Tiyu Xilu station: which side to leave on Metro Line 3

First decide whether this train ends here

Tiyu Xilu is where the two northern parts of Metro Line 3 meet the southern corridor. Your first decision comes before the doors: does this particular train continue to a station you need, or does it finish here? Check the destination display and arrival announcement.

On an airport-origin through train serving Zhujiang New Town or Canton Tower, you can remain on. If it ends at Tiyu Xilu, leave and transfer. If you need the Tianhe branch, change here even when the airport train continues south.

Both doors open, but the sides are different

The Metro Line 3 area has two island platforms around three tracks. An island is the passenger waiting area between tracks; the centre track has a platform on each side. That is why a train arriving there can open both sides without those sides leading to the same onward service.

Guangzhou Metro’s July 2026 Q&A gives the rule for this centre-track arrival from Airport North. Face the direction in which the train has just arrived, rather than facing whichever door is nearest. Your left leads towards Tianhe Coach Terminal; your right leads towards Haibang and the southern corridor.

Choose before the doors open

The platform number is a clue, not the train destination

For the southern section, look for signs towards Haibang / 海傍. For Shipaiqiao or Gangding, look for Tianhe Coach Terminal / 天河客运站. The operator’s published plan also shows that some platforms can serve more than one train destination, so a platform number never replaces checking the departure display.

From the concourse, follow the current destination-labelled Metro Line 3 signs and displays. Do not memorize “left escalator” from an old photo without its viewpoint. Crowding and passenger-flow directions can affect the path available when you travel.

If you leave on the wrong side

Stop and read the destination signs before boarding another train. The two islands are separate; once the centre train leaves, it is no longer between them. Do not try to cross tracks, hold a door or use a departing train as a bridge.

1. Stay inside the paid area. Follow the signed stairs, escalators or lift route up to the interchange level; do not exit through the ticket gates.
2. Follow the Metro Line 3 signs for your required destination, then the signed route back down to that platform.
3. For luggage or step-free access, show staff your destination and ask for the available lift route.
4. Check the next train’s destination again before boarding.

Give yourself room in a busy interchange

Tiyu Xilu is a busy interchange, and Guangzhou Metro may use crowd controls when passenger numbers rise. With luggage or children, work out your onward destination before arrival, let people get off and follow staff’s queue directions.

Choosing the wrong side is inconvenient rather than a disaster: you can use the signed internal transfer route. Ask staff for the lift route if stairs or escalators are difficult. Do not assume an old photograph shows the route available today.

Need the wider route?

Use the line guide for branches and shorter services. Use the airport guide for terminal access and the full city-to-airport decision. Metro Line 3 explained Baiyun Airport by Metro Line 3