As of December of 2023, there are 4 daily direct trains running between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Xiamen. 3 trains are using Xiamen Railway Station and only one is using Xiamen North Railway Station (XiamenBei). Journey time is 4 hours. But if you travel via Shenzhen (HK West Kowloon – Shenzhen North – Xiamen), you will find a lot of trains, and you can travel more flexibly.
- Route 1: Hong Kong – Xiamen by direct train, 4 daily
- Route 2: Hong Kong – Shenzhen North – Xiamen, more trains (recommended)
Railway map & train stations
Route 1: By Direct Trains, 4 Trains Daily
As of December of 2023, there are 4 daily high speed trains running between Hong Kong & Xiamen, taking around 4 hours & the ticket price starts from CNY 305.
Schedule last updated on December, 2023.
| Hong Kong to Xiamen Train | Xiamen to Hong Kong Train | Shenzhen to Xiamen Train |
| Check live schedule: https://www.trip.com/trains/china/ | ||
Route 2: Hong Kong – Xiamen via Shenzhen, More Trains
The best route to travel by train between Hong Kong and Xiamen is going via Shenzhen North (HK West Kowloon – Shenzhen North – Xiamen), as Shenzhen North has more trains to or from Hong Kong and Xiamen.
Which Station in Xiamen: Xiamen North vs Xiamen Station
| Aspect | Xiamen Railway Station (厦门站) | Xiamen North Railway Station (厦门北站) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Downtown area, close to city center and tourist attractions | North of the city, in Jimei District, farther from city center |
| Connectivity | Well-connected to local transportation (buses, taxis) | Good transportation connections, but may require longer travel times |
| Accessibility to Attractions | Closer to popular tourist attractions | May require longer travel times to reach attractions, suitable for northern destinations |
| Metro Line | Metro Line 1 | Metro Line 1 |
- Location:
- Xiamen Railway Station (厦门站): It is located in the Siming District downtown area of Xiamen. within the island, closer to the city center and many tourist attractions.
- Xiamen North Railway Station (厦门北站): This station is situated to the north of the city, in the Jimei District, which is further away from the city center.
- Metro lines:
- Xiamen Railway Station is served by Metro Line 1. It provides easy access to various parts of the city.
- Xiamen North Railway Station is also served by Metro Line 1. This line connects the station to other parts of the city, although it is farther north from the city center.
- Connectivity:
- Xiamen Railway Station is well-connected to various forms of local transportation, including buses and taxis. It is more convenient for travelers staying in the central part of the city.
- Xiamen North Railway Station also has good transportation connections but may require longer travel times to reach certain parts of the city.
- Accessibility to Attractions:
- Xiamen Railway Station is closer to popular tourist attractions such as Gulangyu Island, Zhongshan Road, and Nanputuo Temple.
- Xiamen North Railway Station may require longer travel times to reach these attractions, but it’s more convenient for destinations in the northern part of Xiamen or neighboring cities.
Hong Kong West Kowloon Station
Hong Kong West Kowloon Station is currently the only train station that operates high speed trains to Guangzhou South & Guangzhou East. The other original Hum Hom Station no longer operates through train services to Guangzhou East. So, HK West Kowloon is your only opertion. 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
Hong Kong West Kowloon Station Port operation time: 06:30 – 23:30
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 “xiamen” as Xiamen Station; “Xiamenbei” as Xiamen North.
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 Xiamen Railway Station, Xiamen North, 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. Tickets 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 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.
From Xiamen to Hong Kong Airport by Train
From Xiamen to Hong Kong Airport, you can get from Xiamen to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station by direct train or via Shenzhen first. Then you can walk from West Kowloon Station to Kowloon MTR stop, from where you can take the airport express to Hong Kong Airport.
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.
