Guangzhou Railway Station: Trains, Metro and Transfers (2026)

Overview of Guangzhou Railway Station (Yuexiu District)

Construction of Guangzhou Railway Station began in 1960, and the station was completed in 1974. It sits on Huanshi West Road in Yuexiu District and has 8 platforms and 8 tracks. Underground, it is the interchange between Guangzhou Metro Line 2 and Line 5.

For decades this was the city's main terminal for conventional long-distance trains, but that role ended in January 2026. The K303, which left at 10:29 on 25 January 2026, was the last conventional train to start here. From 26 January 2026 the station was refocused on high-speed lines, and Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station took over the conventional trains that start or end in Guangzhou. A few conventional trains still stop at Guangzhou Station on their way through. Older guides that describe it as the city's hub for green trains and overnight services are out of date.

Guangzhou has several major stations with similar names, and they are not interchangeable. Guangzhou South (广州南站) is in Shibi, Panyu District, and serves the Beijing–Guangzhou high-speed line and the express rail link to Hong Kong West Kowloon. Guangzhou East (广州东站) is at 1 Dongzhan Road in Tianhe District. Guangzhou Baiyun now handles the conventional trains that used to start here. Before you set off, check the Chinese station name printed on your ticket. This station appears simply as 广州站.

The station is also being renovated. Its bus terminal closed on 31 December 2024 for the renovation, so don't rely on older directions that send you to the station's bus terminal.

Trains from Guangzhou Railway Station

The station now mainly serves high-speed EMU trains on five lines: Beijing–Guangzhou, Guiyang–Guangzhou, Nanning–Guangzhou, Guangzhou–Shantou and Guangzhou–Zhanjiang. Together they link Guangzhou with North, Northwest and Southwest China and with eastern and western Guangdong. About 208 EMU services were planned here for the 2026 Spring Festival. Journey times and fares vary by train, so check your service on 12306, China Railway's official booking platform.

Guangshen intercity trains to Shenzhen

The Guangshen intercity railway starts here and runs 147 km to Shenzhen Station. The fastest trains link the two city centres in about 57 minutes. Since 15 July 2025 the full-route fare has been ¥72 in second class and ¥90 in first class. Pricing is market-based and discount tickets are also sold, so the price on 12306 may differ from the full fare.

Both ends of this line are city-centre stations, so it is worth comparing against the high-speed options from Guangzhou South if you are staying in central Guangzhou and heading to central Shenzhen.

Trains to Hong Kong

Through trains to Hong Kong ran from Guangzhou Station from 1979 until 1996, when they moved to Guangzhou East. For high-speed trains to Hong Kong, go to Guangzhou South, which serves the express rail link to Hong Kong West Kowloon.

Conventional trains

If you have a ticket for a conventional (green, K-series) train that starts or ends in Guangzhou, it will almost certainly use Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station rather than this one. The few conventional trains that still stop here are passing through. Confirm the station on your ticket before you travel.

Transferring via Guangzhou Metro (Lines 2 and 5)

The metro is the simplest way to move on from Guangzhou Railway Station. Guangzhou Metro Line 2 and Line 5 interchange underground at the station. The Line 2 station opened on 29 December 2002 and the Line 5 station on 28 December 2009. Line 11 does not currently stop here. To reach the platforms, follow the signs for the Metro, marked 地铁 (dìtiě).

Southbound, Line 2 runs straight to Guangzhou South Railway Station, its southern terminus. Northbound, it reaches Jiahewanggang, where you change to Line 3 for Baiyun Airport. Line 2 is also your route to Guangzhou East: ride it south to Gongyuanqian and change to Line 1.

Line 5 runs east towards Wenchong and Huangpu New Port. It passes Zhujiang New Town in the Tianhe CBD, where you can change to Line 3.

Trains can be crowded at rush hour, so allow extra time if you are carrying large luggage. Download the Guangzhou Metro app or use a map app to plan routes and check service information before you travel.

Getting to and from Guangzhou Railway Station

To Guangzhou South Railway Station

Take Metro Line 2 southbound. Guangzhou South Railway Station is the line's southern terminus, 15 stops and about 20.5 km away, and you don't need to change. If you are connecting to a high-speed train there, leave a generous margin.

To Zhujiang New Town (Tianhe CBD)

Take Metro Line 5 eastbound towards Wenchong/Huangpu New Port. Zhujiang New Town is 7 stops and about 8.5 km away, and it is also where you change for Line 3.

To Guangzhou East Railway Station

Take Line 2 south to Gongyuanqian, change to Line 1 and ride it to its northern terminus, Guangzhou East Railway Station (广州东站), at 1 Dongzhan Road in Tianhe District.

To Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Take Line 2 north for 8 stops to Jiahewanggang, then change cross-platform to Line 3 towards Airport North, which serves Terminal 2.

For Terminal 3, get off Line 3 at Gaozeng, take Exit B and board the Airport Line 2 branch feeder bus. The ride takes about 15 minutes, costs ¥2 and runs every 5–10 minutes.

Airport South station, which serves Terminal 1, has been skipped since 7 May 2026 while Terminal 1 is closed for renovation. Check which terminal your flight uses before you set off. For terminal details, see our Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport guide.

To Shenzhen

You don't need a transfer for Shenzhen. Take the Guangshen intercity train direct from this station to Shenzhen Station (see the trains section above for times and fares).

Taking a Taxi or Ride-Hailing to the City Center

A taxi or ride-hailing car is worth it if you have heavy luggage or are going somewhere away from a metro line. Use the official taxi rank and take only marked, metered taxis. Turn down offers from unofficial drivers who approach you around the station.

Ride-hailing apps such as Didi are widely used in Guangzhou. The app shows an estimated fare before you book, and you usually pay in the app or through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Set your pick-up point carefully. The station is under renovation, so a clearly named gate or landmark helps your driver find you.

Road traffic around the station can be slow at busy times. For time-critical connections, such as a flight or a high-speed train from another station, the metro is usually more predictable.

Keep your destination written in Chinese characters to show the driver, and save the station name 广州站 for the return trip.

Tickets and Fares

Book rail tickets through 12306, China Railway's official platform. Fares on the high-speed and Guangshen intercity lines are market-based and vary by train and class, so compare services there rather than relying on a fixed price. Keep the passport you booked with handy, because you will need it at the station.

For the metro, you can buy single-journey tickets from the vending machines in any station, use a rechargeable transit card such as the Lingnan Pass, or scan a transport QR code in Alipay or WeChat Pay at the gates. The QR code is usually the quickest option for short-term visitors.

If you arrive late in the evening, check first and last train times in the metro app before you rely on a connection, especially if you need the Line 3 change for the airport.