240 hour TWOV exiting by train

Question

I have read on this forum that it is allowed when using 240 hour TWOV to exit by train. I would like to confirm that it's possible to exit from Guilin West train station to Hong Kong West Kowloon train station in this way please.

However, I've also read on another forum that only a few months ago someone's airline did not believe that exiting by train was an allowed exit route and did not let them board the plane until they booked an alternative exit route instead (although when they arrived in China the immigration officer did not have a problem with their original train exit plan).

Is there any clear writing about this in an official document that I could print to show should there be any problems. The official one I have read so far does not make it clear to me.

Secondly, my understanding is that it's also okay to re-enter for a second 240 TWOV after a very short time (after just a weekend in Hong Kong) - hopefully I'm right in thinking this is okay too and shouldn't cause problems? So the route might be something like UK - Beijing - Xian - Guilin - HK (2 days only) - Guangzhou - Shanghai - UK.

Thank you for the excellent advice that's already on this forum and thanks in advance for any replies too.

Answer

The 240-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy in China allows eligible travelers from certain countries to transit through China without a visa, provided they have confirmed onward travel within 10 days (240 hours) to a third country or region.

Exiting by train:

Officially, the 240-hour TWOV policy is tied to leaving China to a third country or region. While most official documents and consulate instructions focus on flights, train travel to Hong Kong is generally accepted as a valid exit if Hong Kong is your next destination and you have a confirmed ticket.
For example, departing from Guilin West train station to Hong Kong West Kowloon station is allowed under 240-hour TWOV, provided you present your train ticket and onward travel details at immigration.
Some airlines may be cautious and ask for proof of onward exit via flight or other means. To avoid boarding issues, it is advisable to carry printed official guidance or screenshots from the Chinese government website explaining that land or train exits are valid.

Official documentation:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and local immigration bureaus provide guidelines confirming 240-hour TWOV allows exit by land, sea, or air to a third country/region, not restricted to flights. You can print the relevant page from the MOFA or Shanghai/Beijing/Guangxi immigration bureau website as evidence.
While direct wording may not specifically list “train to Hong Kong,” the general rule includes land border exits, which encompasses trains to Hong Kong or Macau.

Re-entering for a second 240-hour TWOV:

Technically, re-entry is allowed under the 240-hour TWOV policy, but there is no official minimum waiting period between TWOV entries. Immigration officers have discretion; frequent back-to-back entries may prompt questions.
For your route: UK → Beijing → Xi’an → Guilin → Hong Kong (2 days) → Guangzhou → Shanghai → UK, as long as each segment respects the 240-hour limit and you can show confirmed onward travel, it should be fine. Be prepared to show all train/flight tickets and hotel bookings for verification.

Practical tips:

Always carry printed confirmation of your onward tickets and hotel bookings.
Check with your airline before departure, as some carriers may have stricter boarding requirements for TWOV travelers.
If possible, allow a short buffer in your itinerary for any unforeseen delays in immigration clearance.

In summary, exiting by train to Hong Kong is allowed under the 240-hour TWOV, and re-entering for another TWOV shortly afterward is generally acceptable, though subject to immigration discretion. Carrying official guidance and all travel confirmations helps mitigate potential issues with airlines or border control.

240 hour TWOV exiting by train

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