Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN): A Traveler's Guide
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) sits roughly 28 km north of the city center and is one of mainland China's three big international hubs, alongside Beijing and Shanghai. Its terminal layout has shifted significantly in 2026: Terminal 1 closed for renovation in May, and a brand-new Terminal 3 opened in late 2025 alongside the existing Terminal 2. Most international and Star Alliance carriers have moved to T3, while China Southern (the airport's home carrier) and other SkyTeam partners mostly operate from T2 — always double-check your terminal when booking or connecting, since the split isn't the same as before.
Immigration and security
Foreign arrivals clear immigration and customs after baggage claim; e-channels are limited mostly to Chinese and Hong Kong/Macao residents, so most international travelers use staffed counters. China's 30-day unilateral visa-free entry now covers around 50 nationalities (including most of the EU, UK and Canada) through the end of 2026, and Guangzhou is also one of the designated ports for the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit scheme, letting eligible passport holders from a longer list of countries transit onward to a third country without a visa — the rules are specific about onward tickets and permitted travel zones, so verify your eligibility on the official immigration site before relying on it. Build normal buffers for departure: two hours domestic, three for international.
Getting into the city
Metro Line 3 is the simplest low-cost option, but it currently only serves Terminal 2 (Airport North station) — Terminal 3 passengers need the free inter-terminal shuttle or the short intercity train link over to T2 first. From there it's about 45 minutes and ¥7–10 to Tianhe district, or a bit longer with a transfer to Line 2 for the older Yuexiu district downtown. Taxis cover the 30-plus km to downtown landmarks like Canton Tower or Guangzhou East Railway Station in roughly 50–60 minutes for ¥110–150. Airport shuttle buses run more than a dozen routes citywide, including direct services to Guangzhou Railway Station and Guangzhou North Railway Station, for around ¥5–22.
Practical tips
As everywhere in mainland China, Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and most Western apps are blocked — set up and test your VPN before departure rather than counting on installing one after you land. If you're connecting onward to Shenzhen, Hong Kong or elsewhere in the Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou East and Guangzhou South railway stations both put you on the high-speed rail network within about an hour of the airport, often faster door-to-door than a connecting flight. And because the T1 closure and T3 opening are still fresh as of mid-2026, it's worth checking your airline's current terminal assignment the day before you fly rather than trusting an older confirmation email.