Best airport for getting to Shenzhen from US? HKIA or SZX?

Any opinions? It looks like I'll be at a conference in Shenzhen in late June and my secretary is trying to make travel arrangements.

One can fly directly into Shenzhen or can fly into Hong Kong and take a ferry to Shenzhen.

I've never been and it seems no one else around my office has either--this whole travel operation is f-ed up and it's pissing me off--so I'd appreciate any insight anyone has.

thanks,
b

No, no reason to be in HK. Just wondering if I do find a cheaper/better flight to HK it's worth it or too much of a pain in the ass. My conference hotel in Shenzhen does not appear to be in the downtown core. It's out by a lake.


thanks,
b

Okay, more details are rolling in.

We will be at the Kylin Villa Hotel by the Xili Li lake (?).

And it looks like the best bet (for timing and price) is to fly into Hong Kong and take the ferry from HKIA to Shenzhen Fuyong ferry terminal and then get a cab to the hotel. Reverse the route to get home.

Does this sound about right? Hopefully someone has Shenzhen experience.


I cannot believe how little information anyone organizing this conference are able to provide us. It's like we're completely on our own. I'm used to conference organizers at least giving you directions on how to get from the airport to the conference hotel. Nothing here. Nice.


b

That's correct.

Thanks guys.

MikeDT, I'll be flying into HK. It looks like right now flights into SZX are just too expensive. It sounds like it's easy enough to catch a cab from the Fuyong ferry terminal. And that's just 5 min from the SZX airport, I guess. I'll be sure to take a regulated cab and not an indie. And given my short stay, I think I'll be hanging at the hotel by the pool reading magazines until the conference starts. I have no energy to venture into a huge busy city (my medium-sized busy city is tiring me out these days). I get in one day, the next is registration and relaxation, day after that is my talk, then another day of the conference, then leave. In and out.

And, actually, the organization problems are from our end. Not my agency, I should note. We're in a support role as technical specialists who will go to meet with government officials and (in my case) give speeches at a conference.

And Joffrey, we only have so much money in the travel budget. Spending too much looks bad and in all seriousness means someone can't go somewhere else. Why spend a ton of money on this trip if it means 5 other trips can't be made. But we're getting the other agency to pay for my and a colleague's plane tickets and hotel rooms, so that's good. And the price difference is pretty huge from what my secretary tells me.

This whole pain in my ass better lead to invitations to speak in better places, like Copenhagen or Barcelona. That's my hope.

b

I'm not looking forward to the whole process. But flying into HK is set. But i have to say, the process looks really streamlined for taking the ferry. Airport, buy your ticket for the ferry, they get your baggage, when you get to the ferry terminal at Fuyong then you go through customs and immigration, etc. Taxi to hotel. Reverse the process, including checking in for the flight at the ferry terminal, when going home.

It'll be interesting. Thanks for your help guys.

b