Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

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.

Huli and the terminal area

Airport 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 in this area

Holiday Inn Express Xiamen Airport Zone by IHG: On Huandao North Road, 12-21 minutes from the terminals depending on traffic; a 9.1/10 score from over 1,500 reviews noting the breakfast and sea view.
Hanting Hotel Xiamen Airport: A budget Chinese chain just minutes from the terminals; a 9.6/10 score, among the highest in the airport area, with reviews mentioning spacious rooms and a generous breakfast.

See more hotels in this area →

Zhongshan Road and the Gulangyu pier

Neighbourhood · 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 in this area

Mercure Xiamen Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street Seaview: 220 metres from the ferry pier for Gulangyu, with some rooms offering a sea view towards the island; a 9.2/10 score from over 5,300 reviews.
Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbour by IHG-Enjoying the Sea View of Kulangsu: Less than a 10-minute walk from the Gulangyu pier, with a panoramic sea-view terrace; an 8.8/10 score.

See more hotels in this area →