Reaching SZ at midnight and going to GZ straight

Question

Hi,

I booked an impromptu trip with my partner to Shenzhen and Guangzhou (mid to end April - 7 days). It's our first trip to China and I did try to search & use ChatGPT to check my queries however I need some suggestions/opinions.

Our flight details:

- Arriving to Shenzhen airport at 1.10am

- Leaving from Shenzhen airport at 2.10am

Our idea was to head straight to Guangzhou after we landed at Shenzhen airport and start our day there and then head back to Shenzhen.

Queries:

Understand that there might not be any public transport by the time we arrive Shenzhen at 1.10am (last bus to GZ is 2am based on what chatgpt suggested), thus is it advisable to head to Guangzhou via didi/taxi? Or is it more advisable to stay at Shenzhen for a day and then head to Guangzhou the next day or after we wake up?

We are trying to keep our expenses low but if it's a needed expenditure, we are more than willing to pay. Could you give us your suggestions please?

Thank you very much!

Answer

Arriving in Shenzhen at 1:10 am presents a challenge for reaching Guangzhou immediately, as most public transport options, including buses and trains, will have stopped operating for the night. The distance between Shenzhen and Guangzhou is around 120–140 km depending on your route, which is roughly a 1.5–2 hour drive under normal traffic.

Here are the key considerations and options for your plan:

Option 1: Take a Didi / Taxi directly to Guangzhou: This is feasible, but it will be expensive. A private ride at that hour can easily cost around ¥600–800 (≈$85–110 USD). Also, there may be limited drivers available in the middle of the night, and you could experience slight delays.
Option 2: Stay overnight in Shenzhen and travel to Guangzhou in the morning: This is safer, more convenient, and much cheaper. You can take a high-speed train or bus in the morning, which will take roughly 1–1.5 hours. Shenzhen has several hotels near the airport that are open 24 hours, allowing you to rest immediately after arrival.
Option 3: Airport hotel with early morning transfer: Book a hotel at Shenzhen Airport and then take an early morning high-speed train to Guangzhou South Railway Station. Trains start running around 6–7 am, giving you a full day in Guangzhou without the stress or expense of a midnight taxi.

Given your priorities of keeping expenses low and starting your day fresh, Option 2 or Option 3 are the recommended approaches. A midnight taxi is only worth it if you are willing to pay a premium and want to maximize your time in Guangzhou immediately. Traveling after a night’s rest is generally more enjoyable, especially for first-time visitors.

Additional tips:

Check hotel shuttle services near Shenzhen Airport—they can sometimes arrange transfers to major train stations early in the morning.
If you decide to take Didi, make sure your app is set up and linked to a payment method before arriving, as cash payments are less common.
Consider booking Guangzhou accommodation in advance, especially if traveling in April, as it can be busy around holidays or weekends.

Overall, arriving late at night makes immediate travel to Guangzhou logistically complicated and expensive, so resting in Shenzhen and traveling in the morning is the safer and more practical option.

Reaching SZ at midnight and going to GZ straight

More Guangzhou Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions