Line 18 (Guangzhou Metro)

Line 18 of the Guangzhou Metro is a rapid transit express line in Guangzhou with trains operating up to 160 km/h. It will run in a south-north direction, connecting Wanqingsha in Nansha District, in Panyu District,  in Haizhu District, Zhujiang New Town and  in Tianhe District. The line commenced service on 28 September 2021.

Currently, there are train attendants on board each train. In the future, trains will operate fully driverless GoA4 mode when sufficient reliability from the signaling system has been confirmed.

Phase 1
The 61.3 km line, roughly north-south, connects in Nansha District with, with only seven stations in between, , , , , , ,. The line is uses 8-car Type D trains with an operating speed of 160 km/h. This high speed can be sustained especially on the 26 km section between Panyu Square and Hengli stations.

The service between Wanqingsha and Xiancun was opened on 28 September 2021. There are 2 distinct stopping patterns operating, facilitated by passing loops at select stations, a local all stop service and an express service stopping only at Hengli and Panyu Square. The local service will take only 37 minutes from Wanqingsha to XIancun, and the express service is even shortened by 7 minutes.

North extension
The north extension of Line 18, also known as "Guangzhoudong to Huadu Tiangui intercity" or "Guanghua intercity", will be 39.6 km in length with 7 new stations, to  in Huadu District of Guangzhou. It will be fully underground, bringing this line to the world-longest metro tunnel with 100.9 km length. At Fangshi Station provisions have been made to allow for Line 18 trains to interline into Line 22 to directly serve Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. A branch line via allowing for through service to and from the Guangzhou-Qingyuan Intercity Railway is also under planning.

South extension
An extension is planned that would see the line extended to Zhongshan and Zhuhai. This extension is also known as "Nansha to Zhuhai (Zhongshan) intercity"  or "Nanzhongzhu intercity". Construction on the southwestern extension to Zhongshan started on 30 March 2023. The Zhuhai extension is still under planning.

Since November 2020, the Zhuhai Municipal government is also studying extending Line 18 to connect with the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge at the Zhuhai-Macao Port artificial island. Additionally, a connection line has been proposed south of Wanqingsha Station, to allow Line 18 to through operate into the Shenzhen–Dayawan intercity railway.

Planning
Line 18 and Line 22 were originally planned as long-term projects, but the desire to promote development of the Nansha Free Trade Zone fast tracked the project for construction. Line 18 will be designed as an express line to provide a rapid transit link between Nansha District and the central urban area of Guangzhou. The planned travel time between Nansha Free Trade Zone and central Guangzhou is proposed to be 30 minutes.

The government received a number of requests from the public to increase the number of stations along the line. In particular a station at allowing from interchange with Line 1 and a station at Yuwotou Town. The planners rejected the suggestions to maintain the line's wide stop spacing to allow for the target of 30 minute travel time Nansha and central Guangzhou. Together with the planned Line 26 along Guangzhou Avenue, Line 18 is expected to provide some relief to Line 3.

Stations
- Opened on 28 September 2021
 * Legend:

- Under construction

Rolling Stock
Line 18 uses 8 car Type D urban express trains with a maximum operating speed of 160 km/h, which is currently the fastest subway line in mainland China. The trains are manufactured by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive with the first train was officially delivered on September 25, 2020. Initially upon opening, 15 trains were put into operation. Line 18 is the first line of Guangzhou Metro to introduce different thermostat settings in each car and set up first class cars. In the future, differentiated charges will be implemented to meet the needs of different passengers.