Hong Kong traveller Mr Lau is among those turning to high-speed rail trips or flights to mainland China after being deterred from international air travel by rising costs, particularly fuel surcharges, within a month of the United States-Israel attack on Iran.

The 34-year-old, who was travelling to Guangzhou with his wife for a three-day trip on Friday on a high-speed train, said he had done some calculations since airlines’ fuel surcharges had risen, noting that a return train trip between the two cities cost about HK$500 (US$63.80).

But he noted that a short-haul flight went for more than HK$1,500 once surcharges were included.

Lau added that he planned to visit cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Xiamen more often this year, citing the convenience of city-centre departures and the ability to avoid additional airport charges.

“With the extra fees on flights, taking the high-speed rail makes more sense now, especially for short trips,” he said.

Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, told the South China Morning Post that the sharp rise in airlines’ fuel surcharges and the Middle East conflict had not only dampened Hongkongers’ desire to travel to long-haul destinations, but had also encouraged them to consider less well-known destinations, particularly those across the border that could be reached by high-speed rail.