Shenzhen Metro

Ports between Shenzhen and Hong Kong

Which Line to Take & Which Station to Exit

Luohu Port

Line 1: Luohu

Futian Port

Line 4, 10: Futian Checkpoint

Huanggang Port

Line 7: Huanggang Checkpoint

Shenzhen Bay Port

Line 13: Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint

Shekou Cruise Homeport

Line 2/8: Shekou Port

Wenjindu Port

Line 9: Wenjin

Liantang Port

Line 2/8: Liantang Checkpoint

As an emerging high-tech city, Shenzhen has built many technology-themed subway stations, which have become popular photo spots, such as Gangxia North, the largest subway station in Asia with a super large spiral dome, Shigu station with a drone theme, and Chegongmiao painted with vivid space tour scenes on the surface of Mars. Besides, the platforms of Lines 4 and 13, which are operated by Hong Kong MTR Cooperation, are decorated in Hong Kong style, making people feel as if they were in Hong Kong.

Operating Hours

Shenzhen metro lines operate for a long time daily. Most of them send the first train before 06:00 in the morning, and don’t stop service until 00:00 the next day; during holidays or major events, those serving Shenzhen North Railway Station and Shenzhen Airport often extend their operation to 1 am.

The train departs every 2 - 5 min on average during peak hours and 5 - 9 min at other times. Metro Line 11 running towards the city center from the airport and Line 2/8 to Dameisha and Xiaomeisha add 3 grand station express trains on working days and holidays, respectively, saving passengers’ 5 - 10 minutes compared with normal departures.

It is worth noting that during the morning and evening rush hours on weekdays, 07:30 to 09:30 and 17:00 - 19:30, the congestion of popular commuter lines 5, 1, 4, 11, and 3 is beyond imagination. Perhaps you are squeezed into the carriage after waiting for about 10 - 20 minutes, which is particularly evident at large transfer stations like Gangxia North, Shenzhen North Railway Station, Futian, and Chegongmiao. If possible, avoid those time slots and stations.

How to Pay for Shenzhen Metro

1. Scan the transit code on Alipay or WeChat

If you have activated a local payment app for your Shenzhen trip, such as WeChat or Alipay, get a ride code and scan it to pass through the ticket gate.

2. Buy a single-way ticket

It’s easily available at ticket vending machines and service windows inside the metro stations.

3. Purchase a one-day or three-day pass

It costs CNY 25 and CNY 75, respectively, allowing unlimited rides on all metro lines within 24 hours and 72 hours from the first entry. To note that it’s not applicable for trams and business class carriages of Line 11.

Only major subway stations sell the pass. Some are listed below:
Line 1: Qianhaiwan, Luohu
Line 2: Window of the World, Shekou Port, Liantang Checkpoint
Line 3: Futian, Buji
Line 4/5/6: Shenzhen North Station
Line 7: Fumin, Huanggang Checkpoint
Line 8: Dameisha
Line 9: Shenzhen Bay Park, Yinhu, Wenjin
Line 10: Futian Checkpoint
Line 11: Airport T3
Line 14: Universiade
Line 16: Shuanglong

4. Rent a Shenzhen Pass

Tourists who stay in Shenzhen for more than three days are advised to rent a physical Shenzhen Pass from its service center at Shenzhen North Railway Station, Shenzhen Airport, Shenzhen Bay Port, Convention and Exhibition Center, Laojie, Bao’an Center, or Luohu metro station. This card not only offers a 5% discount for metro rides but also helps pass through the ticket gate smoothly. What’s more, it can also be used to take the city bus. The deposit of CNY 20 is refundable.

5. Tap the credit card

Passengers can tap Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB cards at ticket gates to ride the metro, but you need to find the qualified gate with a contactless payment logo.

Ticket Fare

Shenzhen metro employs a stage fare system. The longer you travel, the more you pay.

Trip Length

Ticket Fare

0 - 4 km (0 - 2.5 mi)

CNY 2

4 - 12 km (2.5 - 7.5 mi)

CNY 1 / 4 km (2.5 mi)

12 - 24 km (7.5 - 14.9 mi)

CNY 1 / 6 km (3.7 mi)

>24 km (>14.9 mi)

CNY 1 / 8 km (5 mi)

Popular Routes by Metro

Ticket Fare

Shenzhen Airport - Shenzhen World

CNY 4

Shenzhen Airport - Shenzhen North Railway Station

CNY 8

Shenzhen World - Shenzhen Bay Park

CNY 8

Shenzhen Bay Park - Shenzhen North Railway Station

CNY 5

Futian Railway Station - Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

CNY 2

Shenzhen Airport - Futian Railway Station

CNY 7

Shenzhen North Railway Station - Huaqiangbei Electronics Market

CNY 4

Huaqiangbei Electronics Market - Dongmen Pedestrian Street

CNY 2

Note: Children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) in height or under 6 years old can ride for free; those 6 - 14 years old or with a height of 1.2 - 1.5 meters (3.9 - 4.9 feet) enjoy a 50% discount on the ticket price, but a paper children ticket is required, available at the service center and ticketing machine.

Ticket price of business class carriages on Line 11

The fare is three times that of the corresponding regular carriage, CNY 6 - 36. For example, it charges CNY 12 from the airport to Shenzhen World.

Tips on Taking Shenzhen Metro

1. Exit and re-enter at transfer stations without an internal connecting passage

Passengers changing metro trains at Hongling South and Futian Checkpoint need to exit the station first and walk on the ground to access another entrance for the second ride. Hubei station, although equipped with a transfer passage, adopts separate billing, also requiring passengers to pay to exit and recheck to enter.

2. Prepare sufficient time for transferring at large stations

Many hub stations cover a large area with long connecting channels, requiring at least 5 or even 10 minutes to make a transfer, such as Shenzhen North Railway Station, Futian, and Gangxia North.

3. Confirm the destination of the metro train before boarding

Some trains travel part of the normal route during peak hours; some additional express trains don’t stops at small stations during off-peak hours. Pay attention to the announcements at the platform and check the note on electronic screens.

4. Facilities

Most subway stations have toilets, and all transfer stations are equipped with baby care rooms.

Metro Lines to be Opened in the Future

Phase 1 of Line 22: Shangsha - Liguang
Length: 34.7 km (21.6 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2028

Line 15: Tinghai - Xili High Speed Railway Station - Tinghai
Length: 32.2 km (20 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2028

Phase 2 of Line 20: Airport North - Baishizhou
Length: 24.82 km (15.4 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2028

Phase 1 of Line 25: Shilong - Jihua Hospital
Length: 16.5 km (10.3 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2028

Phase 1 of Line 19: Nantangwei - Julong
Length: 14.79 km (9.2 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2028

Phase 1 of Line 29: Hongshuwan South - Xingdong
Length: 11.16 km (6.9 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2028

Phase 1 of Line 32: Xichong - Kuichong East
Length: 9.51 km (5.9 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2028

Phase 1 of Line 17: Luohu West - Shanglilang
Length: 18.62 km (11.6 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2029

Phase 1 of Line 27: Songpingcun - Gangtouxi
Length: 25 km (15.5 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2029

Phase 2 of Line 13, South Extension: Dongjiaotou - Shenzhen Bay Port
Length: 4.067 km (2.5 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2030

Phase 2 of Line 13, North Extension: Shangwu - Lisonglang
Length: 19.23 km (11.9 mi)
Estimated Opening Time: 2030