Hong Kong is set to revolutionise travel with the introduction of a new high-speed sleeper train service aimed at deepening ties with mainland China. Starting June 15 and operating Fridays to Mondays, this innovative service promises to slash travel times between Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai by about half.

According to MTR Corp., Hong Kong's mass railway operator, these new services will dramatically reduce travel time. The journey to Beijing, which once took over a full day, will now be completed in just 12.5 hours. Similarly, trips to Shanghai will be shortened from 19.5 hours to a mere 11 hours.

With affordability in mind, travellers can embark on these expeditions for as little as HK$937 ($120) to Beijing and HK$682 ($87) to Shanghai. For those seeking added comfort, sleeper options are also available. By comparison, mid-June flights from Hong Kong to Beijing typically cost around $100 for a 3.5-hour journey, while flights to Shanghai can be as low as $78 for a flight under 3 hours.

While the overnight train services will operate once a day, offering a more leisurely pace compared to the plethora of flights between Hong Kong and the mainland cities, long-haul daytime train services will continue to cater to the needs of tourists and business travellers, with journeys clocking in at about eight hours.

MTR emphasised that the introduction of sleeper trains will allow passengers to maximise their travel time and conveniently plan their business or leisure itineraries. Tickets for this exciting new service go on sale on June 5, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of travel connectivity between Hong Kong and mainland China.