Hong Kong to Zhongshan Ferry
Booking & Travel Guide
Direct ferry from Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui terminal to Zhongshan in 90 minutes. Multiple daily sailings. From HK$185 one-way. Book on Klook for instant confirmation and skip the queue.
1. At a Glance: The HK–Zhongshan Ferry
| Route | Hong Kong China Hong Kong City Terminal ↔ Zhongshan Lianhuashan Port |
|---|---|
| Journey time | Approximately 90 minutes |
| Economy cabin one-way | HK$185–220 |
| VIP cabin one-way | HK$280–360 |
| Departures | 4–6 sailings daily (varies by season) |
| Operator | Zhujiang Ferry / Zhongshan Port Shipping |
| Best for | Business travel, family visits, western Pearl River Delta tourism |
2. Why Take the Ferry to Zhongshan
Hong Kong and Zhongshan are separated by the Pearl River estuary. Overland routes via Shenzhen or the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge take 3–4 hours by car; a high-speed ferry takes just 90 minutes — half the time, and without the traffic chaos on the bridge. For business travellers commuting between Hong Kong and Zhongshan, or families visiting relatives, the ferry is the most efficient choice.
Key advantages:
- Fastest door-to-door: Tsim Sha Tsui to Zhongshan city centre in 90 minutes — twice as fast as land routes.
- All-in-one border clearance: Complete Hong Kong exit and mainland entry at a single terminal — no multiple checkpoints.
- High comfort: Air-conditioned cabins, spacious seating, VIP class with snacks and beverages.
- Generous baggage allowance: 20 kg per passenger free — more than most airlines.
- Scenic journey: Cross the Pearl River estuary, spot the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, enjoy sea views.
3. Ferry Schedule
Below is a reference schedule; actual sailings may vary by season and public holidays. Always confirm your booking on Klook or via the ferry operator before travel.
Hong Kong → Zhongshan
| Sailing | Depart (China Hong Kong City) | Arrive (Lianhuashan Port) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 08:00 | 09:30 |
| 2nd | 10:30 | 12:00 |
| 3rd | 14:00 | 15:30 |
| 4th | 17:30 | 19:00 |
| Extra services* | 12:00 / 20:00 | 13:30 / 21:30 |
*Extra services run on weekends and public holidays only.
Zhongshan → Hong Kong
| Sailing | Depart (Lianhuashan Port) | Arrive (China Hong Kong City) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 08:30 | 10:00 |
| 2nd | 11:30 | 13:00 |
| 3rd | 14:30 | 16:00 |
| 4th | 18:00 | 19:30 |
4. Ticket Prices & Cabin Classes
| Cabin type | Ticket-window price | Klook price | Klook round-trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (standard seating) | HK$220 | HK$185 | HK$350 |
| VIP (deluxe seating) | HK$360 | HK$300 | HK$560 |
| Child (2–12 years) | HK$130 | HK$110 | HK$200 |
| Senior (65+) | HK$160 | HK$140 | HK$260 |
Klook booking saves you 10–15% versus the ticket window, plus you skip queues with an instant e-ticket. During holidays and peak weekends, tickets sell out — book at least 3 days ahead.
5. Terminals & Border Procedures
Hong Kong: China Hong Kong City Ferry Terminal
Located at 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. This is Hong Kong's main cross-border ferry hub to the Pearl River Delta. Getting there is easy:
- MTR: Exit A1 at Tsim Sha Tsui station (8-minute walk), or Exit L5 at East Tsim Sha Tsui (5-minute walk).
- Bus: Multiple routes serve Canton Road, including buses 2, 6, 9.
- Taxi: From Hong Kong Island, expect HK$80–120.
Departure procedure (allow 60 minutes):
- Ground floor: show e-ticket and exchange for boarding pass.
- Hong Kong exit control: present your Hong Kong ID / Travel Permit / Passport.
- Boarding lounge: wait for the gate announcement.
- Walk onto the vessel and find your seat.
Zhongshan: Lianhuashan Port
Located in Zhongshan's southern district, about 15 km from the city centre. Upon arrival:
- Border entry: Follow signs to complete mainland entry (fingerprints and facial scan — usually 10–15 minutes).
- Shuttle bus: Free or low-cost shuttle buses operate from the terminal to Zhongshan city centre (20–30 minutes).
- Ride-hailing: Use Didi Chuxing (DiDi) from outside the terminal — approximately ¥30–40 to Shiqi District.
- Private transfer: The terminal has ample parking for family pickups.
6. On-Board Facilities & Experience
The high-speed ferries carry 200–300 passengers with modern amenities:
- Economy cabin: Airplane-style seating (2-3-2 layout) with adjustable backrest.
- VIP cabin: Front or upper-deck location, wider seats, more legroom, complimentary light refreshments.
- Restrooms: Available onboard, though space is limited — use terminal facilities before boarding.
- Sea sickness note: The Pearl River estuary is usually calm, but winter months see rougher waters. If prone to motion sickness, take medication beforehand and choose a mid-ship seat.
7. What to Do in Zhongshan
Zhongshan is the birthplace of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and home to a rich history, excellent cuisine, and pleasant parks — perfect for a 1–2 day visit:
Must-see attractions
- Dr. Sun Yat-sen Historic Residence: Located in Cuiheng Village, free admission. The best place to learn about the founding father. Allow 2–3 hours.
- Zhongshan Zhan Garden: A classical Lingnan-style garden with pavilions, bridges, and water features — highly photogenic.
- Sunwen West Road Walking Street: A 100-year-old arcade street with local snacks and souvenir shops. Lively in the evenings.
- Zimaing Park: Zhongshan's largest urban park — peaceful green spaces, walking trails.
- Qijiang Park: A renovated industrial heritage site, award-winning landscape design.
Must-eat dishes
- Shiqi roasted pigeon: Zhongshan's signature dish — crispy skin, tender meat. Visit established restaurants like "Shiqi Lao."
- Xiaolan chrysanthemum feast: A local speciality — dishes made with chrysanthemum flowers.
- Shaxi braised pork belly: Hakka-style, fatty but not greasy, served with steamed rice.
- Haizhou fish cake: Hand-pounded pomfret fish, pan-fried until crispy outside and tender inside.
- Zhongshan rice noodles: Soft local rice noodles, served in pork offal broth or clear soup — a breakfast staple.
8. Sample Itineraries
Day trip (same-day return)
- 08:00 Depart Hong Kong.
- 09:30 Arrive Lianhuashan. Take shuttle bus or Didi to city centre.
- 10:30–12:30 Dr. Sun Yat-sen Historic Residence.
- 12:30–14:00 Lunch in Shiqi District — pigeon and rice noodles.
- 14:00–16:00 Sunwen West Road + Qijiang Park.
- 16:00 Return to Lianhuashan Port.
- 18:00 Ferry departure, arriving Hong Kong 19:30.
Two-day trip (one night)
Follow day one as above, then stay overnight in a Zhongshan hotel (typically ¥200–500, much cheaper than Hong Kong). Day two: visit Zhongshan Zhan Garden + Zimaing Park + Xiaolan's chrysanthemum restaurants. Return ferry departure afternoon. Zhongshan hotels are a bargain compared to Hong Kong.
9. Travel Tips
- ID documents: Mainland residents use ID card; HK/Macau/Taiwan residents use return permit; foreigners use passport + valid visa. Verify expiration dates.
- Currency: The ferry accepts Hong Kong dollars; Zhongshan uses Chinese yuan. Currency exchange is available at the terminal but with poor rates — bring cash or use WeChat Pay / Alipay.
- Baggage: 20 kg free per person; excess charged per kilogram. Large items need advance check-in at the terminal.
- Cancellation policy: Klook typically allows free cancellation 24–48 hours before departure — check your specific booking terms.
- Mobile data: You'll need a mainland SIM or roaming service for data once in Zhongshan. Consider buying a China eSIM in advance for hassle-free data.
- Weather: Summer typhoons may cause cancellations — check the forecast. Winter waters can be rough; motion-sickness-prone passengers should prepare.
- Arrive early: Be at the terminal 45–60 minutes before departure; 90 minutes for public holidays.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a ticket at the terminal?
You can, but peak season (Chinese New Year, National Day, weekends) queues are long and tickets often sell out. Klook guarantees a ticket and costs less.
Are pets allowed?
Generally no. Assistance animals should be arranged in advance with the ferry operator.
Do children under 2 need a ticket?
Infants under 2 travel free (no seat). Ages 2–12 are half-price. Ages 12+ are full price.
Is there Wi-Fi on the ferry?
Some sailings offer free Wi-Fi, but speed and reliability vary. Download offline content in advance.
Does the ferry stop at other ports?
This is a direct route — no intermediate stops. The Pearl River Delta has separate services to Zhuhai, Shunde, and Nansha.
What if I miss my sailing?
The ticket is forfeited. You'll need to buy a new ticket for the next available sailing — another reason to arrive early.
11. Why Book Through Us
tickets.bj.cn is an independent travel information portal — we do not sell tickets directly. We partner with Klook, the global leader in travel technology, who handle all bookings, payments, and customer service. You get:
- 10–15% savings versus the ticket window.
- Instant e-ticket confirmation — show on your phone to board.
- Seat selection in advance during peak season.
- Free cancellation up to 24–48 hours before departure.
- Multi-currency payment (HK$, RMB, credit card).
- 24/7 Klook customer support for any changes.