Guanghou

[Michael]

I have a question on what the best thing to do. I will arrive in Hong Kong at 4:55pm on March 16, 2010. My next flight to Guangzhou leaves at 9:25pm and arrives at 10:15pm in Guangzhou. Now I hear it is a long way from the airport to Guangzhou Embassy. So would it be better if I just take the train to Guangzhou. If so how far is the train station from the airport in Hong Kong. Or for that matter how far is the train station from the airport in Guangzhou.

We are staying right at the Embassy building. Can anyone help me out here.

Now you have to remember my Chinese is not very good.

Thanks,

Michael

Edited February 23, 2010 by Michael (see edit history)

[warpedbored]

I have a question on what the best thing to do. I will arrive in Hong Kong at 4:55pm on March 16, 2010. My next flight to Guangzhou leaves at 9:25pm and arrives at 10:15pm in Guangzhou. Now I hear it is a long way from the airport to Guangzhou Embassy. So would it be better if I just take the train to Guangzhou. If so how far is the train station from the airport in Hong Kong. Or for that matter how far is the train station from the airport in Guangzhou.

We are staying right at the Embassy building. Can anyone help me out here.

Now you have to remember my Chinese is not very good.

Thanks,

Michael

 

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/cbt/des..._c_gz_tran.html

Hong Kong International Airport is a multi-modal transport centre, offering extensive land and sea connections to major cities in the Pearl River Delta region (PRD). While cross-boundary ferries provide speedy sea transport to and from eight ports, coach service covers more than 90 PRD cities and towns. Passengers looking for point-to-point transport can hire a limousine to enjoy more privacy and comfort.

 

Hong Kong's train system is very easy to navigate. Since it used to be a British colony signs are in English as well as Chinese. It takes about two hours to get to GZ.

I've only made the trek from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. I came in too late at night to catch the train so I ended up taking a bus to Kowloon and after getting tired of waiting for for the next bus I opted for a taxi to the port of entry in Shenzhen. It was only about 50 Hong Kong dollars. On my trip back I had a day to kill in Hong Kong so I spent the day exploring the city via the train system. Very impressive and modern train system.

 

It will probably not only be faster but also get you into GZ closer to the consulate. The only caution I would give is to be on the lookout for pick pockets at the main train station in GZ. If possible have your sweet heart meet you at your train in GZ.

[dnoblett]

When we went to Guangzho for interview I had my incountry travel agent provide us with a private car and driver from airport to the consulate and back, cost me $50 per trip. http://www.chinahighlights.com

 

Other option is there is a bus from the airport to the train station near the consulate.

[dnoblett]

First thought it would be a LONG train ride from HK to the US Embassy, The US Embassy is located in Beijing. The train probably would make a connection in the train Station in Guangzhou located next to the US Consulate located in Guangzhou.

[Eric]

I have taken the train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou (Guangzhou-Kowloon Through Train) several times and in my opinion it is a much better option than flying because the train takes you directly to the Guangzhou East Station which is the station located right near the Consulate. The train ride is about 2 hours long and is very enjoyable and costs HK$190 which is about $25US. The train leaves HK from the Hung Hom station which is also an MTR stop so it is easy to get to and all of the signs directing you to the train are in both Chinese and English. There are 12 trains per day which leave at about 1 hour intervals beginning at about 7:30 am with the last train leaving HK at about 7:30 PM.

http://www.it3.mtr.com.hk/B2C/UserPage/sysTimeTable_Eng.asp

[dnoblett]

I have taken the train from Hong Kong to Guangzhou (Guangzhou-Kowloon Through Train) several times and in my opinion it is a much better option than flying because the train takes you directly to the Guangzhou East Station which is the station located right near the Consulate. The train ride is about 2 hours long and is very enjoyable and costs HK$190 which is about $25US. The train leaves HK from the Hung Hom station which is also an MTR stop so it is easy to get to and all of the signs directing you to the train are in both Chinese and English. There are 12 trains per day which leave at about 1 hour intervals beginning at about 7:30 am with the last train leaving HK at about 7:30 PM.

http://www.it3.mtr.com.hk/B2C/UserPage/sysTimeTable_Eng.asp

 

Excellent!! Good info!

[a2784]

I have a question on what the best thing to do. I will arrive in Hong Kong at 4:55pm on March 16, 2010. My next flight to Guangzhou leaves at 9:25pm and arrives at 10:15pm in Guangzhou. Now I hear it is a long way from the airport to Guangzhou Embassy. So would it be better if I just take the train to Guangzhou. If so how far is the train station from the airport in Hong Kong. Or for that matter how far is the train station from the airport in Guangzhou.

We are staying right at the Embassy building. Can anyone help me out here.

Now you have to remember my Chinese is not very good.

Thanks,

Michael

 

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/cbt/des..._c_gz_tran.html

Hong Kong International Airport is a multi-modal transport centre, offering extensive land and sea connections to major cities in the Pearl River Delta region (PRD). While cross-boundary ferries provide speedy sea transport to and from eight ports, coach service covers more than 90 PRD cities and towns. Passengers looking for point-to-point transport can hire a limousine to enjoy more privacy and comfort.

 

Hong Kong's train system is very easy to navigate. Since it used to be a British colony signs are in English as well as Chinese. It takes about two hours to get to GZ.

I've only made the trek from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. I came in too late at night to catch the train so I ended up taking a bus to Kowloon and after getting tired of waiting for for the next bus I opted for a taxi to the port of entry in Shenzhen. It was only about 50 Hong Kong dollars. On my trip back I had a day to kill in Hong Kong so I spent the day exploring the city via the train system. Very impressive and modern train system.

 

It will probably not only be faster but also get you into GZ closer to the consulate. The only caution I would give is to be on the lookout for pick pockets at the main train station in GZ. If possible have your sweet heart meet you at your train in GZ.

 

You have three options besides the flight you have scheduled:

 

1. Take a bus directly from HKIA to Guangzhou city. You can get off at several different stops in the city. You will then need to get a taxi out to the Consulate Building. This is the easiest option from the airport (the bus companies are set up on the terminal departure floors and they all speak english). It will take you about 4 hours. See the information in Carl's link for HKIA Mainland Coaches.

 

2. Take a ferry directly from HKIA to Guangzhou city. You will arrive at Nansha port. From there take a taxi to Consulate Building. You do not have to go through immigration procedures or reclaim checked luggage at HKIA. You go to the Ferry desk in Terminal 1 and purchase your ticket. They handle your checked luggage. It will take you about 3-6 hours depending on how lucky you get with the ferry schedule matching your arrival at the ferry station. See the information in Carl's link for HKIA Ferry Transfer.

 

3. Take the Airport Express train from HKIA to city center. Then get on the HK MTR to the Hung Hom stop. This is the HK train station. You can also take Airport Express bus (A21) directly from airport to Hung Hom. I recommend this. At Hung Hom you can purchase tickets on the KCR East railway. This will take you directly (2 hr no stops) to the Guangzhou east train station. From here you can walk to the Consulate building in under 5 minutes. It will take you about 3-6 hours depending on how lucky you get with the train schedule matching your arrival at the rail station. See the attached link mapping the HK MTR and KCR East rail system.

 

http://www.johomaps.com/as/hongkong/hkmetro_ch.html

 

I have used all three options and investigated renting a personal car for direct drive from HKIA to Guangzhou. The price was more than a plane ticket for this option. My recommendation to you is to take the KCR train because it takes you directly to the Consulate Building area (GUZ East Train station). However if you feel uncomfortable about the connections and are not familiar with HK then the bus service from HKIA to Guangzhou is better. Depends on your comfort level.

 

For me the most fun was the ferry transfer although I was anxiously wondering if my checked luggage would really arrive.

[Michael]

Thank You all for the great information. I really have never been on my own in China. She has always met me. So I guess I better sharpen up on my Chinese.

 

Thank You,

 

Michael

[a2784]

Thank You all for the great information. I really have never been on my own in China. She has always met me. So I guess I better sharpen up on my Chinese.

 

Thank You,

 

Michael

 

 

Dont sweat it....while it is good to have at least some basic Chinese in HK/SZ/GUZ/BJ/SHA and even smaller cities you can get by without it. Take the names of hotels, etc. in chinese with you on paper and sharpen up your charades skills.

[Michael]

How far is the train station from the Airport in Hong Kong?

[Michael]

Thank You all for the great information. I really have never been on my own in China. She has always met me. So I guess I better sharpen up on my Chinese.

 

Thank You,

 

Michael

 

 

Dont sweat it....while it is good to have at least some basic Chinese in HK/SZ/GUZ/BJ/SHA and even smaller cities you can get by without it. Take the names of hotels, etc. in chinese with you on paper and sharpen up your charades skills.

 

 

Great idea

[a2784]

How far is the train station from the Airport in Hong Kong?

 

~ 45 minutes from time you leave HKIA to time you get to Hung Hom regardless of whether take airport express train/MTR or A21 bus directly.