Catching earlier train from Gaungzhou to Hong Kong?

Question

Hi all

My group, 3 adults 4 kids under 7, are going from Guangzhou airport to Guangzhou South Railway Station by taxi then high speed train to west kowloon.

We want to book in advance for peace of mind but I've read that might result in random seat allocations?

We also don't know what time to book the train! We land 5.25AM - if we book a later time and end up being early, can we catch an earlier train?

Thanks for your help!!

Answer

Traveling from Guangzhou airport to Hong Kong West Kowloon via high-speed train is straightforward, but with a young group, planning is key.

Firstly, from Guangzhou airport (CAN), the most convenient way to reach Guangzhou South Railway Station is by taxi, which takes around 40–50 minutes depending on traffic. For a group of 7, a larger taxi or minivan is recommended for comfort and luggage space.

Regarding high-speed trains from Guangzhou South to Hong Kong West Kowloon:

It’s highly recommended to book tickets in advance, especially with young children, to ensure you have seats together. Random seat allocations sometimes occur if tickets are purchased very early, but most online platforms allow you to select seats at booking.
The first trains from Guangzhou South start around 06:30. Since your flight lands at 05:25, you will likely need time for customs, luggage, and taxi, so the earliest train you can realistically catch is around 07:30–08:00, depending on how quickly you get through the airport and traffic.
If you pre-book a later train but arrive early at the station, it may be possible to change to an earlier train if seats are available. This is subject to the railway’s policies and ticket type. Tickets purchased through official apps or counters can sometimes be exchanged for an earlier departure, but there’s no guarantee during busy periods.

Practical tips for your group:

Allow at least 1.5–2 hours from landing to reaching Guangzhou South, considering taxi and airport processing.
Check the train schedule the night before travel to see the earliest departure that is feasible.
For young children, ensure you have snacks and entertainment, as train travel is around 1 hour to Hong Kong.
Keep all passports and travel documents handy, as you will go through immigration at West Kowloon station when entering Hong Kong.

In summary, booking in advance is safest, but if you arrive early, check with the ticket counter for possible earlier departures. With a group and kids, it’s better to have slightly later tickets and less rush than to risk missing your booked train.

Catching earlier train from Gaungzhou to Hong Kong?

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