Xiamen Transportation

Air

Gaoqi International Airport is about 6 miles (10 km) from the center of Xiamen. Nowadays, as one of the ten busiest airports in China, it operates 71 domestic air routes to major cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing and Chengdu. In addition, 12 international flights leave from this airport every week to some overseas cities in South Korea, Japan, America, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Modern T3 and T4 provide a comfortable airport environment. There are several airport shuttle bus routes and BRT line that commute between airport and downtown area.
Airport Services & Facilities: baggage storage, ATMs, VIP lounges, etc.

Xiamen Xiang’an  International Airport is under construction and is planned to open to navigation in 2023. It will be located between Dadeng Island and Xiaodeng Island, Xiang’an District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, 25 kilometers (16 miles) from central Xiamen.

 
Xiamen Airport Xiamen Train

Train

Xiamen Railway Station and North Railway Station are two passenger transport railway stations in this city.

 Main Railway Station is located at the No.90, Xiahe Road, Siming District. Normal speed trains in this station bound for most major cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Kunming. The station also has direct trains to main cities in Fujian Province, such as Fuzhou, Sanming and Zhangzhou. Passengers can take public bus no.3, 19A, 19B, 28, 42, 96, 113, 116, 122, 127, 659, 840, 857, 858, 940, 950, 952 or 994 to get here.

 North Railway Station is situated in Yannei Village of Houxi Town in Jimei District. It is a major conjunction of Fuzhou - Xiamen, Longyan – Xiamen and Xiamen - Shenzhen rail lines. Trains from the station are all high speed types that can take passengers to many major cities in China, such as Fuzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Chongqing. Public bus No.690, 691, 692, 790, 792, 890, 901, 905, 907, 936, 949, 950 or 980 can take you to the station.

 Major Rail Lines from Xiamen to:

 Going to this city by long-distance bus is very convenient. Hubin Long-distance Bus Station, Fanghu Bus Station, Wucun Bus Station, Jimei Bus Station, Xinglin Bus Station are five main bus stations in this city. Located at different districts, these stations bring much convenience for passengers. Long-distance buses head for major cities within Fujian Province as well as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guilin, Suzhou, Shanghai and Changsha and many outside the province.
 

Ship

Xiamen Port has a wide, peaceful water area without freezing or silting, providing an excellent water transportation network.

Xiamen International Cruise Terminal operates ships named "COCO Star" to/from Keelung and Taichung. The ship to Keelung departs at 18:00 every Thursday and arrives at 08:30 next morning. Vice versa, the ship is available every Sunday. It departs at 18:00 and arrives at 08:30 next morning. The ship departs for Taichung every Tuesday at 19:00 and arrives at 08:30 next morning. Vice versa, the ship is available every Wednesday. It departs at 21:00 and arrives at 08:30 next morning.
Boarding address in Xiamen: Next to door no. 9, Central Hall, International Cruise Terminal, No.2 Donggang Road in Huli District. One can take bus no. B1, L5, 51, 59, 87 and 436 to get there. The check-in stops at 16:50 for both routes in Xiamen.

The sea route to the Taiwanese island of Kinmen is operated at Wutong Port. The ferry schedules are from 08:00-17:30 with the interval of 30 to 60 minutes. The duration is about 30 minutes. Wutong Port is located at No.2500, East Island Ring Road. Tourists can take Airport Shuttle Bus Line 3 or Sightseeing Bus Line 1 to there directly. Please make sure to come at least 20 minutes before the departure time to finish the boarding procedures. 

 See also:
Kinmen Airport

Fujian Ports: Port of Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Putian
 

Xiamen metro line 1 and line 2 serve the public nowadays. Line 1 is a cross-sea line connected Xiamen Island and Jimei. Line 2 is the east-west main transport line in the city. Line 3 and line 4 will be opened in late 2020. Xiamen metro line 5 to 11 are still under planning. Xiamen metro system will consist of 6 lines covering 231km (144 mi) by 2020.
 Xiamen Metro Maps
 Taking public bus is a good choice for tourists and local people. Well-developed and modern public transportation enhances the charm of this city. Wide covered public bus, amazing BRT buses, impressive sightseeing bus and unique tourist bus form the inner transport network of the city and bring a lot of convenience.
 

Ferry

Ferry is an excellent and convenient way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of small islets around. As the most attractive island of this city, Gulangyu has been connected with the city by ferry. Nowadays, the ferries for tourists are available at Dongdu Port and Haicang Songyu Port only in the daytime, heading to Sanqiutian Wharf and Necwo Wharf of Gulangyu. In the night time, tourists are allowed to get on board at Xiamen Ferry Dock.

A ferryboat runs between Xiamen Island and Gulangyu Island.
A ferryboat runs to Gulangyu.
Xiamen Ferry Terminal
Ferry Terminal
Time Start Destination Operating Hours Ticket Fare (Round-Trip) Frequency Duration
Daytime Dongdu Port Sanqiutian
Wharf
June-September: 07:10-18:30
October-next May: 07:10-17:30
CNY 35 20 minutes 20 minutes
Haicang Songyu Port Necwo Wharf June-September: 07:10-18:30
October-next May: 07:10-17:30
CNY 35
(Ordinary Ferry)
CNY 50
(Luxury Ferry)
20 minutes 20 minutes
Night Time Xiamen
Ferry Dock
Necwo Wharf June-September: 07:30 to 18:50
October-next May: 07:30-17:50
CNY 30 20 to 40 minutes 8 minutes
Sanqiutian Wharf June-September: 18:50 to 06:30 (Next Day)
October-next May: 17:50 to 06:30 (Next Day)
CNY 35 20 minutes 7 minutes

 Dongdu Port: the west side of Shugang Road
   Bus Route: Take bus no.87 or 436 to get to Cruise Center Bus Stop. Then walk north around 450 yards (400 meters).
 Haicang Songyu Port: Nearby Haicang Road
   Bus Route: Take bus no.834, 835, 836, 837, 890 or 892 to go to Haicang Road. Then walk southwest around 50 yards (40 meters).
 Xiamen Ferry Dock: No.15, Lujiang Road
    Bus Route: Take bus no.4, 25, 97, 107, 112, 118, 127, 655, 656 or 841 to get to Ferry Post Office. Then walk south around 90 yards (80 meters).
 

Taxi

There are over 5,000 taxis operating in the city. Grabbing a taxi is the choice of many locals and travelers, for it is more convenient and inexpensive than some popular tourist destinations. The taxi rate is as follows:
Distance Rate
For the first 3km (around 1.9mi) CNY10
For each additional kilometer (0.6mi) farther than 3km (1.9mi)  CNY2
For each additional kilometer (0.6mi) farther than 8km (5mi)  CNY3
Note: Cabs running between 23:00 and 05:00 the next day would charge extra 20% for night-driving allowance. For each cab ride, CNY2 is required for the fuel charge.

Here are some cab fares for your reference if departing from the Main Railway Station:
To Ferry Dock: CNY15-20
To Island Ring Road (near Baicheng and Hulishan Battery): CNY20-25
To Jimei University: CNY40-50

Tips: The downtown area is not big. CNY20-25 is enough within the downtown area. There are complaint numbers attached inside the cabs. You can dial the number for a complaint if not satisfied with the service. Almost all taxis in the city are officially operated and would charge by the meter. You can ask for invoices.

Bicycle

It must be a fascinating experience to ride a bicycle along the Island Ring Road, where one can enjoy the beautiful sea scenery and the Taiwan Island across the sea. Bicycle rental services are mainly offered on the Island Ring Road. Apart from ordinary bicycles, tandem ridings or bicycle made for three persons are also available. Rental fare varies from CNY 5 to 15 per hour depending on the types of the bicycle and plus a deposit of CNY 150 to 200.

 
Bicycle Type Referenced Price (per hour)
Ordinary Bicycles CNY 5 to 8
Tandem Ridings CNY 10
Three Seats Bicycle CNY 15

 Suggested Bicycle Tour Routes:
 1. Baicheng Beach (Xiamen University), South Island Ring Road, Wuyuanwan Bridge, North Wuyuanwan Beach
 2. Baicheng Beach, Hulishan Battery, Cengcuoan Area, Yefengzhai (Coconut Wind Fort) Game Center, Conference and Exhibition Center, Kwan-yin Hill Beach, Wuyuanwan Area

 Note: 1. June to September is perhaps the most favorable season to ride around the city.
              2. In the tourist high season, there will be many riders. 

 Further Reading:
How to Travel between Guangzhou and Xiamen
Best Way to Travel between Shenzhen and Xiamen
Best Way to Travel between Xiamen and Quanzhou
Best Way to Travel between Fuzhou and Xiamen
How to Travel between Taipei and Xiamen
- Last updated on Apr. 27, 2024 -