Canton fair attracts over 100000 visitors each day. Add another 25000 exhibitor's staff and everyone wants to get out of fair which turns getting into the city a battle in itself. I have seen people spending more than couple of hours to get to city. Thankfully, with little planning and right information you can avoid this situation for yourself. Here is what you should do to avoid being stuck at the Canton fair rush.
Leave fair ground early
Start in time and leave half an hour early. You will beat the upcoming rush. The exhibitor have to stay until the end of the fair's closing hour but you have a choice to leave little early. Believe me, the two hour wait and resulting fatigue is not worth spending last hour in the fair
Avoid taxi, take bus or metro
There are only 6 official taxi rank which serves outbound visitors during fair time. You will be waiting in line along with hundreds of visitors for at least 45 minutes to get taxi. Thereafter another 30 to 60 minutes in Guangzhou traffic to reach to your hotel. The city buses offers paid bus service to many location. Buses leave right next to the taxi rank every 10 minutes and cost US$ 1. One can also take metro which may br crowded by faster way to get to the city.
From area A:
Line 1 - Fair Ground to Huanshi East Raod (Garden hotel, Asia International Hotel)
Line 2 - Fair Ground to Lui Hua Road (China Hotel, Dong Feng Hotel)
From area B
Line 3 - Fair Ground to Hai Zhu Square (Close to wholesale market area and Landmark Hotel)
Line 4 - Fair Ground to Tian He, CITIC plaza closer to many five star hotel in the area.
Buses operate from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm except for the last day of each phase of the fair. You can also get a bus to airport from the same place.
From area A:
Line 1 - Fair Ground to Huanshi East Raod (Garden hotel, Asia International Hotel)
Line 2 - Fair Ground to Lui Hua Road (China Hotel, Dong Feng Hotel)
From area B
Line 3 - Fair Ground to Hai Zhu Square (Close to wholesale market area and Landmark Hotel)
Line 4 - Fair Ground to Tian He, CITIC plaza closer to many five star hotel in the area.
Buses operate from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm except for the last day of each phase of the fair. You can also get a bus to airport from the same place.
Hotel shuttle buses
Most of the hotel operate free shuttle buses for their guest. They wait in the designated parking area and usually leave at 6 pm. Please check with your hotel for the details. You may be required to show room key or some proof to board the bus.