Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Guangzhou Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
I saw a few of the local chinese passengers enter the black flaps where the luggage comes out from. A short while later, they emerged with their luggages, dusted themselves and moved off. – a traveller
Guangzhou Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
What to Expect
Guangzhou Airport (Code: CAN) consists of a large, modern single terminal with two concourses and six piers. Despite its size, travellers report that there is a relative scarcity of eateries, shops and related services. Eateries close down by about 11:00PM, so plan accordingly if you are staying overnight. WiFi is available, and additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s many first class lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.
Sleeping in Guangzhou Airport
While reviewers have called the airport “boring,” perhaps this is conducive to sleep, as sleeping overnight seems to be rated as generally good, with plenty of comfortable armrest-free seating scattered throughout the terminal. Try the restaurant level one level below the departures area, and the departure hall near the H and J counters. To account for noise and cold temperatures, bring earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones and warm clothes or a travel blanket. Explore our guide to sleeping in Guangzhou Airport or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips. For uninterrupted sleep, there is a 70-room hourly hotel in the airport’s departures hall and other hotels nearby. See locations in the Airport Hotels section below.
Covid-19 Update
Some airport reviews and tips in this guide and elsewhere on the site were written before March 2020 and may no longer be valid. To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Guangzhou Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
Domestic Departures
- Air China Premium Lounge – Location: Airside, Departures Level 3, near Gates A113 – A123. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- China Eastern First Class Lounge – Location: Airside, Departures Level 3, near Gates B224 – B235. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- China Southern First/Business Class Lounge – Location: Airside, Level 3. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- China Southern Gold/Silver/Elite Plus Lounge – Location: Airside, Level 3. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Premium Lounge – Location: Multiple Locations in Terminal 1 & 2. . Showers are available. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
International Departures
- China Southern First/Business Class Lounge – Location: Airside, Level 3. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Library Lounge – Location: Airside, Level 4. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Premium Lounge – Location: Multiple Locations in Terminal 1 & 2. . Showers are available. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Guangzhou Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Guangzhou Airport:
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
Inside Airport Aerotel Guangzhou – Located inside Terminal 2, Airside, International departures. Private relaxation cabins that come equipped with single or double beds and shared or private showers according to room category. » Check Rates Inside Airport Hourly Passenger Lounge – Located inside the Terminal 1, Departures Hall, on B1. This mini-hotel contains 70 guest rooms (12 First Class and 58 Business Class). East guest room has a single or double bed, desk, TV, wifi and battery charging, and drinking water. Facilities include showers and baggage storage. Sample rates as of October 2019:- Business Class Room – Hourly Room: 8:00AM – 4:00PM @ RMB25 per hour to max of RMB100; 4:00PM -8:00AM @ RMB50 per hour for the first four hours and RMB25 per hour from the fifth hour until 8:00AM to a max of RMB260.
- First Class Room – Hourly Room: 8:00AM – 4:00PM @ RMB40; 4:00PM -8:00AM @ RMB80 per hour for the first four hours and RMB40 per hour from the fifth hour until 8:00AM to a max of RMB380.
China Southern Airlines provides free hotel accommodation to passengers with a transfer time of 8 hours or longer in Guangzhou. First, Business and Sky Pearl Gold members will be provided with 4 or 5 star hotel accommodation. While Economy and Premium Economy passengers will receive 4 star hotel accommodation. On arrival at Guangzhou, you should proceed to the Transfer Desk, where an agent will prepare a voucher for you. In addition to the hotel, you will receive breakfast (if applicable) and transportation to/from the hotel. For more info, visit the China Southern web site, call 0086-20-8612 4008 or send email to nhzz@csair.com. Additionally, if you have access to the China Southern Business Class Lounge, a reviewer mentioned that there are bedrooms available for use. Staff members can provide you with a key.
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Guangzhou Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Guangzhou airport for 300 minutes per session. Connect to the “AIRPORT-WIFI-FREE” network. You will need to have mobile phone to receive an access code, or you can scan your passport at any one of the eight self-service WiFi kiosks in order to receive a printout of the code.
A reader (July 2018) tells us that free WiFi is also accessible if you have a WeChat account. The App may also come in handy at places like McDonald’s and is available for Apple and Android users.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport Business Services
- Business Center – Limited business services, along with free coffee and tea at the Golden Century Business Center. Location: 1/F, Main Terminal Southeast Region Hours: 8:30AM – 9:00PM ▪ Limited business services, express photo and computer with internet access are available at Airport Business Center Location: 3/F, Main Terminal Northwest Region Hours: 7:00AM – 9:00PM.
- SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Communications
- Post Office – Three locations are available. China Post – 3F (Hours:9:00AM – 8:00PM) ▪ Guangzhou Honor Investment – 3F, next to Gate 9 (Hours:9:00AM – 5:00PM) ▪ SF Express – 1F (8:30AM – 9:00PM).
- WiFi – see “Airport WiFi/Internet” above.
Family Services
- Strollers – Baby strollers are available to use for free throughout the airport.
- Mobility Services– Free electromobile pickup service is available for passengers in need such as pregnant, elderly, passengers with children and those who are physically challenged in moving around.
- Dedicated area for nursing, feeding, reading and playing with children as well as for sleeping and other functional activities for kids. Location: 2nd Floor, north corridor (Near Gate B173) ▪ 2nd Floor, west corridor (Near Gate B50) ▪ East, ( Near Gate 155).
Food & Drinks
- Drinking Water – Thirsty? Drinking water fountains are available free of charge. Locations: Airside, near the departure gates.
- Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. These options are open 24 hours: KFC (1/F, West Connecting Concourse Arrival W1) ▪ McDonalds (1/F, East Connecting Concourse Arrival E3) ▪ Japan Fusion (1/F, Main Terminal Northeast Region) ▪ Oak Tree (1/F, Main Terminal Northeast Region) ▪ Porcelain Noodles (1/F, Main Terminal South Atrium)
Information
- Information Desk – Four Information Desks are available. Locations: At the F Island, D Island, near No.15 gate (3rd Floor) and No.11 gate (3rd Floor). Hours: 6:00AM – 10:00PM. Services such as document printing, scanning, fax and even visa, insurance or air tickets booking can be done at the Information desk.
Luggage
- Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available.
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – Store your luggage in 6 locations. Domestic baggage hall (Gate 16) ▪ International departure hall (Gate 8) ▪ Domestic arrival hall zone B (2 locations) ▪ International arrival hall (2 locations). Hours: 6:00AM – 10:00PM every day. Self serve lockers are available as well as storage for larger pieces. Prices range depending on size, weight and length of time, starting at 5 RMB (small, 2 hours) up to 55 RMB (large, 24 hours).
- Luggage wrapping – The service is available 24 hours. Locations: T1 (3) Gate 2, 6,11 and 15. ▪ T2 (3) Gate 42, 45 and 47.
Medical Services
- Medical Services – Urgent and emergency medical care are available from any of the three locations: East II Building, 2nd floor (Hours: 7:30AM – 9:30PM) ▪ West-bridge Building, 3rd floor (Hours: 7:30AM – 9:30PM) ▪ Main Terminal, 1st floor, Gate 27 (Open 24 hours).
- Pharmacy – Location: Tong Ren Tang – 3/F, West Connecting Concourse Lounge W3 (Hours: 7:00AM – 9:30PM) ▪ Great Sen Sen – 1/F Main Terminal Northwest Region (Hours: 7:00AM – 9:00PM) ▪ Drug Hall – 3/F, East Community Concourse Lounge E1 (Hours: 7:00AM – 1:00AM).
Mobile Charging
- Mobile Charging – There are 58 wireless network multimedia kiosks located Landside. Passengers can check flights, airport facilities, and charge mobile devices.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs, operated by China Guangfa Bank and Agricultural Bank Of China, are available 24 hours a day. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Location: 3F.
- Currency Exchange – Foreign exchange services are available in several locations. Ice Currency Exchange – 3F (Hours: 24 hours ▪ Guangdong Fanghui Foreign Currency – 3F, East, 2 locations (Hours: 7:00AM – 11:00PM ▪ United Money Currency Exchange – 3F (Hours: 6:00AM – 11:00PM).
- Banking – China Construction Bank – Gate 21, First floor. (24 hours) • China Guangfa Bank – Gate 16, Departure hall (24 hours) • Agricultural Bank of China – Gate 8, Departure hall (24 hours)
Rest & Relaxation
- Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
- Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
- Massage Chairs – Multipoint electronic massage chairs are available for use in the Chen Yi Massage Chair Experience Center. Fee: unknown Locations: 1/F, Main Terminal South of Atrium A01-7 (Hours: 7:30AM – 9:30PM) ▪ 3/F, East Connecting Concourse Lounge E1 A01-6 (Hours: 7:30AM – last flight) ▪ 3/F, West Connecting Concourse Lounge W1 A01-3 (Hours: 7:30AM – last flight) ▪ 3/F, East Connecting Concourse Lounge E3 A01-4 (Hours: 7:30AM – last flight) ▪ 3/F, West Connecting Concourse Lounge W2 A01-2 (Hours: 7:30AM – last flight) ▪ 3/F, West Connecting Concourse Lounge W3 A01-1 (Hours: 7:30AM – last flight) ▪ 3/F, East Connecting Concourse Lounge E2 A01-5 (Hours: 7:30AM – last flight) Oak Tree Leisure Pavilion also offers massage from two locations: 3/F, East Connecting Concourse Lounge E3 A9311 Hours: 6:30AM – 9:50PM.
- Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Shopping
- Duty Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available, along with a variety of retail shops and convenience stores.
Showers, Salon & Spa
- Showers – Showers can be found in the Premium Lounge (International Terminal). [ see Airport Lounges above ]
- Spa & Salon Services – Foot or body massage, beauty salon services and more are available at two locations. Caven Beauty – 1/F, Main Terminal Northeast Region (Hours: 8:00AM – 9:00PM) ▪ Airport Comfort Leisure Center – 1/F, Main Terminal, Northeast Region (Hours: 8:00AM – 10:00PM).
Things to do & see
- Movie Theatre – Enjoying Cinema Movie Theatre Location: 1/F, Main Terminal Northeast Region Hours: 7:00AM – 9:00AM.
Other Airport Services & Facilities
- Dressing Rooms – After a long flight, you may want to change from your flight clothes to streetwear or business attire. Instead of changing your clothes in the bathroom, there are dressing rooms, that allow you to do so in a nicer environment. Equipped with mirrors, tables, chairs and hooks, you will find changing rooms in the following locations – Terminal East No. 3 gallery ▪ Terminal West No. 3 gallery ▪ Arrival Hall 2F, washrooms.
Airport Hours
Airport Hours The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Airlines Guangzhou airport is served by the following airlines: 9 Air • All Nippon Airways • Asiana Airlines • Beijing Capital Airlines • Cebu Pacific • Chengdu Airlines • China Eastern Airlines • China Southern Airlines • China United Airlines • Chongqing Airlines • Egyptair • Emirates • Ethiopian Airlines • EVA Air • Finnair • Garuda Indonesia • GX Airlines • Hainan Airlines • Hebei Airlines • Iraqi Airways • Japan Airlines • Juneyao Airlines • Kenya Airways • Kunming Airlines • Lanmei Airlines • Lucky Air • Mahan Air • Okay Airways • Oman Air • Qatar Airways • Saudia • Scoot • Shandong Airlines • Shanghai Airlines • Shenzhen Airlines • Sichuan Airlines • Spring Airlines • SriLankan Airlines • Sriwijaya Airlines • Thai Lion Air • Tianjin Airlines • West Air • XiamenAir.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport City Buses
Five Airport Express lines and six direct Airport lines connect Baiyun Airport to the city center, departing in 20 – 30 minute intervals. These buses stop at major hotels, bus and railway stations, and the grand plaza and transportation center.
Hotel Shuttles
A few hotels provide airport shuttle service: Ausotel Smart Baiyun Airport • Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Hotel • Southern Airline Pearl Hotel.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Intracity Buses
There are just under 20 scheduled round-trip intercity bus service which link the airport to Dongguan, Foshan, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Shenzhen, Shunde, Taishan, Wuzhou (Guangxi Province) and more. Travel times vary, but buses depart on hourly intervals from various gates at the airport’s Arrivals lobby. Visit the Airport Intercity Bus Ticket Counter for details and tickets.
Metro / Subway
Guangzhou Metro Line 3 links the airport (via Airport Station South) to the Tianhe District in Guangzhou city center (Tiyu Xilu Station), with several stops along the way, including Guangzhou East Railway Station. Transfers are available at Jia He Wang Gang metro stop to Metro Line 2, offering a connection to Guangzhou Southern Railway Station, served by high-speed intercity trains to and from Wuhan, Zhuhai and other cities.
Taxis
Metered taxis are available for hire, to and from the airport. At the airport, taxi stops can be found in Arrival Area A, outside of Gate A5, and in Arrival Area B, outside of Gate B6.
Last updated: 2022-12-25
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers and their web sites. We are not representatives of any of the above mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
