6D5N trip to Chaozhou & Shantou

Question

Hi. I’ve an upcoming 3-pax trip to Chaoshan. A couple of questions I hope to get help with:

1. Arriving Jieyang Airport at 630pm on a Thursday, is it better to go to Chaoshan or Shantou first? How much would the taxi ride/didi cost from airport?

2. Then from Chaoshan/Shantou to the other city, is it convenient to go by train? How much is the cost and how long is the journey please?

Thanks

Answer

For a 6-day, 5-night trip to the Chaoshan region, including Chaozhou and Shantou, careful planning of transport is important to maximize your time, especially arriving at Jieyang Airport in the evening.

1. Arrival and first destination:

Jieyang Chaoshan Airport (SWA) is located roughly midway between Chaozhou and Shantou. Given your arrival at 6:30 PM on a Thursday, it is generally more convenient to head first to Shantou for the following reasons:

Shantou is closer to the airport than central Chaozhou; taxi or Didi will take about 40–50 minutes depending on traffic, compared with 1–1.5 hours to Chaozhou.
Arriving in Shantou in the evening allows you to check in and have dinner locally without rushing.
Next day, you can travel to Chaozhou during daylight hours, making sightseeing more comfortable.

Approximate taxi or Didi costs from Jieyang Airport:

To Shantou: around CNY 120–160.
To Chaozhou: around CNY 180–220.
These prices can vary depending on traffic, surge pricing, or time of day.

2. Travel between Chaozhou and Shantou:

The distance between the two cities is about 50–60 km, and transport is convenient:

By train: High-speed trains connect Shantou and Chaozhou. Journey time is approximately 30–45 minutes. Ticket prices range from CNY 15–30 per person for second class, depending on the train type.
By taxi or Didi: Travel by road takes around 45–60 minutes. Cost is roughly CNY 100–150, depending on traffic.
Trains are frequent, with departures approximately every 30–60 minutes, making it flexible for planning your sightseeing.

Additional tips:

Since you have three people, splitting the taxi fare might be more convenient and comfortable if you have luggage.
Booking train tickets in advance via China Railway App or at the station can save time and ensure seating during peak periods.
Consider starting your sightseeing in Shantou first, visiting attractions like Shantou Old Town and nearby seafood markets, then moving to Chaozhou for cultural sites such as the Guangji Bridge, Kaiyuan Temple, and local food experiences.

In summary, arriving at Shantou first is more convenient for your evening arrival. Travel between Shantou and Chaozhou is easy and quick by train or taxi, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed 6-day itinerary exploring both cities thoroughly.

6D5N trip to Chaozhou & Shantou

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