In the future, trains will operate fully driverless GoA4 mode when sufficient reliability from the signaling system has been confirmed.

[7] The 61.3 km (38.1 mi) line, roughly north-south, connects Wanqingsha in Nansha District with Guangzhou East Railway Station, with only seven stations in between, Hengli, Panyu Square, Nancun Wanbo, Shaxi, Longtan, Modiesha, Xiancun.

[8] This high speed can be sustained especially on the 26 km (16 mi) section between Panyu Square and Hengli stations.

It will be fully underground, bringing this line to the world-longest metro tunnel with 100.9 km (62.7 mi) length.

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.

The planned travel time between Nansha Free Trade Zone and central Guangzhou is proposed to be 30 minutes.

[20] 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.