A guide on travelling to Humen Ferry Terminal from HKIA

While Dongguan has long been considered “the world’s factory” due to its booming export industry that began in the mid-1980s, the city has more to offer than meets the eye, from forested lakesides and historical monuments to tonnes of shopping and dining. This makes it a great destination to visit in the Greater Bay Area – and even more so given its accessibility for travellers flying to Hong Kong International Airport. 

Hong Kong airport’s seamless air-to-sea service ensures travellers flying in from abroad don’t have to go through several rounds of immigration or carry their bags through numerous travel checkpoints. In fact, travellers who choose to do same-day ferry transfers from Hong Kong won’t need to go through immigration at the airport and will have their baggage transferred directly to their final destination.

Here’s everything you need to know about taking the 90-minute ferry from Hong Kong International Airport all the way to Humen Ferry Terminal.

Before you go, double-check what travel documents you need for entry to the Chinese Mainland – and download our PDF guide to help you on your way.

1. Arriving at Hong Kong International Airport

When you touch down at the airport, follow the signs to Mainland/Macao and Transfer Desks E2. It’s a short walk to the ferry ticketing desk, where you can get your ticket to board the ferry and transfer your bags to Humen.

Before you fly, you can also book a Direct Air+Sea combined flight and ferry ticket with us for convenience – just enter your destination as “Dongguan, Humen  Ferry Terminal (ZTI)”  and you’ll be assigned the next available ferry after your arrival in Hong Kong.* 

2. Skip immigration

You may pass the immigration hall on your way to the ferry ticketing desk. However, one of the benefits of transferring to the Chinese Mainland via ferry is that it saves you the trouble of going through immigration at the airport, so just continue towards Mainland/Macao and Transfer Desks E2. 

3. Mainland/Macao connection via the SkyPier Terminal Ferry Service

You’re at the right place when you’ve reached an open waiting area with couches, indicated with a large dark blue “E2” sign. A green lightbox labelled “SkyPier Terminal Ferry Service” stands next to the row of ferry ticketing desks in question, operated by staff who’ll help you with your tickets and baggage.

Prepare to show your travel documents, flight ticket and baggage tag receipt (sometimes attached to your boarding pass) to the ferry operator, who will then confirm your final destination via ferry as well as how many pieces of baggage you’ve checked in and need to transfer. Note that the first checked bag is free of charge, while additional bags will be charged extra.

If you’ve purchased a combined flight and ferry ticket to Dongguan, the operator will print your ferry ticket for you at this point.

If you still need a ferry ticket, the operator will inform you when the next available ferry is. You can pay for it in HKD by cash, credit card or WeChat Pay.

One important thing to keep in mind is that only same-day transfers are allowed, which means your ferry must depart on the same date your flight arrives in Hong Kong. This is to ensure that your bags are safely transferred to your ultimate destination. So, confirm beforehand and allow for sufficient time to catch the ferry after landing at the airport. You can check the ferry timetable in advance here .

4. Train to the SkyPier Terminal

Leave “E2” and go around the ferry ticketing desks to a queueing area labelled “Coach Ferry Boarding”. Airport staff will scan your ferry ticket and let you through to the Automated People Mover (APM), which will take you from the airport terminal to the SkyPier.

Leave some time to get to the departing gates for the ferry, but if you'd like to get some souvenir shopping done, it’s best to do it before you take the APM as you won’t be able to return to the airport terminal past that point. The SkyPier has washrooms and a convenience store for a last-minute refresh.

5. SkyPier Terminal

You’ll reach the SkyPier after a two- to three-minute ride. Head up the escalators or use the lift to reach the ferry departure gates, which are all within a short walking distance of each other. There’s also a currency exchange booth here.

Look for the sign to Humen Ferry Terminal or simply check the gate number on your ferry ticket. When it’s time to board, scan your ticket and head to the dock to board the boat.

If you noticed the “Baggage Reclaim” area, there’s no need to worry about your bags being dropped off here – it’s for travellers taking the cross-boundary coach, not the ferry.

6. On the ferry…

Sink into the boat's plush seats and enjoy the views through the extra-large windows during your 90-minute journey. If you’re feeling peckish, the boat has a selection of simple snacks and beverages, though nothing cooked as per boat policy. Each window is equipped with sun-blocking blinds, and the front of the boat is outfitted with charging ports while the back is where baggage compartments and toilets are situated.

If you’re willing to spend a little extra, the upper VIP cabin has larger and comfier seats that can recline and come equipped with a USB charger. 

7. …and off the ferry

If you’ve transferred bags to the Humen Ferry Terminal, look overhead for the baggage reclaim sign at the dock when you get off the ferry. The staff will unload your bags from the ship, which you can collect with a luggage cart if necessary – it’s a bit of a walk from the ferry to the immigration hall.

8. Immigration

Follow the signs for arrivals. You’ll pass by a small health quarantine area before lining up to go through immigration. Show your travel documents and provide your fingerprints, then turn the corner towards customs. Put your bags through the machine as instructed by the officers, then pick them up and exit through the doorway to the lobby for arrivals.

9. Humen Ferry Terminal

There’s a currency exchange booth here, though you’ll find most merchants welcome cashless payments . As for how to connect to the rest of Dongguan and beyond, you can take the ferry terminal’s free shuttle service to Humen Railway Station where you can hop on the high-speed rail or use a ride-hailing service.

*Direct Air+Sea is available for selected routes on our website. For regions where this service is unavailable, please book via a travel agent. If you're departing from Taiwan China, please purchase your ferry tickets separately. We’ll arrange your bags to be checked through when you check in at your departing airport.