Guangzhou Metro: Map, Lines, Fares, Usage & Ride Guide

By Kyra
May 22, 2026

The Guangzhou Metro is the most popular way for locals to get around, and is also very convenient for foreign visitors. During events such as the Canton Fair, you can see many international travellers using the metro.
This guide includes the Guangzhou Metro maps, operating hours, fare information, and step-by-step instructions for purchasing metro tickets (via WeChat/Alipay) or single journey tickets. You'll also find tips for riding the Guangzhou Metro and reaching major tourist attractions. Whether you're attending the Canton Fair or sightseeing, we will help you get around like a local!
Guangzhou Metro Map



Guangzhou Metro Map 2026 (from Guangzhou Metro Official & Wikipedia)
Guangzhou Metro is one of the most advanced urban rail systems in China. It now operates 19 lines, covering approximately 779.9 kilometres (484.6 miles) and 397 stations. The network covers 11 districts across the city, making it a convenient and reliable way to travel for both locals and visitors.
Lines 1 to 6 link the main business areas and major transport hubs. The suburban lines, such as Line 7 and Line 14, extend to nearby districts including Panyu and Conghua. Line 3 goes north to Baiyun International Airport, while Line 2/Line 7/Line 22 connects to Guangzhou South Railway Station, a major high-speed rail hub. The metro also provides easy access to the Canton Fair through Line 8, which stops at Pazhou Station, the exhibition's main venue.
Several lines also provide easy access to popular attractions. You can reach Canton Tower on Line 3, Shamian on Line 6, and Chimelong on Lines 3 or 7. The APM line in Zhujiang New Town (Tianhe CBD) also helps connect busy commercial areas, offering passengers fast and efficient travel across the city.
Guangzhou Metro Lines, Operating Hours & Major Stations
Most Guangzhou Metro lines operate from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM daily. Avoid last-minute dashes! Check official apps for real-time updates.
Line | Route | First & Last Train Time* | Key Stations |
Line 1 | Xilang ⇄ Guangzhou East Railway Station | Xilang → East Station: 06:00-22:55 East Station → Xilang: 06:10-23:30 | Gongyuanqian |
Line 2 | Guangzhou South Railway Station ⇄ Jiahewanggang | South Station → Jiahewanggang: 06:00-23:30 Jiahewanggang → South Station: 06:00-23:35 | Guangzhou South Railway Station |
Line 3 Main | Tianhe Coach Terminal ⇄ Haibang | Haibang → Tianhe Coach Terminal: 06:00-22:55 Tianhe Coach Terminal → Haibang: 06:16-00:13 | Panyu Square |
Line 3 Northern Extension | Airport South Terminal 2 ⇄ Tiyu Xilu | Airport South Terminal 2 → Tiyu Xilu: 06:00-23:15 Tiyu Xilu → Airport South Terminal 2: 06:00-23:30 | Tiyu Xilu |
Line 4 | Nansha Passenger Port ⇄ Huangcun | Nansha Passenger Port → Huangcun: 06:00-22:30 Huangcun → Nansha Passenger Port: 06:00-23:15 | Huangcun |
Line 5 | Jiaokou ⇄ Huangpu New Port | Jiaokou → Huangpu New Port: 06:15-23:00 Jiaokou → Wenchong: 06:15-23:30 Huangpu New Port → Jiaokou: 06:00-22:40 | Jiaokou |
Line 6 | Xunfenggang ⇄ Xiangxue | Xunfenggang → Xiangxue: 06:00-22:50 Xiangxue → Xunfenggang: 06:00-22:50 | Beijing Lu |
Line 7 | Meidi Dadao ⇄ Yanshan | Meidi Dadao → Yanshan: 06:00-22:45 Meidi Dadao → Jitang: 06:00-23:10 Yanshan → Meidi Dadao: 06:00-22:45 | Guangzhou South Railway Station |
Line 8 | Jiaoxin ↔ Wanshengwei | Jiaoxin → Wanshengwei: 06:00–23:00 Wanshengwei → Jiaoxin: 06:10–23:00 | Cultural Park |
APM Line | Linhexi ⇄ Canton Tower | Linhexi → Canton Tower: 07:00-23:30 Canton Tower → Linhexi: 07:00-23:30 | Linhexi |
*The operation time is based on the Guangzhou Metro official app data in 2026.
Guangzhou Metro Ticket Prices
The Guangzhou Metro fare is calculated based on the distance travelled.
| Distance Travelled | Fare Increase | Total Fare (¥) |
0-4 km | Base fare | ¥2 |
4-12 km | +¥1 per 4 km | ¥3-4 |
12-24 km | +¥1 per 6 km | ¥5-6 |
Over 24 km | +¥1 per 8 km | ¥8+ |
APM Line | Flat fare | ¥2 |
💡 Note: Guangzhou Metro's fare mechanism is scheduled for an optimisation update (票价机制优化) to be completed in December 2026. Current fares may change later in 2026 — please check the official Guangzhou Metro app or website for the latest pricing before your trip.
For journeys between cities or especially long metro trips (e.g., Guangzhou to Foshan, Guangzhou to Shenzhen), consider taking China's high-speed rail (HSR) or intercity trains instead. These trains are significantly faster, covering 50 km (31 miles) in just 15–30 minutes, while the metro takes over an hour. Although fares are slightly higher than the metro, the time saved makes the train an ideal choice for regional travel.
[5% Off] China Train Ticket Discount for New Users
24/7 Ticketing · 3-Minute Booking · E-Tickets
💡 Find inspiration in our guides:
How to Buy Guangzhou Metro Tickets?
Guangzhou Metro now makes payment much easier for international visitors. All stations including the APM line support the four major foreign bank cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express), and you can simply tap your card at any gate displaying the card logo to enter and exit.
You can also buy a Single Journey Ticket (the green plastic token 🟢) from station ticket machines using cash or mobile payment. Frequent travellers can use the Guangzhou Metro official app or the Alipay or WeChat mini-program to generate a QR code ticket for quick entry. Visitors may also purchase a stored-value Yang Cheng Tong Card at the service counter, with a refundable 20 RMB deposit, and use it for buses and ferries as well. All ticket machines and apps offer an English interface, making it easy for everyone to use the system.
For short-term unlimited travel, Guangzhou Metro also offers day passes (one-day and three-day), available as either electronic tickets via the app or physical cards at stations, allowing unlimited travel within a set time period without needing to buy tickets each time. Let's have a closer look at each option and how they work.
1️⃣Contactless Payment with Foreign Bank Cards 💳😍
Guangzhou Metro supports contactless payment using foreign bank cards at all stations, including the APM line. Travellers can tap their cards directly at the gate for quick and easy entry. As of October 2025, Guangzhou Metro covers all five major international card networks: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, and UnionPay.
Supported Cards
- Foreign-issued Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and JCB cards
- China-issued Mastercard or American Express cards that support RMB transactions
- All cards must have contactless payment enabled
How to Use
No need to buy a ticket or download an app. Simply tap your card on the reader marked with the card logos at the metro gate to enter or exit.
🌟 As of October 2025, Guangzhou Metro has achieved full coverage of all five major card networks — UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and American Express — making it one of the most internationally accessible metro systems in China.
Where It Works
Available at all Guangzhou Metro stations. Gates show clear card logos, and many stations have English and Chinese signs to help international passengers, especially during large events such as the Canton Fair.


2️⃣Guangzhou Metro Station Ticket Machines 🎫✅
You can easily buy tickets at self-service machines in any Guangzhou Metro station. The screens have clear English instructions.
- Choose your destination on the touch screen.
- Select your payment method: cash, WeChat Pay or Alipay.
- Collect your single journey ticket (a small green coin🟢).
- Swipe your ticket to enter and insert it when you leave.
- Keep it safe during your trip.
👩💼 Station staff are always nearby if you need help.

3️⃣Guangzhou Metro App (iOS / Android) 📱👍
The official Guangzhou Metro app makes it easy to buy e-tickets.
Download the app, create an account, get a QR code ticket, and scan it at the ticket gate to enter.
✅ English available
✅ Real-time route planning and fare check
✅ Service alerts and travel updates
You can pay with WeChat Pay, Alipay, bank cards, or Digital Yuan (e-CNY / 数字人民币) — added as a supported payment method in October 2024. Monthly travel discounts are added automatically.

4️⃣Alipay QR Code Ticket 📱🔥
Open Alipay App → ➊ Click "Transport"→ ➋Select "Guangzhou Metro" → ➌ Activate "Metro QR Code" → Click "Get now" → Agree to terms →➍ Scan at the Gate

5️⃣WeChat QR Code Ticket 📱💥
1. How to activate the Guangzhou Metro QR code on WeChat

2. How to use WeChat QR code to take Guangzhou Metro

6️⃣Yang Cheng Tong Cards & NFC 💳💰

Yang Cheng Tong Cards (Physical Transit Cards)
You can buy and recharge Yang Cheng Tong cards at self-service machines inside Guangzhou Metro stations. These cards require a 20 RMB deposit and can be used on the metro, buses, and ferries. Simply swipe your card at the turnstile to enter and exit. When recharging, please use cash or mobile payment (WeChat/Alipay) at the self-service card vending machine.
Here we have to talk about the current discount policies of Guangzhou Metro: within one calendar month, if you use the same platform entrance code or the same Yangcheng Tong card to take Guangzhou Metro, bus, or water bus, the cumulative actual ticket expenditure of more than 80 RMB but less than 200 RMB will enjoy a 20% discount, and the amount exceeding 200 RMB will enjoy a 50% discount.
NFC Mobile Payments (Apple Pay & Android)
If you prefer digital payments, NFC-enabled phones (Apple Pay, Huawei Pay, Samsung Pay, etc.) can directly support Yang Cheng Tong. Add your card to your phone's wallet and tap to pay (no QR code needed)! Recharging is easy via the phone's wallet app.
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Hotel in Guangzhou7️⃣Guangzhou Metro Day Pass
1) Guangzhou Metro Day Pass Types & Prices
Pass Type | Price | Validity | Travel Scope |
One-day pass | 20 RMB | 24 hours from first entry | Unlimited travel on all metro lines |
Three-day pass | 50 RMB | 72 hours from first entry | Unlimited travel on all metro lines |
Notes:
- Valid across the full network of Guangzhou Metro (Lines 1–22, APM line).
- Not valid on trams or intercity railway lines.
- One person per ticket (no sharing).
2) Where to Buy a Guangzhou Metro Day Pass

eMetro Self-Service Card Vending and Recharging Machine
🛒 Buying Options
1. Online (E-day pass)
- Download the official Guangzhou Metro App
- Tap "Day Pass Purchase"
- Pay via mobile payment
- Activate in the "Card Pack" section before use
2. At Metro Stations (Physical pass)
- Ticket machines (self-service)
- Customer service centres
- Special counters at busy stations such as:
- Guangzhou South Railway Station
- Guangzhou East Railway Station
- Pazhou Station
💡 During big events (e.g. Canton Fair), extra sales points may be set up at stations like Pazhou.
3) How to Use Guangzhou Metro Day Pass (Step-by-Step)
📱 Electronic Day Pass
Before travel:
- Activate in the app (this starts the 24h / 72h countdown)
At the station:
- Entry: Scan the QR code at the gate
- Exit: Scan again at the destination
Important:
- Works only on your phone/account
- Cannot be refunded after activation (unused passes refundable within 30 days)
🎫 Physical Day Pass
At the station:
- Entry: tap at the gate
- Exit: tap again
Important:
- Keep it safe (lost tickets are not replaced)
- Valid only within the time window after first use
⚠️ Key Reminders
- One ticket = one person only
- Unlimited rides within validity period
- Not valid on trams or intercity trains
- Ask staff for help if gates don't work properly
How to Ride Guangzhou Metro
1. Enter & Security Check
- Find metro entrance
- Bags go through X-ray scanner (liquids may be checked)

2. Swipe to Enter
- Scan QR code at gate (Alipay/WeChat/Metro app)
- OR tap Yang Cheng Tong card (NFC)/contactless payment
- OR Tap a Single Journey Ticket/Day Pass

3. Ride the Metro
- Check line colour/number and direction
- Stand behind the yellow line and get on when the door opens
- Priority seats are marked (offer to elderly/pregnant)

4. Tap Card / QR Code to Exit
- Same method as entry:
- QR code - scan again
- Tap Card/Day Pass/Insert Plastic Single Journey Ticket to exit
- Fare automatically deducted✅

Best Hotels Near Guangzhou Metro Stations (By Area)
Guangzhou offers a wide range of hotels within easy walking distance of metro stations, making it easy for tourists to explore the city.
The following areas and hotels are especially popular with international travellers because they are easily accessible to business districts, shopping streets, major attractions, railway stations, and the airport.
Hotels: Save up to 10% (Book online or on Mobile)
Homes & Apts: Save up to £39 (App-only deal)
Tianhe CBD (Business Centre)
📍 ~7 min walk to Zhujiang New Town Station
🏙 Business district, big shopping malls, near Canton Tower
⭐ Best for: business travellers & city skyline views
📍 ~4 min walk to Zhujiang New Town Station
🏙 Luxury stay in Guangzhou IFC, amazing skyline views
⭐ Best for: luxury travellers & special trips
Yuexiu (Historic Centre)
📍 ~4 min walk to Beijing Road Station
🏛 Historic streets, shopping, central sightseeing
⭐ Best for: first-time visitors
📍 ~3 min walk to Taojin Station
🏙 Classic city hotel, very convenient location
⭐ Best for: comfortable central stay
Haizhu (Canton Fair Area)
📍 ~8 min walk to Xingangdong Station
🏢 Close to Canton Fair complex & exhibition halls
⭐ Best for: business trips & exhibitions
📍 ~9 min walk to Pazhou Station
🌿 Riverside resort-style luxury near fair grounds
⭐ Best for: business + relaxing stay
Panyu (Theme Parks & Rail Hub)
📍 ~13 min walk to Guangzhou South Station
🚄 Easy high-speed rail connections
⭐ Best for: regional travel
📍 Inside Chimelong Tourist Resort
🎢 Theme parks, family activities
⭐ Best for: families & theme park visits
Baiyun Airport Area
📍 ~15 min walk to Airport S. (Terminal 1) Station
✈ Very convenient for early flights
⭐ Best for: overnight airport stays
After selecting the area that suits your itinerary, you can narrow down your choices by hotel type.
Many travellers look for luxury hotels, business-friendly stays, family hotels, places with breakfast included, or hotels with a gym and swimming pool.
Our Top Picks
5 star
Business travel
Family friendly
Breakfast
Gym
FAQ – Guangzhou Metro
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How to pay for Guangzhou Metro?
Use QR codes (Alipay/WeChat or the Guangzhou Metro App), a Yang Cheng Tong card, a single journey ticket, or simply tap a foreign bank card (Visa/Mastercard) at most stations. You can also buy a one-day or three-day pass for unlimited travel within a fixed time period. -
Does Guangzhou Metro provide English services?
Yes! Station signs, announcements and ticket machines are all in English, and staff speak basic English. -
Which peak hours should be avoided on the Guangzhou Metro?
Weekdays 7:30–9:30 AM and 5:30–7:30 PM. Trains are very crowded during these times. -
What time does the Guangzhou Metro operate until?
Most lines operate 6:00 AM–11:30 PM. Check last train times via official app. -
Does Guangzhou Metro offer tourist discounts?
Yes. Monthly spending over ¥80 gets 20% off, and over ¥200 gets 50% off (using the same payment method). Day passes are also available, offering unlimited travel for one or three days at a fixed price.
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