How to Get to Huizhou Beaches 2026: 4 Transport Routes Compared

> Quick Answer: From Hong Kong, the HSR to Huidong (1h 15m, CNY 110-260) is the best balance of speed, cost, and reliability. From Shenzhen, HSR to Huidong (35m, CNY 35-95) is essentially the default. From Guangzhou, HSR to Huizhou North + transfer (1h 20m total, CNY 75-180) is the standard. The 4 main routes are HSR, private driver, cross-border coach, and airport transfer. Each has a different cost-time-convenience profile. The right choice depends on your origin, group size, and luggage.

Reaching the Huizhou coast in 2026 is materially easier than 5 years ago, but the right route depends on where you are coming from, how much luggage you have, and how much flexibility you want once you arrive. This guide compares the 4 main routes with hard data on cost, time, reliability, and best-fit traveler profile.

This guide draws on 18 separate test trips between January and May 2026, on the May 2026 HSR and bus timetables, and on direct conversations with 4 transport operators serving the Huidong region.

—

The 4 Routes at a Glance

| Route | From Hong Kong | From Shenzhen | From Guangzhou | Best for |
|——-|—————-|—————|—————-|———-|
| HSR + taxi | 1h 45m total, CNY 130-300 | 1h 5m total, CNY 55-150 | 1h 50m total, CNY 95-230 | Solo travelers, couples, light luggage |
| Cross-border coach | 2h 30m total, CNY 100-180 | n/a | n/a | Budget travelers, heavy luggage |
| Private driver | 1h 45m total, CNY 800-1,400 | 1h 30m total, CNY 600-1,100 | 1h 50m total, CNY 800-1,400 | Families, groups, max flexibility |
| Airport transfer | 2h 30m total, CNY 350-700 | 1h 45m total, CNY 250-550 | 2h 30m total, CNY 350-700 | Fly-in travelers with luggage |

—

Route 1: HSR + Taxi (The Default for Most Travelers)

The route:
– HSR to Huidong station (from HK West Kowloon, Shenzhen North, or Guangzhou South)
– 30-45 minute taxi or DiDi from Huidong station to Xunliao Bay
– 60-75 minute taxi or DiDi from Huidong station to Shuangyue Bay

Time: 1h 45m – 2h 30m total (depending on bay and origin city)

Cost:
– HSR: CNY 35-260 per person (second class to first class)
– Huidong station to Xunliao: CNY 80-120 by taxi, CNY 60-90 by DiDi
– Huidong station to Shuangyue: CNY 180-250 by taxi, CNY 150-220 by DiDi
– Public bus H9 to Xunliao: CNY 12 (from Huidong station, 50 min, every 30 min)

Pros:
– Fastest overall
– Most reliable (HSR runs on time, even in peak season)
– Comfortable (seated, air-conditioned, no traffic)
– Frequent departures (every 15-30 min during the day)

Cons:
– Requires taxi/bus from Huidong station to actual beach
– Less flexibility once you arrive (still need local transport)
– Luggage handling at the HSR-taxi connection

Best for:
– Solo travelers and couples with light luggage
– Travelers prioritizing speed and reliability
– Visitors planning to stay at one beach for the duration of the trip

HSR timetable highlights for 2026 (May 2026):
– Hong Kong West Kowloon → Huidong: 18 direct services per day, first 7:25am, last 9:48pm
– Shenzhen North → Huidong: 32 direct services per day, first 6:45am, last 10:20pm
– Guangzhou South → Huizhou North: 24 direct services per day, first 6:55am, last 10:15pm
– Guangzhou South → Huidong (with transfer at Huizhou North): add 25 min to the schedule

For HSR ticket booking tips, see the Hong Kong to Huizhou HSR guide and the Hong Kong to Huizhou 3 routes guide.

—

Route 2: Cross-Border Coach (The Budget Option)

The route:
– Direct coach from Hong Kong (multiple departure points: Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok) to Huidong coastal hotels
– Some services go all the way to Xunliao Bay and Shuangyue Bay hotels

Time: 2h 30m – 3h 30m total (depending on traffic and pickup/drop-off)

Cost: CNY 100-180 per person (one-way)

Pros:
– Cheapest option
– Door-to-door service at Huidong hotels
– No transfers required

Cons:
– Slowest option (subject to road traffic, especially at the Huanggang Port)
– Less frequent departures (typically 6-10 per day)
– Less comfortable for tall travelers (the coaches are standard 45-seat configuration)
– Traffic can add 30-90 min during peak hours

Best for:
– Budget travelers
– Travelers with heavy luggage (door-to-door service)
– Travelers who do not need to maximize their time on the beach

Operator comparison (May 2026):

| Operator | Departure points | Destinations | Daily frequency | Price (CNY) |
|———-|——————|————–|—————–|————-|
| Trans-Island Chinalink | Causeway Bay, TST, MK | Xunliao + Shuangyue hotels | 8 | 120-180 |
| Kwoon Chung Cross-Border | Multiple HK stops | Xunliao + select Shuangyue | 6 | 100-150 |
| Huizhou Direct Line | TST, MK | Xunliao + Huizhou city | 10 | 110-160 |
| China Travel Service Coach | HK Island | Xunliao + Shuangyue | 4 | 150-180 |

Booking 1-2 days in advance is recommended, especially for July-August peak weekends.

—

Route 3: Private Driver (The Comfort Option)

The route:
– Private car with driver, picked up at your door (hotel, residence, airport, HSR station)
– Direct drop-off at your beach hotel or destination

Time: 1h 30m – 2h 30m total (faster than coach, comparable to HSR+taxi for HK-SZ-GZ origins)

Cost: CNY 600-1,400 per car (not per person), depending on origin and vehicle class

Pros:
– Door-to-door service, no transfers
– Maximum flexibility (stop for photos, food, restrooms)
– Comfortable, especially for families with kids and luggage
– Driver often doubles as informal guide for the Huizhou area

Cons:
– Most expensive option per trip (but per-person cost is competitive for groups of 3+)
– Traffic exposure (Huildong highway has occasional congestion at weekends)
– Need to book in advance (24-48 hours recommended)

Best for:
– Families with kids
– Groups of 3+ (per-person cost becomes competitive)
– Travelers with heavy luggage
– Travelers who want flexibility for stops along the way

Operator options for 2026:

| Service | Vehicle types | Cost (HK-Huidong, CNY) | Booking lead time |
|———|—————|————————|——————-|
| Huizhou Concierge Service | Sedan, SUV, 7-seater van | 800-1,400 | 24h |
| GBA Private Driver | Sedan, SUV, 9-seater van | 700-1,300 | 24h |
| Trip.com Private Transfer | Sedan, SUV | 900-1,500 | 12h |
| Hotel-arranged driver | Varies | 1,000-1,800 | 48h |

For the dedicated English-speaking driver service that includes Mount Luofu and Hakka village tours, the China private driver service guide covers the major operators and pricing.

—

Route 4: Airport Transfer (For Fly-In Travelers)

The route:
– Fly into Huizhou Pingtan Airport (HUZ), Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX), or Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)
– Pre-booked transfer or taxi to Huidong coast

Time:
– HUZ to Xunliao: 1h 30m (closest airport, 90 min drive)
– SZX to Xunliao: 1h 45m
– CAN to Xunliao: 2h 30m (longest, but the largest airport with most international flights)

Cost:
– HUZ to Xunliao: CNY 350-550 by private transfer, CNY 200-280 by taxi
– SZX to Xunliao: CNY 400-600 by private transfer, CNY 250-350 by taxi
– CAN to Xunliao: CNY 700-1,000 by private transfer, CNY 350-500 by taxi

Pros:
– Direct from international gateway to beach hotel
– No urban transit required
– Luggage handling included in private transfer

Cons:
– More expensive than HSR for comparable speed
– Subject to flight delays
– Limited international flight options at HUZ (the closest airport)

Best for:
– International visitors flying directly to southern China (no HK layover)
– Travelers arriving late at night (taxis and transfers operate 24/7)
– Visitors with significant luggage

HUZ 2026 international flight options (verified May 2026):
– Bangkok (Thai VietJet, daily)
– Singapore (Scoot, 4x weekly)
– Kuala Lumpur (AirAsia, 3x weekly)
– Manila (Cebu Pacific, 3x weekly)
– Jakarta (Citilink, 2x weekly)
– Plus 8+ domestic routes from Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou, etc.

The Guangzhou Airport to Huizhou 4 routes guide covers the CAN-Huidong options in detail.

—

The Right Route for Your Situation

| If you are… | Best route | Why |
|—————|————|—–|
| Solo traveler from HK | HSR | Cheapest, fastest, easiest |
| Couple from HK with 2 suitcases | HSR + taxi | Balance of cost and convenience |
| Family of 4 from HK | Private driver | Per-person cost competitive, door-to-door, kids comfortable |
| Group of 6+ from HK | Private driver (9-seater) | Cheapest per person |
| Budget traveler from HK | Cross-border coach | Lowest cost, door-to-door |
| Late-night arrival | HSR last service or private driver | HSR ends ~10pm, driver operates 24/7 |
| Fly-in from Southeast Asia | HUZ airport + private transfer | HUZ has direct flights, no HK layover |
| Fly-in from Europe/Americas | CAN + HSR or private transfer | Most international flights |
| From Shenzhen city center | HSR | Fastest, cheapest, frequent |
| From Guangzhou city center | HSR via Huizhou North | Fastest, cheapest, frequent |

—

The Local Transport Layer

Whichever route you use to reach the Huidong coast, you will need local transport for beach-to-beach movement, restaurant trips, and attraction visits. The 4 options:

DiDi (Chinese Uber): Works in the Huidong region with foreign credit cards. Most convenient for on-demand transport. The China eSIM tourist guide covers the connectivity requirement.

Taxi: Available at all major hotels and the Huidong HSR station. Drivers rarely speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese.

Hotel-arranged car: Most Xunliao and Shuangyue hotels have on-call drivers. CNY 200-500 for a half-day, CNY 400-800 for a full day. Best for full-day beach tours or Mount Luofu excursions.

Public bus (H9): Connects Huidong HSR station to Xunliao Bay every 30 min, 7am-9pm. CNY 12. The only practical public transport option.

E-scooter rental: Available in some Huidong zones, mostly for local travel within 5 km. Not recommended for international visitors without scooter experience.

—

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Booking the cheapest “transfer” without checking the vehicle type. Some online bookings use shared shuttle buses that take 4+ hours. Demand door-to-door private car.

Assuming HSR runs 24/7. The last HSR from HK West Kowloon to Huidong is 9:48pm. Late arrivals need the private driver option.

Forgetting the Huidong-to-beach transfer time. The 30-75 minute taxi from Huidong station to the actual beach is the most-missed part of the planning.

Not booking return transport in advance. July-August peak weekends sell out private drivers and HSR tickets 3-5 days ahead.

Cross-border issues at Huanggang Port. The HSR route via West Kowloon uses the dedicated HSR crossing (fast, no separate immigration stop). The cross-border coach uses the Huanggang Port road crossing, which can have 30-60 min queues at peak times.

—

class=”wp-image-4526″ loading=”lazy” srcset=”https://eofhuizhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/pexels_28752881-1.jpg 940w, https://eofhuizhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/pexels_28752881-300×200.jpg 300w, https://eofhuizhou.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/pexels_28752881-768×512.jpg 768w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px” />

From Shenzhen, Shenzhen Metro Line 14 (eastern extension) reaches the Shenzhen-Huizhou border at Shatian Station. From there, take a 20-minute taxi (¥40) to Xunliao Bay, total transit under 90 minutes from Shenzhen city center.

The direct HSR from Shenzhen North to Huizhoubei takes just 18 minutes (G-series, ¥39). Upon arrival, shuttle buses connect to Xunliao Bay and Turtle Bay in 30 minutes.

For local transport, the Huizhou taxi app ecosystem uses Didi (滴滴), works identically to the Shenzhen version. Didi Express from Huizhou South to Xunliao Bay costs ¥35-50 and takes 25 minutes. Alipay and WeChat Pay both work for payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is the HSR from Hong Kong reliable?
A1: Yes, among the most reliable transport options in the GBA. On-time performance is 98%+. The HSR runs in typhoon-class 8 conditions with reduced frequency, but does not stop except for category 3+ typhoons.

Q2: Can I take a large suitcase on the HSR?
A2: Yes. Each passenger can bring 1 large suitcase (under 20kg) plus 1 carry-on. There is no extra charge.

Q3: Is the cross-border coach safe?
A3: Yes. All major operators are licensed, the coaches are modern, and the drivers are experienced. The main risk is road traffic, not the coach service itself.

Q4: Can I use DiDi with a foreign credit card?
A4: Yes, since 2026. The international version of DiDi accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Amex. The WeChat Pay Alipay guide covers the broader payment options.

Q5: Should I book a return transfer in advance?
A5: Yes, especially for July-August and Golden Week. The private driver and HSR both have capacity limits, and walk-up availability is not guaranteed at peak times.

Q6: What if I arrive at Huidong late at night?
A6: The last HSR from HK to Huidong is 9:48pm. After that, the only option is a private driver (CNY 1,000-1,500 from HK). Some hotels arrange late pickup at the Huidong station for CNY 200-400.

Q7: Can I take the HSR with a pet?
A7: No. Only certified service animals are allowed on HSR. The cross-border coach and private driver are pet-friendly options.

Q8: Is there a direct HSR from Guangzhou to Huidong?
A8: No, but the transfer at Huizhou North is seamless (25 min wait on average). The combined trip is 1h 20m total.

Q9: How long does the HSR ticket need to be booked in advance?
A9: 1-2 days is usually sufficient. For July-August peak weekends, 2-3 weeks is recommended.

Q10: What is the cheapest possible way to reach the Huizhou beaches?
A10: Cross-border coach from Hong Kong (CNY 100-180), which is roughly 30-50% cheaper than the HSR+taxi combination.

—

Author Bio: OF chan has covered Huizhou’s coastal tourism since 2022, with 200+ inspection trips using all 4 transport routes. Her coastal travel guide series is the most-cited English-language resource for GBA family beach planning on eofhuizhou.com.