Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (CAN)

How to get to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Downtown Guangzhou is approximately 28 km from the airport: the subway is the fastest solution, approximately 40-50 minutes to downtown. Line 3 serves T2; to reach T3 you need a shuttle from Gaozeng.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Guangzhou's center in approximately 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.

By Train

Metro: line 3 of the metro system connects T2 directly to Guangzhou's city center in approximately 40-50 minutes. T3 is not on Line 3: if you are going to T3, get off at Gaozeng (Lines 3 and 9, Exit B) and continue by shuttle, or reach T2 by the intercity train, which links the terminal stations in about 6 minutes.

By Bus

Several dedicated bus lines connect the airport with various parts of the city. A dedicated shuttle runs from Gaozeng metro station to the T3 transport center in about 15 minutes.

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Tips The metro is almost always the fastest and most economical choice, independent of Guangzhou's often heavy traffic. If your flight leaves from T3, allow for the extra leg by shuttle from Gaozeng or by intercity train from T2. Activate Alipay or WeChat Pay at the airport to simplify payments and transport throughout China.

Average travel time to CAN

Train40-50 minutes (metro)

Shuttle bus45-60 minutes

Taxi / Private hire45-60 minutes

Parking near Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

The official multi-level parking stands in front of the terminal.

First 15 minutes free; for standard cars, 10 CNY/hour for the first 2 hours, then 5 CNY/hour from the third hour onward, capped at 80 CNY for 24 hours.

How to get to Guangzhou from CAN

By Train

Metro: Line 3 connects the airport to Guangzhou's city center in approximately 40-50 minutes; minimum fare 2 yuan, increasing based on distance. As of May 7, 2026, the Airport South station (Terminal 1) is closed to passenger service: trains pass through without stopping, and access is via Airport North (Terminal 2). From T3 you reach Line 3 by intercity train to the T2 station (about 6 minutes) or by shuttle to Gaozeng, where you take the metro.

By Bus

Several dedicated bus lines connect the airport to various parts of Guangzhou. From T3, a dedicated shuttle takes about 15 minutes to Gaozeng metro station (Lines 3 and 9).

By Taxi

Official taxis wait in the arrivals area; the meter is standard for trips to the city center, roughly 120-180 CNY (17-25 USD) depending on traffic, with approximately 30% surcharge during night hours 23:00-5:00.

Need an airport transfer?

Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com

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From CAN to the most sought-after destinations

If you want to...	Choose	Approximate cost
Spend the minimum possible	Metro Line 3 (from Airport North)	7–10 CNY
Reach Zhujiang New Town/Tianhe CBD as quickly as possible	Metro Line 3 direct, no transfers	~16 CNY
Continue to high-speed rail at Guangzhou South Railway Station	Metro with transfer at Jiahewanggang (Line 3 → Line 2) or direct coach	9 CNY (metro) / 60 CNY (coach)
Have heavy luggage or a late flight	Official metered taxi	120–180 CNY

Baiyun → Guangzhou South Railway Station

For high-speed trains to Shenzhen, Hong Kong or the rest of China, the metro requires a transfer from Line 3 to Line 2 at Jiahewanggang station, for a total of about 75 minutes; alternatively the direct Guangzhou South Special Line shuttle takes about 90 minutes with fixed departures at 11:00, 13:30, 16:00 and 23:30. A taxi covers the journey in about 70 minutes for 150–170 CNY.

Baiyun → Zhujiang New Town and Canton Tower

Line 3 reaches the new business district of Guangzhou, with the skyscrapers of Zhujiang New Town and Canton Tower clearly visible across the river, in about 50 minutes without transfers: it is the quickest way to reach the zone with luxury hotels and skyscrapers.

Baiyun → Beijing Road (historic pedestrian street)

For shopping and the historic centre, Line 3 requires a transfer to Line 2 at Jiahewanggang station to get off at Gongyuanqian, directly on Beijing Road pedestrian street; the complete journey takes about 70–80 minutes.

Car rental at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

A reduced number of car rental companies are present in the arrivals area.

Most visitors prefer to travel by taxi or with local ride-hailing services.

Hotels near Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Baiyun is 28 km from the city, and since May 2026 the terminal geography has changed: T1 is closed for works, international flights leave from the new Terminal 3 and T2 remains in operation. The centre is reached in 40-50 minutes on metro Line 3, so sleeping in the city is no sacrifice for those landing by day. For dawn departures or night flights the airport hotel makes more sense, with a shuttle between terminals. Those with a long layover can instead venture to Zhujiang New Town, skyscrapers and river, or to old Shamian.

Airport area

Airport hotel

The Pullman shuttle links the hotel to T2 (exit 46) and T3 (exit 66) with runs every 30 minutes; the website gives about 3 minutes to T2.

Best for: Night flights or flights before 7, for those who prefer a shuttle to a taxi in the dark.

Pros

Three minutes by shuttle from T2, without going through central Guangzhou
Direct shuttle to both T2 and T3, useful now that international flights are at T3

Cons

The shuttle runs every half hour: at dawn it is wise to allow a margin
Only airport grounds around, nothing to see in the evening

Recommended hotels

Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport The airport's official hotel, 578 rooms; shuttle every 30 minutes to T2 and T3, and a dedicated security check for Executive rooms and above. View availability

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Neighbourhood

Zhujiang New Town and Tianhe

Line 3 reaches Zhujiang New Town in about 50 minutes with no changes; from T3 you first need the shuttle to Gaozeng station, about 15 minutes.

Best for: Those who want the new business district, the Canton Tower and a convenient base for dinners and shopping.

Pros

Direct metro from the airport, with no changes, for those leaving from T2
Canton Tower and the riverfront a few minutes' walk from the hotels

Cons

From T3 you need the shuttle and a change, so the journey gets longer
An area of offices and shopping centres, with less historic character

Recommended hotels

Park Hyatt Guangzhou On the top floors of the Yingkai Square Tower, a few steps from the Pearl River embankment, with views over Zhujiang New Town and the Canton Tower. View availability

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Neighbourhood

Shamian and the old town

By taxi it takes 45-60 minutes from the airport; by metro, Line 3 with a change to Line 2 at Jiahewanggang, about 70-80 minutes to Beijing Road.

Best for: Those who come for the colonial architecture, the alleys and Beijing Road, with less traffic and more strolling.

Pros

A pedestrian island on the river, to explore on foot among European-style buildings
The hotel's website lists Shamian's European-style buildings among the attractions

Cons

The journey from the airport with the change can take up to 80 minutes
To return to the airport you need a taxi or a line change: unsuitable for early flights

Recommended hotels

White Swan Hotel On Shamian island, on the banks of the Pearl River: open since 1983, with 520 rooms and a heated outdoor pool. View availability

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Airport services

The airport provides services befitting a major international hub and home base for China Southern Airlines.

Shopping & Duty Free

The extensive duty-free area offers Chinese tea, baijiu, and Cantonese cuisine specialties such as dried fruit preserves.

Lounges & relaxation

Each terminal at Baiyun has an offering of its own. Terminal 2, the base of China Southern, combines the airline's lounges for premium passengers and members with independent lounges open to Priority Pass, including the Premium Lounge (International), open at night too. Terminal 3 has the new Star Alliance Lounge, with an outdoor garden and sleeping capsules, and a few numbered lounges accessible with Priority Pass.

lounges: 9
with Priority Pass: 5
open 24 hours: 3

Which lounge to choose: full comparison

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal area. For a local SIM, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom have service desks at the airport.

Families & Children

The terminal features play areas for children and basic family assistance.

Terminal guide

Three terminals (T1, T2 and T3), but T1 has been closed for renovation since 7 May 2026 and the airlines that used it have moved to T3, which opened on 30 October 2025. Since 22 January 2026 international and regional flights are handled at T3, while T2 remains the base for China Southern's domestic flights. From check-in to gate you generally walk 15-20 minutes.

It is wise to allow for longer customs checks than usual and to arrive 3 hours in advance for international flights. Before leaving, check on your boarding pass which terminal your flight uses: T2 and T3 are linked by the intercity train and by a free shuttle running 24 hours a day.

Map of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is Guangzhou the same city that used to be called Canton?

Yes, Canton is the historic Western name for the city, now officially Guangzhou: the airport code CAN derives precisely from the old name.

Q. Is Guangzhou a good hub for Southeast Asia?

Yes, China Southern Airlines operates numerous connections to Southeast Asia from this hub, in addition to intercontinental routes.

Q. Can you use the 240-hour visa-free transit when passing through Guangzhou?

Yes, Baiyun is among the entry ports authorized for the visa-free transit scheme of up to 240 hours for eligible nationalities, useful for those with a long layover who want to see something of the city instead of staying at the airport.