Shenzhen to Canton Fair Transportation by bus

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Shenzhen to Canton Fair Transportation Guide

Comparison of Core Transportation Methods

Comparison of Core Transportation Methods
Method	Time	Cost Range	Advantages	Best For
High-Speed Rail / Express Train	30-50 minutes	RMB 74.5-260	Fastest, frequent departures, seamless metro connection	Business travelers, top choice for time-sensitive travelers
Intercity Train	60-80 minutes	RMB 20-80	Multiple Shenzhen stops, affordable fares	Travelers departing from non-core Shenzhen areas
Cross-Border Bus	1.5-2.5 hours	RMB 50-120	Direct to exhibition area, cost-effective	Budget-conscious travelers, group travel
Ferry + Metro	2-2.5 hours	RMB 180-240	Avoids land traffic jams, offers unique water transport experience	Leisurely exhibition attendance, travelers with large luggage
Driving/Chartered Vehicle	1.5-2.5 hours	RMB 100-300	Flexible and convenient, suitable for cargo transport	Local buyers, those with freight needs

(1) High-Speed Rail / Express Train (Most Efficient)

(1) High-Speed Rail / Express Train (Most Efficient)
Route: Shenzhen North Station / Futian Station → Guangzhou South Station → Metro Line 8 direct to Pazhou
1.From Shenzhen North Station

High-Speed Rail: Second-class seat RMB 74.5, 30-minute direct ride to Guangzhou South, over 100 daily departures (earliest 6:20 AM, latest 11:30 PM).
Transfer: Within Guangzhou South Station, transfer to Metro Line 2 (towards Guangzhou Railway Station) → Changgang Station transfer to Line 8 (Wanshengwei direction), 40 minutes to Pazhou, fare RMB 6.

2.From Futian Station

Express Train: First-class seat RMB 109.5, 28-minute direct ride to Guangzhou South, suitable for travelers in central Shenzhen.
Advantage: "Flexible Travel" policy for Guangzhou-Shenzhen metropolitan area allows same-day ticket holders to board any same-direction train (similar to metro convenience).

(2) Intercity Train (Wider Coverage)

1.Suzhou-Shenzhen Intercity (Shenzhen Airport Station → Guangzhou East Station)
Travel Time: 60 minutes, fare RMB 80, stops at Guangming City, Dongguan West, etc., terminates at Guangzhou East Station. Transfer: Metro Line 1 at Guangzhou East Station (transfer to Line 3 at Tiyu Xilu Station) → Kecun Station transfer to Line 8, 50 minutes to Pazhou.

2.Shenzhen-Huizhou Intercity (Under Construction, Partially Opening in 2025)
Plan: From Shenzhen Pingshan → Dongguan → Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, future transfer to Metro Line 18 direct to Pazhou, suitable for travelers in eastern areas.

(3) Cross-Border Bus (Cost-Effective Option)

(3) Cross-Border Bus (Cost-Effective Option) 1.Direct Exhibition Area Route Shenzhen City Stops: Pickup points at Lok Ma Chau Port, Futian Bus Station, Nanshan Science and Technology Park, etc., fare RMB 80-120, 1.5 hours direct to East Plaza of Pazhou Exhibition Complex. Representative Route: Guangdong-Hong Kong Express Bus (purchase tickets via WeChat official account "Yuegang Bus"), departs every 30 minutes from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.

2.Regular Long-Distance Bus Shenzhen Bus Station → Guangzhou Jiaokou / Tianhe Coach Terminal: Fare RMB 50-70, 2-hour journey, transfer to Metro (Jiaokou Station Line 5 → Zhujiang New Town Station Line 3 → Kecun Station Line 8).

(4) Ferry (Unique Water Transport)

Route: Shekou Cruise Terminal, Shenzhen → Guangzhou Nansha Port / Pazhou Port → connecting metro
1.Direct to Pazhou Port

Flights: Two daily departures at 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, 1.5-hour journey, fare RMB 240, supports "water-land intermodal transport" (baggage through-check, no repeated security checks).
Advantage: Avoids traffic jams on Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, suitable for international buyers (visa-on-arrival available at Shekou Port).

2.Transfer at Nansha Port

Shekou → Nansha: 50 minutes, fare RMB 180, transfer to Metro Line 18 (Wanqingsha direction) to Pazhou Station, total journey 2 hours, fare RMB 12.

(5) Driving / Chartered Vehicle (Flexible and Convenient)

1.Route Options

Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway: Via Humen Bridge (prone to congestion), 1.5-hour drive, toll RMB 60.
Guangzhou-Shenzhen Coastal Expressway: Via Huangpu Bridge, 2-hour drive, toll RMB 85 (recommended to avoid peak hours).

2.Parking Guide

Pazhou Exhibition Complex P1-P8 Parking Lots (RMB 8/hour, daily cap RMB 64): Recommended to arrive before 8:00 AM.
Nearby Malls (Six Elements Experience Center, Winsun Plaza): Parking fees RMB 5-8/hour, 10-minute walk to the exhibition complex.

Practical Information and Policies

Practical Information and Policies
1.Transportation Hub Connections

Shenzhen North Station and Futian Station: Both stations feature "Canton Fair Exhibitor Service Points" offering free shuttle bus schedules and metro guidance.
Guangzhou Metro Line 8 "Pazhou Station" D/E Exits: Direct access to the exhibition complex, metro operating until 11:00 PM during the Canton Fair (April 15 - May 5).

2.Documents and Discounts

Canton Fair exhibitor credentials: Eligible for metro "Exhibitor Priority Lane," 24-hour visa-on-arrival convenience at Pazhou Port for overseas personnel.
New energy vehicles: Enjoy a 15% toll discount on Guangzhou-Shenzhen Coastal Expressway (apply in advance via "Yuetong Card" APP).

3.Real-Time Navigation

Shenzhen Side: "Shenzhen Transport" APP for real-time traffic and bus schedules.
Guangzhou Side: "Guangzhou Metro" APP for Line 8 crowd levels, "Amap" for available parking spots at "Canton Fair Exhibition Complex Parking."

IV. Risk Warnings and Recommendations

IV. Risk Warnings and Recommendations
1.Peak Period Contingency

First day of Canton Fair (April 15 / October 15) and weekends: High-speed rail tickets from Shenzhen North Station require booking 3 days in advance, buses may experience over 3-hour delays.
Recommended off-peak travel: Choose 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM to avoid morning rush (7:30 - 9:30 AM).

2.Ferry Notes

Shekou to Pazhou Port flights: Highly weather-dependent; confirm flight status via "China Merchants Shekou Cruise Terminal" official account before departure.

3.Cost-Effectiveness Ranking

Speed: High-Speed Rail (50 minutes) > Ferry (1.5 hours) > Driving (2 hours) > Bus (2.5 hours)
Cost: Bus (RMB 50) < Intercity Train (RMB 80) < High-Speed Rail (RMB 74.5) < Ferry (RMB 180) < Driving (RMB 100 + fuel)

4.Travel Recommendations

Prioritize high-speed rail or ferry for timeliness; consider chartered vehicles for groups (approx. RMB 200 per one-way trip for a 5-seat vehicle). Driving or buses are better for carrying samples; international buyers are recommended to use the ferry for a smooth immigration experience.

V. Recommended Special Services

V. Recommended Special Services
1."Exhibitor Direct Buses"

Custom buses from Shenzhen’s industrial belts (e.g., Huaqiangbei, Nanyou Garment Wholesale Market) direct to the exhibition complex, free with exhibitor credentials (pre-register on the Canton Fair official website).

2.Cross-Border E-Commerce Logistics

SF Express and JD.com have "Shenzhen Special Line" collection points at Gate 10 of the exhibition complex, offering one-stop "sample collection - customs declaration - return shipping" services, with freight rates as low as RMB 8 per kilogram in the Shenzhen area.