Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Guide: Metro, Taxi, Food, SIM Card, Tax Refund & Overnight Tips

Hi, I’m Alex Chen, a Chinese budget traveler who loves independent travel across China and beyond. Instead of chasing famous tourist spots, I usually look for smaller cities and hidden places full of local life and character. Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out how to travel around China cheaper and smarter. In this guide, I want to share my real experience at Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC) and help first-time visitors arrive in Dalian more smoothly, spend less money, and avoid common travel mistakes.

Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport Overview

• Airport Code:DLC
• Address: No.100 Yingke Road, Ganjingzi District, Dalian (Apple Maps/Amap)
• Distance from Downtown Dalian: 9 KM
• Terminal Information: Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport is relatively small, and the terminals sit close to each other. Public facilities are shared between terminals.
  • Terminal 1 (T1): Mainly handles domestic flights, covers 18,000 square meters, and opened in 1993.
  • Terminal 2 (T2): Mainly handles domestic flights, covers 49,000 square meters, and opened in 2005.
  • Terminal 3 (T3): Mainly handles international flights, covers 71,000 square meters, and opened in 2011.

4 Best Ways from Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport to Downtown Dalian

I highly recommend taking the metro because you can go directly from the airport to downtown Dalian without transfers. If you land late at night, taking a taxi or a ride-hailing car makes more sense since Dalian Airport sits very close to the city center, and the fare usually stays affordable. No matter which transportation option you choose, you first need to leave the terminal through Gate 11 and then follow the signs to the correct pickup area.

1. How to Take the Metro from Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport to Downtown Dalian?

• Metro Line:Dalian Metro Line 2, Airport Station
• Location: B1 Level of the Terminal
• Operating Hours: 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM
• Price: 3 CNY
• Travel Time: 40 minutes

How to Buy Tickets

• Buy a single-ride metro ticket at the ticket counter or self-service machine. You can pay with cash, WeChat, or Alipay.
• You can also scan the QR transit code directly from Alipay or WeChat.

2. How to Take the Airport Shuttle Bus from Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport to Downtown Dalian?

• Location: Outside Gate 9 on the first floor of the terminal
• Price: 10 CNY
• Travel Time: 30 minutes
• Frequency: Every 20 to 30 minutes
• Operating Hours: 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM
• Common Airport Bus Route: Airport → Xinghai Square → Hang Lung Plaza → Dalian Railway Station → Youhao Square → Zhongshan Square → Renmin Road → Gangwan Square → Donggang Business District

How to Buy Tickets

• Buy bus tickets at the ticket counter or self-service machine. Cash, WeChat, and Alipay all work.
• You can also buy tickets through the official WeChat account.

3. How to Take a Taxi from Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport to Downtown Dalian?

• Location: Go to the B1 level of the terminal, then turn left to find the taxi pickup area
• Price: 40 CNY
• Travel Time: 25 minutes
• Operating Hours: 24 hours

4. How to Take a Ride-Hailing Car from Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport to Downtown Dalian?

You can book a ride using Alipay or Didi Ride-Hailing.

• Location: Go to the B1 level first, then walk to Parking Lot E for the dedicated ride-hailing pickup area
• Price: 20 CNY
• Travel Time: 25 minutes
• Operating Hours: 24 hours

Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport Guide

Tax Refund

• Tax Refund Requirements
  • The total value of tax-refundable items purchased by the same overseas traveler in the same tax refund shop on the same day must reach 500 RMB;
  • The departure date must be within 90 days of the purchase date;
• Tax Refund Amount: The tax refund rate equals 13% of the invoice amount (including VAT), and overseas travelers usually receive around 11% back.
• Tax Refund Process:
  • Before security check, go through customs inspection and verification by following the airport signs.
  • After security check, follow the airport signs marked “Departure Tax Refund TAX FREE” for the refund counter.
• More Tax Refund Information: <China Tax Refund Guide>

Buying a SIM Card

• Location: Foreign Traveler One-Stop Service Center, International Arrivals Hall
• Note: You will need a VPN in China if you want to use Google, LINE, and other international apps.

Transportation Between Terminals: T1 / T2 / T3

Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport is quite small, and the terminals sit very close to each other. In most cases, you can simply walk between terminals within a few minutes.

Payment App Assistance Counter (Foreign Traveler One-Stop Service Center)

To help international travelers use mobile payments in China more easily, Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport has a dedicated payment service counter inside the International Arrivals Hall. Staff members can help visitors download and use Chinese payment apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay.

• Services Available:
  • Help with downloading and installing WeChat Pay and Alipay
  • Guidance on linking international bank cards inside the apps
  • Basic tutorials and answers about using Chinese payment apps
• Location: International Arrivals Hall

Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport Restaurants and Opening Hours

There are very few restaurants after international departure security. If you take an international flight from Dalian Airport, I strongly recommend eating before passing through security. On the domestic departure side, however, you will find many more food choices, including McDonald’s, Shaxian snacks, coffee shops, and drink stores.

After Domestic Departure Security

• Starbucks
  • Location: Near Gate 14 in the domestic departure area
  • Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
  • Food Type: Coffee and snacks
• Weiyilou Lanzhou Beef Noodles
  • Location: Near Gate 19 in the domestic departure area
  • Opening Hours: 6:00 AM until the last flight in the area
  • Food Type: Lanzhou noodles and snacks
• Food Market
  • Location: Mezzanine floor above the China Southern VIP area near Gate 2 in the domestic departure hall
  • Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM
  • Food Type: Wontons, rice bowls, and local meals

Airport Duty-Free Shop Hours

• CDF Duty Free Shop
  • Location: Across from Gates 23 to 24 in the international departure area
  • Opening Hours: From the first flight until the last international flight
  • Products: Cigarettes, perfume, and cosmetics

Luggage Storage Location

• Location: Next to Gate 3 on the first floor of the terminal
• Opening Hours: Summer: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Winter: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Overnight storage is available, but you must pick up and drop off luggage during business hours.
• Price: Small luggage: 20 CNY / 24 hours, medium luggage: 30 CNY / 24 hours, large luggage: 40 CNY / 24 hours, oversized luggage: 50 CNY / 24 hours. Luggage storage at Dalian Airport is relatively expensive.
• Note: Many items cannot be stored, including laptops, electronic devices, and power banks.

Currency Exchange

• United Currency Exchange
  • Location: Next to Gate 22 in the international departure hall
  • Opening Hours: From the first flight until the last international flight

Free Airport WiFi

Passengers can connect to the airport’s free WiFi using the following method:

• Mobile Number Login: Enter your phone number and receive an SMS verification code to connect. Tip: You may still need a VPN if you want to access Google and other international websites through the airport WiFi.

Can You Stay Overnight at Dalian Airport?

No, you cannot stay overnight inside the airport because the terminal closes at night. However, Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport sits very close to downtown Dalian, and many hotels and traditional Chinese bathhouses are within walking distance. If you travel on a budget, I actually recommend trying a nearby bathhouse. Most cost around 70 to 80 CNY, and many even offer free fruit and rest areas. Budget hotels near the airport are also affordable, and you can usually find a room for around 100 CNY.

Airport Check-In Closing Times

• Domestic Flights: Check-in usually closes 35 minutes before departure.
• International Flights: Check-in usually closes 40 minutes before departure.