The Guangzhou transport system is different. Some parts feel older, but the metro is fast and quite easy to use. Riding the ferry on the Pearl River is also a nice change! The mix of old and new transport makes exploring fun.
In this guide, I’ll share the best ways to travel in Guangzhou. Whether by metro, bus, taxi, bike, or ferry, I’ll give you local tips, like which transport cards work best, must-have apps, and how to choose the right ride for your trip.
✈️ Guangzhou Airport Transfers
Getting from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to the city is easy. The metro Line 3 connects the airport to downtown and other areas. It takes about 40 to 50 minutes to reach the city center by metro.
You can also take airport buses that go to different parts of Guangzhou. They are cheap and comfortable. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Didi are available too. They are more convenient if you have a lot of luggage or travel late at night.
👉 Read the full Guangzhou Airport to city guide
🚇 Guangzhou Metro
Source: Wikipedia
The Guangzhou Metro (广州地铁) is very convenient. It’s clean and easy to use. The network is huge, with over 17 lines connecting most shopping areas, tourist spots, and transport hubs, including Baiyun Airport. It includes an APM Line and Guangfo Line.
🕒 Operating Hours & Frequency
Guangzhou Metro | |
First trains | Around 6:00am |
Last trains | Around 12:00am |
Frequency | Every 2–5 minutes |
💳 Payment
The rides cost between ¥2–10 (about S$0.40–2). The Yang Cheng Tong card works like Singapore’s EZ-Link. You can tap to enter and exit. The card can be bought at metro stations and can be topped up easily. Guangzhou Metro also accepts QR code payments via WeChat Pay or Alipay if you have them.
Source: Wikipedia
📍 Key Tourist Stops
These stations are often busy but well-marked and tourist-friendly.
- Tianhe Sports Center (Line 1/3): Big malls and shopping.
- Canton Tower (Line 3): Guangzhou landmark and river views.
- Zhujiang New Town (Line 3/5): Business area and nightlife.
- Beijing Road (Line 6): Shopping and street food market.
- Guangzhou East Station (Line 1/3): Trains to nearby cities.
⚠️ Tips
- Lines 3 and 5 get very crowded during rush hours (8–9 AM and 6–7 PM).
- Stations often have many exits. Just follow signs carefully to avoid confusion.
Grab Flight Discounts to Guangzhou
👍For more details about Guangzhou metro, check out this Guangzhou metro map guide.
🚌 Guangzhou Buses
Guangzhou’s buses are cheap and go to places the metro can’t reach. Most locals use buses. Tourists don’t use buses much because signs and announcements are mostly in Chinese. But if you want to see more of the city and don’t mind a local experience, taking the bus is worth a try.
🕒 Timings & Frequency
Buses run from about 6 AM to 10 PM. Some night buses also run late. The wait time depends on the route but usually is between 5 and 15 minutes. Compared to Singapore buses, Guangzhou’s can feel a bit more crowded and slower, but they are mostly safe and reliable.
💳 How to Ride?
You can pay with the Yang Cheng Tong card (same card as the metro) or exact cash. Many buses accept WeChat Pay or Alipay too. Board at the front and tap your card or pay in cash or coins.
⚠️ Tips
- Most bus signs and announcements are only in Chinese. Use apps like Baidu Maps or Amap (Gaode) to plan your trip.
- If you find it hard, it’s okay to skip buses and use metro or ride-hailing apps instead.
🚌 Guangzhou Tourist Sightseeing Buses
Guangzhou offers tourist sightseeing buses that go to popular spots like Canton Tower, Beijing Road, and Shamian Island. These buses make it easy to see the city without worrying about changing lines.
🕒 Timings & Frequency
These buses run mostly during the day, with intervals of about 20 to 30 minutes. They follow fixed routes covering major attractions.
💳 How to Ride?
You can buy tickets at tourist centers, some metro stations, or online. Some buses have guides who speak both Chinese and English to explain the sights.
⚠️ Tips
- Tickets cost more than regular buses but are still affordable.
- Good choice if you want a relaxed and easy way to explore with family or friends.
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🚕 Taxis & Ride-Hailing in Guangzhou
Source: Wikipedia
Taxis in Guangzhou are easy to find and generally safe. Most taxis are government-regulated, but it’s good to stay alert and check that the meter is on.
More and more people prefer using ride-hailing apps like Didi for convenience and clear pricing. Since many drivers don’t speak English well, the app makes booking much easier.
📱 Popular Ride-Hailing Apps in China
Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行) is the most popular app, similar to Grab. You can download it on your phone and pay with your Singapore credit card. The app supports English and shows prices, driver ratings, and car types (from basic to premium).
Another option is Gaode Taxi (高德打车), which connects several platforms but is mainly in Chinese. Better if you know some Chinese or have local help.
💸 Fare Estimates
Here’s a quick sense of the prices:
- From city center to Baiyun Airport: around ¥150–200 (S$30–40).
- Short rides inside the city: about ¥15–40 (S$3–8).
💰 How to Pay?
Didi payments are done inside the app. For normal taxis, cash is used, but taxis accept WeChat Pay or Alipay.
⚠️ Tips
- Use GPS to check the route.
- At airports, avoid strangers who approach and offer taxis.
⛴️ Ferry & Cruise in Guangzhou
Guangzhou has some nice water transport options that let you see the city from the Pearl River. Public ferries cross the river at several spots, mostly used by locals but fun for visitors too. There are also river cruises, especially popular at night when the city lights up beautifully.
🗺️ Where it Goes?
Public ferries run between piers like Huangsha Pier and Tianzi Wharf. They connect old neighborhoods on both sides of the river and offer great views of places like Canton Tower and Haixinsha Island.
River cruises usually start from places like Party Pier and Haixinsha Island. Some cruises include dinner or music, perfect for a relaxed evening
🕒 Timings & Frequency
Ferry | Cruise | |
Operating hours | 6:30 AM – 9:30 PM | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Frequency | Every 15–20 minutes | Varies by cruise |
💸 Tickets
Public ferry rides cost around ¥2–5 (about S$0.40). You can pay with the Yang Cheng Tong card or cash at the pier.
River cruises are more expensive, usually ¥100–200+ (S$18–36+). Tickets can be bought online or at the pier.
⚠️ Tips
- Ferry boarding can be slippery, so be careful, especially for seniors.
- Bring a jacket if you sit outside on the cruise. It can get windy and cool at night.
🚴♂️ Shared Bikes
Source: Wikipedia
Most people use shared bikes for short trips. Hello Bike (哈啰单车) and Meituan Bike (美团单车) are very popular and easy to find around the city.
📍 Where to Find?
You’ll see lots of bikes near metro stations, shopping malls, parks, and residential areas. They don’t have fixed docks, just parked on sidewalks. Blue bikes are Hello Bike, and yellow ones are Meituan.
📲 How to Use?
- Download the Hello Bike or Meituan app on your phone.
- Open the app → Find a nearby bike → Scan the QR code → Unlock → Ride → Park properly → Tap “End” to finish.
It costs about ¥1–2 (S$0.18–0.36) for every 15 minutes.
⚠️ Tips
- Helmets are not provided, so be careful.
- Avoid riding in the rain—it gets slippery and there’s no shelter.
Popular Hotels in Guangzhou
🚗 Rent a Car & Driving in Guangzhou
Driving in Guangzhou city can be stressful. Traffic is heavy, rules can be confusing, and parking is hard to find. For most visitors, it’s better to use taxis, metro, or ride-hailing.
Renting a car makes sense if you:
- Plan to visit nearby towns or countryside.
- Travel with kids or elderly family.
- Stay outside the busy city center.
📍 Where to Rent a Car?
You can rent cars at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport or city rental offices. Online sites like Trip.com offer easy booking with clear prices and English support.
📄 Requirements for Tourists
Tourists cannot drive in China with just a Singapore driver’s license or International Driving Permit (IDP). You must apply for a temporary Chinese driving permit, which needs:
- Valid Singapore driving license
- Passport
- Recent photo
- Sometimes a health check
💸 Cost
- Daily rental: About ¥250–400 (S$45–70) for small to medium cars.
- Deposit: ¥3,000–5,000 (S$540–900).
- Fuel: Usually full-to-full policy.
- Extra fees: Toll roads are common, parking in the city costs around ¥10–20/hour (S$1.80–3.60).
⚠️ What to Watch Out For?
- Guangzhou drives on the right side (opposite of Singapore).
- Parking is limited and often only for residents.
- Traffic cameras catch speeding and running red lights—be careful!
🚶 Citywalk in Guangzhou
Walking around Guangzhou feels different from Shanghai or Singapore. The city mixes old charm and modern life.
You can stroll through busy markets, taste street snacks, and see old Cantonese architecture all within a short walk. Some areas feel lively and noisy, with people chatting and playing mahjong on sidewalks. Very local!
🛣️ Citywalk in Guangzhou
Google Maps works if you have mobile data or a VPN, but locals mostly use Gaode (Amap) or Baidu Maps apps, which are mostly in Chinese.
It’s generally safe to walk here, even at night. Just be aware of crowded markets and avoid dark alleys.
📸 Scenic Walks
Don’t miss Shamian Island with its quiet colonial streets and trees. The Pearl River promenade is lovely in the evening, where you can watch boats and enjoy city lights. Also, Yuexiu Park is great for a nature walk with gardens and lakes.
⚠️ Tips
- Bring water and wear light clothes because of the humidity.
- Rain can come suddenly in summer. Keep a small umbrella handy.
🚄 China High Speed Train
Source: Wikipedia
China’s high-speed rail (HSR) is one of the best in the world. The trains are very fast, up to 350 km/h. It’s easy to travel between Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, and Hangzhou from Guangzhou in just a few hours.
The trains are clean, on time, and comfortable. You can choose from Second Class, First Class, or Business Class seats. Tickets are easy to buy online. Trip.com is a popular choice for foreigners.
Most big train stations have signs in English, so it’s simple to find your way. For traveling between cities, high-speed trains are often faster and less stressful than flying.
🎯 Which Transport Mode is the Best Choice for You?
If it’s your first time here, the metro combined with ride-hailing apps like Didi is the easiest and fastest way to explore. Families will find taxis or private transfers more comfortable, especially with kids or seniors. Budget travelers can save money by using the metro, buses, and walking to discover more local spots. Solo travelers who love adventure might enjoy mixing the metro with shared bikes or walking to soak up the city vibe.
Getting around Guangzhou is part of the fun. The city feels lively but once you learn the transport, it’s easy to move around.
Getting around Guangzhou is pretty easy once you know your options. The metro is fast and covers most places, taxis and Didi are good for comfort and late nights, and buses or shared bikes let you explore like a local. Don’t forget the ferry rides for a different view of the city! Just plan a little, stay flexible, and enjoy the mix of old and new in this vibrant city.