About Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)

Kunming Changshui International Airport is an impressive building. The airport serves Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in south China. It primarily handles flights from Southeast Asia as well as flights within China. Our Kunming Changshui International Airport guide is packed with useful information relating to terminal facilities, public transport options and nearby hotels.

Airport news:

Plans for a new terminal are underway. 

Information:

There are multiple information desks in departures and arrivals halls.  

Website:

Driving directions:

From Kunming city centre, head north to join G8511 Kunming-Mohan Expressway (KunMo in short). Then at ZhuJiaCun, take E3rd Ring Road and follow the airport sign. The journey takes about 45 minutes.  

Transfer between terminals:

International and domestic halls are in the same building.
 

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Coach: There are several buses connect the airport to various places in Kunming. For example, bus 919A1 takes you to the main railway station while 919B runs between the airport and Xiao Ximen, the commercial district in Kunming.

Taxi: Taxis (tel: +86 871 96108) are abundant; they are outside level B1, exit 3. The journey to Xiao Ximen business district takes about 40 minutes and costs roughly RMB 80 (inclusive of highway toll charge RMB 10).  

Public transport rail:

Subway line 6 connects the airport and city centre. The airport subway station is located on level B2.

Terminal facilities

Money:

There are five ATMs available in the arrivals hall (level B1) and departures hall (levels 1F and 3F). A currency exchange desk is available on level 2F by the duty-free shops in the international departures hall.
 

Food:

There are restaurants serving Yunnan cuisine, as well as international fast-food outlets (McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks). Most of them congregate around the departure areas. 

Shopping:

Duty-free shops operate at both international departures and arrivals halls. There is also a variety of shops including newsagents and retailers selling jade and precious stones. 

Luggage:

Left-luggage facilities are available in the departures hall on level F3, as well as in the arrivals hall on level B1.  

Other:

Kunming Changshui International Airport is a massive airport so expect many facilities including two children’s play areas (level 2F, next to Gate 2 and also opposite the duty-free shops), medical emergency services (levels 3F and 2F) and 11 smoking areas. In addition to baby changing rooms, there are also maternal and nursing areas designed for mothers with babies (near Gates 9, 25 and 73). There is also a prayer room on level F1. 

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

There is a comfortable lounge (+86 871 6709 2973) equipped with meeting facilities on level 3F, right after security. They are different fees associated with each function, such as using the meeting room, making copies, scanning and printing respectively. If you are hosting a business meeting for a large group, consider using the nearby Best Yue Hang Hotel which has eight conference rooms.  

Communication Facilities:

Wi-Fi internet access is readily available. As most people travel with a smartphone nowadays, there are many charging stations available throughout the airport. For those without a smartphone, the airport has public phones which offer free local calls (3 minutes) – these public phones are digital, meaning they also provide free internet access, allowing you to check flight information and even the stock market.
 

Disabled facilities:

Free wheelchair service is available at the departures hall level 3F. It’s recommended to inform your airline about your requirement first. The airport also has disabled toilets and a dedicated waiting area for passengers with reduced ability and elderly over the age of 70. As this is a large building, there are also battery-powered golf-cart type vehicles driving passengers with reduced mobility for RMB10 per person per trip (tel: +86 871 6709 1605).  

Car parking:

There are over 4,500 parking spaces in its two parking garages. The indoor parking garage charges RMB 8 for the first hour and subsequently RMB 2 for every half hour. The outdoor parking garage is slightly cheaper for sedans – RMB 5 for the first hour and RMB 1 for every half hour thereafter. Large vehicles are charged more.  

Car rental:

Car hire companies include Europcar and Avis.