The KTT train service is fast, clean & very pleasant 2hour journey from “Hung Hom (Kowloon)” station to “Guangzhou dong” costs HK$210 each way. Best to purchase a return/round trip ticket (save hassle/time later on). The cost from Guangzhou dong to Hung Hom from China is ¥170 each way.
Even though trains runs roughly on an hourly basis each day, It is advisable to pre-purchase your ticket before the day of intended departure as spaces gets filled pretty quick, especially during public holidays & trade fair periods - Tickets can also be purchased online and are charged in $USD - chinaticketonline.com
Upon the first exit after immigration, the rates for taxi & hotels are quite astronomical, compare to the service desks outside - prices are generally high for their services. Best to have all these pre-booked before arriving - especially hotel & currency exchanges. In terms of getting to the hotel - the Guangzhou Metro is cheap & easy to use with security checks at every station.
For group travels, sharing a taxi can be convenient & economical - but for pairs or solo travelers, it may be safe & cheaper to catch the metro instead.
The language barrier is challenging with most speak little to no English. Thankfully the customer service center may assist you in purchasing your metro ticket at the ticketing machine - which are touch screen.
RECOMMENDED HOTEL - HOLIDAY INN SHIFU GUANGZHOU
Catch the metro from Guangzhou East station for ¥4 to Changshou Lu station (line 1 - yellow) with a 10min walk to the Holiday Inn Shifu hotel.
The hotel is about 30min from Guangzhou East station & the location is excellent for shopping & food - right at the door steps of the Holiday Inn. The hotel has an electronic money exchange machine which provides a much better rate compare to the airport. Can save around ¥15 for a $50 exchange. With some politeness & luck request for the high executive floor - located at the top 3 floors with the pool on the 14th floor.
CHINA IMPORT AND EXPORT FAIR (CANTON FAIR)
The Holiday Inn has the Canton Fair registration office which you can register for a buyers card. Ensure you get your invitation letter & pre-register for your buyers badge number before hand at
https://minvitation.cantonfair.org.cn otherwise it will cost you ¥100. You also need a physical photo of yourself for the registration to save you ¥30 for them to take of you.
Most big hotels do offer this service in conjunction with the Canton Fair. Free bus service to the Canton Fair departing in the morning with afternoon pick up. The trip is about 45min long from the Holiday Inn Shifu Guangzhou to the Convention Centre which is located in Pazhou.
Happy travels!