The How-To Guide To Hong Kong Border Crossing Between Mainland China
Are you wondering how to get from Hong Kong to Mainland China or vice versa? If so, you’ll be happy to know the Hong Kong border crossing between Mainland China has never been easier.
As of 2019, there are a total of fourteen different control points including air, sea and 5 different land crossings. Furthermore, there are several different forms of transport you can take. Because the city of Shenzhen lies directly next to Hong Kong, crossing into Shenzhen is the most convenient Here are the quickest and easiest ways to cross the Hong Kong/China border.
Besides Shenzhen, you can also travel between Hong Kong and Zhuhai or Guangzhou. These alternative options are listed at the end of the blog post.
Private Company Bus
Using a private company bus is my personal preferred method of traveling to the Hong Kong Shenzhen border crossing. Private buses in Hong Kong are comfortable and the ride is usually very smooth.
These buses are run by private companies that can be found all throughout Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Moreover, most of them depart from convenient locations such as a mall, subway station or bus stop and are easy to find.
Most importantly these private bus systems are very easy for foreigners to follow. When you buy your bus ticket at the bus company in Hong Kong you will be escorted to the bus location. Next, you will be shuttled to the nearest Hong Kong Shenzhen border crossing. Once you reach the border crossing you will have to exit the bus and cross the border on foot.
If you choose this method of transport from Hong Kong, I suggest you go to Wanchai Ferry Public Transport Interchange. The bus that leaves from there runs 24 hours and takes passengers to Huanggang border crossing, 皇岗口岸, the only 24-hour Hong Kong Shenzhen border crossing.
The downside to taking a private bus from Hong Kong is that Hong Kong city is constantly undergoing construction and the bus locations change frequently. So it can be easy to get turned around and find yourself walking for a long time before you arrive at the correct location.
Fortunately, many people in Hong Kong speak English fluently so when in doubt all you need to do is ask someone how to get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen and they will help you.
Hong Kong to Shenzhen, China
- Frequency: Every 15 to 30 minutes.
- Last Bus: Most of the buses end around 9:00 pm. However, there is a bus that runs 24 hours from Wanchai Ferry Public Transport Interchange to the Huanggang Border in Shenzhen. Huanggang Border is the only border crossing that is open for 24 hours.
- Cost: The bus prices average between 50-70 HKD (7-10 USD).
- Location: Wanchai Ferry Public Transport Interchange.
- Booking: You book your bus ticket on the day of your departure. The buses leave frequently so if you miss one you can wait for the next. However, tickets sell out fast on the weekend so make sure you give yourself plenty of time before.
- Duration: An hour.
Shenzhen to Hong Kong:
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes.
- Last Bus: Around 9:00 pm.
- Cost: 50 RMB ( 7 USD ).
- Location: Wanchai Ferry Public Transport Interchange.
- Booking: You book your bus ticket on the day of your departure.
- Duration: An hour.
City Bus
There are also many Hong Kong city buses that will take you to the border crossing. Hong Kong city buses are an inexpensive way to travel from Hong Kong city to the border crossing. Many of the city buses also run till late in the evening.
The downside to taking the city bus is that they can be difficult to find for those new to Hong Kong. And the bus maps in Shenzhen are all in Chinese. Moreover, buses can get quite crowded, so there is no guarantee that you’ll get a seat. This means you could find yourself standing for an hour-long trip.
Hong Kong to Shenzhen:
For Hong Kong city bus information click here.
Shenzhen to Hong Kong:
For Shenzhen to Hong Kong city bus information click here.
Airport Limo
If you are traveling from the Hong Kong airport and wondering how to get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, you should consider taking an airport limo. Airport limos are large cars that fit up to eight or nine people.
The airport limo is a convenient way to travel from the Hong Kong airport to Shenzhen Bay border, 深圳湾. However, these cars only go to the Shenzhen Bay border crossing, 深圳湾, Shenzhen Wan. This border crossing is located in Shekou near Nanshan district.
The convenient thing about this form of transport is that it leaves often, every 30 minutes or so.
But the downside to taking the limo is that the tickets are more expensive than other forms of transport. Additionally, this form of transport is not 24 hours.
Hong Kong to Shenzhen:
- Location: Hong Kong Airport Terminal 2
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Last Limo: 2:30 AM
- Cost: 150 HKD one way (22 USD)
- Booking: At Hong Kong Airport Terminal 2
- Duration: An hour.
Shenzhen to Hong Kong:
- Location: 深圳湾北, Shenzhen Wan Border Crossing
- Frequency: Every 30 minutes
- Last Limo: 2:30 AM
- Cost: 150 HKD one way (22 USD)
- Booking: Shenzhenwan Border Crossing
- Duration: An hour
Ferry
The ferry is another quick way to get from the Hong Kong airport to Shenzhen. Once your luggage is checked-in on the ferry, your luggage will automatically be checked-in on your flight as well. So you don’t have to personally check-in your luggage once you arrive at the airport. Also, you don’t have to manually wait in line and cross the border on foot.
Another benefit to taking the ferry to Shenzhen is that most people can qualify for a free 5-day Shenzhen visa. This visa is available upon arrival at the port.
The downside to using the ferry is that the last ferry from Hong Kong to Shenzhen leaves rather early. Furthermore, ferry tickets sell out quickly, especially on the weekends and holidays.
Related post: The Complete Guide to China’s Transit Visa
Hong Kong to Shenzhen Ferry:
- Location: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and Hong Kong airport all have ports
- Frequency: The ferry leaves hourly.
- Last Ferry: 8 PM
- Cost: From Shenzhen to the airport ticket prices are 180 HKD (26 USD) one way
- Booking: At ferry port or online
- Duration: Between 30 minutes to an hour.
Shenzhen to Hong Kong Ferry:
- Location: Fuyong Ferry Terminal or Shenzhen Cruise Center
- Frequency: The ferry leaves hourly.
- Last Ferry: 8 PM
- Cost: From Shenzhen to the airport ticket prices are 180 HKD (26 USD) one way
- Booking: At ferry port or online
- Duration: Between 30 minutes to an hour.
High-Speed Train
The high-speed train is the fastest way to get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. Depending on where your starting location is in Hong Kong and where your final destination is in Shenzhen, you can get there in as fast as 15 minutes.
The downside to taking the train over the bus is that there are more bus locations than train stations. Also, train tickets are more expensive, especially in the evening. Unlike the bus though you can book your train ticket before arriving at the station, giving you peace of mind.
Hong Kong to Shenzhen:
- Location: Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station.
- Frequency: Train leaves every 20 – 30 minutes.
- Last Train: 11 PM
- Cost: Starts from 75 HKD (10 USD) one way, 120 HKD roundtrip (17 USD).
- Booking: At the train station or online.
- Duration: 20 minutes
Shenzhen to Hong Kong:
- Location: Shenzhen Futian/ Shenzhen North Railway Station.
- Frequency: Train leaves every 20 – 30 minutes.
- Last Train: 11 PM
- Cost: Starts from 75 HKD (10 USD) one way, 120 HKD roundtrip (17 USD).
- Booking: At the train station or online.
- Duration: 20 minutes
Taxi
If you are not comfortable looking for bus stops or booking tickets online, you can always just grab a taxi. In Hong Kong taxis are everywhere and you’ll have no problem finding one.
However, taking a taxi is my least favorite way to get to the Hong Kong Shenzhen border. For one thing, taxi rides are expensive.
Another reason is that many taxi drivers don’t like to drive to Shenzhen, especially at night. I’ve had multiple experiences of trying to get a cab to take me from Hong Kong to Shenzhen late at night and none would take me.
Subway
Taking the Hong Kong subway to Luohu station or Futian checkpoint is another way to get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. This method is the cheapest way to travel to the Hong Kong Shenzhen border. Plus the Hong Kong subway system is in both English and Chinese, making it easy for foreigners to navigate.
However, neither the Hong Kong nor the Shenzhen subway system is 24-hours and both Luohu station and Futian checkpoint close at midnight. So this would not be a convenient form of transportation for those heading to Shenzhen late in the evening past midnight.
Hong Kong to Shenzhen:
- Location: Lo Wu/Luohu Border and Lok Ma Chau/Futian Border.
- Frequency: Train comes every 3-8 minutes.
- Last Train: 1:00 am.
- Cost: 30 HKD (4 USD).
- Booking: Buy a ticket at the subway station.
- Duration: Travel time depends on where you board.
Shenzhen to Hong Kong:
- Location: Luohu and Futian Checkpoint.
- Frequency: Train comes every 3-8 minutes.
- Last Train: 1:00 am.
- Cost: 30 HKD (4 USD).
- Booking: Buy a ticket at the subway station.
- Duration: Travel time depends on where you board.
Hong Kong to Guangzhou
The easiest way to travel between Guangzhou and Hong Kong is by taking the train. The high-speed bullet train takes around 50 minutes, while the regular train takes around 2 hours.
There are five high-speed trains running between the two cities per day (as of May 2019) between 8:30 AM and 6 PM. Tickets can be purchased directly at the two train stations: Guangzhou South Railway Station and Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station.
Ticket prices are currently as follows:
| Business Class Seat | First Class Seat | Second Class Seat |
|---|---|---|
| CNY 432 – 645 USD 65 – 98 | CNY 261 – 344 USD 40 – 52 | CNY 187 – 215 USD 28 – 33 |
Hong Kong to Zhuhai
There is no direct high-speed train shuttling between Hong Kong and Zhuhai but you can get to Zhuhai by transferring at Guangzhou South Station.
The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge opened in late 2018 and is now the easiest way to travel between Hong Kong and Zhuhai. Shuttle buses and cross-boundary coaches run between the ports of Hong Kong and Zhuhai/Macao, not crossing any boundaries.
For more information on this option, check out the official HZMB website.
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