# Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

> Guangzhou, CN · 28 km (17 mi) north of central Guangzhou

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/can
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/can.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: CAN
- **ICAO**: ZGGG
- **Timezone**: Asia/Shanghai
- **Runways**: 3
- **Terminals**: 3
- **Passengers**: 60.7M/yr
- **Worldwide rank**: #11
- **Hub for**: China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, FedEx Express, 9 Air
- **Official site**: https://www.gbiac.com/

## Overview

## Welcome

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) is a sprawling mega-hub that seamlessly integrates the hustle of a bustling city with pockets of suburbia. Located 28 kilometers north of downtown Guangzhou, this airport is a unique mix of chaos and calm. With the Metro Line 3 station directly under Terminal 1, you can quickly dive into one of its suburban-like retreats, enjoying hot pot restaurants and big-box Chinese retail without leaving the premises.

## At a glance

Handling over 60.7 million passengers annually, CAN is a critical hub for airlines like China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines. Housing three terminals and boasting three runways, the airport connects travelers to domestic and international destinations efficiently yet with the frequent chaos of long queues and unexpected delays. Despite the bustling environment, wisps of local culture and cuisine await those who take a moment to explore.

## Terminals & layout

The airport comprises three terminals: T1, T2, and T3. Terminal 1 is home to carriers like Air China and Shenzhen Airlines, offering a mix of domestic and international flights. In Terminal 2, you find China Southern Airlines and 9 Air, along with an extensive network of lounges catering to the various airlines. Terminal 3 is currently less detailed, but it's set to ease the load from the other terminals as traffic grows. Signage can be inconsistent, and patience is needed for navigation, particularly as English translations may be lacking.

## Getting to and from the city

For reliable and cost-effective transit, the Metro Line 3 from Terminal 1 offers a 45-55 minute journey into central Guangzhou with fares around ¥7-8. Alternatively, the Airport Express bus lines range from ¥18-35, with travel times heavily dictated by traffic. Taxis and rideshares like Didi Chuxing are available, but expect to spend ¥120-180 and around 35-70 minutes fighting traffic. Private car hire can be pre-booked for ¥300-500, offering a more personalized experience.

## Traveller essentials

Queuing at security and immigration can be a test of patience, with many travelers recommending upwards of 2.5 hours to clear during peak times. Carry-on weight limits are strictly enforced on domestic flights, so plan your packing wisely to avoid unexpected fees. For economic savvy, buying snacks landside near metro exits can save both time and money, given the higher prices found airside in T1 and T2.

## Dining & shopping highlights

Dining options reflect more of a functional necessity than culinary exploration, with multiple outlets of Starbucks, KFC, and Ajisen Ramen peppered across all terminals. Haidilao Hot Pot in T2 offers a comforting local favorite, whereas Cantonese specialties in T1's domestic zone bring authentic tastes to travelers before departure. Shopping spans from Apple Resellers to China Duty Free, though discerning buyers note prices do not always match city-side savings.

## Lounges

Both T1 and T2 host a variety of lounges, from China Southern Sky Pearl Lounges to bank-associated lounges like those from ICBC. The allure of Priority Pass and airline lounges gives way to overcrowding, particularly during peak periods coinciding with widebody flights. Discomfort is a frequent companion, even as numerous lounges are available, prompting seasoned travelers to explore quieter contract lounges linked through specific channels like Trip.com.

## Insider tips

- **Insider:** Gate A111 in T1 hosts a quiet spot with a water dispenser—a perfect getaway from the central luxury-brand strip.

- **Time:** Allocate a 2.5–3-hour buffer for international connections in T2, especially during morning and late-night peaks.

- **Money:** Buy snacks and drinks landside at metro exit convenience stores to avoid high airside prices.

- **Local:** The Metro Line 3 beneath T1 is a speedy and budget-friendly route into central Guangzhou, taking only about 45-50 minutes.

- **Quiet:** Seek out upper-level mezzanines in T2 for a peaceful plane-spotting experience away from bustling crowds.

- **Avoid:** Expect heavy congestion on the Airport Expressway; choose Metro Line 3 to skip the traffic.

- **Time:** Late-night noodle spots in domestic areas offer sustenance when most other outlets have closed.

## Terminals (3)

- **Terminal 1** — Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines
- **Terminal 2** — China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, 9 Air
- **Terminal 3**

## Dining (24)

- **Ajisen Ramen** — T1
- **Ajisen Ramen** — T2
- **BreadTalk** — T2
- **Burger King** — T2
- **Café de Coral** — T1
- **Café de Coral** — T2
- **Costa Coffee** — T2
- **FamilyMart** — T1
- **FamilyMart** — T2
- **Haidilao Hot Pot** — T2
- **KFC** — T1
- **KFC** — T2
- **Kungfu Fast Food** — T1
- **Kungfu Fast Food** — T2
- **McDonald's** — T1
- **Pacific Coffee** — T1
- **Pacific Coffee** — T2
- **Pizza Hut** — T1
- **Starbucks** — T1
- **Starbucks** — T2
- **Subway** — T1
- **Yonghe King** — T1
- **Yonghe King** — T2
- **Yoshinoya** — T2

## Lounges (14)

- **Bank of China Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, bank card access
- **China Eastern Lounge** — T3 · Terminal 3, China Eastern premium
- **China Southern Domestic Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, domestic
- **China Southern International Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, international
- **China Southern Sky Pearl Lounge** — T1 · Terminal 1, China Southern premium
- **China Southern Sky Pearl Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, China Southern premium
- **China Telecom Lounge** — T1 · Terminal 1, telecom-customer access
- **First Class Lounge** — T1 · Terminal 1, pay-in and airline-invited
- **HNA Club Lounge** — T1 · Terminal 1, Hainan Airlines premium
- **ICBC Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, bank card access
- **Premium Lounge** — T1 · Terminal 1, Priority Pass
- **Premium Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, Priority Pass
- **Trip.com Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, Trip.com access
- **VIP Lounge** — T2 · Terminal 2, pay-in

## Shops (20)

- **Adidas** — T2
- **Apple Authorized Reseller** — T2
- **China Duty Free** — T1
- **China Duty Free** — T2
- **China Southern Souvenir Shop** — T2
- **DFS Duty Free** — T2
- **Huawei** — T1
- **Lacoste** — T2
- **Mi Home** — T2
- **Moleskine** — T2
- **Nike** — T1
- **Relay** — T1
- **Relay** — T2
- **Spanx** — T2
- **Sunglass Hut** — T2
- **Sunrise Duty Free** — T1
- **Swarovski** — T2
- **Victoria's Secret** — T2
- **Watsons** — T1
- **Watsons** — T2

## Parking (10)

- **Business Parking Area** — Premium
- **New Terminal 2 Parking Garage** — Multi-level
- **Off-site Park and Ride** — Shuttle
- **P1 Parking Garage** — Short-stay
- **P2 Parking Lot** — Short-stay
- **P3 Parking Lot** — Long-stay
- **P4 Economy Parking** — Long-stay
- **P5 Outdoor Parking** — Economy
- **Staff Parking Lot** — Employee
- **VIP Parking Area** — Valet

## Ground transport (12)

- **Airport Express Line 1** — Airport bus · ≈45-70 min depending on traffic · ≈¥18-21 one way · About every 20-30 min · roughly 07:00–24:00
- **Airport Express Line 2A** — Airport bus · ≈50-80 min depending on traffic and order of hotel stops · ≈¥20-25 one way · About every 20-30 min · roughly 07:00–23:00
- **Airport Express Line 2B** — Airport bus · ≈60-90 min depending on traffic and hotel stop pattern · ≈¥20-25 one way · About every 20-30 min · roughly 07:00–23:00
- **Airport Express Line 3** — Airport bus · ≈60-100 min depending on district and traffic · ≈¥25-35 one way depending on distance · Roughly every 30-60 min · schedules vary by route
- **Airport Express Line 4** — Airport bus · ≈70-110 min depending on distance and stops · ≈¥25-35 one way · About every 30-60 min · often ends earlier in the evening than central lines
- **Didi Chuxing** — Rideshare · ≈35-70 min similar to taxi, depending on traffic · ≈¥90-140 from CAN to central Guangzhou for Didi Express/Comfort, varying by time and demand · On demand; wait times often 5-15 min day/evening, longer late at night
- **Intercity Bus to Foshan** — Intercity coach · ≈1.5-2.5 hours depending on district and traffic · ≈¥60-80 one way · About every 60 min during daytime; reduced later in the evening
- **Intercity Bus to Shenzhen** — Intercity coach · ≈2.0-3.0 hours depending on traffic · ≈¥70-90 one way depending on destination in Shenzhen · Roughly every 30-60 min during daytime and early evening
- **Intercity Bus to Zhuhai** — Intercity coach · ≈2.5-3.5 hours depending on route and traffic · ≈¥90-110 one way · About every 60-90 min during daytime
- **Metro Line 3** — Metro · ≈30-40 min in‑train from Airport South to Tiyu Xilu; ≈45-55 min door‑to‑door with walking and waits · ≈¥7-8 from Airport South to central Guangzhou · Every 5-8 min · roughly 06:00–23:00
- **Private Car Hire** — Car service · ≈35-70 min to central Guangzhou, similar to taxi/private car · ≈¥300-500 from CAN to central Guangzhou for pre‑booked sedans/MPVs, depending on provider and distance · Pre‑booked; availability depends on provider, typically 24/7 with advance reservation
- **Taxi** — Metered taxi · ≈35-70 min to central Guangzhou depending on time of day · ≈¥120-180 from CAN to central Guangzhou depending on traffic and surcharges · On demand · 24/7 from the official taxi rank

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: Gate A111 in T1 hosts a quiet spot with a water dispenser—a perfect getaway from the central luxury-brand strip.
- _Time_: Allocate a 2.5–3-hour buffer for international connections in T2, especially during morning and late-night peaks.
- _Money_: Buy snacks and drinks landside at metro exit convenience stores to avoid high airside prices.
- _Local_: The Metro Line 3 beneath T1 is a speedy and budget-friendly route into central Guangzhou, taking only about 45-50 minutes.
- _Quiet_: Seek out upper-level mezzanines in T2 for a peaceful plane-spotting experience away from bustling crowds.
- _Avoid_: Expect heavy congestion on the Airport Expressway; choose Metro Line 3 to skip the traffic.
- _Time_: Late-night noodle spots in domestic areas offer sustenance when most other outlets have closed.