Guangzhou Metro

Guangzhou Metro owns 16 lines in operation with a length of 621 km (386 mi) and 302 stations. Its mileage is the 3rd in China and listed in the top 10 in the world. The reliability of the metro's operation was No. 1 and the on-schedule rate was No. 3 in the world. Hereunder are the details including Guangzhou metro operating hours and metro stations:


 Lines in Operation

See more Guangzhou Metro Maps


 Line 1: Guangzhou metro line 1 is made up of 16 stations. It is a very important vehicle to go to the local  East Railway Station. 
Operating Hours: 06:00-00:00

 Line 2: There are 24 stations along the metro line 2. This line running from north to south could take you to the Railway Station and the South Railway Station quickly.
Operating Hours: 06:00-00:23 next day

 Line 3: The line 3 is formed with one north-south main rail and a northeastward branch. This line has reached Guangzhou Baiyun Airport from downtown area directly.
Operating Hours: 06:00-00:08 next day

 Line 4: Starting from Huangcun in the north to Nansha Passenger Port in the south, Line 4 boasts 24 stations in total, one of which is under construction – Guanqiao station.
Operating Hours: 06:00-00:21 next day

 Line 5: The Guangzhou metro line 5 is an artery connecting the eastern and western parts of the city and passing the Railway Station. It covers some major business and residential districts.
Operating Hours: 06:00-00:10 next day

 Line 6: Guangzhou metro line 6 is U-shaped, running between Xunfenggang and Xiangxue.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:56

 Line 7: Metro line 7 connects Meidi Avenue in Foshan and Higher Education Mega Center South via South Railway Station.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:57

 Line 8: Firstly opened in 2010, Guangzhou subway line 8 serves in the shape of "L", linking Jiaoxin, Shayuan and Wanshengwei. Its north extension began to be constructed in 2023.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:54

 Line 9: This metro line runs through Huadu District from Fei'eling to Gaozeng.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:38

 Line 10: Running in northeast - southwest direction, Line 10 links 19 stations in total such as South China Normal University, Shipaiqiao, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shixi and Dongxiaonan. It is expected to be available in 2024.

 Line 11: This is the first loop line of Guangzhou metro system, linking 31 stations such as Fangcun, Shachong, Pazhou, Yuancun and South China Normal University. It will be available at the end of 2023 at the earliest.

 Line 12: This is one of the diagonals of Guangzhou metro system, stretching from northwest to southeast area. 25 stations include Xinshixu, Baiyun Culture Square, Yunxi Ecological Park, Ersha Island and Lingnan Square. Line 12 will be put into use in 2024.

 Line 13: This line runs from Yuzhu to Xinsha via 11 stations. It covers 27 km (17 mi) through Huangpu and Zengcheng Districts, and it is planned to cover Baiyun, Liwan, Yuexiu, and Tianhe Districts as the line 13 stretches westward to Chaoyang.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:44

 Line 14: The main line connects Jiahewanggang and Dongfeng. The Knowledge City branch line of line 14 links Xinhe and Zhenlong via 10 stations.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:37

 Line 18: The main section of metro line 18 runs between East Railway Station and Wanqingsha via other seven stations such as Xiancun, Longtan, Shaxi, Nancun Wanbo and Panyu Square. The section between East Railway Station and Xiancun can be expected in 2024.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:51

 Guangzhou-Foshan Line: GuangFo Line is the first intercity underground rail in China, connecting Guangzhou City and Foshan City.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:56

 Line 21: 61.6km long (38.3mi) Line 21 runs between Yuancun and Zengcheng Square. Major stations along it include Tianhe Park, Huangcun, Suyuan, Zhongxin, Kengbei, Fenggang, Zhucun and Shantian.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:55

 Line 22: It connects Chentougang and Panyu Square in north - south direction, passing by South Railway Station and Shiguang Road.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:25

 Automated People Mover System (APM): Zhujiang New Town Automated People Mover System (APM) is only 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in length, which is the world's first underground and unmanned rail.
Operating Hours: 07:00-23:38

 Young Tram Haizhu Line 1 (THZ1): THZ1, only 7.8 kilometers (4.4 miles) long, connects Canton Tower and Wanshengwei overground.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:05

 Young Tram Huangpu Line 1 (THP1): THP1 is in a rough direction from Xiangxue Metro Station in the west to Xinfeng Road in the east, 14.4 kilometers (8.9 miles) long with 19 stations in total.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:17

Passengers are waiting for subway train.
Passengers Waiting for Metro Train
Purchase Ticket from Self-service Ticket Machine
Purchase Ticket from Self-service Machine

Ticket Fare:

Except of the APM's ticket of CNY2, the metro utilizes a stage fare system. The longer the journey the more you pay. 
1. For the first 4 kilometers (2 miles), the ticket fare is CNY2. 
2. During 4 kilometers (2 miles) to 12 kilometers (7 miles), passengers pay CNY1 for each additional 4 kilometers (2 miles). 
3. During 12 kilometers (7 miles) to 24 kilometers (15 miles), CNY1 is paid for each additional 6 kilometers (4 miles). 
4. When more than 24 kilometers (15 miles), CNY1 is paid for each additional 8 kilometers (5 miles).
 

Ticket Types:

The common ticket types include single-trip ticket, deposit ticket and Guangzhou Transportation Smart  Card (called Yang Cheng Tong in Chinese). The deposit ticket and the Transportation Smart Card holders can enjoy a 5% discount when they take it.

Entrance of Guangzhou Subway StationSingle-trip ticket is often used by tourists. It is only valid on the day when you purchase it. You can return a single-trip ticket within 30 minutes after you buy it. Hereunder is several steps to teach you how to purchase a single-trip ticket:
a).Find the TVM (Ticket Vendor Machine) according to the signs in the Guangzhou metro station;
b).Choose the station you're going to reach on the machine's screen;
c).Make sure how many tickets you want to buy;
d).Pay for the ticket according to the amount of the money shown on the screen;
e).Get the ticket and the change.

 Remark: The machine only accepts CNY5, CNY10 and the coins of CNY0.5 (5 Jiao) and CNY1 (1 Yuan).

The day pass and three-day pass are also popular, which can be purchased at any station of the Guangzhou Metro. Passengers with the one-day pass can take the subway unlimitedly within 24 hours after the first entry of a station, CNY20 (USD 2.8) per ticket. With a three-day pass, you can take Guangzhou metro for any number of times, distance and line within 72 hours after the first entry, which takes CNY50 (USD6.9) per ticket.
 

Guangzhou Transportation Smart Card

The card is widely used on bus, ferryboat, metro, telecom business and many other places in the city. The area where this kind of card can be used has been spread from city downtown area to Zengcheng, Huadu, Panyu and many other suburban areas of the city.

The most suitable type for tourists is Guangzhou Metro Deposit Card. The card costs CNY20 and then you can add value to it. The leftover value in the card is not refundable. If you want to recharge your card, you can go to the customer service centers in the following Guangzhou metro stations in the city: Yangji, Dongshankou, Martyr's Cemetery, Peasant Movement Institute, Gongyuanqian, Railway Station, Yuexiu Park, Chen Clan Academy, Changshou Road, Huangsha, Ximenkou, East Railway Station, Tianhe Sports Center, and West Tiyu Road. Otherwise, you can buy the top-up coupons in the chain stores of Family Mart, and then recharge your card on the self-service machines in metro stations.

- Last updated on Dec. 10, 2023 by Nancy He -
Questions & Answers on Guangzhou Metro
Asked by Peter from SWEDEN | Dec. 09, 2023 05:00Reply
A bicycle on metro
Is it possible to have a bicycle on metro as a personal baggage? Certain week days? Certain cars?
Answers (1)
Answered by Diana | Dec. 10, 2023 19:02
00Reply


As I know, in most Chinese cities, it is not allowed to take bicycle on the metro.
Asked by Anne from PHILIPPINES | Oct. 17, 2023 02:28Reply
Navigation Application
Hi, will be traveling to guangzhou, can anyone recommend a good application to navigate both bus and train?

Thank you very much!
Answers (1)
Answered by Tina | Oct. 17, 2023 02:46
00Reply


It is suggested to use Apple Maps. Others like Gaode Map or Baidu Map only have a Chinese version.
Asked by KM Ong from MALAYSIA | Oct. 02, 2023 00:34Reply
Metro train from Guangzhou to Foshan
Greetings, where do we take the metro train from Guangzhou to Foshan? Appreciated. Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Mandy | Oct. 08, 2023 19:18
00Reply


You can take Metro Line Guangfo Line from Xilang Station to Foshan.
Asked by KM Ong from MALAYSIA | Sep. 21, 2023 02:15Reply
Metro Card - Yang Cheng Tong card
Greetings,
In 2019 when we was in Guangzhou for holidays we used this card - Yang Cheng Tong card for the metro train , appreciate your kind advice that this card is valid to use in Guangzhou.
Appreciated.
Thanks.
Answers (6)
Answered by Emily | Sep. 21, 2023 02:36
00Reply


Yes, the card brought us a lot of convenience, too.
Answered by KM Ong | Sep. 27, 2023 19:45
00Reply


Can this metro card be use in Shenzhen & Zhuhai.
Pls advice. Thanks
Answered by Pepper | Sep. 27, 2023 23:21
00Reply


To use it in Shenzhen and Zhuhai, you need to activate its service in these cities at the service counters. Usually, there are such service counters at metro stations.
Answered by KM Ong | Sep. 30, 2023 18:50
00Reply


Oops, can we used Yang Cheng Tong card Gaungzhou in Foshan & Shenzhen. If yes, appreciate your advice how to do it. Thanks
Answered by KM Ong | Oct. 02, 2023 00:32
00Reply


Thanks. So the question is will our balance will be still available if activate its service in Shenzhen. Appreciate your advice.
Answered by Pepper | Oct. 06, 2023 19:42
00Reply


Yes, you can use Yang Cheng Tong in Shenzhen and Foshan, too; just activitate its service there at the manual counters. In principle, your balance will be available once the card is activated.
Asked by KM Ong from MALAYSIA | Sep. 17, 2023 01:54Reply
Guangzhou Priority Card for Senior (65 years old and elder)
Guangzhou Priority Card for Senior (60~64 years old): 50% off. Guangzhou Priority Card for Senior (65 years old and elder): free ride. Do this apply to foreigner?
Answers (13)
Answered by Mike | Sep. 18, 2023 20:16
00Reply


It seems so if the foreigner has a local resident permit.
Answered by KM Ong | Sep. 19, 2023 01:48
00Reply


if the foreigner has a local resident permit.
Hello Mike, pls enlighten what's does you mean local resident permit?
Appreciated.
Thanks
Answered by Flora | Sep. 19, 2023 18:31
00Reply


The local residence permit is generally issued to those who stay for a long term in Guangzhou, generally above 180 days.
Answered by KM Ong | Sep. 27, 2023 19:54
00Reply


Travel from Guangzhou to Shenzhen by buses better or train? If by buses, where should we take?
Pls share.
Answered by Pepper | Sep. 27, 2023 23:23
00Reply


Train is more punctual and I recommend train.
Answered by KM Ong | Sep. 29, 2023 01:14
00Reply


Where to take metro from Gaungzhou to Foshan. Thanks
Answered by KM Ong | Sep. 30, 2023 18:52
00Reply


Appreciate your advice what's exit should we take from Peasant Movement Institute station to hotel in Cangbian Road. Thanks
Answered by KM Ong | Oct. 12, 2023 01:59
00Reply


Pepper, thanks. But where do we take the normal train from Gaungzhou to Luohu District Shenzhen.
Answered by Kelly | Oct. 12, 2023 02:41
00Reply


In fact, you can take a high speed train from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Shenzhen North.
Answered by KM Ong | Oct. 16, 2023 00:34
00Reply


We plan to take normal train from Gaungzhou to Shenzhen so we can view the scenery on the way there. So where do we take the train in Gaungzhou & also how to make the ticket booking.
Appreciate your advice.
Answered by Emily | Oct. 16, 2023 18:27
00Reply


Most trains depart from Guangzhou to Shenzhen are high speed trains and only a dozen of ones are normal trains, which depart from Guangzhou North to Shenzhen Railway Station or Shenzhen East. As for tickets booking, it is suggested to book with TravelChinaGuide directly.
Answered by KM Ong | Oct. 24, 2023 19:02
00Reply


What's the time taken to travel from Xilang station to Gaungzhou South Railway by metro train.
Answered by Nick | Oct. 24, 2023 19:40
00Reply


It takes about 40 minutes.
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