By Air
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN): Located about 12 km (7 miles) northeast of downtown on Xiamen Island, it serves many domestic and some international routes.
To City Center (Zhongshan Road):
Metro (Optimal): Direct service via Line 1 from Airport Station (Terminals 3/4). Alight at Zhenhai Road Station for Zhongshan Road (25–30 minutes, ¥4). Operates 6:30 AM–11:00 PM. Pay via Alipay, WeChat, or cash at the machines for a single-ride ticket.
Airport Shuttle Bus: Routes to Zhongshan Road, Xiamen Railway Station, and ferry terminals. Costs ¥10–20, takes ~30–40 minutes. Operates 5:20 AM–10:30 PM. Pay via cash, Xiamen eKatong card, or Alipay/WeChat.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Line 1 connects via a covered walkway from the airport. Travel time ~40–60 minutes, fare ¥1–4 (distance-based). Operates 6:10 AM–10:30 PM.
Taxis: ¥40–55 (20–30 minutes, metered; higher during rush hour).
By Train
Xiamen Railway Station: Located at Xiahe and Hudong Roads, Siming District, it serves primarily regular trains and some high-speed trains. Ideal for central access.
Xiamen North Railway Station: In Jimei District, 28 km (12 miles) from downtown, it’s the main hub for high-speed trains (G-series) on the Hangzhou-Fuzhou-Shenzhen corridor, connecting to Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Fuzhou, and many other locations.
Metro Line 1 connects both stations with the city.
By Bus
Wucun Long-Distance Bus Station: Near Xiamen Railway Station, convenient for regional destinations like Quanzhou.
Fanghu Long-Distance Bus Station: Serving routes across Fujian and beyond.
Trains are much faster for most destinations; buses are suitable for nearby cities like Quanzhou.
By Ferry
Dongdu Port (international cruises) and Wutong Port (Kinmen Island, Taiwan).
Ferries to Kinmen Island depart from Wutong, 11 km from downtown. Limited seasonal international cruises (e.g., Xiamen–Japan, 4–5 days) are available from Dongdu.
To City Center: From Wutong, take Bus 6 (20 minutes) or a taxi (¥20–30, 15 minutes). From Dongdu, take Bus 87 or 436 (~10 minutes).
Xiamen’s public transportation is well-developed, affordable, and tourist-friendly, with English signage on metro and BRT systems.
Metro: Xiamen Metro has 3 lines: Line 1 (north-south, Yanwei to Zhenhai Road), Line 2 (east-west, Dongfashou to Tianzhujiao), Line 3 (mid-east, Xiamen Railway Station to Caicuo).
Hours: 6:30 AM–11:00 PM.
Fares and Payment Options: Distance-based, ¥2–7.
Single-Journey Ticket: ¥2–7, purchased at vending machines (English interface, accepts ¥1 coins, ¥5–20 bills).
Xiamen eKatong Card: Rechargeable, 10% fare discount, valid for metro, BRT, buses, and some taxis. Available at metro stations (¥20 deposit).
Mobile QR Codes: Use Alipay/WeChat “Xiamen Public Transport” mini-program to scan at gates.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Xiamen’s BRT operates 3 main elevated bus-only lines, connecting Xiamen North Railway Station, Gaoqi Airport (Line 1), and downtown. Faster than city buses, with English signage.
Fares: ¥1–4 (distance-based), payable via Xiamen eKatong card, Alipay/WeChat, or cash (exact change).
Hours: 6:00 AM–10:30 PM.
City Buses: Over 370 routes serve Xiamen Island and the suburbs, including Gulangyu ferry terminals and Nanputuo Temple, less tourist-friendly due to Chinese-only signage.
Key routes: 1, 15, 21 to Xiamen University. Bus 29 to Hulishan Fortress, Bus 51 to Wanshi Botanical Garden.
Fares: ¥1-2. Pay via cash (exact change), Xiamen eKatong card, or Alipay/WeChat.
Hours: 6:00 AM–11:00 PM.
Use Baidu Maps or Amap for routing; wave to stop minibuses on special lines.
Ferries: Ferries are essential for Gulangyu Island, departing from Lundu Port (for tourists and non-residents) or Xiamen Ferry Dock (residents only). Travel time: ~8–20 minutes. Also serves Kinmen Island from Wutong Port.
Hours: Gulangyu: 7:00 AM–11:00 PM (every 10–15 minutes peak, 20–30 minutes off-peak; night ferries are limited). Kinmen: ~8:00 AM–6:00 PM.
Non-residents use Lundu Port; buy return tickets to avoid queues.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing: DiDi offers ride-hailing with English interfaces, ideal for getting a car ride, including booking a taxi.
Bicycles: Bike rentals are popular along Huandao Road for scenic coastal rides (e.g., Baicheng Beach, Wuyuan Bay). Meituan (yellow) and HelloBike (blue) offer rentals throughout the city. Scan the QR code to pay and unlock.