How to Travel From Hong Kong to Guangzhou - 4 Best Routes

Traveling from Hong Kong to Guangzhou is confusing even for local inhabitants of the mainland. Both are great outposts, and it’s easy to get lost if you don’t know the language. We’ve compiled the most accessible ways to travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou using public transportation. Follow the instructions to avoid getting lost.

Before you begin your travel into mainland China, make sure you are familiar with the routes and have your Chinese visa with you. Unlike traveling in Hong Kong, where you don’t need a visa, going into mainland China requires one. Also, if it’s your first time on the mainland, remember that English is not very common in Guangzhou. You may want to brush up on your Mandarin or get some interpreting help. The Hong Kong to Guangzhou distance is 129 km. Here are the different routes you can take.

Option 1: Take the Shenzhen High-Speed Train to Guangzhou

The high-speed Shenzhen to Guangzhou train is by far the best option, at the top of our list for its efficiency. It’s the cheapest and quickest method to cover the distance without hassle. It’s not recommended if you are carrying large amounts of luggage or traveling with young children. The trip begins in Shenzhen, where you take the MTR to Lo Wu. The travel from Hung Hom takes about forty-five minutes. The Lo Wu MTR station has a China Immigration checkpoint where you present your visa to mark your exit from Hong Kong to the mainland. The process is quick if you follow the signs. After passing through immigration, you’ll be in Shenzhen. To get to the train station, exit immigration and walk straight; you’ll find the Shenzhen railway station in the large building on your left, about a five-minute walk. Locals use their ID card to board, but you’ll buy a train ticket to Guangzhou at one of the counters. You can choose between first and second class.

Prices & Tickets

You can buy tickets for the train from Shenzhen to Guangzhou inside the station or online. Prices range from about 80 RMB to 100 RMB depending on class and availability. High-speed trains depart every 10 to 15 minutes; most of the time you can sit comfortably, but at rush hour you may have to stand. Once you arrive at Guangzhou East, take the MTR or a taxi to your final destination. The pros: low price and speed once you’re aboard. The cons: you must travel light (the trains don’t have luggage accommodations), and it’s not a good way to travel with a large party or family that includes small children.

Option 2: Make the Trip on the New Hong Kong to Guangzhou High-Speed Train

There is a high-speed rail line running directly from Hong Kong to Guangzhou that began operating in September 2018. The train connects Hong Kong’s Kowloon West station with Guangzhou South station in forty-five minutes flat, the fastest direct route between the two cities. The trains run at least thirty times a day, making it far more convenient than the older Kowloon/Guangzhou East intercity service. This train departs from the Kowloon West station, located between the Austin and Kowloon MTR stations. Every train arrives at Guangzhou South station on the outer limits of the city, from where you take the MTR or face the traffic to reach your destination.

Prices & Tickets

You can book tickets online and collect them at Kowloon West station. If you are in Guangzhou, you can buy tickets at any train station on the mainland. Choose between second class and business class for a more comfortable trip. This train has a significant advantage over Option 1: you can carry as much luggage as you need, since the trains are spacious. The only downside is that it is more expensive than other options.

Option 3: Take the Hong Kong to Guangzhou Intercity Through Train

The intercity through train is the most common way foreigners cover the Hong Kong to Guangzhou distance. It’s not the same as the high-speed options; it’s much slower but very relaxing, with excellent sightseeing along the way. The service offers twelve trips a day in each direction between Hung Hom in Hong Kong and Guangzhou East. Boarding works like catching a flight: be at the station at least one hour before departure, as you go through immigration to check your passport and visa, then wait in a waiting room. Once aboard, you’ll reach Guangzhou in two hours at most.

Prices & Tickets

The price of this service is one of the lowest on the list, with the highest premium ticket costing only half the price of the high-speed train. It’s a good option if you’re used to dealing with airports, and excellent if you need to arrive in central Guangzhou without spending on a cab. It’s accommodating for large amounts of luggage and friendly for large parties or families with kids; the slow pace works wonders for nervous travelers. Sadly, it’s also one of the most time-consuming options, and this line suffers from frequent delays and disruptions, so board on time.

Option 4: Ride the Ferry from Hong Kong International Airport to Guangzhou

The last option is a ferry that departs from Hong Kong International Airport to the mainland. This is a last resort, since it’s not very convenient for reaching Guangzhou. There are currently three ferries each day in each direction; it’s one of the easiest ways to get to Guangzhou only if you are flying in or out of Hong Kong International Airport. The full journey takes about one hour and forty-five minutes, and it’s incredibly expensive even with multiple class options. The closest you can get to downtown is the LianHuaShan port, from which you’ll need a taxi of at least an hour to reach your destination. Ferry tickets can be bought online or at the terminal. Use this option only if you need to go to a specific place near the port; you’ll fare better with the other choices.