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There are a number of ways of getting to / from Shekou, all of which have their individual pros and cons. I will try and help by describing the different methods available. As most people will probably be arriving via Hong Kong International airport,
click on image for a larger view.
the methods described below are with this in mind. These methods are as follows:
1. Ferry to Shekou direct from Hong Kong International Airport
2. Coach service from Hong Kong International Airport to Chinese Border
3. Taxi from Hong Kong International Airport to Chinese Border
4. Airport Express
5. Public Buses
6. Limousine Service
1. Ferry to Shekou direct from Hong Kong International Airport
It is now possible to take a ferry directly from the Hong Kong International Airport to Shekou (and back, assuming that you are flying with a participating airline, this list can be viewed here). Note: If your airline is not listed here you CANNOT travel from Shekou to the airport direct by means of the ferry.
Shekou Ferry Terminal
On arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, after disembarking the aircraft, follow the signs for the Ferry Transfer Desk. This desk is close to the Hong Kong Immigration desks. DO NOT GO THROUGH IMMIGRATION otherwise you will be unable to use the ferry facility.
The ferries leave at approximately hourly intervals, generally on the half hour (a full timetable can be seen here), throughout the day from the airport, with the last ferry being at 21:15. A ticket at current price is HK$220 (adult). It should be noted that payment is only accepted in HK$ or by credit card.
When you buy your ticket(s), the shipping agency will take your baggage stub and collect your luggage from the arrival area. One piece of luggage per person is free of charge, there is an extra fee payable for each piece of luggage over this. This luggage will be loaded onto the ferry for you and no action is required on your part at this time.
To board the ferry, once you have your ticket you will proceed to the ferry terminal via the ferry gate nearby, taking a short train ride to the terminal.
Transit time of the ferry from the airport to Shekou is approximately 30 minutes.
When you disembark the ferry in Shekou, you should collect your baggage on the pier prior to proceeding into the arrival hall and immigration. A immigration arrival form is required to be completed for each person and is available on the ferry.
Personally this is my preferred method of entry into (and out of) China. It is quick, simple, reasonably priced and you don’t have to drag you luggage about until you actually arrive in China. The downside is obviously that this method is no good if you have not been in this part of the world before and you wish to take a few days and explore Hong Kong
Should you return to the Hong Kong International Airport by this method, please note that payment for transit is accepted in Chinese Yuan ONLY! They cannot accept foreign currency to exchange, nor take foreign credit/debit cards. MAKE sure that you have enough local currency as if the port bank is closed (for exchanging currency) and you cannot obtain Yuan, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!
2. Coach Service from Hong Kong International Airport via Chinese Border
Note: For this service you must already have a Chinese visa in your passport.
The coach service that runs between the airport and into China is good if you know where you are going and what to do. The times that I have used the service (after the last ferry has left the airport and both Hong Kong and Kowloon ferry terminals) I have found that the people on the service do not speak English. Unfortunately, so far I have only been able to travel to across the border by this method and then had to taxi from the Chinese side of the border into Shekou. The service I used was by  GoGoBus Co and cost (at last time of use) 100HK$.
Guide to crossing the border:
Once at the border you pass through Hong Kong immigration and at the FAR END of the area outside the exit is a yellow bus that you catch to cross the border - it used to cost 7HK$ WITH NO CHANGE GIVEN so make sure that you have some small money!
Once you get off the yellow bus you then pass through Chinese immigration and customs. WELCOME TO CHINA!
If you have managed to catch one of the coaches from the airport, the coach will drop you at the entrance to Hong Kong immigrations side of the border. Leave your bags on the bus but REMEMBER THE BUS NUMBER OR REGISTRATION PLATE! After you have passed through immigration, you will find your coach outside the exit in one of the many bus lanes (hence why you must remember its number!!). Reboard the coach and the coach will cross the border to the Chinese side. Once here you will again leave the coach but this time you will need to take all your baggage with you. You will then pass through Chinese immigration and customs. WELCOME TO CHINA!
Outside the exit you will be assaulted by unlicensed taxi drivers, with real taxis around the corner to the left. How you travel from here is up to you, but if you are not used to China I recommend a real taxi and ALWAYS insist on the meter (they will usually use it anyhow) - if they won't, get a different taxi!
Other coach company services are available and are as follows:
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Service Provider
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Destination
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Boarding Point
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Ticketing Point
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Terminal 1
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Terminal 2
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China Travel Tours Transportation Services HK Ltd
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Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Shunde, Panyu, Foshan, Nanhai, Zhongshan, Taishan, Jiangmen, Xinhui, Sanshui, Zhaoqing, Boluo, Zhuhai, Macau, Nanning, etc.
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Coach Station
(Terminal 2)
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Arrivals Hall Counter A09
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Coach Station, C05
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Eternal East Cross-Border Coach Mgt. Ltd
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Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Danshui, Changan, Changping, Shijie, Gongming, Pinghu, Chenjiang, Boluo, etc.
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Coach Station
(Terminal 2)
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Arrivals Hall Counter A08
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Coach Station, C04
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Go Go Bus
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Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Foshan, Huadu, Zhongshan, Taishan, Kaiping, Xinhui, Chaoyang, etc.
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Coach Station
(Terminal 2)
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Arrivals Hall Counter A10
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Coach Station, C06
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Remember that a valid travel document/visa for Mainland China is required before boarding the coaches.
With the opening of the new bridge at Shekou (Shenzhen Wan) I am sure that there are buses and coaches that run to this new location too, but I have never tried.
Beware where you cross and check before you travel, not all crossings are 24hr access!
3. Taxi
ITaxis offer a fast and flexible way to and from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Arriving passengers can pick up a taxi at the Taxi Station, which can be reached by the left-hand ramp outside the Arrivals Hall.
Taxis in Hong Kong are colour-coded according to their operating areas. Separate rows are designated for different types of taxi:
- Urban taxis (Red) serve all destinations throughout Hong Kong including the airport except Tung Chung Road and roads in south Lantau.
- New Territories taxis (Green) serve only the New Territories and specific roads in Lantau.
- Lantau taxis (Blue) serve all destinations in Lantau and the airport.
Taxi passengers whose journey takes them across the Lantau Link bridge to the Mainland are liable to a toll fare of HK$30. Additional fares are also charged for the use of some road tunnels.
NOTE :
There is no taxi access to Discovery Bay.
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Taxi Fare (Approx.)
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Destination
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Taxi fare (HK$) *
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Urban (Red)
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New Territories (Green)
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Lantau (Blue)
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Hong Kong Island
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Central
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280
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-
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-
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Causeway Bay
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280
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-
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-
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Aberdeen
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310
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-
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-
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Kowloon
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Tsim Sha Tsui East
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225
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-
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-
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Kwun Tong
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260
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-
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-
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New Territories
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Shatin
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250
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-
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-
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Tsuen Wan
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190 - 200
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-
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Yuen Long
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255 - 270
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-
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Tin Shui Wai
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275 - 290
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-
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Sheung Shui
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310 - 320
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-
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Lok Ma Chau Spur Line
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290 - 310
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-
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Shenzhen Bay Port ( Hong Kong Port Area)
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295 - 325
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-
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Lantau
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Tung Chung / Skyrail's Tung Chung Terminal
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45
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-
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35
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Mui Wo
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-
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-
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140
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Hong Kong Disneyland
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105 - 115
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AsiaWorld-Expo
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18
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-
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13
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*The charges do not include additional taxi charges but include the related toll charges.
NOTE :
All types of taxis (Urban red, New Territories green, Lantau blue) serve the airport. Light personal hand baggage carried inside passenger compartment with total dimensions (length+width+height) not exceeding 140cm is free of charge.
f you arrive in the airport arrivals hall after the last bus has left (2150hrs), what usually happens is that in the area around the coach booking desk (arrivals hall A end of arrivals) people seem to gather looking for transport. It is far better for you (and cheaper!) and 3 others there to share a taxi to the border than to stay the night in Hong Kong. The reason why I say share a taxi is that at this time of night the taxi driver will decline to take a single passenger using the meter and insist of a fixed (WAY over the odds) fee to the required destination, so sharing the fee reduces the cost.
As noted in the previous section, the price guide above is NOT adhered to (unless they have now clamped down on it) should you arrive when the ferry, bus and airport express service has halted operations overnight.
4. Airport Express
For people staying in Hong Kong prior to entry to China, the Airport Express takes passengers to Central in just 24 minutes. Quick and comfortable, trains depart at 12-minute intervals from 0550 to 0115 daily, with the last train leaving the Airport Station at 0048.
The Airport Express offers free In-town Check-in in Kowloon and Hong Kong Stations, allowing passengers to check-in and drop their luggage from 90-minutes to a day in advance. Please click here or contact your airline for further information. Note that the airport express can still be used by people travelling on other airlines, they just cannot check-in their luggage until the airport.
Passengers can also enjoy the free shuttle buses to most major hotels and major transport interchanges, and the free porter service available at all Airport Express stations.
5. Public Buses
Hong Kong International Airport is well served by public bus routes, taking passengers to and from most parts of Hong Kong. Comfortable and relatively inexpensive, albeit slow in comparison to other options, they offer a convenient transport option. See schedule here for more details.
6. Limousine Service
Mainland limousine services at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) provides modern and comfortable transport, allowing passengers to travel between the Pearl River Delta (PRD) and HKIA hassle free. Services available are as follows:
An example of cost can be found by clicking here.
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