Another travel company recommendation. I have yet to research this more widely, but there is a bus Shantou-Xiamen that gets there in 3hrs flat. This is amazing, usually it takes 4, five if you get a crappy bus that circles Shantou for an hour before leaving. It leaves at 3.20pm(ish) everyday from Jinsha Dong bus station.
The company that provides this service is detailed below, with timetable. I don’t know if the other times are just as quick, but the 3pm bus always takes three hours.
I can however say that the return trip Xiamen-Shantou is nowhere near as good, they make up for being super-quick coming to Xiamen by stopping at every possible bus station, stop and layby that there is in Greater Xiamen, on the way back. So the Xiamen-Shantou leg remains at 5hrs, 1hr circling Xiamen and 4 hours on the road, no way round it.
Leave Shantou: 7.30, 8.20, 9.30, 10.30, 11.40, 13.20, 15.20, 16.40, 17.50, 19.30, 22.10
Leave Xiamen (Hubin bus station, ): 7.15, 8.15, 9.15, 10.15, 11.45, 13.15, 14.15, 15.15, 16.45, 19.45, 21.35
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I remember when I went to Xiamen about 7 years ago it took me 5 hours, now it’s much faster. Have you tried this company before?
Yes, I and my friend Jess have been on the 3pm bus a couple of times. Not sure about other times though.
Well last time I came back from Xiamen I happened upon a super-quick bus coming back – perhaps people would like to help me test whether it was a one-off or not.
From Xiamen Hubin Bus Station, leaving 15.40. Again, it took three hours flat. Wonderful..
Hi I am visiting Shantou. Any idea how much would it cost to hire a driver and car, good enough to fit 5, for one day – for an all inclusive price?
Also, any new cool boutique hotels in Shantou? Around S$70 per night?
And what would be the rough price of a meal in a restaurant for 5?
Thanks!
Hi Jin, would that be 5 people plus a driver? I know several reliable drivers and can get quotes for you if you want.
I know one cool boutique hotel in Shantou, but it is outside Shantou, at Dansuao Hotspring – I have written about it a couple of times. The entire resort is decidedly international in quality, quite an amazing find in the surrounding area. Standard room about 400rmb a night.
Price of meal? Western maybe around 60-90 if eating and drinking comfortably, Chinese – you can eat at good restaurants for not more than 35rmb a head, middle range for 25rmb, and still delicious but not so pretty ones for 15-20rmb.
HI! I will be in Shantou from 19/6/09 – 22/6/09. Can u please let me know if there is any bus to meixian. And if I have to rent a car plus driver what it gonna cost.
Thanks
Yao
You can catch the train from Shantou train station to Meizhou train station, I think they leave twice a day and take 3 hrs. They about 50rmb I think.
You can also take the bus from Shantou to Meizhou and probably many other places in Meixian. The bus takes 4.5-5 hrs and is small and the road winds but it gets there. Similar price to the train, leaving every hour or so from the big Shantou bus stations.
If you rent a car you should go through guys you know, they will also give you an honest price. Probably nothing untoward would ever happen but I wouldn’t advise finding a car & driver without prior recommendation. This way you know their quality and reliability. Price… 300-400rmb? I’ve been out of Shantou a couple of years now so I’m not sure of the fuel prices. Also it’s a long way.
How much is the Xiamen-Shantou bus?