How to Travel from Guilin to Zhangjiajie
Guilin is 600 kilometers (or 373 miles) from Zhangjiajie. Clearly, the best option is flying directly from Guilin to Zhangjiajie. Traveling by high-speed train is another recommended solution when you can’t get a direct flight.
Guilin to Zhangjiajie Flight
The easiest and ultimately most time-effective way to get to Zhangjiajie from Guilin is to take a direct flight. There is 1 nonstop flight connecting these two cities every two or three days.
Leaving from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) and landing at Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG), takes about 1 hour. The airfare is average 960 CNY. It will be over-priced during China’s peak season- Labor Day and National Day holiday (October 1-8th).
Sometimes you might have no luck finding a direct flight, in which case, you can choose to travel by train.
Guilin to Zhangjiajie Train
The train is the cheapest and most time-consuming way to get to Zhangjiajie from Guilin. Unfortunately, there is no direct train traveling between Guilin and Zhangjiajie. Changsha is an important connection between Zhangjiajie and China’s major cities. You will need to go to Changsha first and then transfer to Zhangjiajie.
| Guilin to Zhangjiajie via Changsha | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Frequency Daily | Price |
| Guilin to Changsha | Guilin North Railway Station | Changsha Railway Station | 7 hours | 4 departures from 04:02 to 21:28 | Hard Seat: 75 CNY Hard Sleeper: 133 CNY Soft Sleeper: 205 CNY |
| Changsha to Zhangjiajie | Changsha Railway Station | Zhangjiajie West Railway Station | About 4-6 hours | 9 departures from 00:03 to 21:34 | Hard Seat: 90.5 CNY Hard Sleeper: 96.5 CNY Soft Sleeper: 146.5 CNY |
- Soft sleeper is in a private box and has much more room, while the hard sleeper is open and has very limited space.
Guilin to Zhangjiajie High-Speed Train
Compared with taking regular trains, getting from Guilin to Zhangjiajie via Changsha by high-speed train will save a lot of time. It is also a recommended way to travel for peak-season travelers who don’t want to spend too much on expensive flight fares.
| Guilin to Zhangjiajie via Changsha | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Frequency Daily | Price |
| Guilin to Changsha | Guilin North Railway Station | Changsha South Railway Station | 3-3.5 hours | 16 departures from 08:14 to 18:07 | 184.5 CNY |
| Changsha to Zhangjiajie | Changsha Railway Station | Zhangjiajie West Railway Station | About 3 hours | 18 departures from 07:00 to 20:55 | 138 CNY |
Flight/Train Travel Tips
1. It is suggested to arrive at the railway station at least 30 minutes early because you will need time to pick up your ticket, enter the station after the security check, find the check-in gate, and walk to the departure platform.
2. Labor Day (May 1-7) and National Day holiday (October 1-8th) are the busiest travel time in China, so try not to travel during these periods. If you have to travel at this time, plan your trip and book your tickets as early as possible!
3. You can book train tickets up to 30 days in advance.
4. There are a relatively high number of flight delays for domestic flights in China. It is advised to check the weather before you go.
Travel from Guilin to Zhangjiajie with Us
Exploring Zhangjiajie
Many people visit both Guilin and Zhangjiajie because they are both famous for karst landscapes, but with strikingly different features. Feel free to contact us if you have any travel ideas. We’ll arrange everything for you and make your trip memorable and unique.
Get some inspiration for your trip by taking a look at our Guilin and Zhangjiajie Nature Landscape Tour:
- Enjoy a leisurely cruise down the Li River;
- Ride a bike through Yangshuo countryside;
- Hike in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park;
- Take a cable car up to the top of Tianmen Mountain…