Xiamen Transportation

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport

Opening in 1983, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport offers direct flights between Xiamen and more than 75 cities both within ...

Opening in 1983, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport offers direct flights between Xiamen and more than 75 cities both within China and abroad. It is touted as of being one of the 10 busiest airports in China, and is able to handle 10 million passengers annually. Over 21 airlines operate out of Xiamen Airport.

The faculties and services within the airport include: Modern clean western style restrooms, a baby changing room, moving walkways, free luggage carts, several restaurants, gift and convenience shops, a medical center, and a business center. There are a number of ATMs provided by several Chinese banks, with foreign currency exchange service available at the Bank of China. Xiamen airport provides counters for hotel and tourism information, lost luggage, left luggage and lost and found articles.

Transportation:

There is an efficiently operated taxi stand just outside the arrival level. Metered taxis cost 8 RMB for the first 3 KM and 2 RMB per KM thereafter. Downtown Xiamen is about 10 KMs from the airport, so the taxi should cost less than 50 RMB for most destinations in the area.

The shuttle bus to downtown costs 6 RMB. The shuttle bus can be caught just west of the terminal. It runs from 7AM to 9 PM daily.

Use the public bus for an even cheaper (1 RMB) means to reach your destination. Buses 27, 37, 41, 81 and 91 can be picked up just east of the terminal, and run until 10:30 PM each night.

Xiamen Train Station (Xiamen Huoche zhan)

While Xiamen can be reached from many destinations by express train, typical rides can be rather long: Beijing - 35 hrs; Shanghai - 28 hrs; Xi’An - 40 hrs;...

While Xiamen can be reached from many destinations by express train, typical rides can be rather long: Beijing - 35 hrs; Shanghai - 28 hrs; Xi’An - 40 hrs; Chongqing - 43 hrs; Nanjing - 31 hrs; Guangzhou - 15 hrs, etc. The experience can be relaxing and refreshing in a soft sleeper though. Xiamen’s only train station (厦门火车站) is situated at the intersection of Hubin Donglu (湖滨东路) and Xiahe Lu (厦禾路). The station, built in 1993, is already starting to show its age. It is easy to get to and from the station by public bus or taxi. Conveniently, the station is also the site of one of Xiamen’s major public bus terminals.

How to get there: The terminus of all of the following bus routes is at the train station: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, 26, 28, 33, 37, 38, 42, 43, 46, 48, 49, 72, 80, 83 and 88. Numerous other buses also pass by the station.

Ferry Terminal

Ferry Terminal (Lundu, 轮渡)

Ferry Transportation: There is no fee for the 10 minute ferry ride to Gulangyu Island, but there is an 8 RMB charge to return to the mainland. Once you are on t...

Ferry Terminal (Lundu, 轮渡)

Ferry Transportation: There is no fee for the 10 minute ferry ride to Gulangyu Island, but there is an 8 RMB charge to return to the mainland. Once you are on the Island you can take electrically motorized tour cars around the Island or take a relaxing walk as there are no other vehicles allowed – not even bicycles.

Public Bus Routes to the Ferry Terminal: 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 36, 44, 50, 66, 67, 85

Taxis

Taxi (Chu Zu Che - 出租车; Di Shi - 的士)

Taxis are a very convenient and inexpensive way to get around Xiamen. Taxis cost 8 RMB for the first 8 kilometers, and 2 RMB for each kilometer thereafter. While there are numerous...

Taxi (Chu Zu Che - 出租车; Di Shi - 的士)

Taxis are a very convenient and inexpensive way to get around Xiamen. Taxis cost 8 RMB for the first 8 kilometers, and 2 RMB for each kilometer thereafter. While there are numerous taxis in the city, it can sometimes be quite difficult to find a vacant one during rush hours. Most taxi drivers do not understand English. Therefore, if your Chinese isn’t up to the task, it is best to have the intended address written out in Chinese characters (business cards are great for this purpose). Another, albeit slightly less convenient, option is to have someone you can phone who will be able to give instructions to the driver in Chinese. Within the city the taxi fare should usually not exceed 30 RMB unless you are traveling off the island or going for a long trip along the ring road. Make sure that the taxi driver turns on the meter (located on the front dash board)!

Public Buses

Public Buses (Gong gong qi che -公共汽车)

Xiamen, being a small city by Chinese standards, is relatively easy to move around by public bus. There is usually a minimal waiting time as well....

Public Buses (Gong gong qi che -公共汽车)

Xiamen, being a small city by Chinese standards, is relatively easy to move around by public bus. There is usually a minimal waiting time as well. Easily read Bus Maps are sold at many tourist locations, book stores and post offices. Within the city limits the fare is 1 RMB, but if the bus is air conditioned, the fare rises to 2 RMB. Regardless, riding the bus is a most affordable means of transportation. Major Public Bus terminals within the city are located at the Train Station (火车站) and the Ferry Terminal (轮渡). If you do get lost, just ride a bus to one of these terminals to get your bearings again. If possible, avoid traveling on the bus during rush hours unless you want to become intimate with many people. Buses run from 6 AM to 11 PM.

Bus Routes to the Train Station (Huo Che Zhan - 火车站): 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, 26, 28, 33, 37, 38, 42, 43, 46, 48, 49, 72, 80, 83, 88

Bus Routes to the Ferry Terminal (Lun Du - 轮渡): 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 36, 44, 50, 66, 67, 85

Those interested in Xiamen’s tourist attractions should try out the Special Tourist buses that run along a regular route, visiting some of the best sites around the city. At only 30 RMB the tourist bus is very worth while. Take all the time you need at a site, and then just hop on the next available special tourist bus. The buses are easily distinguished by their blue color and an upper viewing deck. Start your trip at the Ferry Terminal (轮渡).

Long Distance Bus Stations

Long Distant Bus Travel

Traveling by long distance bus to and from Xiamen is quite simple. However, it is wise to have your destination written in Chinese if your Chinese pronunciation is poor. Tickets can be purchased at the bus stations, at travel agencies, or your hotel may also be able to assist you. As a rule, buses are quite cheap, but prices may be higher for buses with air conditioning or luxury coaches. Prices run the gamut depending on the distance of your destination. There are direct buses to most destinations in Fujian Province such as Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Longyan, etc. There are also direct buses to cities in other provinces such as, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guilin, Nanning, Suzhou and Shanghai. Overnight buses are a great way to save time, but only if you don’t have problems with falling asleep, and are not a large person. Lastly, be aware that if you choose a cheaper bus you may not be dropped off at a bus station, but at a random or somewhat unfamiliar place at your destination.Jimei Bus Station (集美汽车站)

Long Distance Bus Information Numbers: (592) 220 1246, (592) 221 5238

Songbai Bus Station (松柏汽车站)

Address: No.211, Lianyue Lu (莲岳路)

Directions: The station is just a few blocks east of the Best Western Premier Hotel and Songbai Park

Local Bus Routes to the Station: 24, 31, 33, 49, 73, 86, 98, 99, 101
Tel: (0)592 5089 018, 5089 328, 5091 086

Hubin Nan (south) Long Distance Bus Station (湖滨南路长途汽车站)

Address: No.59 Hubin Nan Lu (湖滨南路)

Directions: The station is just east of Electronic City on Hubin Nan Lu (湖滨南路)

Local Bus Routes to the Station: 10, 15, 23, 30, 43, 45, 85, 88, 99
Tel: (0)592 2215 283, 2202 030

Jimei Bus Station (集美汽车站)

Address: No.159, Yinjiang Lu (银江路)

Directions: The station is just south of Jimei University’s main campus on Yinjiang Lu (银江路)

Local Bus Routes to the Station: 18, 52, 55, 56, 67, 79, 106, 615, 616, 625
Tel: (0)592 6100 312, 6068 319

Xiamen Public Transportation

For those foreign visitors who come to to Xiamen, or even to China for the first time, they may worry firstly about the transportation.

...

For those foreign visitors who come to to Xiamen, or even to China for the first time, they may worry firstly about the transportation.

Actually, It is quite easy to for visitors get around without a private car. Taxis run 24 hours ago. The cost is only 8RMB/3 kms, plus 3RMB for fuel surcharges each ride.

There are also buses and BRT(bus rapid transportation). If visitors are not in a rush, they can try the pubic transportation. The cost for bus is 1RMB each ride, same cost to anywhere on the island, BRT is even cheaper, 0.5RMB each ride.