Guangzhou Airport Transportation Guide
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) Transport Overview
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) is located approximately 30 km north of the city center. This guide helps foreign visitors navigate transport between the airport (Terminals T1 & T2) and the city.
We cover public and private options, offering advice for business trips, family travel, and backpackers, including tips for peak hours, late arrivals, and holidays. Find details on operating hours, fares, payment methods, useful phrases, apps, and safety.
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport – Terminals & Transport Hubs
The airport has two terminals, T1 and T2, connected by a free 24/7 shuttle bus. Both terminals have clear English signage guiding you to "Ground Transportation".
Metro Stations
T1: Airport South Station
T2: Airport North Station
(Both on Line 3 North Extension, underground)
Airport Bus Stops
T1: Outside Arrival Hall B (Gates B10-B13)
T2: West side Transportation Center
(Ticket counters in arrival halls)
Taxi Stands
Official 24/7 queues outside T1 & T2 arrival halls. Follow signs.
Ride-hailing Pick-up
Designated zones in T1 & T2 (often parking lots). Check your app for the specific location.
Car rentals and other services are also available.
Public Transportation Options
Guangzhou offers affordable and efficient public transport with English signage and announcements, making it accessible for foreign visitors.
Metro 🟠 (Line 3 North Extension)
The Metro is often the fastest and most economical way to reach downtown Guangzhou from the airport.
- Stations
- T1:
Airport South| T2:Airport North. Located underground in terminals. - Operating Hours
- Approx. 06:00 AM to 23:15 PM (T2) / 00:08 AM (T1). Check specific times.
- Journey & Time
- ~30-40 mins to Tianhe CBD (
Tiyu Xilu). Connects to entire metro network. Key stops: Guangzhou East Station, Zhujiang New Town. - Fare
- ~¥2-10 (¥7 to city center). Distance-based.
- Ticketing
- Buy single-journey tokens from machines (cash/some mobile pay) or use Yang Cheng Tong card/mobile payment at gates. Get token at machine (select English), tap to enter, insert to exit.
Experience Highlights: Clean, punctual, air-conditioned, English announcements. Can be very crowded during peak hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM weekdays) (Wikipedia). Best for light luggage; elevators available but may require searching.
Airport Express Bus 🚌
Comfortable coaches connecting the airport to major city areas and hotels. Ideal for those with more luggage.
- Routes
- ~15 lines serving Guangzhou Railway Stn, East Stn, Tianhe, Zhujiang New Town, Panyu, etc. Check routes & stops.
- Operating Hours
- Most run from early morning to late night. Some offer 24/7 or night services (e.g., Line 1, Line 2 Night). Check specific line schedules.
- Journey Time
- 50-150 minutes, depending on route and traffic.
- Fare
- ~¥6-60+, depending on destination.
- Boarding & Tickets
- T1: Outside Arrival Hall B (Gates B10-B13). T2: Transportation Center (West). Buy tickets at counters (cash, maybe WeChat/Alipay) or sometimes pay driver (cash). Get luggage tag if storing bags below.
- Drop-off
- Multiple stops per route. Ask counter staff for the best stop for your destination.
Experience Highlights: Comfortable seating, dedicated luggage space. Slower than Metro and affected by traffic, especially during peak hours. Good late-night option when Metro is closed.
City Bus 🚍 (Regular Public Bus Lines)
A few standard city buses serve areas near the airport. They are very cheap (¥2-10) but infrequent, slow (many stops), and have no luggage space.
Private Transportation Options
For direct, door-to-door service, consider private options. They cost more but offer convenience, especially for groups or those with heavy luggage.
Taxi 🚖
A readily available and convenient option for direct travel.
- Pick-up
- Official taxi stands outside T1 & T2 arrival halls (24/7). Follow signs, ignore solicitors.
- Journey Time
- ~40-60 mins off-peak; 90+ mins in peak traffic.
- Fare
- ~¥120-200 (metered) + tolls (~¥15-20). Night surcharge may apply.
- Payment
- Primarily RMB cash. Some may accept WeChat/Alipay. International cards generally NOT accepted. No tipping required.
- Communication
- Most drivers don't speak English. Have address written in Chinese. Use translation apps or call multilingual hotline 960169 (gz.gov.cn).
- Safety
- Use official taxis. Ensure meter is on ("dǎ biǎo"). Get a receipt ("fāpiào"). Wear seatbelt.
Ride-hailing Services 🚗 (Didi Chuxing)
China's equivalent of Uber, very popular. Use the Didi Chuxing (DiDi) international app.
- App
- Download "DiDi-Rider" international version. English interface available.
- Booking
- Register with foreign number, link payment (international cards often work via WeChat/Alipay links). Set destination, choose service, confirm.
- Pick-up
- Designated airport zones (check app for location). Match license plate.
- Fare
- ~¥100-150 (estimate provided). Dynamic pricing applies (surges possible).
- Payment
- Automatic charge to linked card/account. Cashless.
- Communication
- Use in-app translated chat for non-English speaking drivers.
Experience Highlights: Convenient, often slightly cheaper than taxis (off-peak). Requires smartphone and data/Wi-Fi. Can be harder to book during extreme peak times or bad weather.
AIRPORT-FREE-WIFI) to book if you don't have a local SIM/eSIM immediately.Pre-booked Private Transfer 🚐
Hassle-free option with driver meeting you. Ideal for families, groups, or maximum convenience.
- Booking
- Arrange via travel platforms (Klook, Trip.com), hotels, or agencies. Provide flight details.
- Service
- Driver waits at arrivals with name sign. Helps with luggage. Direct transfer, no sharing. Child seats often available if pre-requested.
- Cost
- ~¥180-¥350+ (USD $25-$50+), depending on vehicle/distance. Usually paid online in advance.
- Payment
- Prepaid online. No cash needed on arrival (tipping optional for exceptional service).
Self-Drive Car Rental 🚘
Renting a car is possible but challenging for most tourists.
- Availability
- Counters for Hertz, Avis, local brands at airport.
- Challenges
- Besides license issues, driving in Guangzhou involves heavy traffic, complex roads, and high parking costs/scarcity.
Recommendation: Generally not advised for short-term foreign visitors. Consider a car with a driver (private transfer) instead.
Recommendations for Different Traveler Types
Tailored suggestions based on travel style:
*(The card layout for traveler types was already quite good, so kept as is)*Business Travelers
Prioritize speed & reliability: Taxi or Didi. Consider premium services for comfort/work. Metro possible for avoiding peak traffic to specific locations (e.g., Pazhou).
Family Travelers
Prioritize safety & convenience: Pre-booked transfer (MPV) or Taxi. Accommodates luggage/strollers easily. Airport bus is a budget alternative if route fits.
Backpackers & Budget Travelers
Prioritize cost-effectiveness: Metro is best (under ¥10). Airport Express Night Bus for late arrivals (¥20-30). Manageable with light luggage.
Navigating Special Conditions & Times
Plan for variations in traffic and conditions:
*(Using a list-group for better separation of conditions)*- Peak Hours (Weekdays 7-9:30 AM & 5-7:30 PM): Heavy traffic. Metro highly recommended (but crowded). Allow significant extra time (30-60+ mins) if taking taxi/bus. Surge pricing likely on Didi.
- Late-Night Arrivals (After 10 PM): Metro closes ~midnight. Use Airport Express Night Bus (check schedule) or 24/7 Taxis/Didi. Roads are clear, travel is faster. Use official sources.
- Early Morning Departures (Before 7 AM): Metro starts ~6 AM. Consider staying at an airport hotel, pre-booking taxi/Didi very early (allow ample time), or check earliest Airport Bus times.
- Rainy Season & Typhoons (Jun-Sep): Heavy rain causes delays & traffic. Allow extra time. Metro is more reliable. During typhoons, transport may halt; check forecasts, prioritize safety. Carry umbrella!
- Public Holidays & Major Events (CNY, National Day, Canton Fair): Expect crowds & high demand. Book transport/accommodation well in advance. Metro often best for Canton Fair access.
Cost Comparison & Payment Methods
-
Metro¥7-10 | 30-60 min
Fastest, cheapest, potential crowding. -
Airport Express Bus¥15-35 | 50-90 min
Comfortable, direct routes, affected by traffic. -
Taxi / Ride-hailing (Didi)¥120-180 | 30-60 min (off-peak)
Door-to-door, convenient, higher cost, affected by traffic. -
Pre-booked Private Transfer¥200-400 | 30-60 min
Most convenient, hassle-free, highest cost. -
Self-Drive Rental¥300+/day + fuel | Variable
Flexible (if licensed), complex for tourists.
Payment Methods
Primarily RMB cash and mobile payments. International cards have limited direct use.
*(Using list-group for payment methods)*- Cash (RMB): Essential for taxis, bus counters/drivers, metro machines. Have small notes. ATMs/Exchange at airport.
- Mobile Payment (WeChat Pay / Alipay): Widely accepted. Foreigners can now link international cards (Visa/MC) to WeChat Pay, or use Alipay's Tour Pass. Highly convenient if set up, but carry cash backup.
- Bank Cards: UnionPay preferred locally. Visa/MC rarely accepted directly for transport (except maybe some high-end services or ATMs for cash withdrawal).
- Transport Card (Yang Cheng Tong): Rechargeable card for small metro/bus discounts. Not essential for short visits.
Essential Chinese Phrases for Transportation (with Pinyin)
*(Using dl list as before)*- I want to go to the city center.
- 我要去市中心 (Wǒ yào qù shì zhōng xīn)
- Please take me to this address.
- 请带我到这个地址 (Qǐng dài wǒ dào zhè ge dìzhǐ) - Show written address.
- How much is this?
- 这多少钱？ (Zhè duōshao qián?)
- Stop here, thank you.
- 在这里停车，谢谢 (Zài zhèlǐ tíngchē, xièxie)
- How to get to the subway station?
- 地铁站怎么走？ (Dìtiě zhàn zěnme zǒu?)
- Where is the taxi pickup point?
- 出租车候车点在哪里？ (Chūzūchē hòuchē diǎn zài nǎlǐ?)
- Can I pay with Alipay/WeChat?
- 我可以用支付宝/微信支付吗？ (Wǒ kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo/Wēixìn zhīfù ma?)
- Please help with the luggage.
- 请帮忙拿行李 (Qǐng bāngmáng ná xíngli)
- Keep the change, thank you.
- 不用找零，谢谢 (Bùyòng zhǎolíng, xièxie) - Optional.
Recommended Travel Apps
*(Using list-group)*- Amap (高德地图): Essential Chinese map/navigation app.
- Guangzhou Metro App: Official app for routes, times.
- Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行): Essential ride-hailing app (use Intl version).
- Baidu Maps (百度地图): Alternative map app.
- Google Maps: Limited use (basic orientation/offline map). Don't rely on for navigation.
- Translation App (e.g., Google Translate, Pleco): Crucial for communication.
Other Practical Information
*(Using list-group)*- Emergency Numbers: Police 110, Ambulance 120, Fire 119. Multilingual Hotline 960169 (gz.gov.cn). Airport Service +86-20-86137273 (gz.gov.cn).
- Luggage Services: Storage available at T1/T2 (paid). Carts free inside terminal. Handle own bags on public transport; taxis/transfers better for heavy luggage.
- Safety & Scams: Use official taxis/Didi. Ignore solicitors. Insist on meter. Beware pickpockets. Use official currency exchange.
- Etiquette & Tipping: Tipping not customary/expected for transport. "Thank you" (谢谢 - Xièxie) is sufficient.
- Seasonal Advice: Summer (Jun-Sep) is hot/humid/rainy. Winter (Dec-Feb) is mild. Check transport adjustments during holidays (CNY). Monitor weather, especially during typhoon season.
We hope this guide helps you navigate Guangzhou's airport transportation. Enjoy your trip!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
*(Accordion remains unchanged)*- Metro: Approx. 40-60 min ride + walking time. Allow 1.5 hours total travel time.
- Airport Bus: Approx. 1 hour ride + waiting/traffic buffer. Allow 1.5-2 hours total travel time.
- Taxi/Didi: Approx. 40-60 min off-peak, but can exceed 1 hour+ in traffic. Allow 1.5 hours travel time minimum, more during peak hours.
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