What to do once you land
Guangzhou
verify before you go
Airport → central Guangzhou (fastest legal routes)
- Metro Line 3 (地铁3号线) runs from the airport (Airport North / 机场北) into the city; transfer to Line 2 for the centre (Gongyuanqian 公园前 / Canton Tower area). Fastest and cheapest way in — confirm the last-train time and fare on-site.
- Airport Express Bus (空港快线): buy at the T2/T3 Transport Centre West coach station (交通中心西客运站). To the central Haizhu loop (Poly Hotel 珀丽酒店, via Sanyuanli / Jiefang Rd / Shi'ergong): about ¥30, departs the airport ~00:05 & 00:40, every 60 min. Other lines: Liwan (to Fangcun metro 芳村地铁站) ~¥19.9, Panyu ~¥29.8 day / ¥39.8 night, Nansha ~¥59.8, Baiyun Station line free. 24h hotline 020-36063156.
- Ride-hailing pickup (网约车): T2 → Car Park P8, floors 2 & 3 (west side); T3 → Car Park P12, floor 2F & mezzanine 1M. Use Didi via Alipay/WeChat.
- Official taxi from the marked queue — pay by meter, keep your passport and hotel address to hand; avoid unlicensed touts.
- Pay metro/bus by tapping an international card or the Alipay/WeChat transit QR.