MTR is celebrating the launch of the new overnight High Speed Rail sleeper trains to Mainland China by distributing a limited number of free return tickets from Hong Kong to Beijing and Shanghai in weekly giveaways this month. Registered MTR Mobile users can log onto the app on June 18 and June 25 to stand a chance to win a pair of tickets to one of these Mainland hubs.
How many High Speed Rail tickets are available?
There are 25 pairs of round-trip tickets up for grabs from Hong Kong to Beijing each week, and another 25 sets of return tickets for two passengers on the Hong Kong-Shanghai route. In all, there are 150 tickets available as part of the giveaway, which includes the first round that ended on June 11. The tickets are available for only specific travel dates. If you get your tickets on June 18, you can only use them for travel between June 28 and July 1. Participants who book tickets on June 25 can only use them for travel from June 27-July 2.
How do I enter the giveaway?
Sign up on the MTR Mobile app as a registered user, and login at 12pm on June 18 and June 25. Tap the ‘Promotions’ icon on the top-left of your screen, choose your destination (Beijing or Shanghai), and tap the ‘Grab Now’ button. If you’ve managed to successfully book your tickets, you will find the eCoupons for them by tapping the ‘Gift’ icon on the home page under the ‘Valid’ tab.
How do I redeem my tickets?
Once you’ve booked your tickets, head to the West Kowloon Station during the redemption period (June 20-25 for tickets secured on June 18, June 27-July 2 for tickets reserved on June 25). Present the eCoupon and travel documents for you and your travel companion at the pickup counter. Scan the QR code that the staff gives you and claim your tickets. Remember that the same passengers must use these tickets for their outbound and inbound journeys, and they will get assigned a lower berth and an upper berth.
| GIVEAWAY DATE | ROUTE | TRAVEL DATES | REDEMPTION PERIOD |
| June 18 | Hong Kong-Beijing | Depart June 28 Return July 1 | June 20-25 |
| June 18 | Hong Kong-Shanghai | Depart June 28 Return July 1 | June 20-25 |
| June 25 | Hong Kong-Beijing | Depart July 5 Return July 8 | June 27-July 2 |
| June 25 | Hong Kong-Shanghai | Depart July 5 Return July 8 | June 27-July 2 |
What are the departure and arrival times of the overnight trains?
The new sleeper High Speed Rail trains will replace the current standard-speed trains that depart from Hung Hom and cut travel times between Hong Kong and the two Mainland cities by half. All departures are on Friday evenings and arrivals on Monday mornings.
Trains from Hong Kong to Beijing will depart at 6:24pm and arrive at 6:53am the next day, while passengers returning to Hong Kong will leave Beijing at 8:13pm and arrive in the SAR at 8:47am the next day. Shanghai-bound travellers will depart Hong Kong at 7:49pm and arrive at their destination at 6:45am the next day, and will leave Shanghai at 8:15pm and arrive in Hong Kong at 7:29am the next day.
What facilities do the new trains have?
Each train has 16 carriages, of which 13 are sleeper cars, two are second-class seating cars, and one is a dining car. The Shanghai trains will also have a premium sleeper car. Each regular sleeper cabin has two bunk beds with a small table and a shared kettle. However, the premium variety has just a single bunk bed with a sofa, wardrobe, and a kettle. Tickets are priced between HK$682 (second-class tickets) and HK$2,128 (premium lower bunk).
Header image credits: Leung Cho Pan via Canva
