How to get to Dongguan from Hong Kong

Sandwiched between Shenzhen and Guangzhou in China’s Greater Bay Area, Dongguan is a city distinguished both by its history and industry. Long serving as an engine of national growth, the city has quickly evolved from a manufacturing centre in the early 2000s into an innovation-driven tech hub. 

Though its shopping options may not match those of its neighbouring cities, Dongguan instead drips with history and culture. Just north-west of the city centre is Keyuan, one of the four great gardens of the Guangdong province, while further south is Humen Town, a major site of conflict during the First Opium War in the 1800s, and now home to the Opium War Museum .

Less than an hour’s drive from the city centre is the 40sq km Tongsha Ecological Park, comprising mountain ridges, a picturesque reservoir and large wooded areas, connected by hiking trails and cycling paths. Keep driving south-west, and you’ll reach Songshan Lake, which welcomes cyclists and fishermen while also doubling as a technology park. 

Around 90km from Hong Kong, Dongguan is great for a weekend break or day trip from within the GBA. The city doesn’t have its own airport, so if you have time, it’s best bundled in with a visit to Shenzhen or Guangzhou – both located just an hour away by car but with more convenient links to Hong Kong. Still, if you’re planning to travel directly from Hong Kong to Dongguan, you can do so by road, rail or ferry. 

Hong Kong to Dongguan by highspeed railway

Perhaps the most convenient way to get to Dongguan, the highspeed railway takes passengers from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to either Dongguan or Dongguannan (South Dongguan) Station, departing as early as 8.06am and as late as 6.23pm. Depending on the number of stops en-route, the journey takes approximately an hour.

Tickets can be purchased at designated channels , at Hong Kong West Kowloon station or via the 12306 Online Ticketing Platform . Fares are set in RMB, so the price in Hong Kong dollars may fluctuate depending on daily conversion rates, but typically ranges from HK$167 to HK$501 per adult and HK$84 to HK$251 for a child. An upgrade to business class will grant you luxuries like a reading light and a personal TV.

Hong Kong to Dongguan by ferry

This option is exclusive to inbound passengers transferring at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). From there, you can hop onto the CKS ferry service at SkyPier Terminal ; it reaches Humen Ferry Terminal, Dongguan in approximately 90 minutes. Tickets range from HK$350 to HK$590, with the additional dollars buying you more comfortable seating and greater privacy as well as priority boarding and disembarkation. 

As the SkyPier Terminal is not open to the Hong Kong public, travellers must show their same-day arrival flight ticket or boarding pass and passport. 

Cathay Pacific passengers, meanwhile, can enjoy the convenience of purchasing Direct Air+Sea, a flight and ferry in a bundle, when booking through our site.* Simply select “Dongguan Humen Ferry Terminal (ZTI)” as your final port, and the system will automatically select the ferry ride that best suits your itinerary.

Once you’ve arrived at HKIA, head to Transfer Area E2 to collect your ferry ticket and present your baggage tags to our staff to ensure your luggage has been checked through. You can then board the vessel at SkyPier, without the need to even enter Hong Kong’s border. The journey runs four times a day from 8am to 3pm and takes just over two hours. 

Remember to arrive at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes prior to departure.  

Hong Kong to Dongguan by bus

Buses depart from almost every corner of Hong Kong and connect you to just as many points across Dongguan. CTG Bus , for instance, travels from HKIA to Sheraton Dongguan Hotel up to six times a day for HK$200 per ticket. Also departing from HKIA is Eternal East Tours Co. Ltd ., with stops at hotels including Goodview Hotel Tangxia and Metropolitan Yijing Hotel Dongguan. For more options on coaches departing from HKIA, visit Counter M01-M05 , Mainland/Macao Transport Centre, Hall A of Arrivals Level, Terminal 1. 

If you’re in the city centre, meanwhile, Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings offers rides from almost all of Hong Kong’s urban landmarks to various destinations in Dongguan, including Houjie, the city’s tech epicentre, industrial townships like Chang'anzhen and Qingxi, and even the lush landscapes of Songshan Lake. 

Journeys average three hours, so be sure to pack snacks and entertainment. 

*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.