I’m Alex Chen, a Chinese backpacker who prefers independent travel and constantly battles budgets on the road. Instead of chasing famous checklists, I focus on one thing: how to get from point A to point B with the least money and the least stress. This guide comes from my own repeated trips through Haikou Meilan International Airport, written from a real traveler’s point of view—not an official airport brochure. If it’s your first time in Haikou, or you’re traveling on a budget, this article will help you quickly understand the airport layout, the cheapest and smartest ways to reach downtown, and which airport services actually matter. After reading this, getting through Meilan Airport should feel straightforward and stress-free.

Summary

Haikou Meilan Airport Overview

  • Airport Code:HAK
  • Address: Intersection of Qiongwen Avenue and Provincial Road 201, Meilan District, Haikou (Apple Maps / Amap)
  • Distance to Downtown: About 40 km (25 miles)
  • Terminal Information:
    • T1 Terminal: Domestic flights only. Covers about 150,000㎡ and opened in 2005.
    • T2 Terminal: Handles both domestic and international flights. All international flights use this terminal. Covers about 300,000㎡ and opened in 2021.
Haikou Meilan International Airport aerial view

5 Best Ways to Get from Haikou Meilan Airport to Downtown

From my experience, the high-speed train is the best option for most travelers. It costs only slightly more than the city bus, yet gets you downtown in about 35 minutes. That’s often just as fast as taking a taxi. If you’re traveling with several people, ride-hailing can also make sense. Taxi prices in Haikou are reasonable, and the distance isn’t very far.

1. How to Take the High-Speed Train from Haikou Meilan Airport to Downtown

From T1 Terminal

  • Location:
    • Gate 2 of the T1 Departure Hall, or
    • Ground Transportation Center (GTC) opposite the T1 Arrival Hall
  • Operating Hours: Usually 6:00–23:00
  • Fare: 10 CNY
  • Travel Time: About 35 minutes
  • Route: Meilan Station → Haikou Station

How to Buy Tickets

  • Ticket counters or self-service machines. Payment accepts cash, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
  • The official 12306 app or third-party booking platforms.

From T2 Terminal

  • Location: Basement high-speed rail passage in T2
  • Other details: Same as T1
Meilan Railway Station connection at Haikou Meilan International Airport

2. How to Take the Airport Bus from Haikou Meilan Airport to Downtown

From T1 Terminal

  • Location: Outside Gate 4 of the T1 Arrival Hall
  • Fare: 20 CNY
  • Travel Time: About 40 minutes
  • Airport Bus Routes: Three lines operate from the airport.
    • Line 1: Final stop is Xinyuan Hot Spring Hotel in downtown. Runs from 7:50 until 2:20 the next day. This is the best choice if you want to reach the city center first.
    • Line 2: Final stop is West Bus Station. Runs from 8:40 until 00:40 the next day.
    • Line 3: Final stop is Old Town (Blue Horizon Junhua Hotel). Runs from 11:05 until 23:05.

How to Buy Tickets

  • Buy at ticket counters or vending machines. Cash, WeChat Pay, and Alipay all work.
  • Tickets are also available through the official WeChat account.

From T2 Terminal

  • Location: Outside Gate 4 of the T2 Arrival Hall
  • Other details: Same as T1
Airport bus waiting area at Haikou Meilan International Airport

3. How to Take the Public Bus from Haikou Meilan Airport to Downtown

From T1 Terminal

  • Location: Ground Transportation Center (GTC) opposite the T1 Arrival Hall
  • Fare: 9 CNY — the cheapest way into the city and ideal for students
  • Travel Time: Around 2 hours
  • Operating Hours: 6:30–22:00
  • Available Routes: Airport Line 1, Line 2, and Line 3
    • Airport Line 1: Terminates at Yintan Garden in the city center
    • Airport Line 2: Terminates at Jinwaitan
    • Airport Line 3: Terminates at Xinhai Port

How to Pay

  • Buy tickets at the bus stop vending machines
  • You can also use Alipay’s public transit QR code on board

From T2 Terminal

  • Location: Exit 3 of the T2 parking building
  • Other details: Same as T1
Public city bus service at Haikou Meilan International Airport

4. How to Take a Taxi from Haikou Meilan Airport to Downtown

From T1 Terminal

  • Location: Outside Gate 3 of the T1 Arrival Hall
  • Fare: Around 70 CNY, or about 75 CNY at night
  • Travel Time: About 40 minutes

From T2 Terminal

  • Location: Outside Gate 3 of the T2 Arrival Hall
  • Fare: Around 70 CNY, or about 75 CNY at night
  • Travel Time: About 40 minutes
Taxi pickup area at Haikou Meilan International Airport

5. How to Use Ride-Hailing Apps from Haikou Meilan Airport to Downtown

You can book a car using Alipay or Didi Chuxing.

From T1 Terminal

  • Location: Level 1 of the Ground Transportation Center
  • Fare: Around 60 CNY
  • Travel Time: About 40 minutes

From T2 Terminal

  • Location: B1 Level, C2 Zone of the T2 parking building
  • Fare: Around 60 CNY
  • Travel Time: About 40 minutes
Ride-hailing pickup area at Haikou Meilan International Airport

Haikou Meilan Airport Terminal Guide

To make your time inside the airport easier, I’ve organized all the key information you’re likely to need while passing through Haikou Meilan Airport. This section focuses on practical details you’ll actually use, not filler.

Haikou Meilan Airport Floor Maps

T1 Terminal: 1F & 2F

  • 1F: Arrival Hall
  • 2F: Departure Hall
Terminal 1 arrival floor map at Haikou Meilan International Airport
Terminal 1 departure floor map at Haikou Meilan International Airport

T2 Terminal: 1F & 3F

  • 1F: Arrival Hall
  • 3F: Departure Hall
Terminal 2 arrival floor map at Haikou Meilan International Airport
Terminal 2 third floor map at Haikou Meilan International Airport

Tax Refund (VAT Refund)

Eligibility Requirements

  • On the same day, a single overseas traveler must spend at least 500 CNY at the same tax-refund store.
  • Your departure date must fall within 90 days of the purchase date.

Refund Amount

  • The VAT refund rate is 13% of the invoice amount (VAT included).
  • 11% of that amount is returned to the traveler after processing.

Refund Process

  • Before security: Customs inspection and verification
  • After security:
    • Location: Opposite Gate 46 in the T2 International Departure Hall
    • Follow airport signage for the tax refund counter

For more details, see the full guide here: China Tax Refund Guide

Getting Between Terminals: T1 ↔ T2

Transfers between T1 and T2 are easy thanks to the free shuttle bus. The ride takes about 8 minutes, and buses run roughly every 15 minutes.

Shuttle Pick-up Points

  • T1 Terminal:
    • Between Gates 2–3 outside the Departure Hall
    • Between Gates 2–3 outside the Arrival Hall
  • T2 Terminal:
    • Between Gates 3–4 outside the Departure Hall
    • Between Gates 3–4 outside the Arrival Hall
Inter-terminal shuttle bus schedule at Haikou Meilan International Airport

Payment App Assistance Counter (International Visitor Payment Service)

To help international travelers pay in China, Haikou Meilan Airport has a dedicated service counter in T2 Terminal. This desk focuses on WeChat Pay and Alipay setup.

Services Provided

  • Help with downloading and installing WeChat Pay and Alipay
  • Guidance on linking international bank cards
  • Basic instructions and troubleshooting for first-time users

Location

  • T2 Terminal, 1F, near Exit 2
International Visitors Service Center at Haikou Meilan International Airport

Restaurants & Dining Hours at Haikou Meilan Airport

Both T1 and T2 offer plenty of food options after security. Most restaurants operate between 6:00 and 23:00.

  • T1 (After Security): Subway, KFC, Starbucks, plus several Chinese restaurants
  • T2 (After Security): Burger King, Starbucks, and a range of Chinese dining options

Duty-Free Shopping Hours

Both T1 and T2 terminals have duty-free stores. You’ll find cosmetics, perfume, phones, watches, bags, alcohol, and snacks. Brands include PRADA, Bottega Veneta, Versace, Hermès, Chanel, Gucci, Estée Lauder, Ferragamo, Burberry, and more—over 500 international brands in total.

  • Location: After security in both T1 and T2
  • Opening Hours: 6:00–23:00

Luggage Storage

Locations

  • T1 Terminal:
    • 2F, next to Check-in Counter 17
    • 1F, opposite Gate 2
  • T2 Terminal:
    • 3F, behind Check-in Island A
    • 1F, diagonally opposite Gate 5

Opening Hours

  • Departure Hall: 04:30 until the last domestic departure
  • Arrival Hall: 07:30 until the last domestic arrival

Prices

  • Small items: 12 CNY per day
  • Large suitcases: 30 CNY per day
Left luggage storage service at Haikou Meilan International Airport

Currency Exchange

Currency exchange services are only available in T2 Terminal.

Locations

  • Left side of the T2 International Arrival Exit
  • Behind Check-in Island A, outside security in the T2 Departure Hall
  • Opposite Gate 46 inside the T2 International Departure Hall (also handles tax refunds)

Opening Hours

  • Based on international flight schedules

Free Airport Wi-Fi

You can connect to the free Wi-Fi network: “Airport WiFi Free-Meilan”

Login Methods

  • Mobile number: Enter your phone number and verify via SMS
  • Self-service kiosks: Get a temporary login code

Kiosk Locations

  • T2, 4F International Departure quarantine area
  • T2, 1F International Arrival immigration area
  • T2, 1F International Arrival customs health inspection area
  • T2, 1F next to Gate 2 at the International Visitor Service Desk

Note: Accessing sites like Google may require a VPN.

Can You Stay Overnight at Haikou Meilan Airport?

Yes. T2 Terminal has a free overnight rest area located before security. Even if your flight departs from T1, you can still use this space. It’s well-equipped with charging outlets, restaurants, showers, restrooms, and drinking water.

  • Location: T2 Terminal, 4F, Overnight Rest Area
  • Opening Hours: 21:00–08:00
Overnight resting area in Terminal 2 at Haikou Meilan International Airport

Check-in Deadline at Haikou Meilan Airport

  • Domestic flights: Check-in closes 35 minutes before departure
  • International flights: Check-in usually closes 45 minutes before departure