offer: If you only return to Hong Kong via Lok Ma Chau Station (e.g. you used a different border crossing on the outbound leg), you can enjoy a HK$3 fare discount.
• Eligibility: Adult Octopus or JoyYou Card (passengers aged 60–64).

Note that the official terms specify the offer applies only to Adult Octopus or JoyYou Card, and not to other ticket types. That means single-journey tickets, QR code tickets, or Child Octopus cards are not eligible.

Four Shenzhen Redemption Points: No Card Tap, No Discount

All redemption points are located in Shenzhen metro stations. The MTR officially lists only four designated locations:

• Shenzhen Metro Line 4 "Futian Checkpoint Station": This is the "Futian MTR Fare Saver" — just walk down to the Shenzhen metro after clearing border control. The most convenient option.
• Shenzhen Metro Line 4 "Fumin Station": One stop from Futian Checkpoint Station, on the way if you're heading towards Convention & Exhibition Center.
• Shenzhen Metro Line 1 "Convention & Exhibition Center Station": A major interchange between Line 1 and Line 4, essential if you're heading to Shopping Park Station or the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center area.
• Shenzhen Metro Line 13 "Shenzhen University Station": In the Nanshan District near Shenzhen University, useful if you cross at Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint and transfer from there.

The redemption equipment is only available during station opening hours, so if you cross too early or too late, you won't be able to tap your card. The official terms also state that you must travel back to Hong Kong within MTR Lok Ma Chau Station's service hours, otherwise the offer is void.

Five Terms to Remember (Forget Them and You'll Waste Your Effort)

1. The offer is only valid on the day you tap your card. If you tap today but don't return to Hong Kong tonight, it won't work tomorrow.
2. Each card can only hold one fare offer at a time. If you claim more than one offer on the same card, the earlier unused offer will automatically become void, and the MTR will not compensate you. To claim two offers, you need two different cards.
3. Octopus only stores the most recent 10 transaction records. To enjoy the HK$6 same-day return offer, your exit journey at Lok Ma Chau Station must be a paid journey, and the record must still be on the card for verification. If you tap your card frequently for purchases, make sure to redeem early.
4. If you transfer via East Tsim Sha Tsui Station and Tsim Sha Tsui Station, the fare offer will be applied when you exit at East Tsim Sha Tsui Station.
5. Not applicable to the Airport Express or the Airport Express free MTR interchange service. Also, this offer can be used together with the "Early Bird Discount," but the total discount amount will not exceed the fare for that journey.

Lok Ma Chau or Futian Checkpoint — Which Is Better?

This offer is directly tied to your choice of border crossing: the offer only recognises Lok Ma Chau Station. Lok Ma Chau Station (which connects to Shenzhen's Futian Checkpoint after crossing) and Lo Wu Station are the two main East Rail Line border crossings. Lok Ma Chau usually has fewer crowds and faster clearance, so if either works for you, choosing Lok Ma Chau during this period puts an extra HK$6 in your pocket.

Another practical tip: there are four redemption point groups, with Futian Checkpoint Station and Fumin Station being the most convenient. If you head straight to the Shenzhen metro after crossing, remember to tap your card at the Fare Saver before or after entering the gates. If you're calling a car directly, you'll need to make a special detour to tap your card — whether it's worth it is up to you to calculate.

Money-Saving Transport Combo for Hongkongers Heading North

• Take the East Rail Line to Lok Ma Chau using the same Adult Octopus throughout;
• After crossing, tap your card at Shenzhen Metro Line 4 Futian Checkpoint Station to claim the offer;
• Return to Hong Kong via Lok Ma Chau Station the same day — HK$6 is automatically deducted at the exit gate;
• If you can travel during the "Early Bird Discount" time slot, both offers can be used together.

How Does It Compare to Lo Wu Checkpoint?

Hongkongers heading north mainly use two East Rail Line border crossings: Lo Wu Station and Lok Ma Chau Station. This offer only recognises Lok Ma Chau Station, so if either works for you, choosing Lok Ma Chau during this period puts an extra HK$6 in your pocket. Here's how to decide:

• Going to Futian District (Convention & Exhibition Center, Shopping Park, COCO Park): After crossing at Lok Ma Chau Station, you arrive at Futian Checkpoint — transfer to Line 4 and it's just two stops to Convention & Exhibition Center. Best value with the offer.
• Going to Luohu District (Dongmen, Guomao, MixC): Lo Wu Checkpoint exits directly into Luohu Commercial City — you can walk there. Using Lok Ma Chau means a few more stops, but if you're heading towards Futian or other districts, Lok Ma Chau trains are usually less crowded.
• Going to Nanshan District (Shenzhen Bay, Coastal City, Shekou): Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint is the most direct, but there's a redemption point at Line 13 Shenzhen University Station, so you can cross at Shenzhen Bay, tap your card, and return via Lok Ma Chau to get the HK$3 one-way return offer.

Simply put: choose your outbound border crossing based on your destination, but the return journey must go through Lok Ma Chau Station to get the HK$6/HK$3. If you're in a hurry on the return leg, don't take a long detour just for HK$6 — your time is worth more.

A Practical Day-Trip Example

Suppose you're doing a day trip to Futian on a Saturday: cross via Lok Ma Chau Station in the morning, tap your card at Shenzhen Futian Checkpoint metro station to claim the offer; take Line 4 to Convention & Exhibition Center Station and walk around the malls near Shopping Park Station; grab lunch near Convention & Exhibition Center Station; in the afternoon, tap your card at a Shenzhen metro station to confirm the offer is still on your card (remember, Octopus only stores the most recent 10 transactions); in the evening, take Line 4 back to Futian Checkpoint and return to Hong Kong via Lok Ma Chau Station — HK$6 is automatically deducted at the exit gate. The whole trip comes down to one rule: tap on the outbound, return via Lok Ma Chau the same day.

FAQ

Q1: Can I get the discount with a JoyYou Card?
Yes. The official terms state it applies to JoyYou Card holders aged 60–64.

Q2: What about Elder Octopus or Child Octopus?
The official terms only mention Adult Octopus and JoyYou Card (aged 60–64). For other ticket types, please refer to the MTR's latest terms.

Q3: If I cross at Lo Wu and return via Lok Ma Chau, do I get the HK$3?
Possibly. The official "one-way return offer" is designed for passengers who only return to Hong Kong via Lok Ma Chau Station, but you must tap your card at a Shenzhen redemption point beforehand to claim it.

Q4: What if I tap my card but don't return to Hong Kong that day?
The offer is only valid on the day you tap your card. It expires the next day.

Q5: Will it still be available after October?
The officially announced promotion period runs until 30 September 2026. Whether it will be extended depends on the MTR's announcement.

Source: MTR Corporation Limited "Same-Day Return via Lok Ma Chau to Shenzhen — Save $6" official promotion page and terms and conditions (promotion period 27 April 2026 to 30 September 2026). The above is subject to the MTR's latest announcements.