Guangzhou Airport to City: Metro, Taxi & Didi
Metro Line 3 toward Tiyu Xilu for Tianhe / Zhujiang New Town; taxi with meter late night; Chinese address for Didi.
Key takeaway
From **Baiyun Airport (CAN)**, **Metro Line 3 (north)** toward **Tiyu Xilu** connects most visitors to **Tianhe / Zhujiang New Town**—cheap and fast if your **Alipay/WeChat Guangzhou metro QR** works. **Official taxis** use the meter to downtown (fare depends on traffic). **Didi** needs a **Chinese hotel address**. After metro hours or with heavy bags, choose the **official taxi queue** over hallway touts.
Full guide
Step-by-step
- Clear immigration; enable eSIM/data.
- Follow Metro Line 3 signs; open Guangzhou metro QR in Alipay Transport or WeChat.
- Ride toward the city; transfer at Tiyu Xilu, Jiahewanggang, or the station Amap marks for your hotel.
- Exit and walk or take a short taxi for the last segment.
- If arriving after metro hours, go straight to the official taxi queue—insist on the meter.
Who this is for
- Arrivals at CAN (Baiyun) heading to central Guangzhou hotels
- Travelers who already set up wallets but need the first transfer path
- Late flights when metro is closed
What to do next
From Baiyun Airport (CAN), Metro Line 3 (north) toward Tiyu Xilu connects most visitors to Tianhe / Zhujiang New Town—cheap and fast if your Alipay/WeChat Guangzhou metro QR works. Official taxis use the meter to downtown (fare depends on traffic). Didi needs a Chinese hotel address. After metro hours or with heavy bags, choose the official taxi queue over hallway touts.
How to do it
Enable Guangzhou metro QR
Follow Line 3 signs
Transfer using Amap Chinese stations
Use official taxi if late or QR fails
Watch for
Wrong line for hotel district
No Transport QR ready
Unmetered touts
English-only station guesses
What may vary
Last trains, taxi lanes, and transfers vary by terminal and hour.
Backup plan
- Official taxi queue with meter + Chinese hotel card
- Airport Wi‑Fi → hotel pickup instructions
- Small cash if QR pay fails
- Fix wallets on hotel Wi‑Fi (payment failure Q), then retest metro the next day
FAQ
Is Line 3 enough for old town / Yuexiu hotels?
Often you will transfer—check your hotel’s nearest station in Amap before you fly.
Can I use Didi immediately?
After data works and you have a Chinese pickup pin; otherwise use the official taxi queue ([Didi Q](/questions/how-to-use-didi-in-china)).
What if metro QR fails?
Leave the gate area, take an official taxi, fix pay at the hotel.