---
iata: CAN
name: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
city: Guangzhou
country: China
lastUpdated: '2026-08-31'
officialWebsite: 'https://www.baiyunairport.com/'
sources:
  - 'https://www.baiyunairport.com/'
  - 'http://www.eguangzhou.gov.cn/gzservice/content/post_42958.html'
  - >-
    https://www.gz.gov.cn/guangzhouinternational/home/bulletin/content/post_10808182.html
  - 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangzhou_Baiyun_International_Airport'
quickFacts:
  - 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
bentoTips:
  - label: Timing
    title: Arrive 3 hours early for international
    detail: Domestic flights need about 2 hours; T2 international peaks longer.
    summary: Security and immigration peak 7-10 AM and 6-9 PM.
    category: timing
  - label: Terminal
    title: Confirm T2 vs T3 before you go
    detail: >-
      China Southern and many international flights use T2; most former-T1
      domestics moved to T3.
    summary: T1 is closed — boarding passes show T2 or T3 only.
    category: terminal
  - label: Food
    title: T2 Level 4 food court has best variety
    detail: >-
      Premium lounges in T2 offer better seating and hot meals for eligible
      passengers.
    summary: Local Cantonese options and chains; T3 options still settling in.
    category: food
  - label: Status
    title: T3 needs a metro transfer plan
    detail: >-
      No direct Line 3 stop at T3 — budget time for Gaozeng shuttle or T2
      transfer.
    summary: Free inter-terminal shuttles connect T2 and T3; allow 15-25+ min.
    category: status
lounges:
  - name: China Southern Airlines Lounge
    hours: '05:00-23:00'
    access:
      - China Southern Sky Pearl Gold/Platinum
      - SkyTeam Elite Plus
    bestFor:
      - China Southern flyers
      - Long layovers
    summary: >-
      Reliable for SkyTeam members with solid food; can get crowded during
      peaks.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal 2
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Buffet
      - Wi-Fi
  - name: T2 Premium Lounge
    hours: '06:00-22:00'
    access:
      - Priority Pass
      - Day pass available
    bestFor:
      - Work
      - Layovers
    summary: >-
      Solid Priority Pass fallback when airline lounges are full — clean
      seating, limited views.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 2
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Quiet zone
      - Work areas
waterOptions:
  - kind: purchase
    name: Convenience store
    zone: landside
    price: ¥5 for 500ml
    summary: Cheapest reliable bottled water option before security.
    location: Level 3 departures near check-in counters C-D
    terminal: Terminal 2
    isBestValue: true
  - kind: refill
    name: Water fountain
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: Best free refill spot for reusable bottles; clean and accessible.
    location: 'Airside near Gate B gates, opposite food court'
    terminal: Terminal 2
    isBestQuality: true
airportistScore: 7.2
slug: can
region: Asia-Pacific
---
> Markdown for [/airports/can](/airports/can). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy.

- [HTML page](/airports/can)
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- [Sitemap](/sitemap.md)

# Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Guangzhou, China · Asia-Pacific
Solid modern hub with excellent rail links but crowded peaks and limited international lounge variety.
## Airportist Score

**7.2 / 10**
- Comfort: 7.0
- Navigation: 7.5
- Food: 6.8
- Transport: 8.2
- Disruption resilience: 6.9

## At a glance

- Passengers: 83.6M
- Terminals: 3 active (T1 closed)
- Typical security: 25 min
- On-time: 78%
- Disruption: normal

## Best for

- China Southern connections
- Metro/rail access
- Modern T2 facilities

## Watch out for

- Peak hour queues
- T1 closed — Airport South metro suspended
- T3 has no direct metro (Gaozeng shuttle / T2 transfer)
- Terminal mix-ups after May 2026 airline moves

## More intel

- [Lounge directory](/airports/can/lounges.md) (free)
- [Getting there](/airports/can/getting-there.md) (free)
- [Amenities](/airports/can/amenities.md)
- [Traveler tips](/airports/can/tips.md)
- [Water](/airports/can/water.md)
- [Full guide](/airports/can/guide.md)
- [Disruptions](/airports/can/disruptions.md)
- [Reviews](/airports/can/reviews.md)