Guangzhou Airport Transfer: The Short Answer
If you arrive at T1 or T2 during normal metro operating hours, Metro Line 3 is usually the simplest low-cost way to reach Tianhe, Guangzhou East Railway Station and connecting parts of the city.
If you arrive at T3, first check whether the Guangdong intercity railway works for your destination. Baiyun Airport East Station is directly integrated with T3 and provides fast connections toward locations such as Keyun Road and other stations on the intercity network.
For a direct airport-to-hotel journey without changing trains, use an official taxi, DiDi or a pre-booked private transfer.
The most important first step is to check your terminal: T1, T2 and T3 do not have identical ground-transport connections.
- Airport — Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Airport code — CAN
- T1 metro — Airport South, Line 3
- T2 metro — Airport North, Line 3
- T3 rail — Baiyun Airport East intercity station
- T3 metro access — requires an additional connection
- Door-to-door — taxi, DiDi or private transfer
Want airport-to-hotel pickup arranged in advance?
Check Your Terminal: T1, T2 or T3
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport now operates three terminals.
Do not plan airport transportation from the airport code alone. Check the terminal shown on your flight booking or airline notification.
Terminal assignments can change as airlines relocate between T1, T2 and T3.
| Main rail connection | Key point | |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | Airport South — Metro Line 3 | Direct metro access |
| T2 | Airport North — Metro Line 3 | Direct metro access |
| T3 | Baiyun Airport East — Guangdong intercity railway | Direct intercity rail; Metro Line 3 requires another connection |
T3 officially opened in October 2025 and has since taken on substantial domestic and international traffic.
Always confirm your current terminal with the airline because terminal allocations can change.
Current status (May 2026): Official Guangzhou municipal guidance states that from 7 May 2026, passenger airlines previously operating from T1 relocated to T3, and T1 entered renovation and is not open to passengers during that works period. Metro Airport South and intercity Baiyun Airport South (T1) access are temporarily unavailable. Confirm your ticket terminal before travel.
Do Not Follow an Old Guangzhou Airport Metro Guide
Older Guangzhou airport guides were written when Baiyun Airport had only T1 and T2.
Those guides often say:
"Take Metro Line 3 directly from the airport."
That is still correct for T1 and T2.
It is not the full answer for T3.
T3 has Baiyun Airport East Station on the Guangdong intercity railway network. If you specifically want Metro Line 3, you need an additional connection.
Guangzhou Airport Transfer Options Compared
The practical choice depends on your terminal, destination, luggage and arrival time.
| T1 | T2 | T3 | Door to door? | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 3 | Direct | Direct | Requires connection | No | Low-cost travel to Tianhe / metro network |
| Guangdong intercity rail | Available through airport network | Available through airport network | Direct at Baiyun Airport East | No | Fast rail to selected Guangzhou / GBA destinations |
| Official taxi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Simple direct hotel transfer |
| DiDi / ride-hailing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Travelers comfortable using an app |
| Private transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Groups, luggage, late arrivals, business schedules |
| Airport bus | Yes | Yes | Yes | Usually no | Destinations served by a convenient route |
Public transport is usually the lowest-cost choice.
Taxi, DiDi and private transfer become more useful when the final hotel is inconvenient from rail, when you have substantial luggage, or when another stop follows the airport.
From Guangzhou Baiyun Airport T1
Terminal 1 has direct access to Guangzhou Metro Line 3 through Airport South Station.
Current status note
Official Guangzhou municipal guidance (May 2026) states that passenger airlines previously operating from T1 relocated to T3 from 7 May 2026, and T1 entered renovation and is not open to passengers during that works period. Metro Airport South and intercity Baiyun Airport South (T1) access are temporarily unavailable while renovation continues.
Confirm the terminal on your current ticket. The Line 3 / Airport South layout below describes T1 when that terminal is in passenger service.
T1 Option 1: Metro Line 3
Follow the signs inside T1 to Airport South Station and take the Line 3 north extension toward central Guangzhou.
Current airport guidance gives approximately 35–40 minutes to Guangzhou East Railway Station or Tiyu Xilu, with a fare of roughly 7–8 RMB depending on the destination.
Line 3 is particularly useful for Tianhe and for connecting into the wider Guangzhou Metro network.
Best for:
- Solo travelers
- Couples with manageable luggage
- Daytime arrivals
- Hotels convenient from the metro
- Travelers heading toward Tianhe
Less convenient for:
- Several large suitcases
- Families managing children and luggage
- Hotels requiring several transfers
- Arrivals after normal metro service
Check the current Guangzhou Metro timetable on your travel date.
T1 Option 2: Taxi or DiDi
Official taxis and licensed ride-hailing services provide direct transport from T1 to your destination.
Follow the airport signs to the official taxi area or the designated ride-hailing pickup location.
As a general airport reference, current Baiyun Airport guidance gives roughly 80–120 RMB for a taxi journey to the Tianhe Sports Center area.
This is not a fixed airport fare.
Actual taxi cost depends on:
- destination
- distance
- traffic
- time of day
- applicable fare adjustments and surcharges
From Guangzhou Baiyun Airport T2
Terminal 2 has direct Metro Line 3 access through Airport North Station.
T2 Option 1: Metro Line 3
From T2, follow the signs to Airport North Station and take Metro Line 3 toward Tiyu Xilu.
Current airport guidance gives approximately 35–40 minutes to Guangzhou East Railway Station or Tiyu Xilu and a fare of roughly 7–8 RMB depending on the destination.
For many Tianhe hotels and central metro connections, this is the simplest low-cost option.
Do not claim every central Guangzhou destination is direct on Line 3.
Some require another metro connection.
T2 Option 2: Taxi or DiDi
Taxi and DiDi provide direct airport-to-hotel transport without a rail transfer.
Use official taxi ranks or the designated ride-hailing pickup areas shown by airport signs and the app.
Current Baiyun Airport guidance gives roughly 80–120 RMB to the Tianhe Sports Center area as a general taxi reference.
Actual fares vary.
From Guangzhou Baiyun Airport T3
Terminal 3 has a different rail setup from T1 and T2.
Baiyun Airport East Station is directly integrated into the T3 transportation center and connects the terminal to the Guangdong intercity railway network.
T3 Option 1: Guangdong Intercity Railway
For many T3 passengers, the intercity railway should be the first rail option to check.
Baiyun Airport East Station is located inside the T3 transportation center, allowing passengers to reach the station without first transferring to another airport terminal.
Current official airport guidance gives one useful reference:
T3 / Baiyun Airport East → Keyun Road approximately 24 minutes approximately 19 RMB
Keyun Road is in Tianhe and can be useful for onward connections within eastern Guangzhou.
The Guangdong intercity network also connects Baiyun Airport with other Guangzhou and Greater Bay Area stations.
However, service patterns and stopping patterns change.
Check the current Guangdong Intercity / Railway 12306 schedule for your destination and travel date.
T3 Option 2: Connect to Metro Line 3
T3 does not currently use the same direct Line 3 airport station arrangement as T1 and T2.
Current official guidance provides two practical connection methods:
- Use the airport / intercity connection to Baiyun Airport North at T2, then transfer to Metro Line 3.
- Use the T3 connection toward Gaozeng and continue by metro.
The exact connection arrangement may change as Guangzhou's airport rail network develops.
Do not describe T3 as having its own direct Line 3 station.
T3 Option 3: Taxi, DiDi or Private Transfer
Taxi, DiDi and private vehicles can pick up from designated T3 transport areas.
For travelers heading directly to a hotel, carrying several bags or continuing into business meetings, road transport avoids the additional rail connection.
Current T3 guidance places ride-hailing pickup within the P12 transportation / parking complex and provides dedicated taxi pickup areas at the terminal.
Airport pickup arrangements can change. Follow current airport signs and app instructions.
Metro and Intercity Rail Explained
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport now has two different types of urban / regional rail that travelers may encounter.
Guangzhou Metro
For T1 and T2, Metro Line 3 provides the familiar airport-to-city service through:
Airport South — T1
and:
Airport North — T2
Metro works particularly well for central Guangzhou destinations connected to the city subway network.
Guangdong Intercity Railway
The Guangdong intercity network is a separate rail system connecting Baiyun Airport with Guangzhou transport hubs and other Greater Bay Area destinations.
T3's Baiyun Airport East Station is directly integrated into this network.
Do not describe Guangdong Intercity simply as another Guangzhou Metro line.
They are different systems.
Going Beyond Central Guangzhou?
The intercity railway network makes Baiyun Airport increasingly useful for travelers continuing toward other parts of Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area.
Current services connect the airport network toward places including:
- Panyu / Guangzhou South area - Pazhou - Foshan - Dongguan - other Guangdong intercity destinations
Actual through services vary by timetable.
Check the current train before travel.
Private Airport Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
A pre-booked private transfer is useful when you want the airport pickup arranged before landing rather than deciding between rail, taxi and ride-hailing after arrival.
It becomes more useful with several suitcases, children, senior travelers, larger groups, late arrivals, business schedules or additional stops after the airport.
DragonTrail's private-driver service is vehicle + driver with English-language coordination.
Do not assume that every driver speaks fluent English.
A licensed sightseeing guide or interpreter is separate unless specifically included.
See Guangzhou Private Driver Vehicles & Rates →
Taxi vs DiDi vs Private Transfer
All three can provide door-to-door transportation.
The main difference is how the ride is arranged.
| Official Taxi | DiDi | Pre-Booked Private Transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking | Join official airport queue | Book after arrival in app | Arranged before arrival |
| Price | Metered | App estimate / quoted fare | Fixed quote before booking |
| Destination | Show address to driver | Enter in app | Confirmed before arrival |
| Pickup | Official taxi area | Designated ride-hailing area | Confirmed pickup instructions |
| English coordination | Usually limited | App reduces language issue | DragonTrail coordinates in English |
| Best for | Simple direct ride | App-comfortable traveler | Groups, luggage, late arrivals, business schedules |
For a straightforward airport-to-hotel journey, an official taxi or DiDi may be completely sufficient.
A pre-booked private vehicle becomes more useful when the airport transfer is the first part of a larger schedule — for example meetings, Canton Fair, company visits, luggage-heavy group travel or several stops.
Guangzhou taxis use a regulated fare structure rather than a fixed airport fare.
Current Guangzhou taxi rules use a base fare structure beginning at:
12 RMB for the first 3 kilometers
with distance, waiting, long-distance and night charges applying according to the current tariff.
Use the official airport's approximate destination references where helpful and clearly treat them as estimates. Do not calculate an exact airport-to-hotel fare from the base-fare formula alone.
Late-Night Arrivals at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
Do not assume the metro or intercity railway will still be operating when a late international flight clears immigration and baggage claim.
After normal rail hours, the practical options are usually:
- official taxi
- DiDi or another licensed ride-hailing service
- pre-booked private transfer
- airport bus where a current route serves your destination
Baiyun Airport operates overnight airport-bus services on selected routes, including services toward central Guangzhou and Tianhe.
Routes and departure times change.
Check the current Baiyun Airport Express information for your arrival date rather than relying on an old timetable.
Which Guangzhou Airport Transfer Fits Your Trip?
Choose Metro Line 3 if
- You arrive at T1 or T2
- Rail service is operating
- Your luggage is manageable
- Your hotel is convenient from the metro
- Low cost matters more than door-to-door convenience
Choose Guangdong Intercity Rail if
- You arrive at T3
- Your destination works well with the intercity network
- You are heading toward Tianhe, Pazhou, Panyu or another connected area
- You are comfortable making the final local connection
Choose an Official Taxi if
- You want a direct ride
- You are comfortable joining the airport taxi queue
- You can show the destination in Chinese
- You do not need pickup arranged before landing
Choose DiDi if
- You prefer entering the destination digitally
- You are comfortable using a ride-hailing app
- You can follow the designated airport pickup instructions
- You want an estimated price before pickup
Choose a Private Transfer if
- You want the pickup arranged before arrival
- You have children, senior travelers or several bags
- You are traveling in a larger group
- You arrive very late
- You have business meetings or additional stops
- You want the airport transfer to continue into a longer vehicle service
Want your airport pickup arranged before you arrive?
See Guangzhou Private Driver Service
View airport, business and flexible day-hire vehicle options.
Airport Transfer to Popular Guangzhou Areas
The most practical transfer depends on your final district and terminal.
| Destination | Practical options |
|---|---|
| Tianhe / Tiyu Xilu | T1/T2 Line 3; T3 intercity + local connection; taxi, DiDi or private transfer |
| Guangzhou East Railway Station | T1/T2 Line 3; T3 rail connection + onward transport; road transfer |
| Zhujiang New Town | Rail + metro connection, or direct road transfer |
| Beijing Road / Yuexiu | Metro connection, airport bus where convenient, or direct road transfer |
| Pazhou / Canton Fair area | Intercity / metro depending on terminal and route, or direct road transfer |
| Guangzhou South Railway Station | Intercity / metro connection depending on terminal, or direct road transfer |
| Hotel with several large bags | Taxi, DiDi or private transfer |
Going Directly to the Canton Fair?
Airport-to-Pazhou transportation is covered here only at a basic level.
Exhibition days create additional questions such as:
- Canton Fair venue entrance - registration timing - luggage - traffic - hotel location - waiting vehicle - return schedule
Those will be covered in a dedicated Canton Fair Transportation Guide when published. This airport guide does not replace that page.
Payment, Apps and Practical Arrival Tips
Save the destination in Chinese
Keep your hotel or destination's Chinese name and full address on your phone.
This is useful when taking a taxi.
Use DiDi for digital destination entry
DiDi allows the destination to be entered in the app and provides vehicle / license-plate information after a driver accepts.
Do not assume the driver speaks English.
Set up Alipay before arrival
International travelers can use Alipay for many transportation and payment functions in Guangzhou.
Check the terminal before pickup
A pickup instruction for T1 is not the same as T2 or T3.
Always send:
- flight number
- arrival date
- terminal if known
For a pre-arranged transfer, DragonTrail should verify the operating terminal from the flight information.
Use current airport signs
Taxi and ride-hailing pickup areas can change as Baiyun Airport continues adapting its three-terminal operation.
Follow current airport signs and app instructions.
What If You Are at the Wrong Terminal?
Baiyun Airport provides inter-terminal connections between T1, T2 and T3.
A free airport shuttle operates between the terminals, and rail connections are also available within the airport transport network.
Do not assume that walking between terminals is practical.
If you are departing:
check the correct terminal before leaving Guangzhou.
If you arrive at a different terminal than expected:
follow the airport's current transfer signs before arranging onward transportation.
Prefer to Arrange the Guangzhou Airport Pickup Before You Land?
DragonTrail can arrange a private vehicle and driver from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, with the vehicle matched to your group, luggage and onward schedule.
Airport pickup can also continue into business meetings, Canton Fair, company visits or additional stops when arranged in advance.
Private driver means vehicle + driver with DragonTrail English-language coordination. Licensed guiding and interpretation are separate services.
Guangzhou Airport Transfer FAQ
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport uses the code CAN. The airport now has three passenger terminals — T1, T2 and T3 — so check your terminal as well as the airport code before planning transportation.
- Yes, but the answer depends on the terminal. T1 connects directly with Airport South Station on Metro Line 3, while T2 connects with Airport North Station on Line 3. T3 has Baiyun Airport East intercity railway station and requires an additional connection if you specifically want Metro Line 3.
- From T1 or T2, Metro Line 3 provides a direct rail route toward Guangzhou East Railway Station and Tiyu Xilu, with current airport guidance giving roughly 35–40 minutes and about 7–8 RMB depending on the destination. From T3, Guangdong intercity rail is another useful option, including service toward Keyun Road.
- Baiyun Airport East Station is directly integrated with T3 and connects to the Guangdong intercity railway network. Taxi, DiDi, airport bus and private transfer are also available. If you specifically want Metro Line 3, an additional connection is required.
- Yes. International travelers can use ride-hailing services such as DiDi, and entering the destination digitally reduces the need to explain the address verbally. Follow the airport's designated ride-hailing pickup instructions for your terminal.
- Current Baiyun Airport guidance gives approximately 80–120 RMB to the Tianhe Sports Center area as a general reference. This is not a fixed fare. Guangzhou taxis are metered and the final price depends on distance, traffic, time of day and the current regulated fare structure.
- For many T1 and T2 travelers with manageable luggage, Line 3 is a convenient low-cost choice. T3 has a different rail setup, and travelers there should also consider the Guangdong intercity railway. Taxi, DiDi or private transfer may be simpler when door-to-door service matters.
- For a simple airport-to-hotel journey, an official taxi or DiDi may be sufficient. A pre-booked private transfer is more useful when you want pickup arranged before arrival, have several bags or a larger group, arrive late, or need additional stops.
- After normal rail service ends, use an official taxi, licensed ride-hailing service, pre-booked private transfer or a suitable airport night-bus route. Check the current Baiyun Airport transportation information because night-bus routes and schedules can change.
- Yes. A private vehicle can be booked for an airport pickup followed by meetings, exhibitions or other confirmed stops when the required service time and route are arranged in advance.
Official Transport References
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is adapting to its new three-terminal operation, and rail services, airline terminal assignments, pickup areas and bus schedules can change. Key information on this page was checked against current Guangzhou government, airport and transport sources.
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Guangzhou Municipal Government / Guangzhou International
- Guangzhou Municipal Transportation Bureau
- Guangzhou Metro
- Guangdong Intercity Railway
- Guangzhou Development and Reform Commission for taxi fare rules
Last checked: September 2026