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

As the economic centre of Guangdong and the gateway to southern China, Guangzhou is served by 10 railway stations connecting its 18 million residents with destinations across the country.

Three stations handle the vast majority of passenger traffic: Guangzhou South Railway Station, one of the largest and busiest high-speed rail hubs in China; Guangzhou Railway Station, the historic main station for long-distance conventional services; and Guangzhou East Railway Station, a key hub for regional routes to nearby cities.

Trip.com brings you everything you need to know about choosing the right station, its facilities, and our top tips for stress-free train 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 to Guangzhou South Railway Station?

How to book your tickets?

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

• Book on Trip.com (Recommended ✅): The easiest way to book tickets online. Book in a few clicks and get an e-ticket linked to your passport. Available in English and other languages, and supports credit card or PayPal payment. Book in 3 minutes, get your ticket in 10 minutes. Just scan your passport to board the train.
• Via the 12306 app: This is China's official railway platform. It now has an English interface, so it's easier to use. However, you may need to wait 3–5 days for identity verification before you can buy tickets. Once set up, it works well.
• At the on-site ticket counters: Go to the ticket office at the station (usually on level 1F, follow station signs). At larger stations, you can usually find a counter for international travellers with English-speaking staff. Bring your passport, choose your train, and pay at the counter. It's best to allow extra time, especially during busy periods.

How to take the train?

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

• Please arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure (earlier during busy periods);
• Go through identity verification and security checks at the entrance (passport required, luggage X-rayed);
• Head to the waiting area and check the departure screens for your train and boarding gate;
• Proceed through the ticket gates when boarding starts (usually 15–30 minutes before departure; passport required);
• • Foreign passport holders: use the Manual Channel and show your passport to staff.
  • Foreign Permanent Residence ID card holders: use self-service or manual channels.
• Follow the signs to your platform and find your carriage and seat.

For a more detailed step-by-step guide, please see below.

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!)

View more facilities and travel information at Guangzhou South Railway Station ⬇

VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

The Guangzhou South Railway 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

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 Guangzhou South Railway 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

VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

Guangzhou East Railway Station 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 Railway Station, and Guangzhou East are three distinct hubs with different destinations.
Guangzhou South is the main high-speed rail hub for G-trains. Guangzhou Railway Station operates long-distance conventional services. Guangzhou East mainly serves regional routes. Always double-check the full name of your departure station on your ticket.

💡 Book early on Trip.com

Tickets go on sale 15 days before departure. Popular routes such as Guangzhou–Shanghai sell out quickly during Golden Weeks and Chinese New Year. Book on Trip.com as soon as your itinerary is confirmed.

💡 Allow 45 to 60 minutes before departure

Luggage scans and passport checks are required at all railway stations. For cross-border services, extra time for customs procedures is needed. We recommend arriving at least 60 minutes early.

💡 Keep your passport handy

Your passport is required for station entry and boarding. No physical ticket collection is needed. Keep it easily accessible.

💡 G-train or standard train: different departure points

A G-train from Guangzhou to Beijing departs from Guangzhou South and takes around 8 hours. Conventional Z/T trains leave from Guangzhou Railway Station and take much longer. Always check the train prefix 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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