Located on the Pearl River, Guangzhou has a fascinating maritime legacy of over 2,000 years old. Known for its big port, Guangzhou is China’s primary transport and trading hub; the port was also one of the starting points of the very famous old Silk Road. Today Guangzhou boasts a vibrant Downtown area, delicious cuisine, stunning scenery and the famous Cantonese Opera house.
So when visiting this wonderful city, you will be landing at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, and when making your way from Guangzhou airport to the city, you have three transportation options; you can take a taxi, metro or bus. Taking a taxi or private transfer when arriving in a new city is always a great option. They are available 24/7 and provide safe and reliable door-to-door transportation, getting you to your Guangzhou hotel in just 30 minutes. You can take the metro or bus for a more cost-savvy travel alternative; a direct metro, Line 3, travels between the airport and the city centre, taking just 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take one of the many bus lines that travel to and from Downtown; all have different travel times, but on average take 1 hour.
4 options to go from Guangzhou Airport to city center
Please be aware that many bus lines operate from Guangzhou airport to the city centre, and all have different ticket prices, travel times and bus stops in Downtown Guangzhou.
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How to get from Guangzhou Baiyun airport to City Centre by taxi
The easiest and most comfortable way to get from Guangzhou airport to the city centre is by taking a cab – especially if travelling with children and/or heavy luggage. Taxis are available 24/7 and only take 30 minutes to reach your Guangzhou accommodation.
Taxi fare from Guangzhou Baiyun airport to the city of Guangzhou
Taxis in Guangzhou calculate their fares using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled to your exact location. Your 30-minute taxi ride from Baiyun airport to the city should cost around €17 (CNY 120), traffic dependant.
You can find the official taxi ranks at Guangzhou airport at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2’s main exit doors. Door 50 for domestic arrivals and Door 52 for international arrivals.
Convenience
Discovering a new city can always be stressful, especially if you are travelling late at night and with children. For that reason, it is highly recommended to take a Guangzhou airport taxi. Guangzhou cabs are reliable and safe and ensure the best door-to-door services.
However, if you prefer to travel with a premium private transfer company, at a fixed rate and with an English-speaking driver, it is highly recommended to pre-book your ride with Welcome.
Useful Tips
It is highly recommended to use an official taxi; you can spot them as the taxi company logo is on the side of the vehicle.
Ensure your taxi driver has turned on and reset their taximeter before starting your journey.
Tipping your Guangzhou cab driver is not required, but it is always appreciated. Most travellers round up their end fare to the nearest yuan.
How to get from Guangzhou Baiyun airport to City Centre by metro
For travellers on a budget, a fast and direct option for your Guangzhou airport transportation to the city is the metro line 3, which takes around 30 minutes to reach downtown.
How much is a metro ticket from Baiyun airport to the city?
A one-way metro ticket from Guangzhou airport to the city centre costs €0.70 (CNY 5). You can purchase your tickets directly at the station’s ticket vending machines.
Cost
€0.70 (CNY 5)
Trip Duration
30 Min.
The metro leaves the airport every 7 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The metro is available daily from 06:00 to 23:15.
Where do I get the metro from?
You can find the metro station directly below Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport’s terminal building.
Convenience
Taking the metro from Baiyun International Airport to the city centre is an excellent travel option. The metro ensures the cheapest transportation whilst providing frequent and direct trips. However, once you have reached the city centre, you will have to find an alternative way to get to your hotel.
Useful Tips
The metro line is orange, and the Downtown stops are Tiyu Xi Road in Tianhe District and LinheXi.
The metro line 3 connects to the blue line 2, allowing for an easy transfer to other areas.
How to get from Guangzhou Baiyun airport to City Centre by bus
Many bus lines operate to and from Guangzhou airport to the city centre, stopping at various areas in and around downtown Guangzhou. Moreover, depending on the bus line you choose to take, travel time varies from 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes.
How much is a bus ticket from Guangzhou International Airport to Downtown?
As there are many shuttle bus lines from Guangzhou airport, prices vary depending on the bus you take. On average, a one-way ticket costs €3.50 (CNY 25).
You can purchase your tickets at the airport’s ticket counters at Gates A5 to A10.
Cost
€3.50 (CNY 25)
Trip Duration
1 hour
The buses leave the airport every 15 minutes on average.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The first bus is available at 06:45 and the last bus terminates at 01:00.
Where do I get the bus from?
You can find the airport bus stops outside Guangzhou airport’s main arrival exit doors at Terminal 1: Gate A1-A2, Gate A3-A4, Gate A5-A6, Gate B11-B13 and Terminal 2: In the west of the Passenger Transportation Centre.
Convenience
As many shuttle buses are available from Guangzhou airport to the city centre, there is always a bus leaving the airport, making this option convenient once you are ready to head downtown. However, some buses take a long time to get to the city centre, and you will have to find your way to your hotel afterwards, which can be tedious if you have heavy luggage.
Useful Tips
You can purchase your bus tickets at the airport' bus ticket counters.
It is recommended to have a bus map in Chinese on you, as most bus drivers don't speak English.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the distance from Baiyun airport to the city of Guangzhou?
Baiyun International Airport is located 35 km away from downtown; it takes 30 minutes to reach by car or a Guangzhou taxi.
What’s the cost of a taxi from Guangzhou airport to the city?
Taxis in Guangzhou calculate their fares using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled. Your 30-minute airport taxi ride from Guangzhou Airport to the city should cost around €17 (CNY 120), traffic dependant.
How do I get from Guangzhou airport to the city centre?
There are three transportation options when travelling from Guangzhou airport to the city centre; you can take a taxi which takes 30 minutes, the metro, which also takes 30 minutes, or one of the many shuttle buses, which take on average 1 hour to reach downtown.
The easiest and most comfortable way to get from Guangzhou airport to the city centre is by taking a cab – especially if travelling with children and/or heavy luggage. Taxis are available 24/7 and only take 30 minutes to reach your Guangzhou accommodation.
Taxi fare from Guangzhou Baiyun airport to the city of Guangzhou
Taxis in Guangzhou calculate their fares using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled to your exact location. Your 30-minute taxi ride from Baiyun airport to the city should cost around €17 (CNY 120), traffic dependant.
Nevertheless, if you wish to travel at a fixed rate with a local English-speaking taxi driver, you can pre-book your Guangzhou private transfer with Welcome Pickups.
Where do I get a taxi from?
You can find the official taxi ranks at Guangzhou airport at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2’s main exit doors. Door 50 for domestic arrivals and Door 52 for international arrivals.
Convenience
Discovering a new city can always be stressful, especially if you are travelling late at night and with children. For that reason, it is highly recommended to take a Guangzhou airport taxi. Guangzhou cabs are reliable and safe and ensure the best door-to-door services.
However, if you prefer to travel with a premium private transfer company, at a fixed rate and with an English-speaking driver, it is highly recommended to pre-book your ride with Welcome.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreFor travellers on a budget, a fast and direct option for your Guangzhou airport transportation to the city is the metro line 3, which takes around 30 minutes to reach downtown.
How much is a metro ticket from Baiyun airport to the city?
A one-way metro ticket from Guangzhou airport to the city centre costs €0.70 (CNY 5). You can purchase your tickets directly at the station’s ticket vending machines.
The metro is available daily from 06:00 to 23:15.
Where do I get the metro from?
You can find the metro station directly below Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport’s terminal building.
Convenience
Taking the metro from Baiyun International Airport to the city centre is an excellent travel option. The metro ensures the cheapest transportation whilst providing frequent and direct trips. However, once you have reached the city centre, you will have to find an alternative way to get to your hotel.
Useful Tips
Many bus lines operate to and from Guangzhou airport to the city centre, stopping at various areas in and around downtown Guangzhou. Moreover, depending on the bus line you choose to take, travel time varies from 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes.
How much is a bus ticket from Guangzhou International Airport to Downtown?
As there are many shuttle bus lines from Guangzhou airport, prices vary depending on the bus you take. On average, a one-way ticket costs €3.50 (CNY 25).
You can purchase your tickets at the airport’s ticket counters at Gates A5 to A10.
The first bus is available at 06:45 and the last bus terminates at 01:00.
Where do I get the bus from?
You can find the airport bus stops outside Guangzhou airport’s main arrival exit doors at Terminal 1: Gate A1-A2, Gate A3-A4, Gate A5-A6, Gate B11-B13 and Terminal 2: In the west of the Passenger Transportation Centre.
Convenience
As many shuttle buses are available from Guangzhou airport to the city centre, there is always a bus leaving the airport, making this option convenient once you are ready to head downtown. However, some buses take a long time to get to the city centre, and you will have to find your way to your hotel afterwards, which can be tedious if you have heavy luggage.
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
What’s the distance from Baiyun airport to the city of Guangzhou?
Baiyun International Airport is located 35 km away from downtown; it takes 30 minutes to reach by car or a Guangzhou taxi.
What’s the cost of a taxi from Guangzhou airport to the city?
Taxis in Guangzhou calculate their fares using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled. Your 30-minute airport taxi ride from Guangzhou Airport to the city should cost around €17 (CNY 120), traffic dependant.
How do I get from Guangzhou airport to the city centre?
There are three transportation options when travelling from Guangzhou airport to the city centre; you can take a taxi which takes 30 minutes, the metro, which also takes 30 minutes, or one of the many shuttle buses, which take on average 1 hour to reach downtown.
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