Learn simple ways to get from Shenzhen to Hong Kong (train, bus, ferry, etc.). Find entry requirements, top spots to visit, and tips for transport cards/payments.
How to Get from Shenzhen to Hong Kong: 5 Ways Overview
Traveling between Shenzhen and Hong Kong is easy by train. The Shenzhen to Hong Kong high-speed train is the fastest (14–18 mins), while buses are cheaper, and ferries avoid land border queues. Below is a quick comparison to help you choose:
Transport Type | Duration | Approx. Cost (USD) | Pros | Cons |
14–18 mins | $9–38 | Fastest, one-stop customs clearance | Higher cost for business class | |
25–40 mins | $3–8 | Cheap, direct to city centers | Prone to traffic jams | |
1.5–2 hrs | $2–5 | Most affordable, flexible routes | Longest, requires border crossing on foot | |
45–60 mins | $8–15 | No land queues, scenic for tourists | Limited ports (e.g., Shekou, HKIA) | |
30–60 mins | $50–150 | Door-to-door, convenient for groups | Most expensive |
1. Shenzhen to Hong Kong: High-Speed Train (Fastest Option)
Shenzhen Metro (Wikipedia)
The high-speed train (G-train) is the best choice if you want to save time—it connects Shenzhen Futian Station to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station in just 14–18 minutes.
- Route: Futian (Shenzhen) ↔ West Kowloon (Hong Kong) (main route); some trains also run from Shenzhen North Station (duration: 23–28 mins).
- Ticket Cost: Economy class ~CNY 68–90 (USD 9–12); Business class ~CNY 200–280 (USD 27–38).
- Booking: Buy tickets in advance via 12306 (Mainland app), Trip.com, or ticket counters at Shenzhen stations. Foreigners need a valid passport; Mainland travelers need their Exit-Entry Permit (EEP).
- Customs Process: West Kowloon Station has co-located customs (Mainland and Hong Kong checkpoints in one building). Arrive 30–45 mins early to go through security, immigration, and baggage checks.
- Tips: West Kowloon is connected to Hong Kong’s MTR (Tung Chung Line, Airport Express)—you can transfer directly to Disneyland, Tsim Sha Tsui, or the airport.
2. Shenzhen to Hong Kong: Cross-Border Bus (Cheapest Option)
Shenzhen to HK Cross-border buses are ideal for budget travelers heading to Hong Kong’s city centers (e.g., Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok). They depart from Shenzhen ports or bus stations and drop you directly in Hong Kong.
- Popular Routes:
- Futian Port (Shenzhen) → Tsim Sha Tsui (Hong Kong): 25–30 mins, ~CNY 30 (USD 4).
- Luohu Port (Shenzhen) → Mong Kok (Hong Kong): 35–40 mins, ~CNY 40 (USD 5.5).
- Shenzhen North Station → Hong Kong Airport: 60–75 mins, ~CNY 120 (USD 16).
- Ticket Cost: $3–16 USD (varies by route and bus type).
- Booking: Buy tickets at Shenzhen port ticket counters, online via Trip.com, or from bus companies (e.g., Trans-Island).
- Customs Process: Most buses stop at border checkpoints (e.g., Lok Ma Chau) for immigration—you’ll need to get off, go through customs, and reboard the same bus.
- Tips: Avoid rush hours (7–9 AM, 6–8 PM) to skip traffic; look for buses with “direct” labels to minimize stops.
3. Shenzhen to Hong Kong: Metro + MTR (Most Affordable Option)
If you’re on a tight budget, take Shenzhen’s metro to a land border, cross on foot, then transfer to Hong Kong’s MTR. It’s slower but the cheapest way.
- Route:
- Take Shenzhen Metro Line 4 to Futian Checkpoint Station (or Line 1 to Luohu Station).
- Exit the metro, go through Mainland customs, walk across the border bridge.
- Enter Hong Kong, go through Hong Kong customs, then take MTR East Rail Line from Lok Ma Chau (or Luohu) Station.
- Transfer to other MTR lines to reach your destination (e.g., East Rail Line → Hung Hum → Tsim Sha Tsui).
- Duration: 1.5–2 hrs (including border crossing).
- Cost: ~CNY 15–30 (USD 2–4) (Shenzhen metro + MTR fares combined).
- Tips: Use a Shenzhen Tong card for Shenzhen metro and an Octopus Card for Hong Kong MTR (both available on Trip.com). Border checkpoints get busy on weekends—arrive early.
4. Shenzhen to Hong Kong: Ferry (Avoid Land Queues)
Shenzhen to HK Ferries are a great alternative if you want to skip land border crowds. They run from Shenzhen’s coastal ports to Hong Kong’s islands or airport.
- Popular Routes:
- Shekou Port (Shenzhen) → Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal (Kowloon): 60 mins, ~CNY 120 (USD 16).
- Shekou Port → Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA): 45 mins, ~CNY 200 (USD 27) (ideal for transit passengers).
- Fuyong Port (Shenzhen) → HKIA: 30 mins, ~CNY 180 (USD 24).
- Ticket Cost: $8–27 USD.
- Booking: Buy tickets at Shekou/Fuyong port counters or online via Trip.com. For HKIA ferries, you can check in your luggage at the Shenzhen port (save time at the airport).
- Customs Process: Ferries have on-board immigration checks for some routes—ask staff for details.
- Tips: Shekou Port is near Shenzhen’s Nanshan District; Fuyong Port is close to Shenzhen Bao’an Airport (good for connecting flights).
5. Shenzhen to Hong Kong: Private Car/Taxi (Good for Groups)
Shenzhen to HK Private cars or taxis are perfect for families, groups, or travelers with heavy luggage—they offer door-to-door service, including airport transfers.
- Routes:
- Shenzhen City (e.g., Futian) → Hong Kong City (e.g., Central): 30–45 mins, ~CNY 400–800 (USD 55–110).
- Shenzhen Bao’an Airport → Hong Kong International Airport: 60–75 mins, ~CNY 800–1,200 (USD 110–165).
- Booking: Hire a cross-border taxi via Trip.com, hotel concierges, or local car services (ensure the driver has a cross-border permit).
- Customs Process: The driver will stop at a border checkpoint (e.g., Lok Ma Chau) for you to go through immigration—you’ll stay in the car for luggage checks.
- Tips: Split costs with a group to save money; confirm the fare upfront to avoid surcharges.
Can I Enter Hong Kong from Shenzhen? Entry Requirements
Yes, you can enter Hong Kong from Shenzhen, but you need to meet specific entry requirements based on your nationality. Below is what you need.
Shenzhen to Hong Kong - Entry Requirements
Traveler Type | Required Documents | Notes |
Mainland Chinese Residents | 1. Exit-Entry Permit for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macau (EEP, “Two-Way Permit”); 2. Hong Kong Entry Label | Apply for EEP at local public security bureaus; entry labels are valid for single/multiple trips. |
Foreigners | 1. Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining); 2. Hong Kong Visa (if required) | Some countries (e.g., US, UK, Canada) get 90-day visa-free entry—check Hong Kong Immigration Department’s website. |
Hong Kong Residents | 1. Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID); 2. Valid travel document (e.g., passport) if needed | HKID holders can use the e-channel for fast customs clearance. |
Shenzhen to Hong Kong - Customs Tips
- Bring a printed or digital copy of your booking confirmations (train, bus, etc.).
- Fill out a Hong Kong Arrival Card if you’re a foreigner (available at ports/stations or online).
- Declare items over the duty-free limit (e.g., alcohol, tobacco) to avoid fines.
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Shenzhen to Hong Kong: Useful Transport Cards & Payment Tips
To make your trip smoother, get these transportation cards ready and learn how to make payments in these two cities:
1. Must-Have Transport Cards
- Hong Kong Octopus Card: It can be used on MTR, buses, ferries, and even convenience stores (7-Eleven, Watsons). Book an Octopus card (with a balance of HKD 50) on Trip.com and collect it at Hong Kong International Airport.
- Shenzhen Tong Card: It is used for metro, buses and taxis in Shenzhen. Purchase at Shenzhen Metro station (deposit of 20 yuan + balance).
- Note: Octopus cards cannot be used in Shenzhen, and Shenzhen Tong cards cannot be used in Hong Kong either. If you are traveling back and forth, you need to bring both types of cards.
2. Currency & Payment Methods
- Hong Kong Currency: Hong Kong uses HKD (1 HKD ≈ 0.13 USD). Exchange RMB to HKD at Shenzhen ports, HKIA, or banks (try not go to airport exchange counters for better rates).
- Shenzhen Currency: Shenzhen uses CNY (1 CNY ≈ 0.14 USD).
- Accepted Payments:
- In Hong Kong, credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted in shopping malls and restaurants. Small shops, street food stalls and means of transportation require Hong Kong dollar cash or an Octopus card.
- In Shenzhen, Alipay and wechat Pay are widely accepted. Credit cards can be used in large stores.
- Tips: Carry small denomination HKD banknotes (~10 or 20 HKD) with you for transportation and snacks. Some stores in Hong Kong accept the RMB, but the exchange rate is very low.
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Shenzhen to Hong Kong: Top Spots to Visit (How to Get There)
If you’re heading to Hong Kong for a day trip or a few days, these are the most popular spots—and how to get to them easily from Shenzhen:
1. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Total time: About 1 hour.
The best way to get there from Shenzhen: First, take the high-speed rail from Shenzhen Futian Station to West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong (it only takes 14 minutes). Then transfer to the MTR Tung Chung Line to Sunny Bay Station (about 25 minutes), and then transfer to the Disneyland Line. It only takes 5 minutes to reach the park.
Tip: Book both tickets for Disneyland and train tickets on trip.com at the same time - you may get a discount. Try to arrive when the park opens at 10 a.m., so you won't have to wait in a long queue.
2. Victoria Harbour (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Total time: Around 45 mins.
The best way to get there from Shenzhen: Take the high-speed rail from Futian to West Kowloon (14 minutes). Then take the MTR Tsuen Wan Line to Tsim Sha Tsui Station (15 minutes), and you will reach the Harbour.
Tip: Go to watch the "A Symphony of Lights" performance in the evening. It starts at 8 p.m. every day and the harbour is brightly lit. Besides, if possible, you can take the Star Ferry across the harbour. It's very cheap (only about 1 dollar) and you can enjoy a wonderful view.
3. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)
Total time: 45 mins (ferry) or about 1 hour (train + Airport Express).
Best ways to get there from Shenzhen:
- Option 1: Take the ferry from Shenzhen’s Shekou Port to HKIA (45 mins total).
- Option 2: Take the high-speed train from Futian to West Kowloon (14 mins), then switch to the Airport Express (24 mins to HKIA).
Tips: If you take off from Hong Kong International Airport, use "Check-in within the city" at Shekou Port - you can leave your luggage there so you don't have to carry it all the time to the airport.
4. Lantau Island (Big Buddha & Ngong Ping 360)
Total time: About 1.5 hours.
The best way to get there from Shenzhen: Take the high-speed rail from Futian to West Kowloon (14 minutes). Then take the Airport Express to Tung Chung Station (about 20 minutes). Take Bus No. 23 from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping (30 minutes), which is where the Giant Buddha is located.
Tip: If you wish, you can take the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car instead of the bus, and you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lantau Island. In addition, visit the Giant Buddha as early as possible (before 10 a.m.) to avoid long queues for entry.
5. Mong Kok (Shopping & Street Food)
Total time: 35 minutes (by bus) or 1.5 hours (by metro + MTR).
The best way to get there from Shenzhen:
- Option 1: Take a cross-border bus from Luohu Port in Shenzhen to Mong Kok, Hong Kong (35 minutes).
- Option 2: Take the Metro Line 1 to Lo Wu Station, walk across the border, and then take the Metro East Line to Mong Kok East Station (about 1.5 hours).
Tips: Go to the women's clothing market in Hong Kong, where you can buy cheap clothes, accessories and souvenirs. In the evening, go to the Miaojie Night Market to try the local snacks: fish balls, egg waffles and curry fish balls are all very delicious.
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FAQs about Shenzhen to Hong Kong
How long is the high-speed train from Shenzhen to Hong Kong?
The fastest one (Futian to West Kowloon) takes 14–18 minutes. Trains from Shenzhen North Station take 23–28 minutes.How much is a train ticket from Shenzhen to Hong Kong?
Regular seats are ~$9–12 USD. Business class (more space) is ~$27–38 USD. Book on Trip.com to avoid missing out.Do I need a visa to enter Hong Kong from Shenzhen?
Mainland residents: Need a “Two-Way Permit” + HK entry label (not a visa). Foreigners: Need a passport + HK visa (if your country isn’t visa-free—e.g., US citizens don’t need one for 90 days).What’s the cheapest way from Shenzhen to Hong Kong?
Taking metro + MTR—it costs ~$2–4 USD. It’s slow (1.5–2 hrs) but great if you’re on a tight budget.Can I use Octopus Card in Shenzhen?
No—Octopus only works in Hong Kong. Use a Shenzhen Tong Card for Shenzhen’s metro and buses.Is a day trip from Shenzhen to Hong Kong possible?
Yes! Take the high-speed train (14 mins) to Hong Kong, visit a spot like Disneyland or Victoria Harbour, and head back the same day. Leave Shenzhen by 9 AM to have enough time.