Guangzhou Transportation Guide: Flight, Train, Metro

If you’re visiting Guangzhou for the first time, getting to and around Guangzhou is easier than you might expect. Most tourists will arrive at Baiyun International Airport and then get to the city center and explore the city by metro. For trips to nearby cities like Hong Kong or Shenzhen, the high-speed train is a convenient option.

Guangzhou has one of the most well-connected transportation networks in China. The airport, train stations, major attractions, and shopping districts are all easily accessible by metro, so most visitors won’t need to rent a car or take a taxi.

This guide helps you quickly figure out which transportation options are the fastest, most affordable, and best suited to your travel needs.

Main Transportation Options in Guangzhou at a Glance:

• Flights: The easiest way for international and domestic travelers to reach Guangzhou. Baiyun International Airport is one of the largest international aviation hubs in southern China.
• High-speed rail: The best option for traveling between Guangzhou and popular destinations such as Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Guilin, Changsha, and Kunming.
• Regular trains: Ideal options for budget travelers and those travelling to destinations that are not served by high-speed trains.
• Guangzhou Metro: The preferred optionto get around the city. The metro network has connected main destinations like airport, major train stations, Canton Tower, Chimelong, Beijing Road, the Canton Fair Exhibition Halls.
• Taxis / DiDi: A convenient choice for travelers withlarge or heavy luggage, families and those getting around at night.
• Buses: Guangzhou has an extensive bus network, but buses are generally slower than the metro.So, it is usually not recommended for tourists.
• Ferries: The mainway to travel to/from Hong Kong and cities along the Pearl River.

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• Fly to Guangzhou
• Get to Guangzhou By Train
• Guangzhou Ferry
• Intercity and Long-Distance Buses
• Travel to Hong Kong and Other Nearby Cities
• Getting Around Guangzhou
• Travel with China Xian Tour

Fly to Guangzhou: Baiyun International Airport Guide

Most international visitors arrive in Guangzhou via Baiyun International Airport (CAN), making it a backbone of Guangzhou transportation. As one of China’s three major international aviation hubs, the airport operates extensive air routes to destinations across China and around the world.

For international arrivals, the airport has a dedicated service center that offers a range of services including tourist information, transportation guidance, SIM card purchase, foreign currency exchange, ATM access, luggage storage, and dining options.

Besides, multilingual assistance and mobile payment support are provided to help first-timers start their trip more smoothly.

Baiyun International Airport is also an important port of entry for China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy.

Eligible travelers with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region can stay in Guangzhou and other applicable areas for up to 240 hours without obtaining a Chinese visa. This policy makes it easy for eligible travelers to plan a stopover tour of Guangzhou or attend the Canton Fair.

How to Get from Guangzhou Airport to City Center

Baiyun International Airport is about 35–40 km from major downtown areas such as Zhujiang New Town and Beijing Road. To travel from the airport to the city center, metro line 3 is the most recommended option for most travelers, as it is reliable and not affected by busy road traffic.

If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or with the elderly or children, taking a taxi or Didi is more convenient. Didi Chuxing app offers an English interface and supports various payment methods, including international bank cards and Alipay, so it is more user-friendly for overseas visitors.

The airport bus is suitable for travelers staying near the bus line stops.

Transportation Options	Travel Time	Cost	Recommendation Rate	Best For
Metro	40–60 min	Around CNY 7–10/USD 1–1.5	★★★★★	Most travelers
Taxi	30–50 min (longer during rush hour)	Around CNY 120–180/USD 17–25	★★★★	Families and groups
Didi	45–70 min	Usually slightly cheaper than a taxi	★★★★★	Independent travelers
Airport Bus	60–90 min	CNY 20–30/USD 3–4	★★★	Travelers staying near a bus stop

Get to Guangzhou by Train

Guangzhou has four major railway hubs and each serves different routes and is located in different areas of the city. So, choosing the right station can save you a lot of time.

1. Guangzhou South Railway Station

Guangzhou South is the largest high-speed rail hub in southern China and the main station for most travelers arriving in Guangzhou by high-speed train.

It operates high-speed trains to major destinations including Hong Kong West Kowloon, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Guilin, Changsha, Guiyang, Kunming, Nanning, and Wuhan, as well as longer-distance routes to cities such as Shanghai and Beijing.

4 metro lines (Lines 2, 7, 22 and Foshan Line 2) serve the train station, making it easy to reach popular areas and attractions around the city, such as Tianhe, Beijing Road, and Canton Tower.

2. Guangzhou Railway Station

Guangzhou Railway Station is one of the city’s oldest railway stations. Located in Yuexiu District, it’s only about 3 km from central Guangzhou, much closer than Guangzhou South Railway Station.

Currently, the station mainly serves Beijing–Guangzhou, Guiyang–Guangzhou, Nanning–Guangzhou, and Guangzhou–Shantou high-speed railway lines.

If you’re staying around Yuexiu District, Beijing Road, or Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street, it can be a much more convenient choice than Guangzhou South, saving you more travel time. Metro lines 2, 5 and 11 are available for tourists travelling from the station to other parts of the city.

3.  Guangzhou East Railway Station

Located in Tianhe District, Guangzhou East is a convenient choice for business travelers and visitors staying around Zhujiang New Town and the Tianhe CBD.

The station mainly operates high-speed trains to major cities including Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Changsha, as well as direct high-speed trains to Hong Kong West Kowloon. To get there, passengers can take metro line 1, 3, or 11.

4. Guangzhou North Railway Station

Located in Huadu District, Guangzhou North is the closest station to Baiyun International Airport. It mainly serves some high-speed trains and intercity trains.

For tourists who stay near the airport or need to catch an early-morning flight, Guangzhou North can be a convenient option. Otherwise, Guangzhou South or Guangzhou East are the preferred choices for most travelers.

As of July 2026, Guangzhou North also has direct bullet train services to Hong Kong West Kowloon, with a travel time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.

Metro Line 9 now serves the train station.

Guangzhou Ferry

Currently, Guangzhou has two main passenger ferry terminals:

• Pazhou Hong Kong–Macau Passenger Terminal: This is a designated port for China’s visa-free transit policylocated in the downtown area. It offers direct ferries to China Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong and Hong Kong International Airport.
• Nansha Port Passenger Terminal: From this terminal, passengers can take a ferry to Hong Kong (China Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong International Airport) and the Wanshan Archipelago near Zhuhai, including Dong’ao Island, Guishan Island, and Wailingding Island.

Intercity and Long-Distance Buses from Guangzhou

1. For tourists heading to another city first after landing at Baiyun Airport

Baiyun Airport offers several direct intercity bus routes to cities across Guangdong Province, including Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, and Qingyuan, etc. It is quite convenient for travelers who plan to visit nearby cities directly without a stopover at Guangzhou.

This direct bus service allows you to avoid an extra metro or high-speed rail transfer to downtown Guangzhou and get to your destination with less hassle.

2. For tourists who arrivelate at night or whose flight andtrain schedules don’t line up

Some airport intercity buses run till late at night. So even if your flight arrives in the evening, you may be able to head to a nearby city. This can also save you the cost of an extra night’s stay in Guangzhou.

The bus schedules vary, so remember to check the latest timetable in advance.

How to Travel From Guangzhou to Hong Kong and Other Cities in Greater Bay Area

Given Guangzhou’s proximity to these cities, many travelers combine Guangzhou with Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai in the same trip.

The extensive transport network in the Greater Bay Area offers great convenience for visitors to travel between these cities, and high-speed rail is usually the first option for most visitors.

Guangzhou to Hong Kong

For most travelers, the high-speed train is the most efficient and convenient way to travel from Guangzhou to Hong Kong because of its fast speed and convenient customs procedures.

About 60 trains run from 06:30 to 21:30 every day and take passengers directly to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station. The travel time is about 50 minutes–1 hour 15 minutes from Guangzhou South, and about 1 hour 35 minutes–1 hour 55 minutes from Guangzhou East. A second-class seat costs about CNY 185–215/USD 26–30.

Transportation Options	Travel Time	Cost	Recommendation Rate
High-speed train	Around 1–1.5 hours	About CNY 185–215/USD 26–30	★★★★★
Flight	3–5 hours (including check-in)	About CNY 1,000–2,500/USD 138–345	★★☆☆☆
Cross-border bus	2–3 hours	About CNY 80–110/USD 11–15	★★★☆☆
Ferry	Around 2 hours	About CNY 200–280/USD 28–39	★★★☆☆

Tip: If you’re heading directly to Hong Kong International Airport for a flight, the ferry is also worth considering. It can take you to the Hong Kong Airport’s SkyPier Terminal directly. Also, passengers can skip Hong Kong entry procedures and check luggage through to the destination.

Guangzhou to Shenzhen

With an interval of 10 minutes, the high-speed trains and intercity trains between Guangzhou and Shenzhen are as frequent as buses.

The journey from Guangzhou South to Shenzhen North takes only around 30–40 minutes and costs about CNY 75/USD 10, making a Shenzhen day trip from Guangzhou quite popular.

If you’re staying in Tianhe District, Guangzhou East can be a more convenient option. Metro lines 1, 3 and 5 all can take you to the train station directly. The trains from Guangzhou East to Shenzhen take around 50–60 minutes.

Guangzhou to Zhuhai and Macau

To get to Zhuhai, taking a high-speed train to Zhuhai Railway Station is the easiest way. The journey takes about one hour and costs about CNY 70/USD 10. The station is also right next to Gongbei Port, where you can cross the border into Macau on foot directly.

For first-timers to Macau, this is generally one of the simplest ways to get there from Guangzhou.

Getting Around Guangzhou: Metro Is Your Best Option

1. Metro

Guangzhou’s metro network connects most major attractions, shopping areas, and transportation hubs, making it one of the most convenient ways to explore Guangzhou. Also, it offers frequent, reliable service without being affected by traffic jams. So it is the most recommended way to get around during your travel in Guangzhou.

Which popular sites and attractions can you reach by metro?

• Canton Tower
• Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
• Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street
• Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
• Chimelong Tourist Resort
• Baiyun International Airport
• Canton Fair Exhibition Complex (Pazhou)
• Guangzhou South Railway Station

For international visitors attending the Canton Fair, you can take metro line 3 from Baiyun International Airport to Kecun and transfer to line 8 to Pazhou to arrive at the Exhibition Hall.

During the Canton Fair, additional metro services are often added, and English signage makes it easier for overseas visitors to get around.

Taxis may be more convenient, but traffic around Pazhou can be particularly heavy and fares may increase correspondingly during the Canton Fair.

Metro Fares and Operating Hours

• Starting fare: CNY 2/USD 0.3
• Most trips within the city: CNY 3–8/USD 0.5–1
• Operating Hours: around 06:00–23:00, vary slightly by line

Metro stations in Guangzhou have signage and announcements in both Chinese and English, so international visitors can navigate easily.

2. Taxis and Didi

While the Guangzhou Metro is usually the best way to get around, there are times when taking a taxi or Didi is more convenient.

Taxis

Taxis are widely available in Guangzhou. At the airport, major railway stations, and popular business areas, there are usually designated taxi stands. It is particularly convenient for families, travelers with large luggage, and tourists arriving at late night.

Didi

For international visitors, Didi is one of the easiest ways to get a ride in Guangzhou, because it offers an English interface and accepts international bank cards. Besides, travelers can use the mini-program directly through Alipay or WeChat, without having to download an additional metro app.

3. Buses

The extensive bus network in Guangzhou covers almost every part of the city. However, it is prone to traffic congestion and has relatively complicated routes, so buses are generally not the first choice for most tourists.

For areas that aren’t directly served by the metro, the bus can be a supplementary option.

How Can Foreign Visitors Pay for Public Transportation in Guangzhou?

International travelers have several options for paying for public transport, including:

• One-way metro tickets purchased at the ticket machine
• Guangzhou transport card Yang Cheng Tong
• Alipay or WeChat transport codes
• Contactless international bank cards (only at supported metro gates)
• NFC mobile payments (depending on your phone and bank card)
• Designated cross-border e-wallets (such as AlipayHK and MPay)

Explore Guangzhou in a Hassle-Free Way with China Xian Tour

After learning about the transportation means in Guangzhou, you may start to plan your Guangzhou trip. For tourists who worry about hotel and ticket booking, language barriers, and transfers, joining a guided tour is a worry-free option.

China Xian Tour, as an experienced travel agency, is always ready to offer help. Our travel experts can customize a trip based on your interests and needs, and handle all the logistics to ensure you can completely enjoy the trip. Just contact us now.