In short
Metro Line 11 is the fastest way into Shenzhen and the only one that ignores traffic. The station sits on Level B1 beneath Terminal 3; the ride to Futian takes about 30 minutes and costs ¥7–8 in a standard car, with trains from 05:36 to 00:02 heading toward Hongling South — roughly every 4 min 30 s at peak and every 6 min 30 s off-peak. Three interchanges along the line cover most of the city: Qianhaiwan for Lines 1 and 5, Chegongmiao for Lines 1, 7 and 9, and Futian for Lines 2 and 3. Futian is the stop to remember if you are continuing to Hong Kong, because the metro shares its complex with the Futian high-speed station, where trains leave for Hong Kong West Kowloon. If you land after the last train, buy a ticket at the Airport Express counter beside Gate 17 of the Ground Transportation Center: the NA1 Futian coach runs 22:30–05:00 for ¥25. Taxis queue outside Gate 13 around the clock. Terminal 3 also has an intercity station under its western side via a 400 m walkway, but that one runs toward Guangzhou rather than into Shenzhen.
- Airport → Futian
- About 30 min
- Fare
- ¥7–8 standard
- First / last train
- 05:36 / 00:02
- Headway
- About 4 min 30 s peak
- Metro entrance
- Terminal 3, Level B1
- Night coach to Futian
- 22:30–05:00, ¥25
- Terminal in use
- T3 only
How to take each option
Metro Line 11 (recommended)
Time About 30 min to FutianFare ¥7–8First 05:36Last 00:02
- After baggage claim follow the blue metro signs; the Line 11 station is on Level B1 of Terminal 3, down escalators from the arrivals hall.
- Buy a single-journey token at the machines on Level B1 — the screens switch to English — expecting ¥7–8 to Futian.
- Go up to the platform and board a train signed for Hongling South, the direction into the city; Bitou trains run the other way.
- Ride about 30 minutes; get off at Qianhaiwan for Lines 1 and 5, or at Chegongmiao for Lines 1, 7 and 9.
- At Futian change to Lines 2 and 3, or follow the high-speed rail signs up into the co-located Futian station for trains to Hong Kong West Kowloon.
Line 11 also carries business-class cars; the operator publishes ¥6–30 for that class across the line. Besides the 00:02 last full-length train there are two half-route last departures — 00:22 for Songgang and 00:57 for Airport North — useful if you are staying near the northern end of the line.
Airport Express NA1 (Futian line)
Fare ¥25First 22:30Last 05:00
- From arrivals, follow signs for the Ground Transportation Center (GTC).
- Buy your ticket at the Airport Express counter next to Gate 17 — say Futian or Science Museum; the fare is ¥25.
- Board on the west platform of the GTC, put suitcases in the luggage hold and keep your ticket stub.
- It stops at Shenhang Building ② and Investment Building ②, finishing at the Science Museum metro bus transfer station.
It runs 22:30–05:00 and is the budget way to reach the Futian CBD after the metro has closed; by day, take the metro instead.
Suishen intercity (under west T3)
Fare Rail fare
- Instead of heading to the GTC for the metro, follow intercity or railway signs toward the western side of Terminal 3.
- Walk roughly 400 m along the link passage to the underground station west of Terminal 3.
- This is Shenzhen Airport intercity station, two platforms on the Suishen line: 53 minutes to Xintang South and 71 minutes to Guangzhou East.
This line runs toward Guangzhou, not into Shenzhen city, and does not serve Shenzhen North; for central Shenzhen stay on Line 11.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Fare Metered
- Taxis queue on the boarding platform outside Gate 13 of the GTC, where 16 channels each have a row of seats so you can wait sitting down.
- Ride-hailing is elsewhere: Zone A outside Gate 15 on Level 1, Zone B in the indoor waiting area on Level 1 of the GTC.
- Show the driver your hotel name and address written in Chinese — most drivers do not speak English.
No official airport-to-district taxi fare is published, only the tariff: ¥10 for the first 2 km and ¥2.70 per km after, plus a 30% night surcharge and a ¥15 airport surcharge late at night.
Late-night and early-morning arrivals
The last Line 11 train leaves at 00:02 toward Hongling South and 00:03 toward Bitou, with half-route departures to Songgang at 00:22 and Airport North at 00:57. Night coaches take over: the NA1 Futian line until 05:00, and the A2/NA2 Longhua, A3 Nanshan, A4 Longgang, A5 Pingshan and NA6 Guangming lines until 04:00, all ¥20–40 from the counter beside Gate 17 of the GTC, with the last departure flexed to the final arriving flight. After those, take a taxi from outside Gate 13, which runs 24 hours.
Questions travellers ask
How do I get from Shenzhen Airport to the city centre?
Take Metro Line 11 from Level B1 of Terminal 3, heading toward Hongling South, about 30 minutes and ¥7–8 to Futian, then change for wherever you are staying.
How much is the metro from Shenzhen Airport to Futian?
¥7–8 in a standard car. Line 11 also has business cars, and the operator publishes ¥6–30 for that class across the line.
What time is the last metro from Shenzhen Airport?
00:02 toward Hongling South and 00:03 toward Bitou, plus two half-route trains: 00:22 for Songgang and 00:57 for Airport North.
Where is the metro station inside Shenzhen Airport?
On Level B1 of Terminal 3, the only terminal handling passengers; follow the blue metro signs down from the arrivals hall, all indoors.
How long does it take to get into central Shenzhen?
About 30 minutes to Futian and then whatever your onward change adds — call it 40–60 minutes door to door depending on your district.
How much is a taxi from Shenzhen Airport to downtown Shenzhen?
There is no official airport-to-district price. Shenzhen publishes only the tariff: ¥10 for the first 2 km, ¥2.70 per km after that, plus tolls. If you want to control the cost, take the metro.
Can I take the metro from Shenzhen Airport to Hong Kong?
Not directly. Ride Line 11 to Futian, where the metro is co-located with the Futian high-speed station, and change there for Hong Kong West Kowloon; alternatively take the A10 coach to Futian Port for ¥25 between 07:00 and 21:00. You still clear immigration separately in both cases.
Is there a railway station at Shenzhen Airport?
Yes — the Suishen intercity station is underground west of Terminal 3 via a 400 m walkway, 53 minutes to Xintang South and 71 minutes to Guangzhou East. It does not serve central Shenzhen or Shenzhen North.
My flight lands at 2 a.m. Will there be anything running?
Yes. The metro has stopped, but night coaches are still running — the NA1 Futian line until 05:00 and the Longhua, Nanshan, Longgang, Pingshan and Guangming lines until 04:00, ¥20–40 from the counter beside GTC Gate 17. Taxis also queue outside Gate 13 around the clock.
Which metro line goes from Shenzhen Airport into the city?
Line 11, also known as the Airport Express. It meets Lines 1 and 5 at Qianhaiwan, Lines 1, 7 and 9 at Chegongmiao, and Lines 2 and 3 at Futian — always board toward Hongling South.
What is the business car on Line 11?
Some trains carry a business car with airline-style seating and far fewer people. The operator quotes ¥6–30 for it depending on distance, while the standard car remains ¥7–8 to Futian.