Guangzhou Train Stations: Where and How to Take a Train?

As the economic capital of Guangdong and the gateway to Southern China, Guangzhou relies on 10 railway stations to connect its 18 million residents to the rest of the country.

Three of them handle the bulk of the traffic: the South Station, a true behemoth of the Chinese high-speed rail network; the Central Station, the faithful guardian of the main conventional lines; and the East Station, an essential hub for travelling to Hong Kong.

Trip.com tells you everything you need to know to choose the right station, its services, and all our top tips for stress-free travel!

Main Train Stations in Guangzhou

📌 Click the itinerary link in the table to book your ticket now!

Now, let's take a closer look at the key railway stations you won't want to miss for your travels and adventures in Guangzhou.

Guangzhou South Railway Station – 广州南站

Opened in 2010, Guangzhou South Railway Station is the railway showcase of Southern China. It’s also one of the largest in the country, boasting 15 platforms, 28 tracks, and an area of over 185,000 m²!

Every day, it welcomes hundreds of thousands of travellers passing through on their way to Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, or Hong Kong. With its futuristic architecture, halls bathed in natural light, and bilingual signage, it’s a station that’s particularly pleasant to visit, even for first-time international travellers.

How do I get there?

How to book your tickets?

For this station or any others in Guangzhou, you have three options:

• On Trip.com (recommended ✅): book online in just a few clicks, and get an e-ticket on your phone or collect it in person at the kiosks using your passport.
• Via the 12306 app: the official ticketing platform for Chinese railways. It’s a handy solution, though it’s only available in Chinese.
• At the on-site ticket counters: available on levels 1 and 2 (there is a dedicated counter for international travellers with English-speaking staff).

How to catch your train?

Catching your train from Guangzhou South Railway Station, or indeed either of the city's other two main stations, couldn't be easier!

1. Please arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure;
2. Head through security at the entrance (X-raying your luggage and checking your passport);
3. Collect your physical ticket from the self-service kiosks on level B1 using your passport if required;
4. Head through the ticket barriers to the platforms (have your ticket and passport ready);
5. Make yourself comfortable in the waiting area for your train (platform gates open 15 minutes before departure);
6. Boarding is upon presentation of your ticket at the carriage entrance.

Services available at the station

Just like most train stations, you'll find plenty of services and shops on-site to make your journey that little bit easier:

• 🍜 Dining: A wide selection of Cantonese cuisine, dim sum, and both national and international chains, spread across levels 1 and 2.
• 🛍️ Shops: pharmacy, newsagent, regional souvenir shops, convenience stores
• 🧳 Luggage storage: levels 1 and B1 (~15–20 CNY/day)
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATMs: cash machines are available in every main hall, and international cards are accepted.
• 💆 Massage: paid massage chairs in the waiting areas (a real Guangzhou South speciality!)

The VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

The South station features several VIP lounges spread across the various halls, which are accessible to first and business class passengers upon presentation of their ticket.

The lounges are located right in front of boarding gates A12-A13, as well as at the north-east and north-west corners of the east and west piers. Once inside, you'll find self-service hot and cold drinks, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, comfortable armchairs, and USB charging points.

Other travellers can enjoy paid access via DragonPass.

Main routes from Guangzhou South

Guangzhou Railway Station – 广州站

Built in 1974 in the heart of the Yuexiu district, Guangzhou Railway Station is inseparable from the city's modern history. For decades, it has been the main departure point for millions of migrant workers connecting Guangdong to the rest of the country each year during the Chinese New Year.

Even today, it remains a bustling hub, especially for conventional trains (Z, T, and K series) heading towards northern and central China.

Its central location, just a stone's throw from the lively Beijing Road area and directly accessible via Metro Lines 2 and 5, makes it the most convenient station for travellers staying in the heart of Guangzhou.

How do I get there?

Services available at the station

Here too, you'll find plenty of services and shops available if you arrive at the station early or are just passing through:

• 🍜 Dining: traditional Cantonese restaurants, wonton noodle shops, and quick-bite snack chains on levels 1 and 2
• 🛍️ Shops: pharmacy, newsagent, and boutiques featuring regional products from Guangdong
• 🧳 Luggage storage: main hall (~15 CNY/day) — super handy for exploring the city centre before you head off!
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATMs: cash machines are available at the main entrance and in the central hall
• 📍 A tourist hotspot: just a 5-minute walk from Yuexiu Park and 15 minutes from the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

The VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

The VIP lounge at the central station offers a welcome sanctuary of calm before a long journey, complete with comfortable armchairs, hot drinks, power sockets, and Wi-Fi.

While a bit more modest than the lounges at the South station, it remains a welcome sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the main concourses. Please note that the lounge is open to first and business class passengers, and is available to other travellers for a fee (approx. 40 CNY).

Main routes from Guangzhou Railway Station

Guangzhou East Railway Station – 广州东站

Nestled in the Tianhe business district, Guangzhou East Railway Station plays a unique role in the city's rail network: it is the gateway to Hong Kong.

From its platforms, direct trains speed towards Hung Hom (Hong Kong) in under 2 hours, while G-trains connect to West Kowloon in just 47 minutes. Built in 1993, it also serves as a departure point for connections to Fujian and the Chaoshan region.

Its location in the heart of Tianhe, Guangzhou's most modern district, makes it easily accessible from business hotels and major shopping thoroughfares.

How do I get there?

Services available at the station

For Guangzhou East Railway Station, most station services are, of course, available.

• 🍜 Dining: Cantonese restaurants, fast-food chains, bakeries, and snack bars on levels 1 and 2
• 🛍️ Shops: pharmacy, newsagent, and duty-free stores for Hong Kong connections
• 🧳 Luggage storage: Level 1 (~15 CNY/day)
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATM: cash machines at the main entrance that accept international cards
• 🛂 Customs formalities: a dedicated counter on Level 2 for cross-border trains to Hong Kong

The VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

Gare de l'Est features a VIP lounge, accessible to first-class and business-class ticket holders.

Simple yet functional, it offers comfortable armchairs, hot drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and power sockets (everything you need to wait patiently before crossing the border).

Main routes from Guangzhou East

Six Tips for Easy Train Travel from Guangzhou

💡 First things first: identify your station

Guangzhou South, Guangzhou Central, Guangzhou East: three stations, three completely different worlds. The South station is the hub for high-speed G-trains, the Central station handles long-distance services, and the East station connects you to Hong Kong. Always double-check the full name of your departure station on your ticket before hopping on the metro.

💡 Book early on Trip.com

Tickets go on sale 30 days before departure. On popular routes like Guangzhou–Hong Kong or Guangzhou–Shanghai, the best seats sell out fast—especially during Golden Weeks and the Chinese New Year. Book on Trip.com as soon as your itinerary is set.

💡 Allow 45 to 60 minutes before departure

At all Chinese railway stations, luggage is scanned upon entry and passports are checked at least twice. For trains to Hong Kong from the East station, remember to factor in customs formalities (arrive 1 hour before departure without exception).

💡 You will be asked for your passport three times

At the station entrance, when collecting your ticket from the self-service machines, and when accessing the platform. Keep it handy in a pocket, not buried at the bottom of your bag.

💡 G-train or standard train: different departure points

A G-train from Guangzhou to Beijing departs from the South Railway Station and takes 8 hours. A T or Z train for the same journey leaves from the Central Railway Station and takes twice as long. Be sure to check the letter at the beginning of your train number when booking!

💡 Stay connected throughout your journey

Wi-Fi is available in all train stations, but you'll need a VPN to access Western apps. Some underground areas may have limited 4G coverage. We recommend getting a China eSIM and downloading DiDi for your taxi rides — the app is available in English and is much easier than trying to hail a driver on the street.

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