Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA: CAN, ICAO: ZGGG) is the main airport of Guangzhou and the main hub of China Southern Airlines. It sits in the Huadu and Baiyun districts of the city, opened on 5 August 2004 and is operated by Guangdong Airport Authority. In 2025 it handled 83.58 million passengers, up 9.5%, which ranked it 9th in the world by passenger traffic. Explore the best of Guangzhou once you have worked out how to get from your terminal into town.
The most important thing to know in 2026 is which terminal you are using. Only Terminals 2 and 3 are open. Terminal 3 opened on 30 October 2025, and Terminal 1 has been closed for renovation since 7 May 2026. The two open terminals have different rail links: T2 has a metro station on Line 3, while T3 has no metro station and is served by the Guangzhou East Ring intercity railway, free shuttle buses and airport express coaches.
This guide covers each terminal, how to move between them, and every main way into the city: Metro Line 3, the intercity railway to Tianhe and Guangzhou South, airport express buses, late-night buses and taxis. Fares and times below are approximate, so check the operator's app or timetable on the day you travel.
Baiyun Airport Terminals: T2 and T3
Terminal 2 opened on 26 April 2018 and is the main hub of China Southern Airlines. It is the terminal with direct metro access: Airport North station on Guangzhou Metro Line 3. T2 also has Baiyun Airport North station on the Guangzhou–Foshan circular / Guangzhou East Ring intercity railway.
Terminal 3 opened on 30 October 2025. It handles Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines, Juneyao Air, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines and Spring Airlines, plus the international and regional flights that moved over from T1 in January 2026. Rail access to T3 is Baiyun Airport East station on the East Ring intercity, in the basement of the T3 transport centre. There is no metro station at T3 yet; Metro Line 22 is planned to reach the airport, including T3, in future.
Terminal 1 is closed for renovation, and the Airport South metro and intercity stations that served it closed with it. Older guides and maps that send you to T1 or Airport South are out of date. Your airline's SMS or e-ticket itinerary tells you which terminal you need. Airline and terminal details are also on the ANA Guangzhou airport guide, and lounge information is on the Priority Pass airport page.
- Terminal 2
- Status: open
- Airlines: China Southern main hub
- Metro: Line 3, Airport North station
- Intercity: Baiyun Airport North station
- Terminal 3
- Status: open since 30 October 2025
- Airlines: Air China, China Eastern, Hainan, Spring and others, plus international and regional flights moved from T1
- Metro: none yet (Line 22 planned)
- Intercity: Baiyun Airport East station
- Terminal 1
- Status: closed for renovation since 7 May 2026
- Airport South metro and intercity stations: closed
Moving Between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3
A free shuttle bus runs 24 hours a day between the terminals, leaving T2 from the Transportation Center East bus terminal, stand 30. The ride takes about 25 minutes. Buses run every 8 minutes from 09:00 to 23:00, every 15 minutes from 23:00 to 03:00 and from 05:00 to 09:00, and every 20 minutes from 03:00 to 05:00.
The faster option is the East Ring intercity between Baiyun Airport North (T2) and Baiyun Airport East (T3). The hop takes about 6 minutes, with a flat fare from ¥4. This is also the usual way to reach Metro Line 3 if you land at T3: ride the intercity or the shuttle to T2, then change at Airport North.
Allow extra time for the transfer if you are connecting between flights that use different terminals, and check the airline's minimum connection guidance before booking a tight itinerary.
Getting to and from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
Your best route into the city depends on your terminal and where you are staying. From T2, Metro Line 3 is the simplest and cheapest way to Tianhe. From T3, the East Ring intercity is the quickest rail link to Keyun Road in Tianhe and to Panyu station at Guangzhou South, while airport express buses cover most districts. Use the summary below to pick a route, then read the detailed sections that follow.
- T2 to Tiyu Xilu / Guangzhou East (Tianhe): Metro Line 3 from Airport North, about 35–40 min, ¥7–8
- T3 to Keyun Road (Tianhe): East Ring intercity from Baiyun Airport East, direct trains 24 min, ¥19
- T2 to Keyun Road: East Ring intercity from Baiyun Airport North, 31 min, ¥23
- T3 to Guangzhou South (Panyu station): East Ring intercity, express trains from about 30 min
- T3 to Metro Lines 3 and 9: free shuttle bus to Gaozeng station, about 15 min
- T3 to downtown districts: Baiyun Airport Express buses, 8 city lines, from ¥19.9
- T3 to Tianhe Sports Center by taxi: about ¥80–120
Metro Line 3 from Airport North (T2)
Metro Line 3 (north extension) runs from Airport North station at Terminal 2 towards Tiyu Xilu and Guangzhou East Railway Station in Tianhe. The journey to Tiyu Xilu takes about 35–40 minutes and costs ¥7–8. Trains run from about 06:00 to 23:15, every 5–10 minutes. Check the Guangzhou transport guide for how Line 3 connects with the rest of the network.
The metro does not run 24 hours. If you land after the last train, use the overnight airport bus or a taxi instead (see below). Line 3 can be crowded at weekday rush hours, so keep large suitcases close and stand clear of the doors.
If you arrive at T3, you have two ways to reach the metro. You can ride the East Ring intercity or the free terminal shuttle to T2 and change to Line 3 at Airport North. Or you can take the free Airport Line 2 branch shuttle bus from T3 to Gaozeng station, where you can board Metro Line 3 or Line 9.
Free shuttle bus between T3 and Gaozeng station
The Airport Line 2 branch shuttle has been free since 6 June 2026. It links T3 with Gaozeng station Exit B, a ride of about 15 minutes (about 12 minutes from T3 to Gaozeng). Buses run every 5 minutes at peak times and every 10 minutes off-peak. Departures from Gaozeng to T3 run from 06:15 to 23:15, and from T3 to Gaozeng from 06:35 to 22:40.
Paying for the metro
You do not need a paper ticket or coins. You can scan a ride code in the Alipay or WeChat mini-programs at the gates. Since 12 October 2025, Guangzhou Metro has also accepted contactless tap-to-ride payment with some international bank cards. Set up your payment app before you fly so you can go straight to the gates on arrival.
East Ring Intercity Railway from T2 and T3
The Guangzhou–Foshan circular / Guangzhou East Ring intercity railway serves both open terminals: Baiyun Airport North station for T2 and Baiyun Airport East station for T3. For T3 passengers it is the only rail link at the terminal itself.
To Keyun Road in Tianhe, direct trains from Baiyun Airport East (T3) take 24 minutes and cost ¥19. They run every 15 minutes from 06:47 to 21:51. From Baiyun Airport North (T2), the trip takes 31 minutes and costs ¥23, with trains about every 17 minutes. From 22 June 2026, weekday (Monday to Thursday) fares are 75% of the published fare.
The same line links T3 with Panyu station at Guangzhou South Railway Station. Express trains from Baiyun Airport East take as little as about 30 minutes, and 3 daily one-way direct trains from Panyu to Baiyun Airport East take 28 minutes. The fare for this trip is not confirmed here, so check the timetable and price on 12306 or the Guangzhou Metro app before you travel.
Intercity trains accept the intercity ride code in the Guangzhou Metro app, real-name transit cards, or 12306 tickets. Direct trains between T3 and Keyun Road stop running at 21:51, so late arrivals should plan on a bus or taxi.
Airport Express Buses and Late-Night Options
Baiyun Airport Express buses run 8 city lines to and from T3. Between them they cover Tianhe, Yuexiu, Haizhu, Panyu, Zengcheng Xintang, Nansha, Huangpu and Liwan, with fares from ¥19.9. Buses are a good choice if your hotel is far from a metro or intercity station, or if you have heavy luggage. Timetables and fares for each line are published on the "Baiyun Airport Express" (白云机场空港快线) WeChat account.
An overnight bus covers the hours when the metro is closed. It runs from about 23:00 to 05:00, every 20–60 minutes, to Tianhe Sports Center, Fengxing Plaza, South China Normal University and Jinan University. The fare is ¥35.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
At T3, taxis wait at Gate 72 for domestic arrivals and Gate 75 for international arrivals. The Gate 75 rank is open 24 hours. A taxi from T3 to Tianhe Sports Center costs about ¥80–120. Have your hotel's address written in Chinese to show the driver.
Use only the official taxi ranks and ignore drivers who approach you inside the terminal. Ride-hailing apps such as Didi show the price before you book and tell you where to meet the driver; the app's translation feature helps if the driver calls you. Booking a private transfer in advance is another option if you want a driver waiting with a name sign.
Immigration and Customs on Arrival
International arrivals go through immigration before collecting their bags. Keep your passport, visa or visa-exemption documents and onward travel details ready for inspection. Queue times vary with the number of flights landing at the same time.
Visa and transit rules change, so check the current policy for your nationality before you fly. The official Baiyun Airport website publishes passenger notices and updates.
After passport control, collect your luggage from the carousels and pass through customs. Officers may check bags at random, and you should declare any goods or currency that require a declaration.
Onward to Guangzhou's Railway Stations
Many travelers continue from the airport by train to other cities in the Greater Bay Area, such as Shenzhen, Zhuhai or Hong Kong. Start by checking which station your train leaves from, then pick the airport link that serves it. For Guangzhou South Railway Station, the East Ring intercity from T3 to Panyu station is the most direct option. Book train tickets in advance for weekend and holiday travel.
For Guangzhou East Railway Station, take Metro Line 3 from Airport North (T2). Before heading to Guangzhou Railway Station or the newer Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station, confirm the departure station on your ticket, since the two are easy to confuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which terminal does my flight use at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport?
Only Terminals 2 and 3 are open. Terminal 1 closed for renovation on 7 May 2026. T2 is the main hub of China Southern Airlines. T3 handles Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Capital Airlines, Juneyao Air, China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines and Spring Airlines, plus the international and regional flights that moved from T1 in January 2026. Check your airline's SMS or e-ticket itinerary for your terminal.
How do I get from Baiyun Airport to Tianhe (Tiyu Xilu)?
From T2, take Metro Line 3 (north extension) from Airport North station towards Tiyu Xilu. It takes about 35–40 minutes and costs ¥7–8. From T3, take the East Ring intercity direct to Keyun Road (24 min, ¥19). You can also ride the intercity or the free shuttle to T2 and change to Line 3. A taxi from T3 to Tianhe Sports Center costs about ¥80–120.
Is there a metro station at Terminal 3?
No. Terminal 3 has no metro station yet; Line 22 is planned to reach it in future. Rail access to T3 is the Guangzhou East Ring intercity at Baiyun Airport East station, in the basement of the T3 transport centre. You can also take Metro Line 3 or 9 to Gaozeng station (Exit B) and ride the free Airport Line 2 branch shuttle bus to T3, which takes about 15 minutes.
How do I get from Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou South Railway Station?
Take the Guangzhou East Ring intercity between Baiyun Airport East (T3) and Panyu station at Guangzhou South. Express trains take as little as about 30 minutes. Check the timetable and fare on 12306 or the Guangzhou Metro app before travelling.
Does the Guangzhou metro run 24 hours to the airport?
No. Metro Line 3 at Airport North runs from about 06:00 to 23:15. Late at night, airport buses run to Tianhe Sports Center and other downtown stops (¥35, about 23:00–05:00, every 20–60 minutes), and taxis wait at T3 Gate 75 around the clock.
How do I travel between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3?
A free shuttle bus runs 24 hours from T2 Transportation Center East bus terminal stand 30. The trip takes about 25 minutes, with buses every 8–20 minutes depending on the time of day. The East Ring intercity between Baiyun Airport North (T2) and Baiyun Airport East (T3) takes about 6 minutes, with a flat fare from ¥4.
How much is the airport express bus into Guangzhou?
Baiyun Airport Express buses run 8 city lines to and from T3, covering Tianhe, Yuexiu, Haizhu, Panyu, Zengcheng Xintang, Nansha, Huangpu and Liwan, with fares from ¥19.9. Timetables and fares for each line are on the 'Baiyun Airport Express' (白云机场空港快线) WeChat account.
Can I pay for the Guangzhou metro with Alipay or WeChat?
Yes. You can scan a ride code in the Alipay or WeChat mini-programs, so you don't need a ticket or coins. Since 12 October 2025, Guangzhou Metro has also accepted contactless tap-to-ride payment with some international bank cards. Intercity trains accept the intercity ride code in the Guangzhou Metro app, real-name transit cards, or 12306 tickets.
Getting into Guangzhou from Baiyun Airport is simple once you know your terminal. From T2, Metro Line 3 is the cheap, direct route to Tianhe. From T3, the East Ring intercity, the free Gaozeng shuttle, the airport express buses and taxis cover the city, and the free inter-terminal shuttle runs around the clock.
Set up Alipay or WeChat ride codes before you fly, check your terminal on your e-ticket, and confirm late-night options if you land after the metro closes. Safe travels as you start your trip in the Pearl River Delta.
To fit your arrival or departure into a full trip, see our Guangzhou itinerary for 1, 3 or 5 days.
