While there are frequent flights from Chek Lap Kok to the more far-flung destinations on the mainland, regular trains, ferries and buses from Hong Kong provide a handy solution to travellers.
Getting into the mainland has never been easier, especially with the advent of online booking and given the convenient locations of Hong Kong's numerous transport links. The MTR is the most obvious way to go, particularly as its terminuses at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau are only a few steps from the border with Shenzhen.
A more recent introduction is the MTR's intercity passenger service to Guangdong, which leaves Hung Hom every day for Dongguan, Guangzhou, Foshan and Zhaoqing.
Travel time to Guangzhou is roughly 115 minutes, while the train to Zhaoqing completes the journey in less than four hours. The intercity service includes Shanghai and Beijing, although the overnight trip is possibly most appealing to dyed-in-the-wool rail buffs. The carriages are of a modern design and solidly comfortable, with a choice of class, while sleeper coaches are available on longer routes.
Hong Kong's reputation as a seaport is granted an extra boost by the extensive ferry network which spreads up through the Pearl River Delta like a spider's web. Based at the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, Chu Kong Passenger Transport's fleet of 40 vessels go to ports along the fringes of the delta, such as Taiping, Zhongshan, Jiuzhou, Shunde, and Lianhuashan, in addition to more remote destinations, such as Sanbu, Gongyi, Gaoming and Nanhai. Its services extend along the east coast of Guangdong province, principally to Aotou, Shanwei and Shantou. Generally, three classes of travel are available - economy, first and VIP - and the ferries run throughout daylight hours up until the evening.
While ferries are sometimes delayed by fog or rough seas, bus services to the mainland are less susceptible to the weather. Three companies - China Travel Service, Eternal East Cross-Border Coach and Go Go Bus - cover routes throughout the day, with passengers boarding either downtown or at the airport. In addition to the main destinations in Guangdong, bus routes also cover Sanshui, Boluo, Changping, Kaiping, Shijie and Chenjiang.