Guangzhou Airport (CAN) Guide – Terminals, Transport & Arrivals/Departures
Complete guide to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN). Includes terminal maps, transport options (metro, taxi, buses), arrivals/departures info, and Hong Kong transit tips.
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About Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) is China’s third-busiest airport, sitting 28km north of downtown. It’s massive, with two terminals (T1 and T2) 3km apart. T1 handles most international flights, while T2 is China Southern’s hub. Pro tip: Double-check your terminal – missing it means a 15-min shuttle ride.
Detail | Info |
IATA Code | CAN |
Name | Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport (广州白云国际机场) |
Location | Huadu District, 28km north of Guangzhou city center |
Terminals | T1: Int'l & some domestic (Delta, Emirates) T2: Mostly domestic (China Southern, Hainan) |
Guangzhou Airport Departure & Arrival Guide
Credit: china airline travel, Guangzhou Airport Departure (International)
Credit: china airline travel, Guangzhou Airport Arrival (International)
Key Step | Domestic | International |
Check-in closes | ~45 mins before flight | ~50+ mins before flight |
Security | No immigration, just ID + scan; 2F (T1/T2) – liquids ≤100ml | Passport check + customs declaration; 3F (T1) – laptops out, no power banks in checked bags |
Boarding starts | 30 mins before | Same, but expect extra document checks |
Baggage claim | 1F, follow flight screens | 1F, clear customs first (green/red channel) |
Guangzhou Airport Departures
- Domestic flights: Check-in opens ~2 hours before, closes 45 mins before takeoff. Security lines get long—move fast.
- International flights: Give yourself 3 hours. Immigration + customs can take a while. Boarding starts ~30-40 mins before departure.
Guangzhou Airport Arrivals
- Domestic: Grab bags at 1F (T1/T2), exit to taxis/metro.
- International: Clear immigration first (have visa/QR code ready), then baggage claim. Customs is quick if you’ve got nothing to declare.
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Guangzhou Airport Terminal Layout & Map
Credit: china airline travel
Guangzhou Airport - Terminal Floor Breakdown
Floor | T1 | T2 |
Top | 3F: Check-in, security | 4F: Check-in, bag drop |
Middle | 2F: Food, toilets | 3F: Gates B150-B170 (quiet zone) |
Ground | 1F: Transport, lost & found | 1F: Metro, taxis, bus station |
Free shuttle buses run every ~10 mins between T1 (Gate A10) and T2 (West Transport Center). Takes 15 mins—factor this in if transferring!
Guangzhou Airport - Terminal 1 Layout
- 3F: This is where you check in. All airlines except China Southern use this floor. Security lines get long - come early.
- 2F: After landing, you'll get your bags here. There's KFC and some Chinese food spots if you're hungry.
- 1F: Need a taxi or bus? Go here. Metro station is right outside.
Guangzhou Airport - Terminal 2 Layout
- 4F: Only China Southern flights check in here. They've got those self-service machines if you don't have bags.
- 3F: This is where you go through security to your gate. The China Southern lounge is here if you're flying business.
- 1F: Taxis wait outside. Metro entrance is easy to find. Some hotel shuttles pick up here too.
My hack: Free airport Wi-Fi (connect to "AIRPORT-FREE-WIFI") – use WeChat to verify. Charging stations near Gates A113 (T1) and B170 (T2).
How to Get from Guangzhou Airport to City
Credit: Wikipedia
Check the 5 main ways to get from Guangzhou Airport to downtown:
Method | Cost | Time | Where to Find |
Metro Line 3 | ¥7-10 | 45 mins | B1 floor (T1/T2) → Ends at Tiyu Xilu |
Taxi | ¥120-150 | 40 mins | 1F exits (T1: A7/B3; T2: Gate 51) |
Airport Bus | ¥20-35 | 60-90 mins | T1: A10/B11; T2: West Transport Center |
Didi (Ride-hail) | ¥100+ | 40 mins | Use Didi app (pickup at 1F) |
1. Metro (Cheap & Reliable)
Take Line 3 from the airport. Costs about ¥10, takes 45 minutes to central stations like Tiyu Xilu. Runs from 6am to 11:30pm. Find it on B1 level in both terminals.
2. Taxi (Easiest Option)
Official taxis cost ¥120-150 to downtown. At T1, find them at Exit A7/B3. At T2, go to Exit 51. Takes 40 minutes unless there's bad traffic.
3. Airport Buses (Good for Hotels)
Buses cost ¥20-35 and go to different parts of the city. At T1, look for stops near Exit A10/B11. At T2, go to West Transport Center. Takes about an hour.
4. Didi (Like Uber)
Download the Didi app. Usually costs about ¥100 to downtown. Pickup is at 1F in both terminals. Sometimes cheaper than taxis.
5. Renting a Car
If you really need one, rental counters are in Arrivals at CAN terminals. Book on Trip.com for 8% discount. Most cars are manual - automatics cost extra.
Car Rentals
Car Rental Promo Code - 8% Off
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[8% Off] Hotels Near Guangzhou Airport with Pick-up
Stuck overnight? You may need a quick stay near the airport. Many CAN nearby hotels on Trip.com offer shuttle services, and new users on Trip.com can get an 8% discount coupon for nearby stays. Popular options include:
No. 13, Longxi Village, Aigang Village
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Building 2, No. 10-1 Konggang Avenue, Huadong Town, Huadu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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No. 1, Lane 11, Shizikan Village, Aigang, Renhe Town, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
How to Get from Hong Kong Airport to Guangzhou
No direct flights? I recommend to use train or ferry from HK to Gunagzhou. The ferry’s fastest but pricey. Buses are cheaper but traffic sucks. Here’s how to go:
- Ferry + Bus: HK Airport → SkyPier ferry to Humen Port (2hrs, ¥300) → Bus to Guangzhou CBD.
- Bus: HK Airport → Cross-boundary coaches to Guangzhou (4hrs, ¥250).
- Train: MTR to West Kowloon → High-speed rail to Guangzhou South (1hr, ¥215) → Metro to city.
Guangzhou Airport Lounges, Facilities & Food
Credit: priority pass
Guangzhou Airport - Lounges
- T1: SkyTeam Lounge (Gate A1, Priority Pass)
- T2: China Southern Lounge (Gate B160, biz/first class)
Guangzhou Airport - Food (&Cheap Eats)
- T1: Lanzhou Lamian (¥35 noodles, Gate A5)
- T2: Baiyun Snack Street (local dim sum, 3F)
Guangzhou Airport - Facilities
- Free showers (T1 Gate B2; T2 Gate B260)
- Nap pods (¥60/hr near Gate A9, T1)
- 24hr Starbucks (T1 Arrivals)
- Wi-Fi: Connect to "AIRPORT-FREE-WIFI" – requires Chinese number or passport scan.
What to Prepare for a Trip to China?
- Visa & Entry Tips China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy now covers 54 countries, incl. the US, UK, Canada, and Brazil, allowing up to 10 days during layovers. Learn more about China Entry Tips to land in China easily.
- Getting Connected VPNs are vital for accessing Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc in China. Set one up before arriving. China eSIMs are the easiest option for data and bypassing restrictions. Pocket Wi-Fi devices work best for group but are pricier and require pickup/return.
- Money Exchange & Tax Refunds Exchange money in China banks (better rates than airports). ATMs accept foreign cards, but notify your bank first. For tax refunds, spend over ¥500 at stores with a "Tax-Free" sign. Keep receipts and get forms stamped at customs before departure.
Must-Have Apps in China
- China Payment Apps Forget cash. Chinese use Alipay (I like it better) or WeChat Pay to pay for everything in China. Scan a QR code at noodle stalls, metros, even temples. Link your foreign Visa/Mastercard before landing.
- China Map Apps Amap (Gaode Map) & Baidu Map (limited English) is what locals use, with real-time navigation, metro/bus routes, and traffic updates. Apple Maps does a good job too if you're already an IOS user.
- China Transport Apps Street taxis are cheap, but drivers rarely speak English. Use China Taxi App like DiDi (China’s Uber)—set your destination in English, pay by Alipay.
- China Travel Apps 15+ China trips taught me: Use Trip.com. It's the best English app for booking China trains/flights/hotels + finds Trip.com deals.
- China Dating Apps Locals use Tantan (China’s Tinder) and Momo. WeChat’s “People Nearby” works too, but expect language barriers unless your Mandarin’s decent.
- China Food App Use Meituan (also helps find nearby restaurants) or Ele.me for food delivery—both have English mode. No English menu in restaurants? Scan the QR with Alipay's translator.
FAQs about Guangzhou Airport
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What is the name of the airport in Guangzhou?
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