How to Get to the Canton Fair — Complete Transport Guide 2025

Flying into Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA: CAN) is one of the busiest airports in China and Asia. It is served by dozens of international airlines with direct flights from Europe, North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and beyond. Airlines including China Southern, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines and many others operate regular services.

The airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) for domestic flights and most international airlines, and Terminal 2 (T2) for some domestic and a growing number of international services. An automated people mover (APM) connects T1 and T2 within minutes.

Travel time from the airport to the Canton Fair Complex is approximately 45–75 minutes depending on traffic and the route you choose.

Airport to Canton Fair by metro (Line 3 + Line 8)

The most convenient and reliable way from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to the Canton Fair Complex is by metro. Guangzhou's metro is modern, air-conditioned, clean and inexpensive.

From Terminal 1: Take Metro Line 3 (northbound is Airport North; southbound towards the city). Board Line 3 at Jichang South Station (机场南, T1) or Jichang North Station (机场北, T2). Travel southbound to Tiyuzhongxin Station (体育中心) — approximately 30 minutes.

At Tiyuzhongxin, transfer to Metro Line 8 heading eastbound. Ride Line 8 to Xingang East Station (新港东) — approximately 15 minutes. Exit the station and follow signs to Canton Fair Complex/Pazhou Exhibition Hall. The walk from Xingang East to the exhibition entrance is approximately 5–10 minutes.

Alternative route: From Line 3, transfer at Kecun Station (客村) to Line 8, which also serves the Pazhou area. Several entrances to the Canton Fair Complex are accessible from different metro exits along Line 8.

Metro tickets cost approximately 6–10 RMB for the full journey from the airport to the fair. Tap-and-go payment with Alipay, WeChat Pay or a Guangzhou metro card is accepted at all stations. Single-journey paper tickets are also available from machines.

Airport to Canton Fair by taxi or ride-hailing (DiDi)

Taxis and the DiDi ride-hailing app (China's equivalent of Uber) are available outside both airport terminals. The journey from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to the Canton Fair Complex takes approximately 45–60 minutes by car, depending on Guangzhou's often congested ring roads.

A taxi will typically cost 80–150 RMB depending on traffic and the exact drop-off point. Always use the metered taxi queue at the designated stands — avoid unlicensed drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.

DiDi (the app) allows you to book in advance, shows the price upfront, and is generally more reliable during peak Canton Fair periods when taxi queues can be long. Download the DiDi app before arriving and link a payment method.

During Canton Fair season (April–May and October–November), traffic around Pazhou Island can be very heavy. Budget extra time and consider the metro as a faster alternative during peak hours.

Flying via Hong Kong Airport (HKG) — a popular route

Many international buyers choose to fly into Hong Kong International Airport (IATA: HKG) instead of or in addition to Guangzhou. Hong Kong is one of the world's busiest and best-connected aviation hubs, with direct flights from virtually every major city on earth. Long-haul connections through Hong Kong are often cheaper and involve fewer stopovers than routing through mainland Chinese airports.

From Hong Kong airport, buyers have two excellent options to reach the Canton Fair: the high-speed train from West Kowloon or the direct ferry from Hong Kong Airport Sky Pier.

Hong Kong airport is served by Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, Air France, Lufthansa, United, American Airlines and dozens of other major carriers. It consistently ranks among the world's top airports for connectivity.

Hong Kong to Guangzhou by high-speed train (fastest option)

The high-speed rail connection between Hong Kong and Guangzhou is one of the most comfortable and time-efficient ways to reach the Canton Fair. The journey takes approximately 47–60 minutes — faster than any other option once you are on the train.

The train departs from West Kowloon Station (西九龍站, also written Xī Jiǔlóng), located in Kowloon, Hong Kong. This station is a striking piece of modern architecture that also houses a China Customs pre-clearance facility, meaning you clear mainland immigration before boarding — so on arrival in Guangzhou you walk straight out without queuing.

From Hong Kong Airport, take the Airport Express (MTR) to Hong Kong Station or Kowloon Station — both serve the high-speed rail. The Airport Express takes approximately 24 minutes to Kowloon and 30 minutes to Hong Kong. From there, follow signs to the High Speed Rail terminal. Alternatively, take a taxi directly to West Kowloon Station.

High-speed trains run frequently throughout the day (typically every 10–30 minutes depending on the time of day) from early morning to late evening. The fare is approximately HKD 220–300 (around USD 28–38) for a second-class ticket. Book in advance online at the MTR website or at the station — during Canton Fair season trains sell out quickly.

Trains arrive at Guangzhou South Station (广州南站, Guangzhōu Nán), one of the largest high-speed rail stations in the world. From Guangzhou South, take Metro Line 2 or Line 7 into the city, then transfer to Line 8 towards Pazhou. The full journey from Guangzhou South to the Canton Fair Complex by metro is approximately 45–60 minutes. A taxi from Guangzhou South to the fair takes 30–50 minutes depending on traffic.

Ferry from Hong Kong to the Canton Fair — docking at Pazhou

One of the most convenient and scenic options for buyers arriving from Hong Kong is the direct ferry service that docks right at the Canton Fair Complex on Pazhou Island. This service eliminates the need to navigate Guangzhou's metro or roads after a long international flight.

Ferry services operate from several Hong Kong departure points, including the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) and the Sky Pier at Hong Kong International Airport. The Sky Pier service is particularly attractive for travellers arriving on international flights, as you can board the ferry directly from the airport without passing through Hong Kong immigration — saving significant time.

The ferry journey from Hong Kong Airport Sky Pier to Pazhou takes approximately 75–90 minutes and runs several times daily. The ferry from China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui is served by multiple operators and also docks at Pazhou during Canton Fair periods, though schedules and operators should be confirmed in advance as they may vary by season.

Importantly, several international airlines — including some Hong Kong-based and international carriers — offer through-check-in services at the China Ferry Terminal in Kowloon, allowing passengers to check their luggage for their onward international flight while still in Hong Kong. This 'ferry + fly' option is ideal for buyers who want to spend a day or two at the fair and then depart from Hong Kong rather than Guangzhou.

Tickets for the ferry should be booked in advance, especially during Canton Fair season, as demand is very high. Prices typically range from HKD 200–400 (approximately USD 25–50) per person one way.

Guangzhou train stations — which one to use

Guangzhou is served by multiple train stations, and knowing which one you arrive at determines your onward route to the fair.

Guangzhou South Station (广州南站) is the main high-speed rail hub, serving trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and most major Chinese cities. It is connected to the metro (Line 2 and Line 7) and is the station you will use if arriving from Hong Kong by high-speed rail.

Guangzhou East Station (广州东站) is a major station serving trains from Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and points northeast. It is well connected to the metro (Line 1 and Line 3) and is closer to the city centre. Some older intercity trains use this station.

Guangzhou Station (广州站, also called Guangzhou Central or Guangzhou Railway Station) is the original historic station in the northern part of the city centre, primarily serving conventional (non-high-speed) trains and routes to smaller cities. It is served by Metro Line 2 and Line 5.

Guangzhou North Station (广州北站) is primarily a high-speed rail station serving cities in northern Guangdong and connections via Guangzhou-Shaoguan-Ganzhou corridor. It is the furthest from the fair and requires a longer metro journey.

For most international visitors, Guangzhou South is the most relevant arrival point as it serves the Hong Kong high-speed trains and most bullet trains from major Chinese cities.

From Shenzhen to the Canton Fair

Many visitors enter China via Shenzhen, particularly those coming from Hong Kong overland. From Shenzhen, you can reach Guangzhou by high-speed rail (approximately 30 minutes from Shenzhen North Station to Guangzhou South) or by intercity bus. High-speed trains between Shenzhen and Guangzhou run very frequently throughout the day.

The Shenzhen-Guangzhou intercity rail is one of the busiest corridors in China. Tickets are inexpensive (approximately RMB 75–100 second class) and trains depart every few minutes during peak hours. From Guangzhou South, take the metro as described above.

Getting around Guangzhou — metro tips

Guangzhou's metro system is one of the most extensive in China, with over 500 kilometres of track. For Canton Fair visitors, the key lines are Line 3 (airport to city), Line 8 (Pazhou area), Line 2 (Guangzhou South to city centre), and Line 1 (city centre east-west backbone).

Key stations for the Canton Fair: Xingang East (新港东) and Pazhou (琶洲) on Line 8 are the two stations closest to the Canton Fair Complex. Multiple exits lead to different halls and registration areas — check the map at the station exit to identify the correct one for your destination hall.

Metro fares are calculated by distance and are very affordable — typically RMB 2–10 for any journey within the city. The metro operates from approximately 6:00 am to 11:30 pm. During Canton Fair season, trains on Line 8 run at maximum frequency and can be extremely crowded at peak times (8–10 am and 5–7 pm).

Payment: You can pay with Alipay, WeChat Pay, a Guangzhou metro card (available at station customer service), or single-journey tickets from vending machines. Note that foreign credit cards are generally not accepted at metro machines — bring Alipay or WeChat Pay set up before arrival, or use cash at the ticket office.