How to Get from Hong Kong to Guangzhou
Travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou by high-speed train in about an hour, by coach or by flight. Compare journey times, fares and stations.
Contents
Hong Kong and Guangzhou are close, and the fastest way between them is a high-speed train. You board at West Kowloon, clear Chinese immigration inside the station, and step out in Guangzhou less than an hour later.[1] Coaches and flights fill the gaps for airport arrivals and late departures.
Guangzhou is the commercial hub of the Pearl River Delta, a city of food markets, old trading houses and glass towers. The choice usually comes down to speed and comfort by train, or a through-ticket from the airport by coach.
Hong Kong to Guangzhou by High-Speed Train
The MTR High Speed Rail runs from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Guangzhou South (Guangzhounan) in 50 to 77 minutes, depending on the train and its stops. Second class costs HK$215 one way; fares are set in renminbi and the Hong Kong dollar price is adjusted monthly.[1] Guangzhou South is a large station on the southern side of the city, linked to the Guangzhou Metro.
Intercity through trains also run from West Kowloon to Guangzhou East (Guangzhoudong), which is closer to the Tianhe business district. They take 1 hour 31 minutes to 1 hour 52 minutes, with departures from 07:41 to 21:02 and second-class fares of HK$249.[2]
Trains run from early morning until late evening.[1] Buy tickets in advance for weekends and holidays. Bring your passport: you pass Hong Kong exit control and mainland entry control in the same station.
Hong Kong to Guangzhou by Bus
Cross-boundary coaches are the simple choice if you land at Hong Kong International Airport. The coach hall is on Level 3 of Terminal 2, with ticket counters 01 to 16 and boarding at bays 20 to 26. Coaches serve Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan and other cities of the Greater Bay Area through different border crossings. The operators are CTG Bus, Eternal East Tours, S.T. Travel and KCTIL Travel.[3]
The coach takes from about 4 hours, including the border. You get off at the crossing with your luggage, pass through immigration and board again on the mainland side. On booking platforms, tickets start at about $17 (October 2026).[4]
Hong Kong to Guangzhou by Flight
Flights run from Hong Kong International Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and take from about 1 hour in the air.[4] With check-in, security and the ride from Baiyun to the city, the door-to-door time is longer than the high-speed train, so flying makes sense mainly if you are connecting to another flight.
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-speed train | From HK$215[1] | From 50 min[1] | High |
| Bus | From about $17[4] | From about 4h[4] | Moderate |
| Flight | Varies | From about 1h in the air[4] | High |
Tips for Traveling from Hong Kong to Guangzhou
- Entry permission: Check that you have a Chinese visa or qualify for visa-free entry before you board. Border staff check your documents.
- Currency: Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar, Guangzhou the Chinese yuan. Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used in Guangzhou.
- Luggage: On the coach you carry your own bags through the border halls, so a suitcase with sturdy wheels helps.
- Booking: Around the Canton Fair and public holidays, book your train or coach ahead.
- Arrival in Guangzhou: Check which station your train goes to. Guangzhou South and Guangzhou East are at opposite ends of the city. Baiyun Airport is connected to the centre by Metro Line 3.
Timetable
| Flight Hong Kong Airport - Guangzhou $ 94.53–457.11 1h 5m – 1days 6h 20m | |
|
| Bus Hong Kong - Guangzhou $ 17.00 4h | |
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| Bus Hong Kong - Guangdong $ 17.00 4h | |
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| Train Hong Kong West Kowloon - Guangzhou $ 37.49–110.81 48m – 1h 50m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, including current prices and schedules.
The high-speed train from West Kowloon to Guangzhou South takes from 50 minutes, faster than the flight once airport time is included.
The cross-boundary coach is usually the cheapest option, from about $17 on booking platforms (October 2026). Second class on the high-speed train costs HK$215.
The high-speed train takes from 50 minutes to 1 hour 17 minutes to Guangzhou South and up to about 1 hour 52 minutes to Guangzhou East. The coach takes from about 4 hours including the border.
Yes. You leave the coach with your luggage at the crossing, clear Hong Kong and mainland immigration and board again.
High-speed trains arrive at Guangzhou South; Intercity through trains arrive at Guangzhou East.
Go to the Mainland/Macao Transport and Travel Services Centre on Level 3 of Terminal 2. Tickets are sold at counters 01 to 16 and coaches board at bays 20 to 26.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] MTR Corporation, High Speed Rail: High Speed Rail trip planner: Guangzhounan to Hong Kong West Kowloon. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [2] MTR Corporation, High Speed Rail: High Speed Rail trip planner: Hong Kong West Kowloon to Guangzhoudong. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [3] Hong Kong International Airport: Chinese Mainland/ Macao Coaches. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [4] 12Go: 12Go timetable Hong Kong - Guangzhou. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.