Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Metro — Line 3 Guide
Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou city — Updated 2026
Guangzhou Metro Line 3 connects Baiyun Airport (CAN) directly to the city for ¥10. Both terminals have a station — Airport North (T2) and Airport South (T1). The journey is 45 minutes to Tianhe CBD (Tiyu Xilu) and 50 minutes to Guangzhou South Railway, where you can transfer to the Vibrant Express bullet train for a 47-minute ride to Hong Kong West Kowloon. Line 3 is the cheapest and most reliable way into the Greater Bay Area.
Metro Line 3 — key stops
| Station | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport North (CAN T2) | 0 min | Terminal 2 — most international + China Southern |
| Airport South (CAN T1) | +3 min | Terminal 1 — domestic + some international |
| Renhe | ~10 min | Northern suburbs |
| Jiahewanggang | ~20 min | Transfer to Line 14 + 2 |
| Tianhe Coach Terminal | ~32 min | Coach hub to PRD cities |
| Tiyu Xilu | ~45 min | CBD — Tianhe shopping district, Lines 1 + 3 |
| Zhujiang New Town | ~48 min | Lujiazui-style CBD — Canton Tower, IFC |
| Guangzhou South Railway | ~50 min | High-speed rail to Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Wuhan |
Book a transfer or rental from Guangzhou
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Things to do in Guangzhou
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Flights to Guangzhou (CAN)
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Metro vs Taxi vs Didi
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 3 (direct) | ¥10 | 45 min to CBD | Cheapest + reliable — one transfer max |
| High-speed rail (CAN → city) | ¥30–50 | 15–25 min | Faster but limited departures |
| Taxi metered | ¥120–180 | 30–50 min | Door to door, late at night |
| Didi (ride-hail) | ¥110–170 | 30–50 min | English app, no language barrier |
| Airport Express bus | ¥18–30 | 60–90 min | Multiple lines to different districts |
FAQ
Where is the Guangzhou Metro Line 3 inside Baiyun Airport (CAN)?+
There are two stations: Airport North (机场北) serves Terminal 2 (most international flights, China Southern, SkyTeam carriers). Airport South (机场南) serves Terminal 1. Both stations are on Line 3 — follow purple line signs in arrivals. From Terminal 2 it is a 5-minute walk via the underground concourse to the station. The line runs every 4–8 minutes from 06:10 to 23:30.
How long does it take from CAN to Guangzhou city centre?+
About 45 minutes to Tiyu Xilu in Tianhe district (the CBD shopping area), 48 minutes to Zhujiang New Town (the modern CBD with Canton Tower and IFC). The Line 3 train runs at ~80 km/h underground but makes 12+ stops, so the journey is steady rather than fast. If you are staying in Yuexiu (Old Guangzhou), allow 60 minutes including a transfer at Tiyu Xilu to Line 1.
Can I take the Guangzhou-Hong Kong high-speed train from the airport?+
Not directly. You need to take Metro Line 3 to Guangzhou South Railway Station (广州南站) — 50 minutes from the airport — then board the Vibrant Express to Hong Kong West Kowloon (47 minutes, ¥260+). The Vibrant Express runs 12+ daily departures and is the fastest CAN → Hong Kong option (total ~2.5 hours including immigration). Faster than flying for door-to-door.
Is there an "Airport Express" line in Guangzhou?+
No dedicated airport express like Hong Kong or Beijing — Metro Line 3 IS the airport line, and it is well-engineered for the route. The trains are wider than standard with luggage racks. If you want premium speed, the only faster option is high-speed rail from Guangzhou North Railway Station, which has 8 daily services to nearby PRD cities. Most travellers just take Line 3.
How do I pay for the Guangzhou Metro?+
Three options: (1) Yang Cheng Tong (羊城通) — Guangzhou public transit card, ¥10–30 deposit, top up at any station. (2) Alipay or WeChat Pay QR code at the gate — the easiest if you have a Chinese mobile pay setup. (3) Single-trip token at the vending machine — accepts cash, mobile pay, and most foreign cards (Visa/Mastercard work at vending machines, NOT at gates). The Metro and Maglev across China use similar systems.
How do I get to Foshan, Shenzhen, or Hong Kong from CAN?+
Foshan: Line 3 south to Lijiao, transfer to Foshan Metro. ~90 min, ¥14. Shenzhen: Line 3 to Guangzhou South, then high-speed rail to Shenzhen Bei (¥75, 32 min) or Shenzhen Futian (¥75, 35 min). Total ~2 hours. Hong Kong: Same path — Guangzhou South → Vibrant Express to Hong Kong West Kowloon (¥260, 47 min). Total CAN to Hong Kong CBD: ~2.5 hours including transfers and immigration.
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