How to Get from Hong Kong to Guangzhou: 5 Best Travel Options, Prices & Tips

Written by Catherine | Updated February 23,2026

For most foreign tourists, Hong Kong is an important gateway city to China, because there are frequent international flights. After the Hong Kong tour, you may want to explore other famous tourist cities in China. And Guangzhou should be an ideal first stop for a trip from Hong Kong to the Mainland of China. The two cities are close to each other, about 170 km, and the transportation is very convenient. Guangzhou is also a perfect place to feel Lingnan culture and taste authentic Cantonese cuisine.

Then how to get from Hong Kong to Guangzhou? Is it difficult? In this guide, we will compare the 6 main ways. The detailed guide, required document and important tips will also be included. These options and tips are all based on our team and clients’ real experiences. We believe that this information will help to make your transfer between these two cities much easier.

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• Quick Comparison: Best Ways from Hong Kong to Guangzhou
• 1. By high-speed Train: The Most Popular & Efficient Way
• 2. By Cross-border Direct Bus – Flexible Choice
• 3. Hong Kong Metro + Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway
• 4. By Ferry – A Unique Experience
• 5. By Air – Expensive And Not Recommended
• 6. By Taxi – Privacy but Most Expensive
• Required Documents & Essential Tips
• Plan a Hong Kong Guangzhou Tour with China Xian Tour

Quick Comparison: Best Ways from Hong Kong to Guangzhou

To ensure you can choose the most suitable way to get to Guangzhou from Hong Kong smoothly, we provide the following quick comparison of the five main options. Each has its own feature in time, cost and convenience.

How to Choose: Best option for different traveler types

Overall speaking, the transportation options are very abundant, catering to the demands of different travelers. Then what is the best way for you to get to Guangzhou after your Hong Kong travel?

For budget travelers, the cross-border direct bus is the first choice we recommend to you. Its affordable prices and densely distributed stops across the two places offer great convenience to passengers. It is the only way to provide point-to-point service. With the lowest cost, Hong Kong Metro + Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway is a good alternative choice if you do not carry heavy luggage.

We’d like to recommend the high-speed train for both families and business travelers. For families with luggage, comfort, convenience and fewer transfers must be your priorities. The cabin is wide and stable. There is enough space for you to place your belongings and kids can enjoy a comfortable ride. Business travelers value time and efficiency, the fastest speed, punctuality and convenient customs clearance of high-speed trains make it the best choice for you.

If you just arrive at Hong Kong Airport by plane, the ferry may be suitable for you, because the Sky Terminal at the airport operates the ferries to Guangzhou. You can enjoy a relaxing tour to appreciate the sea scenery. Tourists who want a unique experience can also try it.

1. By high-speed Train: The Most Popular & Efficient Way

• Opening Hours: about 7:20 – 22:45
• Daily departures: about 50
• Major Stations: Hong Kong West Kowloon, Guangzhou South, Guangzhou East
• Travel Time: to Guangzhou South: about 50m – 1h20m; to Guangzhou East: about 1h30m – 1h50m.
• Ticket: second-class seat: CNY 215, first-class seat: CNY 323 – 344; Business-class seat: CNY 452 – 645
• Major stops along the way: Shenzhen North, Dongguan, Dongguan South, Xintang

From Hong Kong to Guangzhou, high-speed train is definitely the fastest land transportation. Unaffected by traffic conditions, its arrival time is clear. So it can be the most reliable and punctual mode of transportation. Besides, you do not need to transfer and can complete the customs inspection of both places in West Kowloon Station directly.

Guangzhou South Train Station is the destination of most trains, a total of about 37. Every day, the trains operate from 07:20 – 22:43. Such dense trains mean you can depart almost at any time you want. East Train Station has about 13 departures from 07:40 – 21:00 every day. Though it is fewer, this train station is closer to downtown Guangzhou. So if you need to transfer to other transportation, we think it may suit you better. Another major difference is the travel time from East Station is about 30 minutes longer than from South Station. And the trains to Guangzhou East do not provide business-class seats.

Hong Kong to Guangzhou Train Timetable

How to book the ticket

To buy the train ticket from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, we highly recommend 12306, since it is launched by the authority and both website and app are available. The most important is that it has an English version. So you can register with your passport and then use it directly.

Another choice is the online travel platforms, like Klook and Trip.com. This way is actually preferred by foreigners, because these platforms support multiple languages and several payment methods. It may be more convenient for most foreigners.

Step – by – step Guide to Take the High-Speed Train

1. Ticket check: at the B1 Ticket Hall, you will complete the real-name verification and ticket checking procedures with the valid ID used for purchasing the ticket. Note: this procedure will be closed 30 minutes before departure.
2. Security check: just follow the clerk’s guide to finish the luggage and security check. We advise you to put your belongings into the handbag or suitcase, which will speed up the process.
3. Board the train: Head to the ticket gate on the B3 floor and enter with your ID or QR code. Usually, the gate opens about 15 minutes before departure and closes 5 minutes before departure.
4. Guangzhou arrival: The process after arrival is easier, just exit the gate with your ID or QR code directly.

2. By Cross-border Direct Bus – Flexible Choice

• Travel time: about 3 hours
• Price: CNY 110 – 220
• Pick-up locations in Hong Kong: Wan Chai, Mong Kok, Tsuen Wan, Wong Tai Sin, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Kwun Tong, Yuen Long, Tseung Kwan O, etc
• Drop-off points in Guangzhou: Jinan University, Huadu New Century Hotel, Guangzhou Hotel, Panyu Beicheng bus stop, etc

Another popular way to get to Guangzhou from Hong Kong is to take the cross-border direct bus to enjoy the convenient one-way or round-trip bus connection service. This is a long-distance line that passes through Huanggang Port or Shenzhen Bay to reach Guangzhou. It does not have additional stops along the way and after passing through customs, you will take the same bus directly to Guangzhou.

There are many bus companies offering the service, such as Trans-Island Chinalink, Eternal East Cross-Border Coach, China Travel Tour Transportation Services Hong Kong Limited. These buses usually have many pick-up points and convenient drop-off points. So you do not have to worry about not being able to find the boarding points. Its ticket price is cheaper than high-speed train, about CNY 110 – 220. The specific price depends on your destination.

About the duration, generally speaking, it is about 3 hours, relatively longer than the train. But we found that its actual time is affected by the traffic and passenger flow at the port, so it may take longer during peak hours. An important thing you should note is that you need to get off the car and handle the entry and exit procedures by yourself.

For tourists with a limited budget or those who live near the bus stop, the cross-border bus is a very flexible and economical way to travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou.

Timetable

How to Book the Ticket

There are several ways to book the ticket. For foreigners, we think the online travel platforms will be more convenient and easier for you to use, like Klook and Ctrip.

Another choice is the official websites or Wechat mini-programs. This is undoubtedly the most reliable way. Sometimes, the company will also offer discounted tickets. All the official websites have an English interface, but you may need to register with a Chinese phone number.

A more traditional way is to buy the ticket at the storefronts of the bus companies, the ticket counter of the bus station and the ticket office at the port.

3. Hong Kong Metro + Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway – Economical Way

The Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway is an intercity train running between Guangzhou and Shenzhen in China. It is a circuitous way to travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. Because you will need to take the Hong Kong MTR to Luohu Metro Station and arrive at Shenzhen Train Station via Luohu Port first, and then transfer to the train to Guangzhou.

The train is even denser than the Hong Kong – Shenzhen high-speed train with about 60 shifts from 06:10 – 22:30 every day. In most time periods, the departure interval is only 10 minutes. And the travel time is about 1 – 1.5 hours.

The main reason we recommend this way is that its price is over half lower than the high-speed train. Most trains only have first-class seats and second-class seats, which cost CNY 90 – 101 and CNY 72 – 79, respectively. And some trains will stop not only at Guangzhou Station, but also at Guangzhou East, Guangzhou Baiyun, Guangzhou North and Guangzhou Xintang.

However, this way also has a very obvious disadvantage. Luohu Port usually has a huge flow of people, making it hard to predict the time to go through customs. In peak hours, it may even be over 1 hour. And if you bring large luggage, it is not very convenient because you need to get on and off the bus several times and transfer on foot.

How to Get the Ticket & Step-by-step Guide to Take the Ride

Also, to purchase the ticket, the best way is the 12306 website and app. Or buy it at the ticket window or self-service ticket machine in Shenzhen Station. The train ticket is valid for one day. So, as long as you buy it, you can take any Guangzhou-Shenzhen intercity train of that day. It makes the Guangzhou travel smoother.

Another novel way is to get the QR code in public transit QR code mini-program in Wechat or in the Guangsheng Chengji (广深城际) mini-program in Alipay, and then scan the code to enter and leave the station directly. Just like taking a metro. The cost will be calculated automatically and deducted from your account directly.

The detailed guide to take the ride is as follows:

1. Take the MTR East Rail Line from downtown Hong Kong to Luohu Metro Station.
2. Follow the sign to Luohu Port and handle the exit formalities from Hong Kong and entry formalities in Shenzhen. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes on weekdays, and may take 1 to 2 hours on weekends or holidays.
3. Walk to the nearby Shenzhen Train Station. Only about 5 minutes are needed.
4. Finish the ticket and luggage check procedures, then wait for your train and ascend.
5. After arriving at Guangzhou, scan your ID or code again and leave the station.

Recommended tour: 9 Days Guangzhou Guilin Shenzhen Hong Kong Tour

4. By Ferry – A Unique Experience

With the opening of Pazhou Hong Kong – Macao Passenger Terminal (in Haizhu District, Guangzhou) in 2023, the port offers two routes: one from Pazhou to the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui and the other from Pazhou to the Sky Terminal of Hong Kong International Airport. An important thing we should make clear is that the Sky Terminal is only available for transfer passengers.

Usually, the ferry will take about 2.5 – 3 hours and it has 3 – 10 shifts every day. The cost is about CNY 350. The two main ways to book it are the official Wechat account of Pazhou Hong Kong – Macao Passenger Terminal and the port counter.

For tourists who love to travel by cruise and admire the scenery along the shore, ferry is a highly recommended way to travel to Guangzhou from Hong Kong.

Recommended tour: 6 Days Hong Kong-Guangzhou-Macau Cultural Tour

5. By Air – Expensive And Not Recommended

The direct flight from Hong Kong to Guangzhou is operated by Cathay Pacific Airways only. Every day, there are 3 flights from 01:15 at midnight to 19:55, connecting Hong Kong International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

We have to acknowledge that the flight experience is comfortable and the flight time is only about 1 hour, but the ticket price is much more expensive than all the other ways. Even the economy class seat will cost about CNY 1,000.

Flight Timetable

Note: the flight schedule will be adjusted sometimes. Just check it on the official website of Cathay Pacific Airways or online travel platforms.

• Insider Tips:

In fact, we do not recommend this way to tourists. Though the flight time is really shorter, considering the time needed for transportation, check-in, security check and waiting for the flight, the total journey takes more than 4 hours, much longer than other ways. And its cost is much higher. So it is feasible only for those connecting to international flights.

6. By Taxi – Privacy but Most Expensive

Taxi offers a door-to-door experience and a private and comfortable space. The driver will assist you in completing the necessary customs clearance procedures at the port. Usually, it takes 2.5 – 3.5 hours to travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. But its cost is the highest among all the 6 ways, which is about CNY 1200 – 2000. So families or tourists with heavy luggage or ample budget can take it into account.

Required Documents & Essential Tips

• Documents: passport is needed for every foreign tourist. About the visa, it depends on your nationality. If you do not come from a country listed in the latest visa-free policy, you can apply for a tourist visa, which will be checked at the mainland port.
• Cash: The amount of RMB cash carried by each person for each entry and exit shall not exceed CNY 20,000. If the foreign currency cash you carry exceeds the equivalent of USD 5,000 when entry, you are required to make a written declaration to the customs.
• Payment: in Chinese mainland, Wechat Pay and Alipay are the mainstream payment methods. Cash is accepted all over China.
• Network:Some international apps can not be used in China, like Google, WhatsApp, etc, so it is advised to download a VPN or purchase an overseas data roaming package in advance.

Plan a Hong Kong Guangzhou Tour with China Xian Tour

To travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, the above methods are all available. If you are puzzled about which one to choose when planning a China tour with Hong Kong and Guangzhou, we are glad to help you. We can also tailor a tour for you based on your needs and arrange a driver for you. In this way, besides the transportation, the hotels, tickets and guides are also included. You can just enjoy the trip completely. So do not hesitate to contact China Xian Tour.