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Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Guangzhou, China · Asia-Pacific

Solid modern hub with excellent rail links but crowded peaks and limited international lounge variety.

Airportist Score

7.2/ 10

Passengers

83.6M

Security

25 min

11 photos

A bright, high-ceilinged main concourse inside Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Terminal 3 filled with travelers, shops, and overhead flight-information displays. — Photo: Sir1L0n
CC0 Source

An aerial photograph showing Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport's parallel terminal buildings, runways, taxiways, and surrounding countryside. — Photo: Windmemories
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

The glass-fronted main entrance of Terminal 2 with vehicle drop-off lanes, landscaping, and the airport name above the doors. — Photo: Jacky Cheung
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

The Terminal 2 departure hall's Sky Stage, a multi-story open atrium with skylights, balconies, shops, and passengers below. — Photo: Jacky Cheung
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Self-service check-in kiosks and automated baggage-drop counters lining a check-in hall in Terminal 3. — Photo: Sir1L0n
CC0 Source

A wide international-departures concourse in Terminal 2 with gate seating areas, retail shops, and flight-information screens. — Photo: Shujianyang
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

The domestic baggage-claim hall in Terminal 2 with multiple luggage carousels, overhead signs, and arriving passengers. — Photo: Lhzss8
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

The China Southern Pearl Club premium lounge with upholstered seating, dining tables, and buffet counters for business- and first-class passengers. — Photo: Lhzss8
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

The spacious Terminal 3 Ground Transportation Center with escalators, glass walls, and signage for buses, metro, taxis, and parking. — Photo: Sir1L0n
CC0 Source

An indoor pedestrian corridor in Terminal 2 with overhead signs pointing toward Metro Airport North Station Entrance B. — Photo: Jacky Cheung
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

The platform at Metro Airport South Station with platform screen doors, a stopped train, and fluorescent lighting in the tunnel. — Photo: Df112001
CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 3 hours early for international

Security and immigration peak 7-10 AM and 6-9 PM.

Domestic flights need about 2 hours; T2 international peaks longer.

Terminal

Confirm T2 vs T3 before you go

T1 is closed — boarding passes show T2 or T3 only.

China Southern and many international flights use T2; most former-T1 domestics moved to T3.

Food

T2 Level 4 food court has best variety

Local Cantonese options and chains; T3 options still settling in.

Premium lounges in T2 offer better seating and hot meals for eligible passengers.

Status

T3 needs a metro transfer plan

Free inter-terminal shuttles connect T2 and T3; allow 15-25+ min.

No direct Line 3 stop at T3 — budget time for Gaozeng shuttle or T2 transfer.

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for CAN.

Updated Jul 21, 2026

Hub for China Southern Airlines and FedEx Express
Terminals 2 and 3 active; Terminal 1 closed for renovation since 7 May 2026
Metro Line 3 serves T2 only (Airport North); Airport South station suspended with T1
T3 has no direct metro — use Gaozeng + airport shuttle, intercity rail via T2, or free inter-terminal shuttle
T2 is Skytrax 5-star; China Southern concentrates operations there
83.6M passengers in 2025

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.0

Navigation7.5

Food6.8

Transport8.2

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

83.6M

Terminals

3 active (T1 closed)

On-time departures

78%

Avg security

25 min

Best For

China Southern connectionsMetro/rail accessModern T2 facilities

Watch Out For

Peak hour queuesT1 closed — Airport South metro suspendedT3 has no direct metro (Gaozeng shuttle / T2 transfer)Terminal mix-ups after May 2026 airline moves

Nearby airports

Other airports within about 150 km.

11 photos

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 3 hours early for international

Security and immigration peak 7-10 AM and 6-9 PM.

Domestic flights need about 2 hours; T2 international peaks longer.

Terminal

Confirm T2 vs T3 before you go

T1 is closed — boarding passes show T2 or T3 only.

China Southern and many international flights use T2; most former-T1 domestics moved to T3.

Food

T2 Level 4 food court has best variety

Local Cantonese options and chains; T3 options still settling in.

Premium lounges in T2 offer better seating and hot meals for eligible passengers.

Status

T3 needs a metro transfer plan

Free inter-terminal shuttles connect T2 and T3; allow 15-25+ min.

No direct Line 3 stop at T3 — budget time for Gaozeng shuttle or T2 transfer.

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for CAN.

Updated Jul 21, 2026

Hub for China Southern Airlines and FedEx Express
Terminals 2 and 3 active; Terminal 1 closed for renovation since 7 May 2026
Metro Line 3 serves T2 only (Airport North); Airport South station suspended with T1
T3 has no direct metro — use Gaozeng + airport shuttle, intercity rail via T2, or free inter-terminal shuttle
T2 is Skytrax 5-star; China Southern concentrates operations there
83.6M passengers in 2025

4 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.0

Navigation7.5

Food6.8

Transport8.2

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

83.6M

Terminals

3 active (T1 closed)

On-time departures

78%

Avg security

25 min

Best For

China Southern connectionsMetro/rail accessModern T2 facilities

Watch Out For

Peak hour queuesT1 closed — Airport South metro suspendedT3 has no direct metro (Gaozeng shuttle / T2 transfer)Terminal mix-ups after May 2026 airline moves