One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
CAN7.5
SZX7.5
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
CAN7.0
SZX7.0
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
Best for
CAN
China Southern connectionsMetro/rail accessModern T2 facilities
SZX
Watch out for
CAN
Peak hour queuesT1 closed — Airport South metro suspendedT3 has no direct metro (Gaozeng shuttle / T2 transfer)Terminal mix-ups after May 2026 airline moves
CAN · Solid modern hub with excellent rail links but crowded peaks and limited international lounge variety.
SZX · T3 plus a satellite hall, three runways since November 2025, and a direct Line 11 station. Official 2025 traffic is 66.485 million. International Priority Pass is still one guest room; domestic CZ rooms are better if your gate is nearby.
CAN6.8
SZX6.8
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
CAN8.2
SZX8.5+0.3
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
CAN6.9
SZX7.0+0.1
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
CAN6.9
SZX6.9
Fast metro to Futian
Domestic China Southern connections
Budget transport
SZX
Gates 501–583 need the T3 APMInternational Guest Lounge does not admit children on Priority PassAlipay / WeChat Pay for metro and most shops
Free Wi-Fi
Arrive 3 hours early for international
Security and immigration peak 7-10 AM and 6-9 PM.
Confirm T2 vs T3 before you go
T1 is closed — boarding passes show T2 or T3 only.
T2 Level 4 food court has best variety
Local Cantonese options and chains; T3 options still settling in.
SZX
Metro accessDuty-freeWiFiFamily areasParking
2.5 hours for international
Immigration plus security is the long pole for overseas flights.
T3 plus satellite — watch for 5xx gates
Check-in is in T3. Gates 501–583 mean an APM ride after security.
FamilyMart on Level 4 before security
24-hour FamilyMart sits on the west side of the T3 check-in hall.
