Hong Kong to Shenzhen Day Trip: High-Speed Train Guide

​

​

​

How to Book Trains in China:

A Guide to Your Hong Kong to Shenzhen Day Trip

Words/Photos ©HiCouple

​

​

Are you planning a trip to Hong Kong and looking for a quick getaway that isn't Macau?

If so, we highly recommend crossing the border

for an exciting day trip to Shenzhen, China!

​

Compared to Hong Kong, Shenzhen offers a much lower cost of living

and serves up some absolutely incredible, authentic Chinese cuisine,

making it the perfect destination for a quick adventure.

​

Even though you're crossing an international border,

getting to Shenzhen is a breeze thanks to the high-speed rail network.

Today, I'll walk you through how to book Chinese train tickets

for your upcoming Hong Kong to Shenzhen day trip!

​

​

​

​

​

​

First things first: the easiest way for international travelers

to book Chinese trains is through Trip.com.

Because it's a major platform with deep ties to the region,

they handle virtually every Chinese train route available!

​

Plus, their 24/7 English-speaking customer service

is a massive lifesaver if you run into any unexpected issues.

​

​

>> Book Chinese Train Tickets Here <<

​

​

​

​

Once you click the link, you'll see a search page.

Simply enter your departure, destination, and travel dates,

then hit search to find available trains.

​

For a seamless day trip from Hong Kong to Shenzhen,

we highly recommend booking a route from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station

straight to Futian Station in downtown Shenzhen.

​

​

​

​

You'll be able to check both outbound and return schedules.

To maximize your time on a day trip,

we suggest heading out early in the morning and returning late at night.

​

We opted for a 9:00 AM train to Shenzhen

and planned our return to Hong Kong on the 9:00 PM train.

​

​

​

​

After selecting your preferred times,

you'll need to choose between Second Class and First Class seats.

Here's a quick breakdown of the pricing:

​

📌 Hong Kong - Shenzhen Train Prices

Second Class: ~$11

First Class: ~$18

​

Since the journey only takes about 14 minutes,

upgrading doesn't make a huge difference. We recommend saving some cash and going with Second Class!

​

​

​

​

Once you've selected your seat class,

click the booking button below

to proceed to the payment page.

​

​

​

​

Unlike trains in many Western countries, China's high-speed rail doesn't use paper tickets.

Your passport is digitally linked to your reservation,

so getting this next step right is absolutely crucial!

​

Simply put: Your Passport = Your Train Ticket.

​

​

​

​

In the passenger information section, carefully enter your

Passport Type, Passport Number, Given Name, Surname,

Nationality/Region, Expiration Date, and Date of Birth.

​

If you're traveling with friends or family,

you can easily add passengers to book together!

​

​

​

​

Next, you can select your preferred seats for free.

​

​

​

​

Finally, double-check all your reservation details

and choose your payment method.

You can use credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay,

or whatever option works best for you!

​

​

​

​

Once the payment goes through, you'll see a message

stating that your tickets are being issued.

Keep in mind that ticketing isn't always instant in China

and can sometimes take a little while.

​

Because of this, we strongly recommend booking

at least 1 to 2 days before your planned departure.

​

​

​

​

After a few hours, you'll receive a confirmation email

letting you know your tickets are officially booked!

​

​

​

​

​

​

Many travelers feel intimidated by the idea of

planning a trip to China due to the language barrier.

​

But by following this simple guide, you can book

your Chinese train tickets quickly and stress-free.

​

One final, crucial tip before you go:

Since your passport is your ticket, don't forget it!

Make sure to arrive at the station at least 1 hour before departure.

​

You'll need to clear both Hong Kong departure and

Mainland China arrival immigration at West Kowloon Station,

which can take some time during peak hours!

​

Have an amazing day trip to Shenzhen!