Ask a QuestionXiamen a beautiful coastal city in southeastern China, is not only famous for its stunning scenery and rich culture but also for its convenient transportation system. Whether you are a foreign traveler arriving in Xiamen in 2025 or exploring the city, this comprehensive Xiamen transportation guide will help you get around with ease.
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
Location and General Information: Currently, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (IATA: XMN, ICAO: ZSAM) is still in operation as of 2025. It is located in Huli District, Xiamen. However, please note that it will be phased out once Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport becomes fully operational. The airport has two terminals, T3 and T4, which handle both domestic and international flights. It is one of the important aviation hubs in East China, serving as a gateway for travelers to and from various parts of the world.
Flight Routes: It operates flights to over 100 domestic destinations across China, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. Internationally, there are regular flights to destinations in Southeast Asia (such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines), Northeast Asia (Japan and South Korea), and even some long - haul flights to Europe and North America. For example, there are direct flights to Amsterdam, Netherlands, connecting Xiamen to the European continent.
Transportation to the City Center
Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport (Coming Soon)
Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in 2026. It is located in Xiang'an District, between Dadeng Island and Xiaodeng Island, about 25 kilometers from the city center. This new airport is designed to be a large - scale international airport, with a planned annual passenger capacity of 85 million in the long term. It will significantly enhance Xiamen's position as an international aviation hub.
Once operational, it is expected to have an extensive transportation network. There will likely be dedicated airport expressways connecting it to the city center and other parts of Xiamen. In addition, the subway system is also planned to be extended to the airport, providing a fast and convenient rail connection. There will also be a variety of bus and shuttle services to meet the transportation needs of passengers.
Xiamen Railway Station
Location and Services: Xiamen Railway Station is located at No. 90, Xiahe Road, Siming District. It mainly operates normal - speed trains to many major cities in China. You can take trains from here to destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Kunming. In addition, it also has direct trains to major cities within Fujian Province, like Fuzhou, Sanming, and Zhangzhou.
Getting There from the City Center: From the city center, you can reach Xiamen Railway Station by multiple bus lines. Some of the common bus numbers include 3, 19A, 19B, 28, 42, 96, 113, 116, 122, 127, 659, 840, 857, 858, 940, 950, 952, and 994. The bus fare is usually 1 - 2 yuan.
Xiamen North Railway Station
Location and Services: Xiamen North Railway Station is situated in Yannei Village, Houxi Town, Jimei District. It is a major junction for high - speed rail lines, including the Fuzhou - Xiamen, Longyan - Xiamen, and Xiamen - Shenzhen lines. Trains departing from this station are mostly high - speed trains, which can quickly take you to major cities across the country. For example, you can reach Fuzhou in about 1 hour, Shenzhen in about 3 hours, and Shanghai in about 5 hours.
Getting There from the City Center: There are many public bus routes that can take you to Xiamen North Railway Station, such as No. 690, 691, 692, 790, 792, 890, 901, 905, 907, 936, 949, 950, and 980. The journey may take around 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. You can also take the subway (if the relevant lines are operational) to reach the station more quickly.
Xiamen has several long - distance bus stations, including Hubin Long - distance Bus Station, Fanghu Bus Station, Wucun Bus Station, Jimei Bus Station, and Xinglin Bus Station. These stations are located in different districts of the city, providing convenience for passengers.
Routes: Long - distance buses operate to major cities both within Fujian Province and outside. You can find buses heading to cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guilin, Suzhou, Shanghai, and Changsha. The bus fares vary depending on the destination and the type of bus (e.g., regular bus, luxury bus).
Booking Tickets: You can book long - distance bus tickets at the bus station ticket counters. In some cases, you can also book tickets online through the official websites or mobile apps of the bus companies or through third - party travel platforms.
Xiamen Port
Cruise and Ferry Services: Xiamen Port is a busy port with various cruise and ferry services. There are passenger liners between Xiamen and Hong Kong. However, it is recommended to check the latest schedule and availability in advance as the services may be subject to change. Additionally, there are ferry services between Xiamen and Kinmen Island in Taiwan. These ferries provide a convenient way for cross - strait travel for business, tourism, and family visits.
The bus network in Xiamen is extensive, with over 200 bus lines covering almost every corner of the city. Buses are a popular and affordable way to get around. The main starting bus stations include the ferry port, Xiamen University, and the train station.
Service Hours: Most urban buses operate from 5:00 am to 1:00 am, providing relatively long service hours for passengers.
Fares and Payment: The bus fares range from 1 - 2 yuan for most regular routes. Some longer - distance or special - service buses may have higher fares. You can pay the fare in cash directly to the driver. In addition, for more convenience, especially if you plan to use the bus frequently, you can use the Xiamen Public Transport QR code, which is integrated with Alipay. Foreign tourists can access this QR code through the "Transport" feature in the Alipay app. There are also some tour and sightseeing buses that can take you to popular tourist attractions in Xiamen. These buses usually have fixed routes and stops at major scenic spots, allowing you to enjoy the scenery while getting to know the city.
Xiamen has a well - developed BRT system with 7 lines running on elevated viaducts. The BRT offers several advantages. It has its own dedicated lanes, which means it is less affected by traffic congestion, so you can reach your destination more quickly. It is also relatively inexpensive, with fares starting from 1 - 3 yuan depending on the distance traveled.
Routes and Stops: The BRT lines connect different parts of the city, including the airport, train stations, and major commercial and residential areas. For example, the BRT Line 1 runs from the First Wharf to the North Railway Station, passing through many important areas in the city.
As of now, Xiamen has subway Line 1 and Line 2 in operation. Line 1 runs from Xiamen North Railway Station to the Ferry Terminal, covering many key areas in the city, including some major tourist attractions. Line 2 runs across the city, connecting different districts.
Service Hours and Fares: The subway usually operates from around 6:00 am to 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm. The fare is calculated based on the distance traveled, starting from 2 yuan and can go up to 7 yuan for longer trips. You can purchase single - trip tickets at the subway station ticket vending machines or use an electronic transportation card (which can also be used for buses and some other forms of public transport).
Availability and Fare: Taxis are abundant in Xiamen, and you can easily find them on the streets, especially in busy commercial areas, outside hotels, and at transportation hubs. The starting price of a taxi is 10 yuan for the first 3 kilometers, and then 2 - 2.5 yuan per kilometer after that. From 3:00 am to 5:00 am, there is an additional 20% surcharge. You can also call a taxi using the reservation number 0592 - 5320000 or the on - call taxi hotline 968890. In addition, ride - hailing apps like Didi are very popular in Xiamen, providing another convenient way to book a taxi.
Convenience for Short - Distance Travel: Xiamen has a well - developed bicycle - sharing system. It is a great option for short - distance travel, especially in areas with beautiful scenery where you can enjoy a slow ride. There are many bike - sharing companies operating in Xiamen, such as Hello Bike, Meituan Bike, and Qingju Bike. All you need to do is use your smartphone to scan the QR code on the bike to unlock it. The rental fee is usually charged by the hour or by the half - hour, with relatively affordable rates. There are also designated parking areas for bike - sharing bikes, so you can easily park the bike when you reach your destination.
To Gulangyu Island: One of the most popular ferry routes in Xiamen is the one to Gulangyu Island. Ferries are the main means of transportation for tourists to reach this charming island. The ferry departs from the Xiamen Ferry Terminal or the Cruise Terminal. The one - way fare is 35 yuan for ordinary ferry tickets (as of 2025). There are also some high - speed ferry options with different fares. It is recommended to book your ferry tickets in advance, especially during the peak tourist season, as the island has a limit on the number of daily visitors. The ferry ride usually takes about 15 - 20 minutes.
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