What is the cheapest way from Haikou Meilan Airport to the city?

City bus route 21, which stops right outside the arrivals hall and charges a distance-based fare of ¥1–5 for the roughly 70–90 minute ride to the Zhonglou (Bell Tower) stop near the old town.

Is there a faster option than the city bus?

Yes — the airport's own shuttle bus (机场巴士) costs ¥20 and reaches the Five Officials Temple/old provincial government area in about 55 minutes, with fewer stops and buses running later into the night.

Is it safe to use unofficial taxis at the airport?

No — avoid touts offering 'discount' cars inside the terminal or car park; they are unlicensed 黑车 that can charge ¥100 or more. Use the official taxi rank outside and insist the meter is on.

What is the best way from HAK to downtown Haikou?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: city bus route 21 from outside the arrivals hall, a distance-based fare of up to ¥5 for the roughly 70–90 minute ride to Zhonglou.

How much is a taxi from Haikou Meilan Airport to the city?

A metered taxi from the official rank is roughly ¥40–50, while unlicensed 'black cars' can charge ¥100 or more — versus up to ¥5 on city bus 21.

How do you get from Haikou Meilan Airport (HAK) to downtown Haikou — the cheapest way?

The cheapest way from Haikou Meilan Airport (HAK) into central Haikou is city bus route 21, a regular public bus that stops right outside the terminal and charges a distance-based fare of up to ¥5 for the roughly 70–90 minute ride to the Zhonglou (Bell Tower) stop near Jiefang West Road in the city centre. Board it at the transportation hub opposite Gate 3 of the arrivals hall, not the Gate 4 bay used by the ¥20 airport shuttle bus — take that instead if you'd rather cut the ride to about 55 minutes. Ignore anyone touting a 'discount' private car inside the terminal or car park; these unlicensed 黑车 (black cars) can charge ¥100 or more for a ride a metered taxi does for roughly ¥40–50.

How to find it

AIRPORTHaikou Meilan International Airport
01From arrivals (Terminal 1 or 2), follow signs to the ground-floor transportation hub opposite Gate 3 — about a 5-minute walk. This is a separate curb from the Gate 4 bay used by the airport's own branded shuttle bus.
02Board bus route 21 (marked Meilan Airport–Baishamen, 美兰机场–白沙门) and pay the distance-based fare of ¥1–5 by QR code or exact cash as you get on.
03Ride about 33 stops through the Haidian and Longkun districts — roughly 70–90 minutes depending on traffic — buses run every 5–15 minutes from about 06:30 to 21:00.
04Get off at the Zhonglou (钟楼 / Bell Tower) stop — a few minutes' walk from Jiefang West Road and Haikou's old town core. The last bus back to the airport leaves around 21:00, so plan a taxi or rideshare for later arrivals.
CITY CENTREHaikou

Ticket

Haikou city bus route 21 single fare, Meilan Airport to Zhonglou (Bell Tower)

Where to buy: Pay on board — board at the ground-floor transportation hub opposite Gate 3 of the arrivals hall, a different curb from the Gate 4 bay used by the branded airport shuttle bus.

How to pay: Fare is distance-based, from ¥1 up to ¥5 for the ride into town: scan the WeChat or Alipay QR code mounted by the farebox as you board, or drop exact cash into the box (no change given).

Local's trick: Skip the airport's own ¥20 shuttle bus — the ordinary city bus route 21 stops right outside the terminal and runs the same corridor into town for as little as ¥5, dropping you at Zhonglou, a few minutes' walk from Jiefang West Road. It just boards from a separate curb (the transportation hub opposite Gate 3, not the shuttle's Gate 4 bay).

Trap to avoid: Ignore anyone inside the arrivals hall or car park offering a 'discount' private car or claiming to be from a 'tour company' — these are unlicensed 黑车 (black cars) that can charge ¥100 or more for a ride a metered taxi does for roughly ¥40–50. Only board taxis at the official rank outside and insist the meter runs.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	CN¥5.00	1 h 20 min	Haikou city bus route 21 single fare, Meilan Airport to Zhonglou (Bell Tower)
Bus	CN¥20.00	55 min	Airport shuttle bus Line 1 (机场巴士1号线) single fare, Meilan Airport to Xinyuan Hot Spring Hotel

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Haikou Meilan Airport to the city?: City bus route 21, which stops right outside the arrivals hall and charges a distance-based fare of ¥1–5 for the roughly 70–90 minute ride to the Zhonglou (Bell Tower) stop near the old town.
Where do I catch bus 21 at Meilan Airport?: At the ground-floor transportation hub opposite Gate 3 of the arrivals hall — a different curb from the branded airport shuttle bus, which boards at Gate 4.
Is there a faster option than the city bus?: Yes — the airport's own shuttle bus (机场巴士) costs ¥20 and reaches the Five Officials Temple/old provincial government area in about 55 minutes, with fewer stops and buses running later into the night.
How do I pay for the bus?: Scan the WeChat or Alipay QR code mounted by the farebox as you board, or drop exact cash into the box — no change is given.
Is it safe to use unofficial taxis at the airport?: No — avoid touts offering 'discount' cars inside the terminal or car park; they are unlicensed 黑车 that can charge ¥100 or more. Use the official taxi rank outside and insist the meter is on.
What is the best way from HAK to downtown Haikou?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: city bus route 21 from outside the arrivals hall, a distance-based fare of up to ¥5 for the roughly 70–90 minute ride to Zhonglou.
How much is a taxi from Haikou Meilan Airport to the city?: A metered taxi from the official rank is roughly ¥40–50, while unlicensed 'black cars' can charge ¥100 or more — versus up to ¥5 on city bus 21.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.