Guilin to Zhangjiajie: Best Ways to Travel

Zhangjiajie is about 600 kilometers (373 miles) from Guilin. If you are building a China itinerary that includes Guilin’s karst landscapes and Zhangjiajie’s Avatar-style mountains, this guide will help you choose the right transport option and make the journey much easier.

What Is the Best Way to Get from Guilin to Zhangjiajie?

Now, the best way to travel from Guilin to Zhangjiajie is the direct D-class train. It offers the best balance of speed, comfort, price, and reliability.

Currently, the direct rail services between Guilin and Zhangjiajie West with the fastest journeys taking about 6 hours 46 minutes, and many direct trips take around 7 to 7.5 hours.

Flying sounds faster, but at the moment, there are no direct flights on this route. Most flight options require a connection, so total travel time is usually much longer, and the overall trip is less convenient.

Option 1: Take the Train from Guilin to Zhangjiajie

For most travelers, this is the smartest choice.

Direct trains already connect the two destinations, and they are the easiest option for first-time visitors to China. You board in Guilin Railway Station, sit back, and arrive at Zhangjiajie West Railway Station, which is the main rail station for the area. Current rail listings show direct services with journey times from about 6h 46m to around 7h 30m, depending on the train.

Best for: Families with children, travelers who want comfort without overspending

Guilin to Zhangjiajie Train Schedule

Note: At the moment, there are only two direct D-class trains from Guilin to Zhangjiajie. Both trains stop at Guilin Railway Station and Guilin North Railway Station. The morning service is usually available only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, while on weekdays, travelers only have the afternoon direct train.

Guilin to Zhangjiajie Train Ticket Price

Is a Faster High-Speed Train Between Guilin and Zhangjiajie Coming Soon?

Currently, trains between Guilin and Zhangjiajie are D-class, not the faster G-class high-speed trains found on other routes in China.

Although Guilin and Zhangjiajie do not look very far apart on the map, the railway has to make a long detour through mountainous terrain, which is why the journey still takes around 7 hours on today’s direct trains.

A faster future connection is expected once the Huaihua–Guilin high-speed railway is completed, but that project is still being advanced in planning rather than operating today. We will keep this page updated as soon as there is any major news.

Option 2: Private Transfer from Guilin to Zhangjiajie

A private transfer gives you the most freedom, and in many cases, it does not take much longer than the direct train.

On paper, the train may look faster. But in real life, you also need to factor in the journey between your hotel and the railway station, time for security checks, and waiting time before departure. Once all of that is included, a private transfer from Guilin to Zhangjiajie is often closer to the train in total travel time than many travelers expect.

This option becomes even more attractive if you want to see more along the way. There are several popular stops between Guilin and Zhangjiajie, including Longji Rice Terraces, Fenghuang Ancient Town, and Furong Town. If your itinerary already includes one or more of these places, we recommend choosing a private transfer. These stops fit naturally into the overland route, so you can turn a simple transfer day into part of the travel experience.

Instead of spending the day only getting from one station to another, you can travel at your own pace, enjoy scenic stops, and go directly from hotel to hotel. Contact us to receive a tailored quote for your private transfer from Guilin to Zhangjiajie.

Best for:

• Families or small groups 
• Travelers with luggage
• Visitors who want door-to-door service
• Travelers including Longji Rice Terraces, Fenghuang Ancient Town, or Furong Town, in their itinerary
• Anyone who prefers a more flexible and scenic journey and is comfortable with a long road trip

Option 3: Fly from Guilin to Zhangjiajie

At the moment, flying is usually not the best option.

Direct flights between Guilin and Zhangjiajie were discontinued after a direct train service was introduced between the two cities in 2022.

Currently, there are no nonstop flights between Guilin Liangjiang Airport (KWL) and Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG). Most available itineraries involve one stop, which often makes the total journey much longer than the direct train.

So, unless a new nonstop route opens in the future, flying only makes sense for travelers with a very specific routing need or those already connecting through another city anyway.

Best for: Travelers with unusual flight plans or people already connecting through another city.

Train vs Flight vs Private Transfer: Which One Should You Choose?

For most travelers, the train is still the easiest all-around option. It is direct, comfortable, and usually the most straightforward choice for getting from Guilin to Zhangjiajie.

But that does not mean a private transfer is only for travelers who want luxury. In some cases, it can be the smarter option. Once you include hotel-to-station transport, security checks, and waiting time, the total journey time is often not dramatically different from taking the train. And if you want to visit Longji Rice Terraces, Fenghuang Ancient Town, or Furong Town along the way, a private transfer is usually the better choice because these places can be added naturally to the route.

Choose the train if you want the simplest and most budget-friendly direct option.

Choose a private transfer if you want more flexibility, door-to-door convenience, or plan to turn the journey into a sightseeing day.

Choose a flight only if you find a connection that clearly works better for your wider itinerary, because there are currently no direct flights between Guilin and Zhangjiajie.

Make the Guilin to Zhangjiajie Journey Easy

Getting between Guilin and Zhangjiajie is only part of the trip. What most overseas visitors really want is a travel day that feels easy, clear, and stress-free. That is where we can help.

What We Provide:

• Private tours only (no strangers, no shopping stops)
• Private driver & English-speaking guide
• Flexible itinerary based on your pace
• Station/airport pickup and drop-off
• Help with train/flight booking
• 24/7 on-trip support

Why Travelers Choose Us:

• Transparent pricing (no hidden costs)
• Experienced local guides who speak clear English
• Focus on comfort, flexibility, and authentic experiences
• Trusted by 300,000+ international travelers visiting China

Recommended Tours:

• 7-Day Guilin and Zhangjiajie Natural Wonders Tour
• 4-Day Zhangjiajie Essence Tour