From HK to Guangzhou...train or plane?
Jan 1, 2019, 1:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
From HK to Guangzhou...train or plane?
For those of you who travel this route, do you find it easier by air or rail? Specifically, the new high speed train. Oh, and I presume, that even now (since this is Canton), they can still understand Cantonese in the train stations?
Jan 1, 2019, 3:24 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,095
There are three train routes: the new HSR from West Kowloon, the traditional direct train from Hung Hom, and an indirect route heading first by MTR to Shenzhen, then taking a domestic Chinese train to Guangzhou.
The HSR sitting-on-the-train time is shortest, but the arrival station in Guangzhou is inconvenient. The traditional direct train is a bit slower, but you arrive in the center more or less of Guangzhou. The indirect route can be a bit cumbersome because of the border crossing, but it's cheapest.
There're also buses, but they're slow and not too comfortable. Nonetheless, in some cases -- if you're starting from HKIA for example -- the bus may be worth considering.
The HSR sitting-on-the-train time is shortest, but the arrival station in Guangzhou is inconvenient. The traditional direct train is a bit slower, but you arrive in the center more or less of Guangzhou. The indirect route can be a bit cumbersome because of the border crossing, but it's cheapest.
There're also buses, but they're slow and not too comfortable. Nonetheless, in some cases -- if you're starting from HKIA for example -- the bus may be worth considering.
Jan 1, 2019, 3:56 pm
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Say, to the Park Hyatt, for a person whose really bad with directions, what degree of difficulty would you estimate it is navigating from the arrival station to the hotel? Is the subway system similar to that of Shanghai's?
Jan 1, 2019, 5:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,095
If money's an issue and you've been to China before, my first suggestion would be the step-by-step route via Shenzhen.
Otherwise I'd go the traditional route from Hung Hom: it's so much more convenient to arrive at Guangzhou East Station instead of Guangzhou South, Just look at a map. But you have to check the train schedule; HSR trains are more frequent.
Otherwise I'd go the traditional route from Hung Hom: it's so much more convenient to arrive at Guangzhou East Station instead of Guangzhou South, Just look at a map. But you have to check the train schedule; HSR trains are more frequent.
Last edited by 889; Jan 1, 2019 at 6:55 pm
Jan 8, 2019, 10:01 am
#10
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Yes, either early morning or late evenings via KA. My transportation on these trips into Guangzhou are reimbursable where I have wide discretion, where a few extra flights & hotel stays aren't an issue. I was considering booking RT KA J to earn more MPC points with the outside chance of maybe hitting DM. Might be easier to just hire a car/taxi from CAN, rather than making the effort to navigate the subway.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:44 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2015
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I just came back a week ago from staying at the Hilton Tianhe, a wee bit north of the Park Hyatt. Took the old Intercity Through Train from Hung Hom into Guangzhou East Station, and the new high speed rail out of Guangzhou South Station back to Hong Kong.
Although I enjoyed the novelty of the new high speed train, and going through Chinese immigration/customs in Hong Kong at the new station, to be honest getting to Guangzhou South station from that side of Guangzhou was kind of a pain. I was planning on taking the metro, but I had a carry on and a full suitcase, and my train was departing at 8:20 pm, so I didn't want to mess around with the evening rush hour, so I took a taxi.
Even though the train from Hung Hom is slower, I think the total travel time to your hotel would be about the same as the HSR, considering how close Guangzhou East is to the Park Hyatt. It's 3 subway stops south (same line, but with a change at Tiyu Xilu station) or a quick taxi ride.
Although I enjoyed the novelty of the new high speed train, and going through Chinese immigration/customs in Hong Kong at the new station, to be honest getting to Guangzhou South station from that side of Guangzhou was kind of a pain. I was planning on taking the metro, but I had a carry on and a full suitcase, and my train was departing at 8:20 pm, so I didn't want to mess around with the evening rush hour, so I took a taxi.
Even though the train from Hung Hom is slower, I think the total travel time to your hotel would be about the same as the HSR, considering how close Guangzhou East is to the Park Hyatt. It's 3 subway stops south (same line, but with a change at Tiyu Xilu station) or a quick taxi ride.
Jan 23, 2019, 9:07 am
#13
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Another vote for Guangzhou East. GZ South is a real slog from the city, and re:OP’s question, the airport would also be out of the way.
As an aside, is it already possible to solely travel by metro from Foshan to Shenzhen?
As an aside, is it already possible to solely travel by metro from Foshan to Shenzhen?
Jan 23, 2019, 9:18 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,095
Not yet, I don't think. It awaits "planned" expansion of the Dongguan Metro to connect with Shenzhen and Guangzhou Metros.
(Actually, since the MTR and Shenzhen Metro are essentially linked now with a transfer station, maybe someday you'll be able to travel from Central to Foshan wholly by rail mass transit.)
(Actually, since the MTR and Shenzhen Metro are essentially linked now with a transfer station, maybe someday you'll be able to travel from Central to Foshan wholly by rail mass transit.)
Jan 23, 2019, 12:00 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2006
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After completion, the Guangfo metro line runs between Xincheng Dong in Foshan and Yangang in Guangzhou. Journey time will be more than 1 hour, depends on your final destination.
