Haikou Meilan International Airport is about 25 km from Haikou city centre. Transport costs vary depending on your method, destination, and time of day.
By transport type
Train: Meilan station sits about 400 m from the terminals; city trains reach Haikou East in 8-9 minutes. Fares are published on 12306 rather than by the airport, so check there for your date.
City bus (机场公交): a sectional fare from CNY 1, up to CNY 5 for the full 机场1路 route and CNY 6 for 机场2路, roughly 06:15-22:00. The cheapest option.
Airport bus (机场巴士): CNY 20 adult and CNY 10 child on lines 1 and 2; CNY 30 on line 3 to Laocheng. Runs around the clock, with 02:20-07:40 by advance booking.
Taxi: Haikou taxis are metered on the tariff the airport publishes: CNY 10 covers the first 3 km, then CNY 2.1 per km, and past 15 km each further kilometre carries a 50 percent surcharge (CNY 3.15). Waiting or crawling below 12 km/h adds CNY 0.5 per minute. On that tariff the roughly 25 km into the centre works out at about CNY 65-85 once time in traffic is counted. Tariffs are revised periodically, so check the posted rate at the rank before you set off. Between midnight and 5 AM the starting fare rises by CNY 1, to CNY 11 for the first 3 km. That is the entire night surcharge — there is no percentage added to the fare.
Pre-booked transfer: priced by the operator and quoted when you book. The price is fixed regardless of traffic.
By destination
Rather than quote a fare per neighbourhood — the meter, not a price list, decides what you pay — work it out from the published tariff:
| Metered distance | What the meter shows (before slow-running time) |
|---|---|
| First 3 km | CNY 10 |
| 3-15 km | CNY 10 + CNY 2.1 per further km |
| Beyond 15 km | plus CNY 3.15 per further km |
| 00:00-05:00 | starting fare CNY 11 instead of CNY 10 |
Fixed-price private transfer
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Other destinations
So a 25 km run into central Haikou comes to roughly CNY 65-85 with traffic. Wanning, on the surf coast, is a long-distance trip better served by the high-speed line from Meilan station than by a metered taxi.
Hidden costs to consider
- Late-night surcharge: between midnight and 5 AM the starting fare is CNY 11 instead of CNY 10. That is the whole surcharge — it is not a percentage on the fare.
- Traffic factor: rush hour (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM) fares run higher because the meter adds CNY 0.5 per minute below 12 km/h on top of the distance.
- Language confusion: If a taxi driver misunderstands your destination, the detour costs you money on the meter. Having your address in Chinese reduces this risk.
- Payment friction: Without WeChat Pay or Alipay, you are limited to cash. ATMs are available in arrivals.
Tips for managing costs
- For groups of 3-4 people, a taxi or transfer becomes more cost-effective per person than individual transit fares.
- Cash in CNY is the most reliable payment for taxis. ATMs in the arrivals hall accept international cards.
- Pre-booked transfers include the price for the vehicle, not per person, making them economical for families and small groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Haikou Airport from the city center?
Haikou Meilan Airport is about 25 km from the city center. A taxi takes 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. Airport buses are available but slower, and Meilan railway station next to the terminals reaches Haikou East in 8-9 minutes.
How much is a taxi from Haikou Airport to the city?
The meter charges CNY 10 for the first 3 km, then CNY 2.1 per km, with a 50 percent per-km surcharge past 15 km — roughly CNY 65-85 for the 25 km to the city centre. Between midnight and 5 AM the starting fare rises by CNY 1 to CNY 11; there is no percentage night surcharge.
Is there a bus from Haikou Airport?
Yes. The airport bus (机场巴士) is CNY 20 per adult and CNY 10 per child on lines 1 and 2, and CNY 30 on line 3 to Laocheng. Cheaper still are the city buses (机场公交), which charge a sectional fare from CNY 1 up to CNY 5-6 for the full route. Both are slower than a taxi. There is also a railway station at the airport.