Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA: CAN) is southern China’s biggest hub, handling over 70 million passengers a year and serving as a key entry point for visitors arriving via Guangzhou before heading to Shenzhen, Hong Kong, or further into the Pearl River Delta. It’s well organized, has strong metro connections, and if you know how it works you can move through efficiently. What trips people up is the two-terminal layout and figuring out whether you actually need to enter Guangzhou at all.
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Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2
Baiyun has two main passenger terminals handling different airlines:
Terminal 1 (T1) is the original, larger building handling most domestic flights and some international routes. China Southern (CAN’s home carrier), China Eastern domestic, Xiamen Airlines, and many regional carriers operate from here.
Terminal 2 (T2) opened in 2018 and handles international long-haul flights and some key domestic routes. Most European, North American, and Asian international carriers arrive into T2, which is also where you’ll find the newer, more modern customs and immigration facilities.
The two terminals are connected by a free APM (Automated People Mover) — an automated light rail that runs every few minutes and covers the distance in about 8–10 minutes. If you need to transfer between them (say, clearing international immigration at T2 and catching a domestic flight at T1), it’s straightforward once you know the APM exists. Just follow the transfer signs after clearing customs.
Immigration and Arrival
At T2, international arrivals follow the standard route: immigration (bring landing card — staff hand these out on the plane), baggage claim, customs. Foreign passport immigration queues can take 20–45 minutes depending on when your flight arrives. Several European morning flights arrive at roughly the same time, which can stack up.
If you’re using Guangzhou for the 144-hour transit visa-free program, Baiyun is a qualifying port — but confirm that your entry/exit airports fit the required itinerary pairing before you fly.
Getting to Guangzhou City
Metro Lines 3 and 18
This is the best way into the city. Metro Line 3 connects Baiyun Airport (North Station and South Station at T1 and T2 respectively) to central Guangzhou — specifically Tianhe District, the main business and hotel area. The journey to Tianhe South Station takes about 45–50 minutes and costs ¥9–¥12. Line 3 is fast, frequent (every 3–5 minutes during peak hours), and connects to the rest of the metro network.
Metro Line 18 is newer and faster, connecting the airport to the Pearl River New Town area (Guangzhou’s modern CBD) in around 30 minutes. If you’re heading to hotels in Zhujiang New Town or need to connect to Guangzhou South Railway Station quickly, Line 18 is the better option.
Both lines depart from underground stations directly accessible from the terminal buildings — follow the metro signs from baggage claim level.
Taxis
Metered taxis from Baiyun Airport to central Guangzhou (Tianhe, Yuexiu, Liwan districts) typically cost ¥70–¥110 and take 30–50 minutes depending on traffic. The legitimate taxi queue is outside arrivals at both terminals. Drivers should use the meter without being asked — if one doesn’t want to, find another.
DiDi works well at Baiyun. Go to the designated ride-hailing pickup zone (well marked), book on the app, and wait. Prices are typically similar to or slightly below metered taxis.
Airport Bus
Multiple coach routes serve different parts of Guangzhou and some neighboring cities. Fares are ¥20–¥35. Useful if you’re heading somewhere not well-covered by metro.
Getting to Shenzhen or Hong Kong from the Airport
This is one of Baiyun’s most useful features — you can go directly from Guangzhou Airport to both Shenzhen and Hong Kong without entering Guangzhou city at all.
To Shenzhen
Airport bus routes connect Baiyun to various Shenzhen districts (Futian, Luohu, Bao’an) in around 1.5–2 hours costing ¥80–¥100. These run regularly throughout the day.
Alternatively, take the metro to Guangzhou South Railway Station (connecting via Line 3 and changing at Jinan University or Guangzhou South), then take a high-speed train to Shenzhen. The HSR from Guangzhou South to Shenzhen North takes 29–35 minutes and runs dozens of times daily.
To Hong Kong
Direct coaches run from Baiyun Airport to several Hong Kong destinations including Hong Kong International Airport itself, Hung Hom, and Mong Kok. The journey takes 2–3 hours (including border crossing) and costs ¥180–¥280. This is genuinely useful if you’re flying into Guangzhou and have an onward flight from Hong Kong.
The high-speed rail option: metro to Guangzhou South, then the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link to West Kowloon Station. Guangzhou South to West Kowloon is 48 minutes and the full trip from the airport (including metro connection) takes about 1.5 hours total.
Practical Notes
SIM cards are available in the arrivals hall from all three major carriers. Pick one up here — it makes everything else easier.
Currency: ATMs and exchange counters are well-placed in arrivals. Rates are reasonable; no need to change money before arriving.
Canton Fair seasons: If you’re arriving during the Canton Fair (April-May and October-November), the airport will be significantly busier and taxis/hotel availability tighter. Book everything in advance and allow extra time for airport transfers.
Luggage storage is available at both terminals for around ¥30–¥50 per day — useful if you want to explore Guangzhou before checking in to your hotel.