Written by Natalia |
While the incredible scenery and cultural treasure are attracting more and more visitors, this city’s transportation-network is also improving. In fact, instead of just being a tourist attraction, Guilin is also a well-connected hub, connecting people to major cities and also iconic nearby sites like Yangshuo and the Longji Rice Terraces.
Transportation is certainly a key consideration when planning your Guilin tour. From airport transfers to public buses and scenic boat cruise, you’ll find everything you need about Guilin transportation in this guide.
Getting to Guilin
By Air
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) is the only airport in Guilin, situated about 28 km southwest of downtown. It serves both domestic and international flights, you can fly from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Hong Kong or Bangkok, Seoul and more.
Expect for taxi which will approximately charge for ¥100, with a travel time of 40 minutes. There are also frequent airport shuttle buses for you to travel between the city center and the airport conveniently:
Airport Shuttle Bus: Guilin North / West Railway Station ⇌ Guilin Liangjiang Airport
To Guilin Airport
Route |
Departure Times |
Travel Time |
Fare |
Guilin North Railway Station → Guilin Airport |
09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 |
80 mins |
1 person: ¥25 2 people: ¥35 3 people: ¥50 4 people: ¥60 5+ people: 30% off total |
Guilin West Railway Station → Guilin Airport |
09:50, 10:50, 11:50, 12:50, 13:50, 14:50, 15:50, 16:50, 17:50 |
60 mins |
Same as above |
Venus Royal Hotel (Lingui) → Guilin Airport |
— |
— |
Included as stop |
- Ticket Office:
North Station Square (Airport Shuttle Ticket Counter)
West Station West Square (Lingchuan Tourism Service Center)
- Boarding Points:
North Station Square
West Station West Square
From Guilin Airport
Route |
Departure Times |
Travel Time |
Fare |
Airport → Guilin West Station |
09:00 – 17:30 (hourly) |
60 mins |
¥30 |
Airport → Guilin North Station |
09:00 – 17:30 (hourly) |
80 mins |
¥30 |
Airport → Guilin North Bus Station |
09:00 – 17:30 (hourly) |
85 mins |
¥30 |
Airport → Venus Royal Hotel (Lingui) |
Same times |
— |
— |
- Boarding Point at Airport:
Outside Gate 6, Arrival Hall, 1st Floor, Terminal 2
- Ticket Office:
Beside Gate 6, Arrival Hall, Terminal 2
Front desk at Venus Royal Hotel (Lingui)
By Train
Guilin is a major transportation hub. No matter you’re traveling with a bullet train or a conventional one, the rail system offers multiple options for visitors to get to Guilin.
Three Main Train Stations in Guilin:
- Guilin Railway Station
Right in the city center, it serves most people who want to travel from/to Guilin. It provides both high-speed and regular trains services with frequent departures.
- Guilin North Railway Station
About 10 kilometers from downtown. It also has both high-speed and long-distance regular train services but it’s less crowded and mainly used for tripsto north or west.
- Guilin West Railway Station
It’s built on the outskirts, approximately 35 kilometers from the airport. It mainly handles high-speed trains focused on select routes, helping to ease traffic from the central stations.
High-speed trains connect Guilin to multiple major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Changsha and more. Meanwhile, regular trains remain a budget-friendly choice. Getting to Guilin by train is both efficient and flexible.
Transportation Between Guilin and Major Cities
Hong Kong to Guilin
You can take High-speed trains to travel between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Guilin. This trip is taking approximately 4 hours. Except for trains, flights are also available.
Recommended Hong Kong & Guilin tours:
9 Days Guangzhou Guilin Shenzhen Hong Kong Tour
10 Days China Historical and Natural Tour
Zhangjiajie to Guilin
Taking a high-speed train from Zhangjiajie to Guilin is one of the most popular options among travelers, and some would choose to transfer in Changsha. The entire trip is around 7 hours.
Recommended Zhangjiajie & Guilin tours:
6 Days Guilin – Zhangjiajie Classic Tour
8 Days Guilin-Zhangjiajie In-depth Tour by High-speed Train
Guangzhou to Guilin
Traveling with High-speed trains from Guangzhou to Guilin will take about 3 to 3.5 hours, with frequent daily departures.
Recommended Guangzhou & Guilin tours:
5 Days Guangzhou Guilin Highlights Tour by High-speed Train
5 Days Guangzhou-Guilin Highlights Tour
Shanghai to Guilin
Direct high-speed trains connect Shanghai to Guilin in around 9 hours. Flights are also available, normally take 3 hours.
Recommended Shanghai & Guilin tours:
5 Days Shanghai – Guilin Highlights Tour by Flight
5 Days Shanghai – Guilin Tour by Flight
Xi’an to Guilin
High-speed trains from Xi’an to Guilin take roughly 9 hours. Flights are a quicker option, lasting around 2.5 hours.
Recommended Xi’an & Guilin tours:
5 Days Xian – Guilin Highlights Tour by Flight
7 Days Xian Guilin In-depth Tour by Flight
Chengdu to Guilin
High-speed trains connect Chengdu to Guilin in approximately 7 hours. Flights are also available, taking about 1.5 hours.
Recommended Chengdu & Guilin tours:
6 Days Chengdu & Guilin Classic Tour
6 Days Chengdu & Guilin Exploration Tour for Nature and Hiking
Transportation in Guilin City
Public Transport
Does Guilin have Metro? Currently, Guilin does not have a metro system, plans for a metro line connecting the airport to the city are underway. Despite the lack of a metro system, Guilin’s other transportation options are all well-established and convenient, which are able to meet all your travel needs.
City Buses
Guilin’s public buses are the most cost-friendly choice here, with costs ranging from ¥1 to ¥2. The bus lines cover most tourist attractions and most of them will have English signage .
Taxis
The starting fare for is ¥9 during the day and ¥11 at night, with additional charges per kilometer. Note that most drivers in Guilin may not speak English, so remember to have your destinations written or shown on your phone in Chinese. Car-hailing service on Didi (an app) is also recommended, and you can easily find an English version in the app.
Bicycles
Bike-sharing services are available everywhere. Users can unlock bikes via smartphone apps, offering a convenient and self-designed way to explore the city.
How to Get from Guilin to Yangshuo
Yangshuo (70 kilometers south of Guilin) is a town famous for its breathtaking karst mountains and culturally-rich countryside. You can head there from either the air port or the city center. See the information below and tailor your journey.
From Guilin Airport to Yangshuo
Intercity bus:
Guilin Airport ⇌ Yangshuo Shuttle Bus Schedule
| Route | Guilin Liangjiang Airport → Yangshuo Bus Terminal |
| Departure Times | 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30 |
| Duration & Fare | Approx. 90 minutes, ¥60 per person |
| Ticket Office | Offline: Near Gate 6, Arrival Hall, 1st Floor, Terminal 2 |
| Online: Via “Guilin Airport” WeChat Mini Program → Tap “Airport Bus” | |
| Boarding Point | Outside Gate 6, Arrival Hall, 1st Floor, Terminal 2 |
Yangshuo ⇌ Guilin Airport Shuttle Bus Schedule
Route |
Yangshuo Bus Terminal → Guilin Liangjiang Airport |
Departure Times |
07:00, 08:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00 |
Duration & Fare |
Approx. 90 minutes, ¥60 per person |
Ticket Office |
Yangshuo County Bus Service Station (No. 2, Qian Gu Qing Avenue, Yangshuo) |
Boarding Point |
Same as ticket office (Yangshuo County Bus Service Station) |
From Guilin City Center to Yangshuo
Bus
The direct buses from Guilin Bus Station are the most budget-friendly option. Buses leave every 10-15 minutes throughout the day, costing each person ¥25. The journey will take you about 1.5 hours.
Taxi
If you want a door-to-door and more private service, taxis would suit your preference and usually cost ¥180–¥220, depending on the time of day and traffic. Price may rise during public holidays or at night.
Private Car or Transfer
For a more personalized experience, you can book a private car with an English-speaking driver/guide. . Perfect for families needing luggage space or groups crafting custom routes, this option combines comfort with insider knowledge of hidden viewpoints and local eateries..
Li River Cruise
If you’re not in a rush and want immerse yourself in the region’s natural charm, please have a try of the Li River cruise This 4 to 4.5-hour boat trip allows you to see China’s most iconic landscapes—karst peaks, bamboo-lined banks, and rural fishing villages. It’s more of a scenic experience rather than just a mode of transport.
How to Get to Longji Rice Terraces
- By Bus:Visitors need to first board a long-distance bus to Longsheng, and then transfer to a local shuttle to either Ping’an or Dazhai. The entire journey will take around 3.5 hours. This number could vary due to traffic and transfer waiting times. However, if you prefer this trip, do some basic preparation in advance, since there’s only limited English signage along the journey.
- By Guided Tour:This choice is highly recommended. For greater comfort, efficiency, and flexibility, many travelers prefer booking a private transfer or joining a guided Guilin tour package that includes transport, an English-speaking guide, flexible photo stops and lunch in villages.
- What to see: Stunning landscape and minority groups’culture (Zhuang and Yao)
Guilin Longji Rice Terraces
