Shenzhen Airport: Transport, Transfers to Hong Kong and Tips

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) is an essential international hub in Southern China and the Greater Bay Area. Located 32 km (20 miles) from the city centre, it also boasts a direct ferry connection to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) – a unique link in China that makes it a strategic transport hub for the entire region.

Whether you're arriving from abroad, Hong Kong, or another Chinese city, Trip.com has prepared a comprehensive guide to Shenzhen Airport just for you. This way, you can plan your trip perfectly, reach the city centre with ease, and make the most of your stay in China's Silicon Valley.

What Is the Airport Code for Shenzhen Airport (SZX)?

Every airport in the world has a unique code, assigned by two different organisations. These codes appear on your tickets, luggage tags, and flight information displays – so it's helpful to know them to avoid any confusion when booking or transferring flights.

• IATA code: SZX (for tickets, luggage tags and Passenger details)
• ICAO code: ZGSZ (used by pilots and air traffic control)

📌 Trip.com tip: Just remember SZX to book flights or check your boarding pass.

Where Is Shenzhen Airport Located?

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is located in the Bao'an District, in the west of the city, on the eastern shore of the Pearl River Delta. It sits 32 km (20 miles) north-west of the city centre, which is about a 30-minute drive when the roads are clear – though you should allow 45 minutes to an hour during peak times.

Its location is particularly strategic: the airport sits in the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), just 35 km (22 miles) from Hong Kong and 120 km (75 miles) from Guangzhou.

💡 Trip.com Tip: The Bao'an District, where the airport is located, is a major industrial and technology hub in its own right. It's home to the headquarters of DJI, the world's leading drone manufacturer, just a few kilometres from the airport. It's an environment that perfectly captures the essence of Shenzhen, China's very own Silicon Valley!

From Shenzhen Airport to the City Centre: Metro, Bus and Taxi

Here are the quickest, cheapest, and most convenient ways to get from the airport to the city centre:

1. Metro Line 11: A quick and affordable option

The metro is undoubtedly the best way to get from the airport to Shenzhen city centre. Line 11 connects the Airport station (located in the terminal basement) directly with the Futian and Nanshan districts. Here is the essential information:

• Cost: just 10 CNY (~£1.10) for a standard ticket
• Duration: 30–40 minutes to Futian, about 1 hour to the city centre
• Operating hours: daily from 06:00 to 00:00, with services potentially extended until 01:00 during peak season.

Trip.com tip: Keep an eye out for the colourful signage – you can't miss it!

2. Airport Express Bus: Perfect for late arrivals

An ideal option for late arrivals or trips to specific districts. You can purchase tickets at the counters near Gate 17 or via the shuttle buses to the Bao'an District.

• Cost: 20-40 CNY (approx. £2.50–£5) depending on the route
• Popular connections:
• • NA1: Futian CBD (40 mins)
  • NA9: Night service to Xixiang (plus 6 CNY for the final kilometre)
• Travel times: Most buses run until 4:00 am, perfectly timed to match flight schedules.

3. DiDi: The affordable door-to-door option

For extra comfort, you can also hop in a taxi or use DiDi. Simply head to pick-up zones A or B. Zone B is indoors and air-conditioned, making it the perfect spot if the weather isn't on your side.

• Cost: 100-150 CNY (~£11-£16) to the city centre
• Average waiting time: 5-10 minutes during peak hours

📌 Trip.com tip: DiDi carpools can cut your total journey costs by around 30%!

4. Public bus: the most budget-friendly option

If you're travelling on a budget, buses M527 (towards Shekou) or A7 (towards Nanshan) depart near Gate 16 and will take you straight to the city centre.

• Cost: Just 2-3 CNY (approx. £0.25);
• Operating hours: 06:30 - 23:00.

Arriving late? If the metro is still running, it's your best bet; otherwise, hop on an express bus. After midnight, a taxi or DiDi are your go-to options.

From Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Shenzhen: Ferry, Bus or Taxi

Need to get from Hong Kong to Shenzhen? Here are all the options available to you:

By ferry (recommended)

If you're in a hurry, the ferry is undoubtedly your best bet. At Hong Kong Airport, simply purchase your ticket for Shenzhen Fuyong Pier at Transfer Area E2 (SkyPier) and hop on board – all without having to go through Hong Kong immigration. Once you arrive, head through customs and catch the free shuttle bus to Shenzhen Airport (running every 15-30 minutes). Simple, right?

• Cost: 280-380 CNY (~£30-£40) for a single journey;
• Duration: 50 minutes (SkyPier → Shenzhen Airport / Fuyong Ferry Terminal);
• Travel times: 4-5 daily departures (e.g., 09:00, 12:10, 15:00, 17:30);
• Booking: It's super easy via the 深圳机场码头 WeChat mini-programme, up to 60 minutes before departure.

You can get from HKG to Shenzhen in just 50 minutes, without even having to pass through Hong Kong immigration!

By cross-border bus (budget-friendly, but time-consuming)

If you're on a budget, you can hop on a cross-border bus, but do allow for a journey of around 2 hours and factor in the time needed for luggage checks at the checkpoints.

• Cost: 150-180 CNY (approx. £16-£20);
• Duration: approx. 1.5–2 hours (depending on traffic);
• Routes: Evergreen Bus or Zhongtong from HKG to the Shenzhen Bay / Futian checkpoints;
• Downside: You'll need to carry your luggage through the immigration queues.

📌 Top tip for late arrivals: after midnight, a taxi is your only option (see below).

By taxi or private van

If you're arriving at night, taxis or private vans are your only options:

• Cost: approx. 300 CNY (~£32 / ~€38) (green HK taxi to the border) + 150 CNY (approx. £16 / ~€19) (taxi from Shenzhen to the city centre)
• Trip.com tip: Book a 7-seater van via DiDi for around 800 CNY (~£100) and split the cost with your group.

Shenzhen Airport Terminal 3 (T3): Check-in, Lounges & Dining

Terminal 3 at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is the airport's sole terminal, opening its doors in 2013 following extensive construction. This modern and elegant hub handles almost all domestic and international flights.

• Check-in: Self-service kiosks and counters are located on Level 4. To ensure a smooth start to your journey, please arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights.
• Lounges: Relax in the Air China Lounge (Priority Pass accepted) or the Shenzhen Airlines Lounge (for Business and First Class passengers).
• Dining: A wide range of options, from quick bites like Starbucks and KFC to local specialities such as Yue Noodle House or Dim Sum Studio.

Shenzhen Airport Guide: Departures & Arrivals

Departures from Shenzhen (SZX)

Stay in the loop with updates on delays or gate changes via:

• Flight information screens: Check out real-time updates in the terminal or online via the airport's website.
• Apps: Trip.com for push notifications.

📌 Trip.com tip: Check-in closes 40 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes before departure for international flights.

Arrivals at Shenzhen (SZX)

Once you've landed, simply follow the signs to the baggage reclaim area on Level 2. You can breeze through customs by filling out your entry forms online in advance.

• Metro and bus: Level 1.
• Taxis and DiDi: Head out of the terminal through Gate 13 for taxis, or simply follow the in-app directions to the pick-up zones.

Flight schedule for Shenzhen

The airport connects to over 120 destinations, including:

• Domestic destinations: Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu (over 50 flights daily)
• International destinations: Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Sydney
• Easily check flight times via the airport's website or apps like Trip.com to get real-time updates.

Check Shenzhen Airport Terminal Map

Source: Wikipedia

Easily navigate your way around the airport using our interactive maps (just scan the QR codes in the terminals) or download the official airport app.

Key areas of the airport:

• Level 4: Check-in, self-service kiosks and security control;
• Level 3: Departure gates and duty-free shops;
• Level 2: Arrivals, baggage reclaim and customs;
• Level 1: Metro line 11 and bus stops.

Services: Free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, luggage storage, and a 24-hour pharmacy

Ready for your trip to Shenzhen? Book your flights and hotels on Trip.com now and secure the best deals to discover China's Silicon Valley!

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