Shenzhen Railway Station

Shenzhen Railway Station (Chinese: 深圳站) is one of the oldest and most centrally located railway hubs in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Strategically situated near the city’s downtown area and just a short distance from the border with Hong Kong, it serves as a key gateway for travelers heading to/from major Chinese cities (e.g., Guangzhou, Changsha, Wuhan) and for cross-border journeys to Hong Kong. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the station with ease.

Basic Information of Shenzhen Railway Station

Note: Shenzhen Railway Station is 2372 kilometers away from Beijing West Railway Station, 147 km away from Guangzhou Station, 35 kilometers away from Hong Kong Kowloon Station, and 8 km away from Shenzhen East Station

The station was built in 1950. It started the reconstruction in June 1990 and officially put into use in October 1991. After conversion, the tracks increased to more than 100 lanes, and the construction area of it is 90,000 square meters now. There are plenty of daily trains between major cities of China and Shenzhen. The station is near the starting point of the Shenzhen Metro Line No.1, Lohu Station and Luohu Frontier Inspection Building. Passengers will be able to deal with the exit formalities in Frontier Inspection Building, and then transferred to Hong Kong Kowloon and Xinshi Town in the east of Hong Kong by taking the KCR East Rail.

Due to the important location of Luohu District in Shenzhen, Shenzhen Railway Station is one of the main passenger railway stations in this city. Because the station construction period of this station is short, it is also a good example for the leaders of many mainland cities to visit to learn from.
 

How to Get to Shenzhen Railway Station

Shenzhen’s public transport system makes reaching the station convenient. Here are the most common options:

By Metro (Recommended)

• The station is directly connected to Metro Line 1 (Luobao Line) and Line 9 (Meilin Line) via the Shenzhen Railway Station stop.
• Follow signs for “深圳站” (Shenzhen Railway Station) inside the metro station—elevators and escalators lead directly to the railway station’s entrance.
• Metro fares range from ¥2–¥15 (depending on your starting point), and trains run 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM.
   

By Taxi/Ride-Hailing

• Taxis in Shenzhen are red (urban areas) or green (suburban areas). The starting fare is ¥10 (for the first 2 km), with additional charges of ¥2.4/km.
• Ride-hailing apps like Didi (available in English) are widely used—enter “Shenzhen Railway Station” as your destination, and drivers will drop you at the main entrance.
   

By Bus

• Over 20 bus routes stop at “Shenzhen Railway Station” (bus stop name: 深圳火车站). Popular routes include Bus No. 1, 101, 102, and 205.
• Bus fares are ¥2–¥5; use a Shenzhen Tong card (local transport card) or mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay with a Chinese bank card linked) for easy boarding.
   

By Car

• If traveling by private car or rental car, the station has a parking lot (fees: ¥10 for the first hour, ¥2 for each additional 30 minutes). Note that parking spaces fill up quickly during peak travel times (e.g., holidays).
   

 Navigating the Station: Ticketing, Check-In & Waiting Areas

1.Buying Train Tickets

International travelers can purchase tickets through 3 main channels:

Online Booking (Most Convenient)

1. Use the official app 12306 (available in English; search “12306 China Railway” on app stores). You’ll need to register with your passport number.
2. After booking, collect your physical ticket at the station’s “Ticket Collection Machine” (scan your passport) or “Ticket Window” (show your passport) before check-in.
    

On-Site Ticket Windows

1. Located on the 1st floor of the station. Look for windows marked “Foreign Passport” (some staff speak basic English).
2. Bring your valid passport (or other accepted travel documents) and specify your destination, date, and preferred seat type (hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper, soft sleeper).
    

Self-Service Ticket Machines

Found on the 1st and 2nd floors. Select the “English” option on the screen, then follow prompts to enter your passport number and retrieve/book tickets.

Important Note: Train tickets in China sell out quickly during peak seasons (Spring Festival, National Day Holiday in October, and weekends). Book tickets 7–15 days in advance (the 12306 app opens bookings 15 days prior to departure).
 

2 .Check-In & Security

• Check-In Time: For long-distance trains, arrive at least 1 hour before departure; for intercity trains (e.g., to Guangzhou), arrive 30 minutes in advance.
   
• Process:
  1. Show your physical ticket and passport at the check-in gate (staff may scan your documents).
  2. Proceed to security screening—remove liquids, electronics, and metal items from your bag (similar to airport rules).
      

3.Waiting Areas & Facilities

• Waiting Halls

Located on the 2nd floor, divided by train destinations (e.g., “Guangzhou Direction,” “Beijing Direction”). Electronic screens display train numbers, departure times, and platform numbers—check these regularly for updates.
 

• Facilities for Travelers:
  • Restrooms: Clean, with free toilet paper and hand dryers; accessible restrooms are available.
  • Charging Ports: USB ports and power sockets are located near waiting seats (bring a charger adapter if needed).
  • Dining Options: Fast-food chains (KFC, McDonald’s), Chinese restaurants, and convenience stores (7-Eleven, Family Mart) on the 1st and 2nd floors.
  • Currency Exchange: A Bank of China branch near the 1st-floor entrance offers currency exchange (bring your passport).
  • Luggage Storage: Paid storage lockers (¥5–¥15/day) on the 1st floor, or staffed storage desks (¥10–¥20/day for large bags).
     

4. Cross-Border Travel from Shenzhen Railway Station

If you’re traveling to Hong Kong, the station is a short distance from two major border crossings:

1 .Luohu Port (5-Minute Walk)

• The most popular border crossing—walk from the railway station’s east exit to Luohu Port (follow signs for “罗湖口岸”).
• After passing Chinese customs, take the East Rail Line (Hong Kong MTR) from Lo Wu Station (Hong Kong side) to downtown Hong Kong (e.g., Tsim Sha Tsui, Central).
• Hours: 6:30 AM – 12:00 AM (midnight).
   

2 .Direct Shuttle to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)

• For travelers heading to HKIA, take a shuttle bus from the Shenzhen Railway Station Bus Terminal (1st floor).
• Buses run every 30 minutes (7:00 AM – 8:30 PM), take ~1.5 hours, and cost ~¥150 per person.
• Book tickets in advance at the bus counter (show your HKIA flight ticket/passport).
   

5. Practical Tips for International Travelers

1. Always carry your passport (valid for at least 6 months) and train ticket—you may need to show them at check-in, security, or during the journey.
2. Most staff at the station speak limited English. Download a translation app (e.g., Google Translate, Pleco) and save phrases like “Where is the ticket window?” or “Which platform for Train G102?” in Chinese.
3. Avoid visiting the station during Chinese holidays (e.g., Spring Festival in January/February, National Day in October) or weekend mornings/evenings—crowds can be very large.
4. Buy a Shenzhen Tong card (¥20 deposit + preloaded balance) at metro stations or convenience stores. It works for metro, buses, and some taxis, saving you time on cash payments.
5. Emergency Contacts:
   • General Emergency: 110
   • Medical Emergency: 120
   • China Railway Service Hotline (English support): +86 12306

Related Information

► More transportation information:Shenzhen Transportation
► More Travel information: Shenzhen Travel Guide