China train guide · checked October 2026
Hong Kong to Guangzhou by train (and back)
The high-speed train from Hong Kong West Kowloon reaches Guangzhou South in under an hour – the quickest way between the two cities, with both border checks done before you board in Hong Kong.
- Journey timeabout 50 minutes – 1 hour 10 minutes
- Fastest train48 min
- Second classfrom ¥215 (about 125 PLN)
- How oftenabout 60 trains a day from West Kowloon, most to Guangzhou South
Timetable and fares
Direct high-speed trains (G, D and C) on a normal weekday, from the China Railway 12306 timetable for Wednesday 4 November 2026.
| Trains a day | 37 (Hong Kong West Kowloon → Guangzhou South); 13 more to Guangzhou East and 10 to Guangzhou Xintang |
|---|---|
| First and last train | 07:20 / 22:37 |
| Fastest train | 48 min (G6526) |
| Typical journey | 59 min |
| Second class | ¥215 |
| First class | ¥323–344 |
| Business class | ¥452–645 |
| Guangzhou → Hong Kong | 37 trains, 06:32–21:28, fastest 47 min (G6503) |
Fares vary by train and time of day, and timetables change several times a year – check Trip.com or 12306 before you book.
Stations
Show the Chinese name to your taxi driver.
Hong Kong's high-speed station in Kowloon, linked to Austin and Kowloon MTR stations. Hong Kong departure and mainland arrival checks are both inside the station.
About 17 km south of the centre – metro lines 2, 7 and 22; about 30 minutes to the centre on line 2.
Good to know
- Bring your passport and arrive 45–60 minutes early: immigration and security at West Kowloon take time, especially at weekends.
- About a dozen trains a day go to Guangzhou East (广州东站) instead, which is in Tianhe – handy if you're staying there.
Other ways: Cross-border coaches run between Hong Kong and Guangzhou (about 3 hours), or take the MTR East Rail line to the border at Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau, walk across to Shenzhen and continue by high-speed train.
On the way
Almost the whole line from West Kowloon to Shenzhen runs in tunnels; after Shenzhen the train crosses the factories and new towns of the Pearl River Delta to Guangzhou South.
When you arrive
From Guangzhou South take metro line 2 into the centre (Gongyuanqian) in about 30 minutes; for Zhujiang New Town and Canton Tower change to line 3. If you're staying in Tianhe, look for a train to Guangzhou East instead.
Guangzhou to Hong Kong by train
Trains to Hong Kong leave from Guangzhou South (广州南站) and some from Guangzhou East (广州东站). Both border checks – mainland departure and Hong Kong arrival – are done on arrival at West Kowloon, so allow extra time there. Times and fares are the same in both directions. Leaving the mainland ends your current visa-free stay, and coming back counts as a new entry.
How to book
- Book on Trip.com or in the 12306 app as for any mainland train; at West Kowloon you can also buy tickets at the ticket office.
- Buy on Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or in the official 12306 app – tickets go on sale 15 days before departure.
- Your passport is your ticket: you book with its number and scan it at the gates. Bring the same passport you booked with.
- Be at the station 40–60 minutes early: there is a security check at the entrance, and gates close a few minutes before departure.
- Big suitcases fit at the end of each carriage or on the racks above the seats.
Trip.com and 12306 step by step, classes and seats, refunds, changes and the station: How to buy train tickets in China. For hotels and flights with a foreign passport: Hotels, trains and flights in China.
Times and fares are typical values for second class, checked in October 2026. Fares are dynamic (peak trains cost more) and timetables change – check the live timetable on Trip.com or 12306 before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou?
The fastest train (G6526) takes 48 min, and a typical journey takes about 59 min. There are 37 direct trains a day from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Guangzhou South, the first at 07:20 and the last at 22:37.
How much is a train ticket from Hong Kong to Guangzhou?
Usually ¥215 in second class, ¥323–344 in first class and ¥452–645 in business class. Fares from the 12306 timetable for Wednesday 4 November 2026; they vary by train and time of day.
Direct train or via Shenzhen – which is better?
The direct train is the quickest and simplest. Going via Shenzhen – the MTR to the land border at Lok Ma Chau, then a train from Shenzhen Futian – is cheaper and lets you see Shenzhen on the way; our Dim Sum & Palm Trees itinerary uses that route in the other direction.
Do I need a visa to go from Hong Kong to Guangzhou?
Going to Guangzhou means entering mainland China, so mainland rules apply: many nationalities can enter visa-free or use the 240-hour visa-free transit – check the rules for your passport. Hong Kong has its own, separate entry rules.