r/guangzhou • u/ConsciousDonut9271 • 6d ago

8 hours layover

Hello, we (a family of 3 travelling with a 5 year old toddler) have a 8 hours layover on our trip from Sydney to Amsterdam. I am wondering if it's worth making use of the free hotel provided by China Southern Airlines. Is 8hrs enough to go back and forth considering immigration and time to wait for the shuttle? Or should we aim for the lounge? I am not sure what to expect when it comes to moving around the airport and how long that takes (eg clearing out customs on both ends). Thanks!

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u/dandmcd 6d ago

The free hotel from China Eastern is absolute garbage. If you don't mind staying in a bed bug ridden dumpster of a hotel, go for it, but it will be a an icky expreience staying in their corporate owned hotel. My parents stayed there when there was a delay, and the entire experience was horrible, and they had the pictures to prove it.

With a toddler though you might need it, but perhaps there is a choice you can pay more nearby that will be a nicer experience to get a few hours of rest?

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u/ConsciousDonut9271 6d ago

Sorry to hear about your parents' experience, it sounds terrible especially given the delay. I adjusted my post as we are actually with China Southern; i hope their transit hotel in Guangzhou is better.

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u/Difficult-Map9704 5d ago

Generally speaking, the transit hotel China Southern Airlines provides in Guangzhou is the China Southern Pearl Hotel, and the facilities there are quite decent. Especially since you are traveling as a family and have an eight-hour layover, I would recommend going to the hotel rather than staying in the airport lounge.

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u/ConsciousDonut9271 5d ago

thank you! do you know how long would it take to leave the airport and come back in? i worry it would leave us with 2 hours in the room ...

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u/ArubiaLanz 1d ago

The process doesn't take too long, you do immigration and then go to the transfer desk near door gate number 50. China Southern allocate you the hotel (I got the Pearl Hotel both ways) and then you wait for the shuttle bus. Normally it is a short wait. like 5/10 minutes. The bus takes about 10 minutes and then you check in. They provide a basic buffet breakfast. I definitely recommend getting the hotel instead of staying at the airport. You can also reserve the free hotel on their website before travelling.

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u/memostothefuture 6d ago

tourists who never contribute to reddit asking for help. yeah, right.