From Baiyun Airport you can take the metro or a taxi or Didi (a ride-hailing app) to your hotel. First check which terminal your flight uses, because Terminal 1 is closed for renovation and the metro stops have changed[1].
Guangzhou is a big, humid, welcoming city, and a calm arrival sets the tone for the trip.
Which terminal will you use?
Baiyun Terminal 1 closed for renovation from 7 May 2026, with departures moved to Terminal 2 or 3, and Terminal 3 opened on 30 October 2025[1]. Always check the current terminal for your airline before you go.
Arrivals follow the same logic, so look at the signs and your airline’s app on landing. Walking between terminals takes time, so confirm where you need to be.
Can you take the metro?
Guangzhou Metro Line 3 north ends at Airport North station, which serves Terminal 2, and Airport South station closed on 7 May 2026 for the Terminal 1 renovation[2]. Follow the current signs rather than an older map.
The metro suits light bags and daytime landings. See the metro from station to hotel guide for how gates and payment work, and plan which line your hotel station is on before you land.
How far is the airport?
Baiyun Airport is about 28 km north of downtown Guangzhou[3]. Allow time for baggage, the ride and traffic. A taxi or Didi gives you a door-to-door ride, which suits elders, children and large cases.
Taxi fares are metered and paid at the meter amount[4]. Foreign visitors commonly hail Didi through the Alipay mini program, which charges the linked Alipay account and needs no Chinese phone number[5]. Our Didi guide covers the setup.
What about typhoon season and weather?
China’s main typhoon season is July to September, though typhoons can occur from May to December[6]. Guangdong, including Guangzhou, is rated high risk[7].
If you travel in that window, watch weather alerts, keep your first day light and book flexible onward tickets.
Where do you go first?
Huaisheng Mosque, known as the Lighthouse Mosque, stands at 56 Guangta Road in Yuexiu District, within walking distance southeast of Ximenkou Station on the Guangzhou Metro[8]. It is a calm landmark for Muslim travellers, and a good anchor for finding halal meals. Look for the green 清真 sign, and ask about the kitchen.
Read the South China halal guide for the wider picture.
What should you prepare before landing?
- Your original passport for hotel check-in[9].
- Your hotel address in Chinese, as a screenshot.
- An offline map and translation app, because Google Maps and WhatsApp are blocked[10].
- Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card, with a little cash as a backup.
Better options when
If your next stop is Hong Kong, read the Guangzhou to Hong Kong train guide. For planning the wider area, see Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong region planning.