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The Express Rail Link will operate at up to 200km/h within Hong Kong, which is much faster than Hong Kong's existing railway systems. MTR's Tseung Kwan O Line operates at a top speed of 80 km/h, while the maximum speed of the Airport Express Line is 135km/h.

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The Terminus in West Kowloon, with convenient linkage to Kowloon Station and Austin Station, will be well connected to the Tung Chung Line, the Airport Express Line and the West Rail Line. The Public Transport Interchange, located at the north of the Terminus, will be only a short walk away, providing simple connection to bus and mini-bus facilities. A taxi rank will be contained within the West Kowloon Terminus.

Most airports located outside the urban area, while the termini of high speed railways are usually located at the city centres. As a result, the passengers of high speed rail can save much travelling time at each end of their journey. The procedures of check-in, security check and boarding are also simpler for rail travel. In addition, compared with aircraft, high speed rail is less influenced by inclement weather conditions. The frequency of high speed rail is much higher and more flexible.

Journeys of up to 1,000 km are generally faster by high speed rail than by air.

Compared with aircraft and buses, the compartments of high speed trains are more spacious and the ride is smooth. Passengers may access to the internet and mobile phone networks when travelling on high speed trains. Thus, passengers may make better use of their travelling time to handle business and personal affairs.

High speed railways are intended to link major population centres, with infrequent stops, allowing trains to travel at high speed over long distances. There are no such major centres in Hong Kong territory after leaving Kowloon. Intermediate stations increase the overall journey time, making the high-speed railway less attractive.

The Express Rail Link is convenient for residents in the New Territories as the West Kowloon Terminus is planned as a railway hub. The Terminus is well connected with the Kowloon Station and Austin Station. Access to the Terminus for residents of the New Territories is easy by the MTR. The Public Transport Interchange located at the Terminus also provides public transport facilities for the connection to different districts in the city.

To cater for rescue operations, Emergency Rescue Sidings will be located at Shek Kong, and there will be emergency access points along the tunnel alignment. These safety facilities provide emergency escape exits for passengers and access for rescue teams in case of emergencies. Cross passages in the tunnels are also built for emergency, to enable passengers to move from one tunnel to another if needed for safety reasons.

As the normal procurement procedures are not finished, the type of trains for the Express Rail Link is not yet decided. One or more of the four trains types currently in use in the Mainland High-speed Network are expected to be operated from the Mainland side into West Kowloon Terminus.

Major maintenance services for the high speed rail trains will take place in Mainland China. The Stabling Sidings located in Shek Kong only provide short-term stabling, routine cleaning and light maintenance services.