First batch of southbound drivers from 4 mainland cities allowed to enter Hong Kong from Dec 23

Guangdong authorities on Friday announced the implementation details of the long-awaited Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, allowing eligible private car owners from four mainland cities—Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Jiangmen and Zhongshan—to drive into Hong Kong starting from December 23. The pilot phase will be expanded to the rest of the province six months later.

Under the new policy, approved car owners will be able to drive across the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB) and enter Hong Kong’s city area upon successful reservation.

Registration for the first batch of quotas will open from Saturday to November 20, with a daily limit of 100 slots—1,700 in total for December. The quota lottery will be held on November 23, and successful applicants can begin submitting formal applications on December 9.

In preparation for the launch, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) will open reservations for its new automated "Park & Fly" carpark at 9am on Saturday.

The facility, located within the restricted area of the Hong Kong Port of the HZMB, will officially begin operation on November 15.

The scheme enables Greater Bay Area travelers to drive directly to the HZMB port, park their cars in the automated facility, and continue their journey via Hong Kong International Airport without undergoing Hong Kong immigration procedures.

During the initial phase, parking fees will be set at HK$100 for the first three days and HK$50 for each additional day. A pickup and delivery service will also be available at HK$100 per trip.

According to AAHK, eligible applicants can complete bookings through a one-stop online platform by submitting the required documents and payment. The reservation will be confirmed once verified by authorities in the mainland or Macau.

The new automated car park features 1,800 parking spaces and a robotic parking system that automatically stores vehicles once they are left in the designated area, removing the need for drivers to find a spot. Travelers can then board a shuttle bus to the SkyPier Terminal within the airport’s restricted area to complete flight check-in and boarding procedures.

Authorities said the Southbound Travel Scheme marks another major step in deepening connectivity within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area, facilitating seamless cross-boundary travel for residents and strengthening regional integration.