Guangzhou Metro

Guangzhou Metro owns 19 normal metro lines in operation with a length of 751.1 km (466.7 mi) and 309 stations and three tram lines. 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:

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 Yanshan 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 11 stations at present such as South China Normal University, Shipaiqiao, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shixi and Dongxiaonan.

 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. 

 Line 12: This is one of the diagonals of Guangzhou metro system, stretching from northwest to southeast area via stations including Xinshixu, Baiyun Culture Square, and Ersha Island.

 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: 60.4km long (37.5mi) Line 21 runs between Tianhe Park and Zengcheng Square. Major stations along it include Tianhe Park, Huangcun, Suyuan, Zhongxin, Kengbei, Fenggang, Zhucun and Shantian.
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:57

 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

 Young Tram Huangpu Line 2 (THP2): THP2 runs between Xiangxue Subway Station and Kaiyuan Avenue from north to south via 8 stations. 
Operating Hours: 06:20 - 22:52 from Xiangxue to Kaiyuan Avenue; 06:00 - 22:30 from Kaiyuan Avenue to Xiangxue

Passengers Waiting for Metro Train

Purchase Ticket from Self-service Machine

 

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).
 

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.

Inside the Metro Station

Single-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.
 

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.