Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (SZX)

How to get to Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport

Shenzhen city center is approximately 32 km from the airport: the metro is the fastest solution, roughly 45-55 minutes to downtown.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Shenzhen's center in approximately 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.

By Train

Metro: line 11 of the metro system connects the airport directly to Shenzhen's city center in approximately 45-55 minutes.

By Bus

Multiple dedicated bus lines connect the airport to various areas of the city and to the Hong Kong border.

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Tips If you continue to Hong Kong, there is a direct ferry connection (SkyPier) from the airport itself without passing through Shenzhen city: check this option if your itinerary includes it, as it significantly speeds up the connection.

Average travel time to SZX

Train45-55 minutes (metro)

Shuttle bus45-60 minutes

Taxi / Private hire45-60 minutes

Parking near Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport

The official multi-level parking (P1/P2/P3) stands in front of the terminals.

First 15 minutes free, then 10 CNY first hour; 1-2 CNY/half-hour in subsequent periods, with maximum 80 CNY on day one, 90 CNY on day two, 100 CNY from day three onward. P4 parking (more affordable) costs 10 CNY first hour then 2 CNY/hour, capped at 72 CNY/day.

How to get to Shenzhen from SZX

By Train

Metro: Line 11 connects the airport directly to Shenzhen's city center in approximately 45-55 minutes, roughly 10 CNY.

By Bus

Multiple dedicated bus lines connect the airport to various areas of Shenzhen and to the border with Hong Kong.

By Taxi

Official taxis wait in the arrivals area; the meter is standard for trips to the city center, roughly 110-160 CNY (15-22 USD) depending on the exact zone (Futian or Luohu) and traffic, plus a 3 CNY airport pickup surcharge and 20% more during night hours.

Need an airport transfer?

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From SZX to the most sought-after destinations

If you want to...	Choose	Approximate cost
Spend less	Metro Line 11, standard carriage	~10 CNY
Travel more comfortably to Futian, with space for luggage	Metro Line 11, business carriage (dedicated ticket)	up to 30 CNY
Reach Luohu or the Hong Kong border	Metro Line 1, direct from Airport East to Luohu	~10 CNY
Have heavy luggage or a late flight	Official metered taxi	~110–160 CNY

Bao'an → Futian

Line 11 arrives without transfers at Futian, the executive and financial district of the city; from here the underground station at Futian also offers high-speed rail to Hong Kong West Kowloon in just 14–16 minutes, convenient for those continuing their journey the same day.

Bao'an → Luohu

Line 1 directly connects the Airport East stop, reachable by a short shuttle from the terminals, to Luohu: here you find the historic pedestrian border crossing with Hong Kong and the large Luohu Commercial City markets, in about an hour of total travel.

Bao'an → Shekou

With a transfer to Line 2 at Futian or Houhai you reach the port of Shekou in about an hour, the departure point for international cruises and passenger ferries to Hong Kong and Macau.

Bao'an → Shenzhen North

The A2 airport bus connects the terminal to Shenzhen North station in about 40–50 minutes for about 25 CNY: it is the right place for those who need to catch a high-speed train to Guangzhou, Beijing or other Chinese cities without passing through the city centre.

Car rental at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport

A limited number of car rental operators are available in the arrival area.

Most visitors prefer to use taxis or local ride-hailing services.

Hotels near Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport

Shenzhen's Terminal 3 stands about 32 km from the centre and metro line 11 takes 45-55 minutes to reach Futian: a journey that weighs heavily if you leave at dawn or land late. That is why it pays to sleep inside the terminal when the flight is early, because two hotels open directly onto the arrivals and departures halls. Those staying in the city lodge in Futian, in the business district reached without changes by line 11, or in Luohu, next to the Hong Kong border crossing. For international flights, border checks can add to the time.

At the airport

Inside Terminal 3

Both hotels are on the third floor of Terminal 3, next to Gate 14, and can be reached on foot in about five minutes from the arrivals and departures halls, along an indoor route.

Best for: Early-morning international flights, overnight layovers, late arrivals.

Pros

From bed to check-in you walk indoors, with no metro or taxi
For international flights, the 3 hours' advance arrival includes no extra travel
At Hyatt Place the kitchen is open at all hours, handy with out-of-sync flights

Cons

There is little outside the terminal: for dinner you stay in the airport or the hotel
To see the city you need 45-55 minutes of metro in each direction

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

City centre

Futian, the business district

Line 11 from the terminal to Futian with no changes, in about 45-55 minutes; the underground Futian station also has the high-speed train to Hong Kong West Kowloon in 14-16 minutes.

Best for: Those looking for the modern heart of the city and the fast train to Hong Kong.

Pros

Direct metro, with no changes with your luggage
From Futian to Hong Kong West Kowloon in 14-16 minutes by train
Shopping centres, restaurants and parks within walking distance of the hotels

Cons

The journey for a morning flight exceeds 45 minutes: allow time in advance
District of skyscrapers and offices, less lively in the evening

Recommended hotels

Futian Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen On Yitian Road, in Futian's business district, five minutes on foot from exit 10 of Futian station: from here you take the high-speed train to Hong Kong. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Luohu and the Hong Kong border crossing

Short shuttle from the terminal to Airport East station, then direct line 1 to Luohu: about an hour in all.

Best for: Those continuing on foot to Hong Kong or who want the Luohu Commercial City market.

Pros

Hong Kong border crossing and railway station a few steps from the hotel
Direct line 1 from Airport East, with no changes
Luohu Commercial City for shopping on foot

Cons

The transfer requires a shuttle and the metro: about an hour
Crowded and noisy area, with a lot of traffic towards the border

Recommended hotels

Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen Next to the Luohu border crossing, a few steps from the railway station; you leave line 1 at Luohu stop by exit C. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport provides services befitting a major hub in southern China, located near Hong Kong.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area features a selection of Chinese tea, baijiu, and electronics, reflecting Shenzhen's position as China's technology capital.

Lounges & relaxation

In Shenzhen the lounges are all at Terminal 3 and in its T3S satellite. The airline lounges belong to China Southern and Shenzhen Airlines, with separate entry by travel class and by status. Priority Pass holders have a wide choice, because the card opens both independent lounges such as the Joyee Guest Lounge, known for noodles prepared to order, and some China Southern lounges, including the one in the satellite. For a massage there is Comfort Zone.

lounges: 7
with Priority Pass: 5
earliest opening: 03:45

Which lounge to choose: full comparison

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal area. For a local SIM, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom have service desks at the airport.

Families & Children

Minimal but concrete assistance is provided for families traveling with children.

Terminal guide

Terminal 3, with its distinctive manta ray-shaped design, is modern and has large capacity. Walking from check-in to gate typically takes 15–20 minutes.

For international flights, it is advisable to allow at least 3 hours, as customs checks can run long.

Map of Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can you reach Hong Kong directly from Shenzhen airport?

Yes, via the SkyPier ferry connection, directly from the airport without going through central Shenzhen: convenient for those with a flight to Shenzhen but whose final destination is Hong Kong.

Q. Why is Shenzhen called China's Silicon Valley?

For its strong concentration of tech companies, including Huawei and Tencent, which have made it one of China's leading innovation hubs.

Q. Is a stop at the Huaqiangbei electronics market worth it when arriving in Shenzhen?

For tech enthusiasts, yes: it's one of the largest markets in the world dedicated to electronics and components, in keeping with Shenzhen's reputation as China's tech hub, which is also home to Huawei and Tencent.

Q. Do you need a different visa for Shenzhen compared to the rest of China?

No, the same entry rules apply to all of mainland China; Hong Kong, however, has a separate entry regime, even though it's geographically close.

Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?

Comfort Zone (T3), International VIP Lounge 1 (T3), Joyee Guest Lounge (T3), China Southern Airlines Lounge (T3) and China Southern Gold/Silver/Elite Plus Lounge V3 (T3).