High speed railway stations in Guangzhou

Question

Hello! Needing some help booking our first China high speed rails. Travelling early April from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Guangzhou East Railway Station. Our hotel is situated in Beijing Road, hence I think the East station should be nearer. Not sure why, but the train duration to Guangzhou South Railway station is half the time. Would this station be better compared to East Railway Station?

Second journey is from Guangzhou to Shenzhen station.

Would like to ask which platform is best to book these tickets?

We’re 4 ladies travelling each with a 27” luggage. How is the trains’ baggage storage? We’re thinking of travelling first class so that perhaps there will be more storage?

Thank you for all advice.

Answer

When traveling from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Guangzhou, you have the option of arriving at Guangzhou East Railway Station or Guangzhou South Railway Station. Each has advantages depending on your hotel location, travel convenience, and train speed.

Station comparison:

Guangzhou East Railway Station: Closer to your hotel on Beijing Road, making it convenient for reaching central Guangzhou. However, trains to East Station are slightly slower compared to South Station for some routes.
Guangzhou South Railway Station: Main hub for high-speed trains, including the fastest services from Hong Kong. Travel time is about half compared to East Station. However, it is located further from central Guangzhou, so you would need to take the metro (Line 2 or Line 7) or taxi to reach Beijing Road.

For your second journey from Guangzhou to Shenzhen:

Most high-speed trains depart from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Shenzhen North or Shenzhen Railway Station. Guangzhou East does not have as many direct high-speed services to Shenzhen.

Ticket booking tips:

First-class tickets are recommended for comfort and extra luggage space. Each seat has an overhead shelf and space at the end of the carriage for larger suitcases. For 27” luggage, first-class is more convenient.
When booking, choose trains that depart from Guangzhou South if speed and frequency are your priorities, especially for Hong Kong–Guangzhou and Guangzhou–Shenzhen legs.
If convenience to your hotel is more important than a slightly faster trip, you can arrive at Guangzhou East, but you will have fewer train options and longer journey times from Hong Kong.

Baggage storage:

Trains allow one large suitcase per passenger (up to around 32 kg). Extra luggage can be stored in overhead racks or at the end of the carriage.
First-class compartments offer slightly more room for luggage and a more spacious seating arrangement, making it ideal for four travelers with large bags.

In summary, for speed and high-speed train convenience, choose Guangzhou South Railway Station. For proximity to Beijing Road hotel, Guangzhou East is more convenient, but trains may be slower and less frequent. Traveling first-class provides more comfort and baggage space, which is recommended for four travelers each with large suitcases.

High speed railway stations in Guangzhou

More Guangzhou Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions