Shenzhen Bao'an Airport (SZX) to the City

First, check the airport on your ticket

This post covers how to get from Shenzhen's airport into the city. First check that the airport on your ticket is Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX).

There are four ways from Bao'an Airport into town: Metro Lines 11 and 20, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway, the airport express bus, and taxis or ride-hailing. Most of them start from the Ground Transportation Center (GTC), so follow the GTC signs after you land.

• Full Shenzhen travel guide →

Metro Lines 11 and 20: the entrance is inside the GTC

The Metro Line 11 entrance is in the GTC concourse, reached by four lifts and two escalators. From Airport (T3) station, Line 11 runs via Bao'an, Qianhaiwan, Nanshan, Houhai, Chegongmiao, Futian, Gangxia North and Huaqiang South.

Line 20 runs from Airport North towards Shenzhen World. Fares on both lines are distance-based, from CNY 2 for the first 4 km. Some trains have Business Class carriages with their own fares (CNY 6-36 one way), so don't mix them up with Ordinary Class tickets. Check official information for journey times.

Where to catch the intercity railway, the airport bus and taxis

Escalators and lifts lead from the terminal and the GTC to Shenzhen Airport station on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway. Check the railway's official timetables and fares.

The airport express bus leaves from the western platform on the second floor of the GTC; tickets are sold at the counter near Door 17. Routes serve areas such as Futian, Luohu, Nanshan, Longgang, Pingshan and Guangming. Check official information before you go for routes, operating hours (including any night routes) and fares.

Taxi stands are on the eastern platform on the second floor of the GTC, via Door 13. Pick-up points for ride-hailing apps are outside the south side of the GTC (Point A) and in the reservation pick-up area on the first floor (Point B). Taxis are metered and the time depends on traffic. This is handy with heavy luggage or a late arrival.

Staying in Futian or Nanshan

Here is the area information that connects with the way in from the airport. Line 11 heads towards Nanshan, Houhai, Futian, Gangxia North and Huaqiang South, and the airport express bus also has routes towards areas such as Futian and Nanshan; check official information before you go for routes and operating hours.

Futian suits a first visit, city night views and trips to Hong Kong. The top of Lianhua Hill Park looks out over downtown Futian (Children's Palace station), and Huaqiangbei pedestrian street, a 3A scenic area, is here too.

Nanshan suits history walks, theme parks and seaside parks. It has the Overseas Chinese Town (OCT) Tourist Resort and Nantou Ancient Town. As of June 2026, Metro Line 12 has a Nantou Ancient City station, and the old town is also about a 5-minute walk from Exit B of Taoyuan station on Line 1.

Nanshan's seaside and the Dapeng Peninsula

Chiwan Tianhou Temple and Shenzhen Bay Park are also in Nanshan. For Chiwan Tianhou Temple, take bus 226 or 355 to the Tian Hou Gong stop; for Shenzhen Bay Park, use Exit D2 of Shenzhen Bay Park station on Metro Line 9. Shekou Ferry Terminal (07:00-22:30) and Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint are close by.

The Dapeng Peninsula is far from downtown, so set aside a full day for it. Check official information for how to get from the airport to Dapeng. On the peninsula, buses M231 and M232 run to Dongchong and Xichong beaches.

At a glance

Below is a summary of each option. Check official information for times and most fares.

• Metro Line 11: entrance inside the GTC, Airport (T3) station towards Nanshan, Futian and Huaqiang South, from CNY 2 for the first 4 km (distance-based)
• Metro Line 20: Airport North station towards Shenzhen World, from CNY 2 for the first 4 km (distance-based)
• Guangzhou-Shenzhen Intercity Railway: Shenzhen Airport station, reached by escalators and lifts from the terminal and the GTC; check official timetables and fares
• Airport express bus: western platform, GTC second floor; tickets at the counter near Door 17; check official information before you go for routes, operating hours (including any night routes) and fares
• Taxi: eastern platform, GTC second floor (Door 13), metered, time depends on traffic
• Ride-hailing app: outside the south side of the GTC (Point A) or the first-floor reservation pick-up area (Point B)

Arrival-day checklist

Check the airport on your ticket again for the trip home. For sightseeing, see our 2-day route; for Hong Kong's airport, see the separate post.

• Metro payment: chip bank cards with the UnionPay and QuickPass logos, or phones carrying them, work at the gates; turn on small-amount password-free payment and keep a balance of at least the highest Ordinary Class single fare
• Shenzhen Tong card: works on the metro and most buses; the CNY 20 deposit is refunded when you return it; 5% off metro fares and up to 35% off bus fares
• Business Class carriages: separate fares of CNY 6-36 one way, so don't mix them up with Ordinary Class tickets
• Destination: Mandarin (Putonghua) is the main language, so have your hotel address written in Chinese
• If you need help: Shenzhen Metro hotline 0755-88960600, Shenzhen Tong hotline 0755-86699000, government service hotline 12345
• Going on to Hong Kong: opening hours differ by checkpoint; always check official information for visa and entry rules

• Incheon → Shenzhen flights →
• How many days in Shenzhen? A 2-day route and transport →
• Hong Kong Airport to the City →

FAQ

Related reading

Itinerary · ChinaHow many days in Shenzhen? A 2-day route and transportTwo to three days suit Shenzhen. Day by day: Nantou Ancient Town, Chiwan Tianhou Temple,…ComparisonAirport to City: Train, Bus, Taxi or Transfer? A Practical ComparisonCompare the five ways to get from the airport into town, with tips for late-night…Tips · ChinaGuangzhou airport to the city, and the train to Hong KongWith T1 closed, how to get from Guangzhou Baiyun T2 and T3 into the city by metro,…

All articles →