October 30, the Terminal 3 (T3) of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport was officially put into operation, making Baiyun Airport the first airport in China with two control towers and five operational runways.
After the commissioning of T3, Baiyun Airport's annual passenger throughput capacity will exceed 120 million, its cargo and mail throughput capacity will reach 3.8 million tons, and its passenger and cargo throughput scale will be in a leading position globally.
China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, China United Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, and Okay Airways are the first batch of airlines to settle in. Starting from October 31, the domestic arrival and departure flights of China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, China United Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, and Okay Airways will be operated at Terminal 3, while China Eastern Airlines' international flights will temporarily remain at Terminal 1.
*How to Reach T3: A Complete Guide
T3 is equipped with a contemporary transportation hub that facilitates seamless connections, no matter if you're traveling by car, train, or bus.
1. By Car, Taxi, or Ride-Hailing Service
The quickest ways to get to T3 are via the Airport Second Expressway or Yingbin Dadao. Two new parking facilities, P11 and P12, have been added to the terminal, providing 1,800 parking spaces right from the opening day.
Private Cars: The departure-level sidewalk is solely for instant drop-offs. For parking, head to the P11 or P12 lots situated south of the terminal.
Taxis & Ride-Hailing (Didi): Empty taxis and ride-hailing cars are prohibited from entering the departure level. Confirm the assigned pickup area via your app—ride-hailing services use the first and second floors of the P12 parking lot.
2. By Intercity Train
Baiyun Airport East Station (T3), a new station, opens alongside the terminal. It is located on B2 level of the T3 Ground Transportation Center, enabling direct access to the terminal and linking Guangzhou with cities such as Foshan, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhaoqing and Qingyuan. Check the official Guangdong Intercity website or 12306 for train timetables.
3. By Metro + Shuttle Bus
If you're taking Metro Line 3 or 9, there are two options to reach T3:
Alight at Gaozeng Station and switch to the free T3 shuttle bus. The 6-kilometer journey takes around 15 minutes, with buses operating every 15-20 minutes.
Get off at Baiyun Airport North Station (T2) and transfer to an intercity train for a one-stop ride to Baiyun Airport East Station (T3).
T3 Terminal Shuttle Bus from the Metro Station
This dedicated shuttle bus route covers a one-way distance of roughly 6 kilometers, with a travel time of about 15 minutes. Services run every 15 to 20 minutes.
4. By Airport Express
Starting from October 30, all long-distance Airport Express bus routes will include a stop at T3. For detailed schedules, visit the official "Baiyun Airport Express (白云机场空港快线)" WeChat account.
*Getting Around: Transferring Between T1, T2, and T3
If you end up at the wrong terminal, there's no need to worry. Baiyun Airport offers two convenient, free transfer options between all three terminals.
Free Inter-Terminal Shuttle Bus
This 24/7 service operates in a loop between T1, T2, and T3. Look for shuttle stops at Gate 12 (T1 Departures), Gate 42 (T2 Departures), and Gate 62 (T3 Departures).
Peak Hours (22:00 - 03:00): Every 10 minutes.
Regular Hours (08:00 - 22:00): Every 20 minutes.
Off-Peak Hours (03:00 - 08:00): Every 30 minutes.
Intercity Train
Transfers can also be made via intercity train. Stations are conveniently located at each terminal: Baiyun Airport South Station (T1), Baiyun Airport North Station (T2), and Baiyun Airport East Station (T3). Trains run approximately every 17 minutes.
*Important Travel Tips
Check-in Deadline: Confirm your terminal before going to the airport, as boarding passes will clearly mark "T1," "T2," or "T3." Domestic flight check-in at T3 closes 40 minutes prior to departure—this is a crucial detail to avoid missing your flight.
Use Navigation Apps: The airport suggests using Gaode Maps (Amap), Baidu Maps, or Tencent Maps for the most accurate real-time directions to the new terminal.
Need Help? Airport staff are available at information desks to assist with directions and other travel-related questions.
Reporter | Zhou Hongdou
Video | Zhang Ruilin
Editor | Yin Juewen