Shenzhen Bao’an Airport to city
For most arrivals, the metro is the best value; taxis and rideshare save time late at night. For in-city navigation, combine this with the Shenzhen Metro guide. Planning days? See our Shenzhen itinerary (3-day / 5-day).
Options overview
Plan this trip faster with our free online itinerary maker. Get a personalized day-by-day plan in minutes.
| Mode | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro | Low | 45–60 min | Budget and predictable timing |
| Taxi | Medium | 35–50 min | Late night or luggage |
| Rideshare | Medium | 35–50 min | Door-to-door convenience |
Step-by-step: Metro from SZX
- Follow airport signage to the metro; buy a Shenzhen Tong or use QR.
- Plot your line and transfers; see the Shenzhen Metro guide.
- Target stations near your first stop: Window of the World, Ping An, or your hotel.
Arriving late? Save the metro map offline and consider taxis for hotels far from stations.
Getting to popular areas
Futian (central)
Take metro toward Futian/Civic Center stations for quick access to Ping An Finance Centre, the business core, and connections to Shenzhen Museum and Lianhuashan Park. If you’re hotel-first, navigate straight to the nearest station to minimize transfers.
Nanshan (OCT)
Head to the OCT cluster for Window of the World, Splendid China Folk Village, OCT Loft, and evening walks at OCT Harbor. The metro keeps costs low; taxis can save time if you’re checking in late with luggage.
Luohu (markets/HK border)
Use the metro to reach Luohu for budget stays and markets. It’s a good base if you’re planning to shop or make a day trip to Hong Kong. For the bayfront later, it’s easy to connect toward Shenzhen Bay Park.
Luggage, kids, and accessibility
- Elevators: Major interchange stations have lifts; follow signage and add transfer time.
- Wide gates: Use accessible gates for strollers/suitcases.
- Family routing: Prefer one-transfer routes over the absolute fastest time to reduce herd stress.
When to choose taxi or rideshare
- Late arrivals after first/last trains or with multiple heavy bags.
- Hotels >10 minutes walking from stations, especially with kids.
- Direct rides to early-morning tours or flights.
Costs & timing by mode (typical)
| Route | Metro | Taxi | Rideshare |
|---|---|---|---|
| SZX → Futian | $1–$2 / 45–60 min | $20–$35 / 35–50 min | $18–$30 / 35–50 min |
| SZX → Nanshan (OCT) | $1–$2 / 50–65 min | $22–$38 / 35–55 min | $20–$35 / 35–55 min |
| SZX → Luohu | $1–$2 / 55–70 min | $25–$40 / 40–60 min | $22–$38 / 40–60 min |
Note: Traffic varies by time of day and weather; metro is the most predictable.
Late-night strategies
- Check last trains for your arrival station. If you’ll miss them, book a rideshare while exiting baggage claim.
- Pick a well-lit, signed pickup point (Departures level often works); verify the plate before boarding.
- Share your trip with a companion via the app; keep a portable battery handy.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Multiple transfers with heavy luggage—save time with a taxi for the last leg.
- Boarding the last train without checking your interchange’s closing time.
- Choosing a hotel far from the metro; see Where to stay in Shenzhen.