Hi, I’m Alex Chen, an independent traveler from China who shares practical tips for traveling around the country. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) has no metro station directly connected to either terminal: T3 handles international and domestic flights, while T4 is domestic only, and the main ways into central Xiamen are the Airport Express, taxi, DiDi, and public bus/BRT. This guide covers how to get into the city from T3 and T4, make a transfer, and use practical airport services such as tax refunds, luggage storage, SIM cards, dining, and overnight facilities.

Summary

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Overview

  • Airport Code: XMN
  • Address: 121 Xiangyun Road, Huli District, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China (Apple Maps/Amap)
  • Distance to Downtown: 10 km
  • Terminal Information
    • T3 Terminal: Handles both international and domestic flights. Opened in 1996, it covers an area of 129,000 square meters.
    • T4 Terminal: Dedicated to domestic flights only. Opened in 2014, it spans 108,000 square meters.
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport terminal and aircraft

4 Ways from Xiamen Airport to Downtown

Compared to other cities in China, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport currently does not have direct metro access. However, you can use public transportation like buses or the rapid transit system (BRT) for an easy and budget-friendly commute to the city center.

1. Public Bus or BRT

From T3 Terminal

  • Location: Exit the arrivals hall and head down to the basement level. Follow the signs toward the parking area to find the bus stops.
  • Fare: Airport express buses start at CNY 1 and take you to places like Zhongshan Road (Zhongshan Lu). Transfers to other buses can bring you to metro stations.
  • Duration: Approximately 40 minutes.
  • Operating Hours: First bus at 8:30 AM; last bus at 6:00 PM.
Signage for city bus stops at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Terminal 3

From T4 Terminal

  • Location: Exit from Gate 7 and walk about 150 meters to the main road. Look for the underground passage that leads to the bus stops.
  • Routes:
    • Kuaixian 1: First Pier – Xiamen North Railway Station
    • Kuaixian 2: First Pier – Tong’an
    • Kuaixian 5: Qianpu – Tong’an
    • Kuaixian 6: Qianpu – Xiamen North Railway Station
  • Fare: Starts at CNY 1, up to CNY 4 depending on the distance.
  • Duration: About 40 minutes.
  • Operating Hours: First bus at 6:10 AM; last bus at 9:15 PM.

2. Airport Express Bus

From T3 Terminal

  • Location: Ticket counters are located across from Gate 9 on the arrivals level.
  • Fare: City Line: CNY 20; North Station Line: CNY 10–15.
  • Duration: City Line: about 60 minutes end-to-end; North Station Line: about 35 minutes.
  • Routes:
    • City Line: Zhongshan Road (Zhongshan Lu), Gulangyu Ferry Terminal, Zengcuo’an, Xiamen University White City, and more.
    • North Station Line: Gaoqi Metro Station and Xiamen North Railway Station.
  • Operating Hours: City Line: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, departing once all 7 seats are filled; North Station Line: 8:40 AM to 8:10 PM, about every 30 minutes.
Ticket counter for airport express bus at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Terminal 3

From T4 Terminal

  • Location: Ticket counters are available near Gate 7 and across from Gate 3 on the arrivals level.
  • Other Details: The same routes, fares, travel times, and operating hours apply as T3 Terminal; buses depart from T4 before stopping at T3.

3. Taxi

From T3 Terminal

  • Location: Taxi stands are located outside Gate 7 on the arrivals level.
  • Fare: Approximately CNY 30.
  • Duration: Around 20 minutes.
Taxi pick-up point at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Terminal 3

From T4 Terminal

  • Location: Taxi stands are available outside Gate 3 on the arrivals level.
  • Fare: About CNY 30.
  • Duration: Roughly 20 minutes.

4. Ride-Hailing Apps

You can use apps like Alipay or Didi Chuxing to book a ride.

From T3 Terminal

  • Location: Head to the basement level of the arrivals hall for the ride-hailing pick-up area.
  • Fare: Around CNY 20.
  • Duration: Approximately 20 minutes.
Ride-hailing pick-up area at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Terminal 3

From T4 Terminal

  • Location: Exit through Gate 7, turn right, and proceed to the designated pick-up area across from Gates 9–13. The pick-up location will be listed as “T4 Terminal – Arrivals Level” in the app.
  • Fare: About CNY 20.
  • Duration: Roughly 20 minutes.

4 Ways from Xiamen Airport to Xiamen Railway Station

From T3 Terminal

1. Public Bus or BRT

  • Location: Exit the arrivals level and head to the basement parking area. Follow the signs to locate bus or BRT stops.
  • Recommended Route: Take bus 37 from Gaoqi T3 Terminal Station to Railway Station (Hudong), then walk about 5 minutes to Xiamen Railway Station. No metro transfer is needed.
  • Fare: Starts at CNY 1, depending on distance.
  • Duration: Approximately 40–60 minutes, depending on transfer times.
  • Operating Hours: 6:10 AM to 9:15 PM.

2. Airport Express Bus

  • Location: The Airport Express boarding point is on the west side of the T3 arrivals hall.
  • Route: The train-station shuttle runs T4 → T3 → Wucun Coach Station. Get off at Wucun Coach Station and walk about 5 minutes to Xiamen Railway Station.
  • Fare: CNY 10 per person.
  • Duration: About 25 minutes to Wucun Coach Station, plus about 5 minutes on foot to Xiamen Railway Station.
  • Operating Hours: Airport departures run approximately hourly from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; the bus starts at T4 and stops at T3 before continuing to Wucun Coach Station.

3. Taxi

  • Location: Taxi stands are outside Gate 7 of the arrivals level.
  • Fare: Approximately CNY 30, with slight variations depending on traffic.
  • Duration: About 20 minutes.

4. Ride-Hailing Apps

  • Location: The designated pick-up area is in the basement level of the arrivals hall. Look for clearly marked signs.
  • Platforms: Use Didi Chuxing or Alipay to book a ride.
  • Fare: CNY 20–30, depending on the car type and traffic conditions.
  • Duration: Approximately 20 minutes.

From T4 Terminal

1. Public Bus or BRT

  • Location: Walk from Gate 7 on the arrivals level to the ground-level BRT station.
  • Recommended Route: Take BRT Kuaixian 1 or Kuaixian 2 from T4 Terminal (BRT) toward First Pier, get off at Railway Station (BRT), then walk about 5 minutes to Xiamen Railway Station. No metro transfer is needed.
  • Fare: Starts at CNY 1, depending on the distance.
  • Duration: Around 40–60 minutes.
  • Operating Hours: 6:10 AM to 9:15 PM.

2. Airport Express Bus

  • Location: The Airport Express boarding point is opposite Gate 5 in the T4 arrivals hall.
  • Route: T4 → T3 → Wucun Coach Station. Get off at Wucun Coach Station and walk about 5 minutes to Xiamen Railway Station.
  • Fare: CNY 10 per person.
  • Duration: About 25 minutes to Wucun Coach Station, plus about 5 minutes on foot to Xiamen Railway Station.
  • Operating Hours: Approximately hourly from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

3. Taxi

  • Location: Taxi stands are located outside Gate 3 of the arrivals level.
  • Fare: Around CNY 30.
  • Duration: About 20 minutes.

4. Ride-Hailing Apps

  • Location: The designated ride-hailing pick-up area is near Gate 7, in a clearly marked zone.
  • Platforms: Use Didi Chuxing or Alipay for easy bookings.
  • Fare: CNY 20–30, depending on the car type and traffic.
  • Duration: Approximately 20 minutes.

Guide to Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

Tax Refund Services

  • Eligibility:
    • Purchases of eligible tax-refund goods made by the same overseas visitor on the same day at the same tax-refund store must total at least CNY 200.
    • The eligible goods must have been purchased no more than 90 days before departure.
  • Refund Amount:
    • The refund rate depends on the VAT rate applied to the goods. Eligible goods subject to the 13% VAT rate have an 11% refund rate, while goods subject to the 9% VAT rate have an 8% refund rate. The actual amount received is the calculated refund minus the tax refund agency service fee.
  • Process:
    • Before security, have your purchases inspected and verified by customs. Follow the airport signage to locate customs checkpoints.
    • After security, the tax refund counter is located on the left-hand side after the second security check.
Tax refund steps at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

Buying SIM Cards

  • Location: SIM cards are available at the international arrivals area, with service counters for China Unicom and China Mobile.
  • Plans:
    • 7-day plan: 30GB data + 100 minutes of calls for CNY 80.
    • 15-day plan: 50GB data + 200 minutes of calls for CNY 100.
  • Note: A VPN is necessary for accessing Google, Line, and other restricted services in China.

Getting Between T3 and T4

A free terminal shuttle bus runs between T3 and T4 from 05:00 to 00:00, with departures every 10–20 minutes. The journey takes about 10 minutes. From T3 to T4, board the shuttle outside Gate 5 of T3. From T4 to T3, board outside Gate 1 of T4.

Shuttle bus schedule between T3 and T4 terminals at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

Dining Options and Hours

T3 Terminal (Post-Security)

  • McDonald’s: Located near Gate 11 in the arrivals hall. Open from 5:30 AM to 1:00 AM. Serves burgers and other fast food.
  • KFC: Located in the international departure hall (east side). Open from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM.

T4 Terminal (Post-Security)

  • McDonald’s: Inside the terminal’s secure area. Open from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

Duty-Free Shopping Hours

T3 Terminal

  • Locations:
    • Fragrance Shop: Near Gate 10 in the international departure area.
    • Specialty Store: Near Gate 10 in the international departure area.
    • Tobacco and Liquor Stores: Near Gates 8–9 and Gates 11–12 in the international area, and in the arrivals area.
  • Hours:
    • International departure area: 5:30 AM to the last flight.
    • International arrivals area: 9:00 AM to the last flight.
  • Products: Cigarettes, perfumes, cosmetics.

Luggage Storage

  • T3 Terminal: Located at the luggage storage counter in the arrivals hall. Open from 5:30 AM to the last flight.
    • Fees: Small items (30x20x10 cm): CNY 10 for 0–10 hours, CNY 15 for 10–24 hours. Large items (100x60x40 cm): CNY 20 for 0–10 hours, CNY 25 for 10–24 hours.
  • T4 Terminal: Located at the luggage storage counter in the arrivals hall. Open from 5:30 AM to the last flight.
    • Fees: Same as T3 Terminal.

Currency Exchange

T3 Terminal

  • Departure Hall: Near the business center. Open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
  • International Area: Near Gate 12 in the departure area. Open from 8:30 AM to the last flight.
  • Domestic Arrivals: Near the domestic arrivals exit. Open from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

T4 Terminal

  • Departure Hall: West side near the information desk. Open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
  • Arrivals Hall: Near Counter 12. Open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Free Wi-Fi Connection

At Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, passengers can connect to the free Wi-Fi in the following ways:

  • Enter your mobile phone number and log in with the verification code you receive.
  • If you cannot receive a verification code, you can use a Wi-Fi password kiosk to obtain a Wi-Fi password with your passport. After arriving at T3, follow the signs for International Departures to find the kiosk. If you cannot find it, ask airport staff for assistance.

Tip: Accessing websites such as Google through the airport Wi-Fi may require a VPN.

Can You Stay Overnight at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport?

Yes, you can stay overnight at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport. T3 begins operating at 05:00, while T4 begins operating at 04:30. After the last departing flights of the day, the departure levels of both T3 and T4 are closed and cleared. Passengers staying overnight can rest on the arrivals level.

T3 also has a free Overnight Rest Area, open from 21:00 to 07:00 the next morning. Seating is limited, so if you plan to spend the night here, it is better to arrive earlier in the evening.

Free transfer passenger lounge at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

International to Domestic Transfer

If you’re transferring from an international flight to a domestic one at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

  1. Immigration Check
    • Upon arriving on your international flight, proceed to the immigration area for passport verification. Ensure you have your passport, visa, and any other required entry documents ready in advance.
  2. Baggage Claim
    • After clearing immigration, head to the baggage claim area to collect your checked luggage.
  3. Customs Inspection
    • Pass through the customs inspection channel with your luggage. If you have items that require declaration, choose the “Declaration Channel” and provide accurate information.
  4. Recheck Your Bags
    1. Proceed to the domestic departure area and check in for your domestic flight. This includes rechecking your luggage at the check-in counters.
    2. Both T3 and T4 terminals have domestic check-in areas, so refer to your flight details for terminal-specific information.
  5. Security Check
    • After check-in, go through the security screening process.
  6. Boarding
    • Once past security, follow the directions to your assigned gate as indicated on your boarding pass.

Tip: To avoid any delays, it’s highly recommended to allow at least 3 hours for this transfer process.

Domestic to International Transfer

If you’re transferring from a domestic flight to an international one, follow these steps to ensure a seamless connection:

  1. Arrival at Domestic Flight Area
    • Once your domestic flight arrives, proceed to the baggage claim area to collect your checked luggage (if applicable).
  2. International Check-in
    1. Head to the international flight check-in counters with your passport, visa, and flight ticket.
    2. Most international flights operate from the T3 Terminal, so confirm your terminal and check-in location based on your flight details.
  3. Baggage Drop-off
    • At the check-in counter, drop off your luggage and receive your boarding pass for the international flight.
  4. Customs and Border Control
    • Proceed to the customs and border control area for exit clearance. Have your passport, visa, and boarding pass ready for a swift process.
  5. Security Screening
    • After border control, complete the security check at the designated international security area.
  6. Boarding
    • Once through security, follow the signage to your assigned gate and prepare to board your international flight.

Check-in Deadlines

  • Domestic Flights: Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure.
  • International Flights: Check-in usually closes 40–45 minutes before departure.

How to plan your Xiamen trip

Most travelers spend 3–4 days in Xiamen to explore the city highlights and Gulangyu Island. If you want to extend your journey to Fujian Tulou or nearby cities like Quanzhou and Zhangzhou, a 5–6 day itinerary offers a more in-depth experience. Here are our most popular private tour options:

Essential Xiamen Travel Resources