Hong Kong West Kowloon – Nanning East by High Speed Train

Introduction

Taking the train from Hong Kong to Nanning is a great option for tourists who want to explore China beyond the cities they fly into. There are two ways to travel by train from Hong Kong to Nanning: the direct train or by transferring at Guangzhou South:

Railway Maps

1. By Direct Train

Train No.	Departure Station	Departure Time	Arrival Station	Arrival Time	Frequency	Duration	Fares
G418	HK West Kowloon	15:35	Nanningdong	19:32	Daily	3h57m	From ￥423
G417	Nanningdong	11:54	HK West Kowloon	15:54	Daily	4h	From ￥423
For a live schedule & ticket availability & refer to www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains/

As of May of 2023, there are only 1 direct trains available. The direct train G418 from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Nanningdong Station (Nanning East Station) is available once daily, departing at 15:35 and arriving at 19:32.

G417 from Nanningdong Station to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station also departs once daily, leaving at 11:54 and arriving at 15:54. The duration of the journey is around 4 hours, and tickets are available from ￥423.

2. By Transferring at Guangzhou South, more train options

In fact, the best route for taking a train between Hong Kong & Nanning is to make a transfer at Guangzhou South (Hong Kong West Kowloon – Guangzhou South – Nanning Station / Nanning East), since there is just once daily direct train available.

Photo guide on how to make a transfer at Guangzhou South Station:

If you want more train schedule and flexibility when traveling by train between Hong Kong and Nanning, transferring at Guangzhou South is the best option. With frequent trains linking Hong Kong West Kowloon and Guangzhou South, as well as trains linking Guangzhou South and Nanning East, passengers have more options to choose from. Whether you want to arrive at Nanning Railway Station or Nanning East Railway Station, Guangzhou South is a convenient transfer point that can help you find a schedule that suits your needs.

Which Train Station in Nanning

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 Nanning East 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 “nanningdong” or “nnd” as Nanning East Railway Station, or enter “nanning” as Nanning 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 Nanning East Station, Nanning Railway Station or Hong Kong West Kowloon 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.

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 Guangzhou. 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

Hong Kong Train Travel Video Guides
HK West Kowloon	Arrive HK by train