There are several convenient options to travel to and from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX). You can use the metro, airport shuttle buses, taxi, or ride-hailing apps such as Didi. Travel to CUHK-Shenzhen takes around 1.5 hours depending on the mode of transport and traffic.
Metro
From the airport, take Metro Line 11 to Chegongmiao Station, transfer to Line 3 (Longgang Line), and continue to Shuanglong Station. From there, CUHK-Shenzhen is a short 10-minute taxi or Didi ride (approx. ¥20 CNY).
Total metro ride takes around 90 minutes and costs ¥9–12 CNY.
Metro runs approximately 06:30–23:00. Trains are frequent and have signs in English.
Taxi or Didi
Taking a taxi or Didi directly from the airport to CUHK-Shenzhen will take around 60–80 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect to pay ¥150–180 CNY (20–25 USD). Didi (China’s Uber) is widely used and recommended for convenience.
Airport Shuttle
Currently, there is no direct airport shuttle to CUHK-Shenzhen. However, airport shuttle buses connect to major metro stations (e.g., Minle, Futian, or Luohu) where you can transfer to Metro Line 3 toward Longgang.
CUHK-Shenzhen is located in Longgang District, about 35 km northeast of downtown Shenzhen. For traveling to and from the city center or sightseeing areas, public transport or Didi is the most practical option.
Shenzhen has a modern, safe, and reliable metro system that is ideal for both locals and visitors. Signs and announcements are in both Chinese and English.
The nearest major metro station to CUHK-Shenzhen is Shuanglong Station (Line 3).
From Shuanglong, you can easily reach the city center (Futian, Luohu, or Nanshan) in 45–60 minutes.
Metro tickets cost ¥2–10 CNY, depending on distance.
Operating hours: approx. 06:30–23:00.
Tip: Download the Shenzhen Metro App for live maps and planning.
Bus
Public buses are widely available but not as foreigner-friendly as the metro. They can be useful for short distances from metro stations to hotels or the university. Fares are ¥2–3 CNY, payable via WeChat Pay, Alipay, or Shenzhen Tong card.
Taxis in Shenzhen are metered. Base fare is ¥10 CNY for the first 2 km, then around ¥2.4–3.0 CNY/km after that. Few drivers speak English, so it’s helpful to show your destination written in Chinese or use a translation app.
Didi (滴滴出行) is the preferred choice for most locals and visitors:
English version available (download internationally).
Offers standard, premium, and shared ride options.
Average fares within the Longgang or Futian area range from ¥20–50 CNY.
Didi (ride-hailing): [iOS/Android]
Shenzhen Metro App: metro routes, live updates
Baidu Maps or AMAP (Gaode): for accurate local navigation (some English support)
WeChat Pay / Alipay: essential for QR code payments on metro, buses, shops
