Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (XMN)

Xiamen Gaoqi Airport serves one of China's most elegant coastal cities, facing Taiwan across the strait of the same name, about 10 km from the centre.

Xiamen is famous for the small island of Gulangyu, a UNESCO World Heritage site free of vehicular traffic with 19th-century colonial architecture.

Content verified on 03/09/2026

Official source: www.xiagc.com.cn/enweb

How to get to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

Xiamen city center is approximately 10 km from the airport: the metro is the fastest solution, roughly 20-25 minutes to downtown.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Xiamen's center in approximately 20-25 minutes.

By Train

Metro: line 2 of the metro system connects the airport directly to Xiamen's city center in approximately 20-25 minutes.

By Bus

Multiple dedicated bus lines connect the airport to Xiamen's city center.

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Tips Gulangyu, the pedestrian island and UNESCO World Heritage site, is reached only by a short ferry from Xiamen's port: check ferry schedules and book tickets in advance during peak seasons. Activate Alipay or WeChat Pay at the airport.

Average travel time to XMN

Train20-25 minutes (metro)

Shuttle bus20-25 minutes

Taxi / Private hire20-25 minutes

Parking near Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

The official parking (T3, garden plaza) is located in front of the terminal.

First 30 minutes free if you exit immediately; maximum cap 50 CNY the first day, 80 CNY the second day, 120 CNY/day from the third day onward.

How to get to Xiamen from XMN

By Train

Metro: Line 1 directly connects the airport (Gaoqi Station, between T3 and T4) to Xiamen city center in approximately 20-25 minutes, approximately 2-7 CNY depending on destination.

By Bus

Multiple dedicated bus lines connect the airport to Xiamen city center.

By Taxi

Official taxis wait in the arrivals area; metered fares are standard for rides to the city center, approximately 40-60 CNY (6-8 USD) during the day, 60-90 CNY in the nighttime bracket 23:00-5:00.

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Car rental at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

Not all car rental companies are represented: only some have a counter here.

Most visitors rely on taxis, Didi, or metro; Gulangyu Island is anyway free of private vehicles.

Hotels near Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

Gaoqi airport sits on the same island as Xiamen, just 10-12 km from the Zhongshan Road waterfront: a rare central location among China's major airports, which are usually far more peripheral. That's why even those with an early morning flight can consider sleeping downtown, with a 15-25 minute taxi ride to the ferry pier for Gulangyu. Staying near the terminals pays off above all for one-night stopovers, when every minute of transfer is taken straight out of sleep.

Airport area

Huli and the terminal area

Taxi 12-21 minutes depending on traffic to the terminals; there's no direct metro connection, which requires a bus or the BRT first to the nearest station.

Best for: Short stopovers and departures before dawn, when it pays to stay just minutes from security control.

Pros

Just minutes by car or shuttle to the terminals, handy for the first flights of the morning
Several international chain hotels in the area, more reliable than local hotels alone

Cons

Only offices, through-roads and a few restaurants around: no nightlife
For the centre or Gulangyu you still need a 15-25 minute transfer

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Zhongshan Road and the Gulangyu pier

Taxi 15-25 minutes (40-70 CNY) from the airport; metro line 3 takes about 25 minutes but requires a bus or the BRT first to reach a station.

Best for: Those who want Xiamen's historic waterfront and the boarding point for Gulangyu island just steps from the hotel.

Pros

The ferry pier for Gulangyu is just minutes on foot from the waterfront hotels
Zhongshan Road, the only Chinese shopping street that runs straight down to the sea, is walkable

Cons

No direct metro connection from the airport: you need to change transport at least once
A touristy area, crowded in the evening and on weekends

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport provides services befitting a major coastal hub in southeastern China.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area features Oolong tea, the renowned variety produced in nearby Fujian province, alongside traditional local biscuits.

Lounges & relaxation

Hours tied to terminal flight operations and paid day-pass access are standard for these lounges.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal area. For a local SIM, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom have service desks at the airport.

Families & Children

The airport offers basic services for travelers with children, focused in waiting areas.

Terminal guide

The terminal is appropriately sized for growing regional and international traffic toward Southeast Asia. Walking from check-in to gate typically takes 15 minutes.

It is advisable to allow for longer-than-usual customs checks and arrive 3 hours early for international flights.

Map of Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. How do you get to Gulangyu from Xiamen?

Only by a short ferry from the city's port: the island has no private vehicles and is explored entirely on foot.

Q. Is Xiamen close to Taiwan?

Yes, it overlooks the Taiwan Strait, a short distance from the island of Kinmen (Taiwanese territory).

Q. Does Xiamen have a university campus open to tourists?

Yes, the Xiamen University campus, often cited as one of the most beautiful in China for its architecture and proximity to the sea, is open to visits with a reservation and is a frequent stop for those exploring the city.