High speed train from Shenzhen North Railway Statiom to Chao

Question

Hello,

My family of 4 will be arriving at Shenzhen airport at 8am in mid Apr. We are intending to take a taxi from the airport to the railway station to head to Chaozhou.

I note that there are many trains to Chaozhou from Shenzhen North Railway Station, like every 20 mins.

Can I check if it is possible for me not to buy advance train tickets as I am afraid of flight delay and missing the booked train.

Would appreciate advice if it is safe for me to head to the railway station to buy tickets directly from the counter after we land that morning.

Thank you.

Answer

Yes, it is possible to buy your high-speed train tickets from Shenzhen North Railway Station on the same day of travel, but it comes with a few important considerations depending on your travel time, season, and flexibility. Since you’ll be arriving in Shenzhen around 8am, you’ll have several options to get to Chaozhou later that morning or afternoon.

1. Buying tickets on arrival

You can buy your tickets at the ticket counters or self-service machines at Shenzhen North Railway Station. Passports are required for foreigners to purchase tickets, and station staff can assist you at the manual ticket windows if the machines don’t accept foreign IDs. Trains from Shenzhen North to Chaozhou (Chaoshan Station) operate frequently — roughly every 20–30 minutes throughout the day — and the journey takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.

Advantages: No risk of losing your ticket if your flight is delayed; flexible timing upon arrival.
Disadvantages: During weekends, holidays, or peak travel periods (such as April holidays or school vacations), tickets may sell out for certain time slots. You might have to wait for the next available train or buy a later departure.

2. Recommended plan

Because you land at 8am, you should expect to reach Shenzhen North Railway Station by about 9:00–9:30am. It’s about a 35–45 minute drive by taxi from the airport under normal traffic. Once there, you can check ticket availability for the next few trains to Chaozhou — chances are good that you’ll find seats within 1–2 hours, especially if you’re traveling on a weekday.

Buy tickets directly at the station ticket counter using your passports.
If your group is fine sitting separately, you can also ask for “any available seats” to increase your chances of getting on an earlier train.
If tickets for all morning trains are sold out, you can spend time at the nearby shopping or dining areas inside the modern station complex while waiting for the next available departure.

3. Alternative options

Book flexible tickets online: You can use trusted platforms like Trip.com or China Railway’s 12306 website to book a ticket that allows for easy change if your flight is delayed. Trip.com allows cancellation or exchange up to an hour before departure (small fee may apply).
Other stations: If Shenzhen North tickets are sold out, you can also check trains from Shenzhen Pingshan or Futian Stations, though Shenzhen North has the most frequent service.

4. Summary recommendation

Yes, you can safely buy your tickets on the same day after landing, especially if you are arriving early in the morning. Trains to Chaozhou are frequent, and weekday availability is generally good. However, during public holidays or weekends, it’s safer to pre-book flexible tickets that can be changed in case of flight delay.

Estimated travel timeline:

08:00 – Land at Shenzhen Airport
09:00 – Arrive at Shenzhen North Railway Station by taxi
09:30–10:30 – Board train to Chaozhou (Chaoshan Station)
12:30–13:00 – Arrive in Chaozhou

Overall, if your arrival is on a regular weekday and you’re comfortable with a bit of waiting, buying tickets upon arrival at Shenzhen North is a reasonable and convenient option.

High speed train from Shenzhen North Railway Statiom to Chao

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