Travel Time: Hong Kong To Shenzhen By Bus

Hong Kong and Shenzhen are two bustling metropolises separated by a small river and international border. Travel between the two cities is both simple and complicated, as direct high-speed trains can make the journey in as little as 15 minutes, but you'll need a valid Chinese visa before boarding the train. If you haven't planned ahead, you can also receive a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at special entry points, allowing visitors to stay in Shenzhen for five days. The best way to get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen depends on whether you get your Chinese visa before arriving in Hong Kong or if you need a VOA.

Hong Kong to Shenzhen by train

The distance between Hong Kong and Shenzhen is approximately 31 miles (50 kilometres) and the fastest way to travel between the two cities is by taking a high-speed train, which takes around 20 minutes. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen by train.

Hong Kong to Shenzhen High-Speed Train

The high-speed train from Hong Kong to Shenzhen takes between 14 and 25 minutes and costs between CNY68 and CNY120 for a second-class seat. First-class seats are also available for between CNY109 and CNY120. There are around 120 pairs of bullet trains travelling between Hong Kong and Shenzhen every day, with an average interval time of 15 minutes. The trains operate from Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station to Shenzhen North Railway Station, with some trains stopping at Futian, the central business district of Shenzhen.

To get to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, you can take the MTR from Austin Station or Kowloon Station. Shenzhen North Railway Station and Futian Station are both connected by metro lines.

Other Ways to Travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen

If you are looking for an alternative way to travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, you can also take the MTR/subway or city bus to Luohu Port, Huanggang Port or Futian Port, before passing the border and entering Shenzhen. This is the cheapest way to travel between the two cities and takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.

Taking a long-distance bus is another option and costs between CNY37 and CNY170. This method takes between 1 and 2 hours.

Finally, you can take a direct ferry from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, which takes between 30 and 55 minutes and costs between CNY90 and CNY280 for an ordinary cabin.

Hong Kong to Shenzhen by bus

Shenzhen is located in China's mainland and borders Hong Kong, a special administrative region in China with an independent immigration policy. The distance between Hong Kong and Shenzhen is 19 miles, with a road distance of 25.1 miles.

There are several ways to travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, including by train, bus, taxi, car, or subway. The fastest way to travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen is by taking a high-speed train, which takes around 20 minutes. However, if you are looking to travel by bus, there are a few things you should know.

Firstly, it is important to note that the bus is one of the most flexible options for travelling between the two cities. Buses have many departure and arrival stations in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen, providing more choices for travellers. The bus journey can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and your specific route.

• Harbour Centre, Harbour Road to Huanggang: This route is served by direct buses that depart every 15 minutes and operate daily. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
• Hong Kong International Airport to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport: Buses on this route depart every 30 minutes and the journey takes around 1-2 hours.
• Hong Kong downtown to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, Shenzhen Bay Port, Window of the World, or Shenzhen North Railway Station: Buses from Hong Kong's downtown area to these destinations in Shenzhen depart from various MTR stations. The journey takes around 1-4 hours, depending on your specific route.

The cost of the bus from Hong Kong to Shenzhen varies depending on the route, but it generally ranges from RMB 37-178 (HKD 44-201).

When travelling by bus between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, it is important to keep in mind that you will need to pass through customs and immigration at one of the designated ports or border control areas. The two busiest ports are the Luohu Border Crossing and the Huanggang Border Crossing, as they provide direct access to the Hong Kong subway.

Additionally, if you are a foreign visitor, you may need to obtain a visa for your trip to Shenzhen. Shenzhen offers a 5-day Special Economic Tourist Visa on arrival at certain border ports, but eligibility depends on your nationality and other factors.

Overall, travelling by bus from Hong Kong to Shenzhen can be a convenient and flexible option, providing multiple departure and arrival points in both cities. However, it is important to plan your trip in advance, allowing for potential delays at border crossings and ensuring you have the necessary visas.

Hong Kong to Shenzhen by taxi

Taking a taxi from Hong Kong to Shenzhen is a convenient option, especially if you are travelling for business. Taxis offer a door-to-door service, saving you the hassle of navigating public transport or having to walk to and from stations.

The journey by taxi from Hong Kong to Shenzhen takes around 1-1.5 hours, depending on your starting point and destination. The distance between the two cities is approximately 50km (31 miles).

The cost of a taxi from Hong Kong to Shenzhen will depend on the distance travelled, but you can expect to pay at least RMB 176 / HKD 200. This is significantly more expensive than other transport options, such as the bus or MTR/subway, so it is recommended primarily for business travellers.

If you are travelling in a group, you may want to consider hiring a private car, which can accommodate your entire party and may work out cheaper per person than taking multiple taxis.

It is worth noting that taxis cannot take you directly from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. You will need to get off at Lo Wu Port to go through customs and then take a Shenzhen taxi to your final destination. However, there are private transfer services, such as Alpha cars, that can take you directly to Shenzhen without any transfers. These services need to be booked in advance.

Other Transport Options

In addition to taxis, there are several other ways to travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen:

• High-speed train: The fastest option, taking around 15-20 minutes and costing RMB 68-75 for a second-class seat.
• MTR/subway or city bus: The cheapest option, taking around 1.5-2 hours and costing around RMB 60 (HKD 70).
• Ferry: A more expensive option, taking around 1 hour and costing RMB 120-395 (HKD 136-448).
• Long-distance bus: A flexible and convenient option, taking 1-2 hours and costing RMB 39-178 (HKD 44-201).

Border Control

When travelling between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, you will need to go through border control. The process can take 10-60 minutes, depending on the port and the number of passengers.

Visa Requirements

Whether you need a visa to travel to Shenzhen from Hong Kong depends on your nationality, passport, travel route, entry port, arrival transport, and other factors. Eligible foreign visitors may be able to apply for a Shenzhen 5-Day Special Economic Tourist Visa on arrival at certain border ports.

Driving from Hong Kong to Shenzhen

Hong Kong to Shenzhen by Car

The route from Hong Kong to Shenzhen is quite direct, and you will be taking the Shenzhen Bay Bridge for most of the journey. Here are the step-by-step directions:

• From your starting point in Hong Kong, get on Route 8 in the direction of Shenzhen Bay Port.
• Continue on Route 8, following signs for Shenzhen.
• Take the exit toward Linshan West Road.
• Merge onto Linshan West Road and continue toward Shenzhen Bay Port.
• Continue on Linshan West Road, then take the ramp on the left to Shenzhen Bay Port.
• Take Linshan West Road and Linshan Road to your destination in Shenzhen.

Border Crossing

When travelling between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, you will need to pass through customs at one of the 11 "ports" or border control areas. The two busiest ports of entry to Hong Kong are the Luohu Border Crossing and the Huanggang Border Crossing. These two border crossings have direct access to the Hong Kong subway on the Hong Kong side.

Another option is to cross the border at Futian Port, which is located on Yufeng Road in the Futian District of Shenzhen. Futian Port is open from 06:30 to 20:30. After arriving at Futian Metro Station, go to Exit A and follow the signs to China Customs. There are currency exchange services available on the way to China Customs. It takes about 30 minutes to get through immigration and customs. Once you clear, you can take the MTR to your destination in Shenzhen.

Hong Kong to Shenzhen by Other Transport Options

Besides driving, there are several other ways to travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen:

• High-speed train: The fastest way to travel between the two cities, with a journey time of around 15-20 minutes. The train connects Hong Kong West Kowloon Station with Shenzhen Futian and Shenzhen North stations. The cost of a second-class seat is around CNY68-75 (HKD77-256).
• Metro/Subway: This option takes around 1.5-2 hours and costs about RMB60 (HKD70). Take the Hong Kong MTR East Rail Line to Lo Wu Station or Lok Ma Chau Station, then follow the signs to reach Hong Kong Customs. Get through customs and cross the border to Shenzhen.
• Bus: There are over 150 cross-border coaches daily from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, taking around 1-4 hours. Coaches depart from Hong Kong International Airport and various MTR stations in Hong Kong. The cost is around RMB39-178 (HKD44-201).
• Ferry: Ferries depart from Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong International Airport to Shekou Cruise Center and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. The journey takes about an hour and costs around RMB120-395 (HKD136-448).

Hong Kong to Shenzhen by subway

The distance between Hong Kong and Shenzhen is about 38km (24 miles) by air and 50km (31 miles) by road. The two cities are well connected, and there are several ways to travel between them. Here is a guide on how to get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen by subway (also known as MTR).

The most straightforward way to get to Shenzhen by subway is to take the MTR to Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau station on the East Rail line. You can catch the East Rail Line from any MTR station by changing at Kowloon Tong. If you are coming from the island side, you can take any 100 series bus that travels through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. At the first stop after the tunnel, get off at Hung Hom Station and board the East Rail line there. This option is less crowded and involves fewer train changes than interchanging at Kowloon Tong.

Lo Wu Station will bring you to the older part of Shenzhen, where the Shenzhen Railway Station, Shenzhen Bus Terminal, and the Lo Wu Commercial City are located. Most passengers will go through this route, so expect large crowds. The immigration process is relatively straightforward, with plenty of counters, but the high volume of people and multiple pathways may be confusing. Be sure to follow the signs carefully, depending on your type of visa/passport.

Lok Ma Chau will bring you to Futian, the newer part of Shenzhen. There isn't much outside this station except for the large Water Cube Massage Spa. This border crossing facility is newer and less crowded, making it a more calm and civilized option.

Once you arrive in Hong Kong, you can take transportation to wherever you want in the city. At Lo Wu Station, only the MTR (subway) is available. At Lok Ma Chau, you can take the MTR, bus, or taxi to your destination in Hong Kong.

Other Ways to Get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen

In addition to the subway, there are several other ways to travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen:

• High-speed train: The fastest way to travel between the two cities, taking around 15-25 minutes. The train departs from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Shenzhen North or Futian Railway Station.
• Bus: The cheapest option, taking 1-2 hours.
• Ferry: A feasible option, taking 30 to 55 minutes. Ferries operate from HKIA Skypier or HK Sheung Wan Ferry Terminal to Shenzhen Shekou or Fuyong Port.

Frequently asked questions