Owais Crawford
If you have a layover at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, you may be able to leave the airport and explore the city during your stopover. Xiamen Airlines offers a free city tour, hotel room, or access to the transfer lounge for passengers with a layover of 2-6 hours or more. To be eligible for the free tour or hotel room, you must be flying with Xiamen Airlines on both legs of your journey. Passengers with a longer layover can take advantage of the 144-hour or 240-hour visa-free transit scheme, which allows passport holders from 54 countries, including the USA, UK, and Australia, to explore the city of Xiamen and other regions of Mainland China.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving the airport | Eligible passengers with a boarding pass and valid identification can leave the airport and proceed to the "Xiamen Transit Lounge" in the basement level of the T3 Terminal at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport. |
| Visa requirements | Xiamen offers a 24-hour visa-free transit scheme for eligible passengers. A 24-hour transit visa sticker is provided for free when passengers go through immigration. |
| Food options | There is a KFC and a cafe in the pre-check-in part of the terminal. More food options are available in the International check-in area, but they are limited. |
| Attractions | Xiamen University, Zhongshan Pedestrian Street, Gulangyu Island, Hulishan Fortress, Shuzhuang Garden, Organ Museum, and Bright Moon Garden. |
| Transportation | Taxi services are available, and some drivers may speak English or use translation apps. |
| Currency | It is recommended to have local currency (RMB) as US dollars and credit cards may not be accepted. |
| Communication | Google Translate with English and Chinese (simplified) dictionaries can be used offline. |
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What You'll Learn
- Xiamen offers a 240-hour visa-free transit scheme for eligible passport holders
- A free city tour is available, but it can take up to 8 hours
- Xiamen Airlines offers a free hotel room for layovers over 6 hours
- The airport is open 24 hours, but lounges close at night
- There are limited food options, but there is a KFC and cafe
Xiamen offers a 240-hour visa-free transit scheme for eligible passport holders
Xiamen offers a 240-hour visa-free transit scheme, also known as TWOV (Transit Without Visa), for eligible passport holders. This allows travellers with a long layover to explore the city and even other parts of China. The scheme is available at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and Xiamen International Cruise Port.
To be eligible for the visa-free transit scheme, you must hold a passport from one of the 54 or 55 designated countries. These include countries from Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Asia. Specifically, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and many European countries are included. Your passport must be valid for at least three more months from the arrival date, and you must have a confirmed ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours of arrival.
Upon arrival, you will need to fill out an Arrival Card and submit your application with your passport, connecting flight or ship ticket, and travel itinerary. An immigration officer will then grant you short-term entry to Xiamen by sticking a Temporary Entry Permit in your passport. After going through customs and immigration, you are free to leave the airport or cruise port and begin your layover tour.
Xiamen Airlines offers benefits to passengers with long layovers, such as a free transit lounge, city tour, or hotel room, depending on the length of the layover. If you opt for the city tour, you can explore attractions such as Gulangyu Island, the South Putuo Temple, and Xiamen University. It is recommended to have some local currency, as taxis and food options may not accept credit cards or foreign currency.
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A free city tour is available, but it can take up to 8 hours
If you have a long layover in Xiamen, you can take advantage of the free city tour. This hop-on-hop-off tour is a great way to explore the city during your layover. Xiamen Airlines offers this complimentary service to its passengers with layovers of 2-6 hours or more. Keep in mind that the duration of the tour can vary, and some travellers have reported using up to 8 hours of their layover time.
To join the free city tour, head to the Transfer Service desk located next to the domestic baggage carousels on the first floor. Look for the signs marked "City Tour" in both Chinese and English. While English-speaking staff may be limited, the process is straightforward. You will need your passport and any necessary immigration documents, such as an immigration form or a printout of your continuing flight details.
The city tour is a fantastic opportunity to experience Xiamen's culture and attractions. The tour typically covers notable locations such as the waterfront near the ferries, Zhongshan Pedestrian Street, and the ferry to Gulangyu Island. Gulangyu Island is highly recommended for its scenic beauty, gardens, museums, and cafes. However, it usually requires a longer stay of at least two days.
When planning your time in Xiamen, consider the duration of your layover and the time needed for airport check-in, which typically opens 3 hours before departure. The city tour provides flexibility, allowing you to explore at your own pace and hop on and off as you wish. Remember to review any visa requirements or exemptions before your trip, as these may vary based on your nationality and the duration of your stay.
Overall, the free city tour offered by Xiamen Airlines during long layovers is a wonderful way to discover the charm and highlights of Xiamen. With its flexibility and cultural insights, it can enhance your travel experience and create memorable moments during your time in China.
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Xiamen Airlines offers a free hotel room for layovers over 6 hours
If you have a layover in Xiamen, you may be eligible for a free hotel room provided by Xiamen Airlines. This benefit is available to passengers with a layover of 6 to 24 hours who are transferring in Xiamen, Fuzhou, Quanzhou, or Hangzhou. The free hotel room is also available to those who have purchased business or first-class tickets for the international or regional segment.
To take advantage of this offer, go to the Xiamen Airlines transfer service counter, which is located opposite Gate 7 on the first floor of the T3 Terminal at Gaoqi International Airport. The staff will verify your information, book your hotel, and provide you with a "Xiamen Airlines Transfer Passenger Check-in Form," which you can use to check in at the designated hotel.
It is important to note that the hotel room provided by Xiamen Airlines does not include other expenses or ground transportation to and from the hotel. Passengers must check out at the specified time, and any requests for late check-out will incur additional charges. Additionally, passengers who choose to stay at the hotel are not allowed to enjoy other free transfer services such as the transfer lounge or the free city tour.
If you prefer to explore the city during your layover, Xiamen is a safe place to walk around and offers a variety of food options and shops near the airport. The airport itself may not be the best place to spend your entire layover, as there are limited food options and it can be challenging to check in until closer to your departure time.
Overall, Xiamen Airlines' free hotel room offer can be a convenient option for passengers with long layovers in Xiamen. It provides a comfortable place to rest and relax before continuing your journey.
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The airport is open 24 hours, but lounges close at night
If you have a long layover in Xiamen, you can leave the airport and explore the city. Xiamen Airlines offers a free city tour, a hotel room, or access to the Transfer Passenger Lounge if your layover is longer than 2 hours.
The Transfer Service desk is located next to the domestic baggage carousels on the first floor. There are three lines, marked for Hotel, Passenger Lounge, and City Tour. If your airline is providing a room for your layover, you can make arrangements at the transit desk.
Xiamen is a safe city, and you can walk to some interesting areas from the airport. However, if you want to explore further, you can take a taxi, which costs around 15 Chinese yuan ($2.20 US) each way. You must pay in local currency, but there is a money changer down the hall from the Transfer Service desk, and ATMs upstairs.
The airport itself is open 24 hours, but the lounges close at night. You can access the airport at any time, but you can only check in to your flight about 3 hours before departure, which limits your food options.
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There are limited food options, but there is a KFC and cafe
If you have a long layover in Xiamen, you may be entitled to a free city tour, a hotel room, or access to a transfer lounge. Xiamen Airlines offers these benefits to passengers with a layover of 2-6 hours or more. The Transfer Service desk is located on the first floor, next to the domestic baggage carousels, and has three lines marked for Hotel, Passenger Lounge, and City Tour.
If you choose to remain in the airport, there are limited food options. In the pre-check-in area, there is a KFC and a cafe at the opposite end. You can access the International check-in area with just your passport, where there are a few more food options, though nothing spectacular. Xiamen Airport is reportedly open 24 hours, though the lounges close during the nighttime.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Xiamen is part of the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme. This means that passport holders from 54 countries, including the USA, UK, New Zealand, and Australia, can explore the whole Fujian Province and other provinces and regions for up to 240 hours during their transit in China.
If you are a passport holder from one of the 54 countries that are part of the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme, you do not need a visa for a layover in Xiamen. However, you will need to present your passport and an immigration form.
You will need your passport and an immigration form. If you are staying in a hotel, it is recommended that you have a print-out of your hotel booking.
Xiamen Airlines offers a free transfer lounge, city tour, or hotel room if your layover is longer than 2-6 hours. The city tour is hop-on-hop-off, so you can spend as little or as much time on it as you like. If you prefer to explore on your own, you can visit the island of Gulangyu, Xiamen University, Zhongshan Pedestrian Street, and the waterfront near the ferries.
Xiamen is considered to be one of the safest cities in Mainland China.
