Day trips from Shenzhen by HSR

Question

Hi, would it make sense to base myself near Futian HSR or Shenzhen North HSR Stations and make about 3 day trips to HKG and one day trip to Guangzhou? Visa no issue, just want to keep our hotel stay simple instead of having to deal with lugging luggage all over and the hassle of packing and then settling into new accommodations. Going as a group of 3 adults one kid.

Answer

Yes, basing yourself in Shenzhen and making day trips by high-speed rail (HSR) is a very practical and efficient plan, especially since both Hong Kong and Guangzhou are easily reachable within an hour or less by train. This approach allows you to avoid the hassle of changing hotels frequently, which is particularly convenient when traveling with family.

Between Shenzhen Futian Station and Shenzhen North Station, both are excellent transport hubs, but each has its advantages depending on your itinerary. The Futian Station is especially convenient for Hong Kong day trips, while Shenzhen North is slightly better connected for trips to Guangzhou and other major cities within Guangdong Province.

Here’s how your travel plan could work most efficiently:

Futian Station: Best for Hong Kong day trips. The Futian–Hong Kong West Kowloon HSR line connects the two cities in about 14–20 minutes. Immigration and customs are done within the same station building. The location of Futian Station is central, near shopping areas like COCO Park and surrounded by modern hotels and restaurants. It’s very family-friendly and ideal for short commuting.
Shenzhen North Station: Best for Guangzhou and other Guangdong destinations. Trains to Guangzhou South take about 30–40 minutes and are very frequent. The area around Shenzhen North is quieter and has modern hotels as well, but it is farther from the border with Hong Kong.

If your main goal is to do 3 day trips to Hong Kong and 1 day trip to Guangzhou, Futian Station would be the more convenient base. You can easily walk to the HSR station from nearby hotels, pass through customs to reach Hong Kong’s West Kowloon, and be in central Hong Kong within half an hour. The surrounding Futian area also has metro access to other parts of Shenzhen, including shopping malls and parks.

For Guangzhou, a one-day trip is very manageable from either Futian or Shenzhen North. The high-speed trains run frequently throughout the day, so you could leave in the morning, spend the day sightseeing (for example, visiting Yuexiu Park, Canton Tower, or Shamian Island), and return to Shenzhen in the evening. Booking return tickets in advance is advisable during weekends or holidays.

Below are some suggestions for your day trips:

Hong Kong Day Trips (3 days):
- Day 1: Kowloon and Victoria Harbour – visit Tsim Sha Tsui, Avenue of Stars, and take the Star Ferry to Central.
- Day 2: Hong Kong Island – explore The Peak, Central, and Aberdeen.
- Day 3: Family day – Ocean Park, Disneyland, or Hong Kong Science Museum for the child.
Guangzhou Day Trip:
- Morning train to Guangzhou South, then metro or taxi to city center.
- Visit Yuexiu Park, Shamian Island, and Canton Tower for panoramic views.
- Return to Shenzhen by evening train.

To summarize, your plan is very achievable and convenient. Staying near Futian Station gives you the easiest access to Hong Kong and reasonable access to Guangzhou, with plenty of hotel and dining options. The HSR system in this region is fast, reliable, and ideal for day-tripping. Just remember to allow time for immigration checks when entering and exiting Hong Kong each day, as this will take around 30–45 minutes depending on the crowd.

In short, basing your stay in Shenzhen, particularly near Futian Station, is a smart and comfortable strategy for multiple day trips by high-speed train without the need to move hotels or repack frequently.

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