Introduction
Planning to travel from Hong Kong to Beijing in China? Taking a high-speed train is the best way to get there quickly, comfortably, and at a reasonable price. While flights take about the same time overall, train travel offers travelers a unique, on-the-ground experience while also reducing environmental impact. The distance between Hong Kong and Beijing is around 2,450 kilometers (1,522 miles), which can be covered in about 8 to 9 hours by high-speed train.
There are two ways to travel by train between Hong Kong & Beijing. The first option is a direct train, G80 from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Beijing West and G79 from Beijing West to Hong Kong West Kowloon. However, as of July 2023, there is just one daily direct high-speed train between Hong Kong and Beijing. The second option is to make a connection at Guangzhou South. This offers travelers more flexibility regarding departure times and frequencies, though it does require one change in Guangzhou.
Option 1. G79 / G80 by Direct Train
If you choose to travel with the direct train, you’ll find that there is one convenient daily direct high-speed train available between Beijing & Hong Kong: G79 & G80, both of which are using Hong Kong West Kowloon Station & Beijing West Railway Station (BeijingXi), taking about 8.5 hours.
| Train No. | Departure Station | Departure | Arrival Station | Arrival | Frequency | Duration | Fares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G80 | HK West Kowloon | 11:00 | Beijingxi | 19:30 | Daily | 8h 30m | ￥1179.5 |
| G79 | Beijingxi | 10:00 | HK West Kowloon | 18:31 | Daily | 8h 31m | ￥1179.5 |
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For a live schedule & ticket availability & refer to www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains/
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G79 / G80 Train Route
The G79 / G80 run along the major north-south railway arteries between Hong Kong & Beijing, making stops at major cities’ train station, including Shenzhen North, Guangzhou South, Changsha South, Wuhan, Zhengzhou East, and Shijiazhuang.
Option 2: Making a Connection at Guangzhou South
The second option for travelling between Hong Kong & Beijing by train is to make a connection at Guangzhou South Station (Hong Kong West Kowloon – Guangzhou South – Beijing West). This option offers more flexibility in terms of departure and arrival times, as there are a greater number of trains available to choose from. Additionally, this route may be less expensive than taking the direct train.
If you opt to make a connection at Guangzhou South, it’s recommended to allow at least 45 minutes between trains to ensure that you have enough time to transfer and locate your next train.
Which Train Station in Beijing
If you are traveling between Hong Kong & Beijing, be it by a direct train or making a connection at Guangzhou South, Beijing West Railway Station (Beijingxi) is your only station option, as it serves all the bullet trains to or from Hong Kong, Guangzhou South, Shenzhen North.
Beijing West can be reached by subway line 7 and line 9. You can use the official Beijing subway https://www.bjsubway.com/en/ to plan your subway route.
| Differences | Beijing West | Beijing South | Beijing Chaoyang | Beijing Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Fengtai District | Fengtai District | Chaoyang District | Dongcheng District |
| Transportation | Subway line 7 and line 9, | Subway Line 4 Line 14 | Buses | Subway Line 2, |
| Distance from City Center | 11 km (7 mi) | 7 km (4 mi) | 16 km (10 mi) | 3 km (2 mi) |
| Train Service | High-speed & regular trains | High-speed & regular trains | High-speed trains | Regular trains |
| Destinations | Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Changsha, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kunming, | Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Hefei, Jinan, Suzhou, Tianjin | Dalian, Shenyang, Dandong, Changchun, Harbin, Jilin | Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Chengde, Tangshan, Shanghai |
| Airport Connections | Airport Express train (Line 7) and airport bus (Line 7) | Airport Express train (Line 14) and airport bus (Line 10) | No direct airport connection | Airport Express train (Line 2) and airport bus (Line 3) |
| Opening Date | 1996 | 2008 | 2021 | 1959 |
Hong Kong West Kowloon Station
Hong Kong West Kowloon Station is currently the only train station that operates high speed trains to mainland China. It operates once daily direct train to Beijing West Station. You can take the MTR to the West Kowloon Station. It is located between Kowloon Station & Austin Station. Just use www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/jp2/ to plan your route.
Photo Guide: how to take a train from HK West Kowloon
How to Buy Tickets Online
There are several ways to book your train tickets online. Just remember that booking herizon for train tickets opens 15 days before your travel date. It is recommended to book you tickets as soon as possible in advance to secure your seat at your desired departure time.
Check Live English Schedule
1. Book with 12306 China Railway
www.12306.cn is the offcial website of China Railway, which now has supported English. It also provides an offcial ticketing (English version) App – Tielu 12306 for both iOS and Android.
Jack’s friendly reminder: In the official site www.12306.cn, you can enter “hkw” or ‘hkwestkowloon‘ as Hong Kong West Kowloon Station; and “beijingxi” or “bjx” as Beijing West Railway Station, and enter “guangzhounan” or “gzn” as Guangzhou South Railway Station.
2. Book with China Highlights
www.chinahighlights.com is a trusted online ticket agent who get possitive reviews & is often recommended on Trip Advisor forum. They offer real-time train schedule online, English-language support, They can also provide assistance in case of any issues with your tickets or travel or when you’re running into trouble. Even they can deliver tickets to your hotel in advance. You can place orders with them any time. They are helpful, especially when you’re not familiar with the China’s transportation system or do not speak Chinese.
How to Buy Tickets at Train Station
If you prefer to purchase your train tickets in person at the train station, you can do so at either Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, or any train stations in Beijing including Beijing West, Beijing South, Beijing Chaoyang and the centrally-located Beijing Railway Station. Remember to bring your passports or any other necessary documents when buying your tickets.
When to Buy Tickets
Tickets can be booked up to 15 days on the official 12306 China Railway website. It is always advisable to buy tickets in advance to secure ticket availability or seat assignment. Ticets tend to sell out quickly on this popular route especially during the bussy travel peak period, such as the public National Days (Gold Week), Labour’s Days, Chinese Moon Festival or Qingming Festival. But if you use an online ticket agent www.chinahighlights.com, you can order tickets any time with them and they will book it for you once the tickets are released online.
Immigration & Customs Procedures at Hong Kong West Kowloon
Hong Kong West Kowloon Station is a joint checkpoint between Hong Kong and mainland China, which means that border control and immigration procedures for both Hong Kong and mainland China are conducted in one place in Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. So prepare for all necessary travel documents like passports and visas at hand and allow surfficient time for the immigration and customs procedures for both Hong Kong and Manland sides.
How much time do I need to clear immigration at West Kowloon Station
It is advised to arrive at the West Kowloon Station at least 45 minutes before your departure time, as you need to go through both the Hong Kong Port and the Mainland Port on the same floor of the station. The immigration process may take longer during peak hours or holidays, so you should plan ahead and allow enough time for clearance.
Boarding Tips and Procedures
Make sure to arrive at the train station early enough before departure time to allow for ticket checks, immigration and custom procedures, security checks and boarding. You will need to present your passport and train ticket for verification before boarding the train.
Visa to Mainland China
You need a visa to enter mainland China if you are taking a train from Hong Kong to Beijing. While most passports are granted visa on arrival for Hong Kong, you’ll still need a visa to enter mainland China. Just apply it in advance.
Train Stations Video Guide
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Hong Kong Train Travel Video Guides
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 HK West Kowloon |
 Arrive HK by train |
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FAQ
1. How long does it take to travel from Hong Kong to Beijing by train?
Taking a high-speed train directly from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Beijing takes approximately 8.5 hours. However, if you opt to make a connection at Guangzhou South Station, the travel time can be longer, depending on the waiting time between trains.
2. How far is Beijing from Hong Kong?
Beijing is located approximately 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) away from Hong Kong.
3. How fast is the high-speed train from Beijing to Hong Kong?
The high-speed train from Beijing to Hong Kong can reach a maximum speed of around 350km/h (217mph). This is one of the fastest trains in the world, and allows passengers to travel quickly and comfortably between the two cities.
4. Travelling between Hong Kong & Beijing: by Flight or Train ?
The decision to travel from Hong Kong to Beijing by flight or train ultimately depends on personal preferences for cost, time, and convenience.
Flights from Hong Kong to Beijing are generally faster, with flights taking around 3-4 hours on average. However, flight time may be affected by factors such as departure times, layovers, and weather conditions. In addition, flights may be more expensive than train tickets, depending on the airline and ticket class. Basically, passengers need to go to the airport 2 hours in advance.
Trains from Hong Kong to Beijing offer a unique and scenic journey, allowing travelers to see more of the countryside in China. High-speed trains can take about 8.5, But train travel can be more affordable, with ticket prices ranging from around CNY 1179.5 – 3686.5 depending on the ticket and seat class.
Ultimately, the choice between taking a flight or a train from Hong Kong to Beijing depends on individual preferences for cost, travel time, comfort, and convenience.
Trusted Online Ticket Agents:
Option 1: Trip.com is an internatioal brand owned by Ctrip Group, China's largest online travel booking platform. Trip.com offers booking service for flight, train, hotel, activities, etc
Option 2: China Highlights is a reliable online agency for China train ticketing. They get positive reviews on TripAdvisor & Trustpilot. Sharon and her team help you buy tickets & plan rail routes even deliver tickets to your hotels with a service fee.
