Hong Kong rolls out free transport, half-price cinema tickets and discounts for National Day

Hong Kong has rolled out free tram rides, half-price movie tickets, mall discounts, MTR giveaways, and many other perks to mark China’s National Day on October 1. Tsim Sha Tsui awash in national and regional flags on China’s National Day, on October 1, 2025. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. On the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, residents can enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes, while the MTR Corporation will give away 77,000 single-journey rides through a lucky draw on its “MTR Mobile” app. The Star Ferry will offer free rides on its Central-Tsim Sha Tsui route, while Fortune Ferry will give away 1,000 free tickets for each of its Central-Hung Hom and North Point-Kwun Tong-Kai Tak routes. Children using Octopus cards can travel on most of the city’s bus routes for free. All films screening at commercial cinemas on Thursday will be half-price. Residents can also use a number of public leisure facilities, such as badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts and swimming pools, for free. The Hong Kong Wetland Park in Yuen Long and the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui will open for free, while various culture and leisure hotspots will offer discounts or souvenirs to visitors on Thursday. Free racecourse admission The Hong Kong Jockey Club will organise the National Day Raceday at Sha Tin Racecourse on Thursday, offering free admission. Ocean Park will offer a 15 per cent discount on its general admission tickets. Panda-themed products at the souvenir shops in Ocean Park will have a 15 per cent discount on any single purchase of HK$300 or above. A round-trip on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car will be 50 per cent off across all cabin types, while 1,000 riders on the Peak Tram will be able to redeem their tickets for a special souvenir on a first-come, first-served basis. The first race of the Lunar New Year on February 19, 2026, at Sha Tin Racecourse. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Free public guided tours will be offered at Central’s PMQ and the Police Museum on the Peak. Most shopping malls and department stores in the city will provide various offers on Thursday, including MTR Malls and malls operated by members of the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong – meaning virtually all of the major developers in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, more than 3,000 restaurants and merchants will offer various perks, such as HK$77 meals or HK$10.1 special offers. The West Kowloon Cultural District, the Kai Tak Sports Park, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks and members of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, among others, will offer consumption coupons or discounts.