How much is the metro from Kunming Airport to the city centre?

About ¥6 for a single journey to Dongfeng Square (¥5 to the Line 6 terminus at Tangzixiang). You get a 10% discount with a Kunming transport card.

Where is the metro station at Kunming Changshui Airport?

On level B2, directly under the terminal — follow the 'Metro / 地铁' signs down from arrivals, about a 5-minute walk. Don't exit to the ground-level taxi and bus area.

What time does the airport metro stop running?

Line 6 runs roughly 06:20 to 22:55, about every 15 minutes. After it closes, the Line 2 airport shuttle bus to Kunming Railway Station (¥25) runs until around 02:00, or take an official metered taxi (¥80–90).

Is the airport bus or the metro better?

The metro is cheapest at about ¥6 and avoids traffic. The ¥25 airport shuttle bus is a one-seat ride to Kunming Railway Station with no transfer, useful late at night once the metro has stopped.

How much is a taxi from Kunming Changshui International Airport to the city?

An official metered taxi is about ¥80–90 to the centre, while unlicensed touts in arrivals charge foreigners ¥150–300 — the metro does the same trip for about ¥6 in roughly 45 minutes.

How to get from Kunming Changshui Airport (KMG) to downtown Kunming — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) to central Kunming is Metro Line 6 from beneath the terminal, changing to Line 3 at East Coach Station for Dongfeng Square: a single ride is about ¥6 and takes roughly 45 minutes, running about every 15 minutes until 22:55. Buy at the bilingual machines on level B2 or tap an Alipay/WeChat QR at the gate. Ignore the unlicensed taxi touts who approach you in the arrivals hall — with no meter they charge foreigners ¥150–300, versus ¥6 on the metro or ¥80–90 in an official metered taxi.

How to find it

AIRPORTKunming Changshui International Airport
01From arrivals, follow the 'Metro / 地铁' signs down to level B2 directly under the terminal (about a 5-minute walk) and buy a ticket to central Kunming (about ¥6).
02Board Metro Line 6 towards Tangzixiang and ride about four stops (roughly 17–20 minutes) to East Coach Station (东部汽车站).
03At East Coach Station transfer to Line 3 westbound (towards Xishan Park) and ride about 15 minutes to Dongfeng Square (东风广场), the heart of central Kunming. For Kunming Railway Station instead, stay on Line 6 to its terminus Tangzixiang and change to Line 1.
04The whole trip is about 45 minutes. Line 6 runs roughly 06:20 to 22:55, about every 15 minutes.
CITY CENTREKunming

Ticket

Kunming Metro single-journey ticket (Line 6 to Line 3), airport to central Kunming

Where to buy: At the bilingual ticket machines or the service window in the metro station on level B2 of the terminal; or scan an Alipay/WeChat QR (Kunming Metro mini-program) at the gate.

How to pay: Machines take cash and cards and give a token; QR and the Kunming transport card (10% discount) tap straight at the gate. Keep the token to exit — no separate validation needed.

Local's trick: The metro is directly under the terminal on level B2 — don't go out to the ground-level taxi and bus area. A single ¥6 ride with one easy transfer beats the ¥25 airport bus. Change to Line 3 at East Coach Station for Dongfeng Square, or stay to Tangzixiang for Kunming Railway Station, and tap an Alipay/WeChat QR to skip the ticket queue.

Trap to avoid: Ignore the drivers who approach you inside the arrivals hall offering a 'taxi' — these unlicensed touts (黑车) run no meter and charge foreigners ¥150–300 for a ride that is ¥80–90 in an official metered taxi and just ¥6 on the metro.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
MetroCheapest route	CN¥6.00	45 min	Kunming Metro single-journey ticket (Line 6 to Line 3), airport to central Kunming
Bus	CN¥25.00	50 min	Airport Express Bus Line 2 to Kunming Railway Station

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Kunming Changshui Airport to the city?: Metro Line 6 from level B2 under the terminal, changing to Line 3 at East Coach Station for Dongfeng Square. The whole ride is about ¥6 and takes roughly 45 minutes.
How much is the metro from Kunming Airport to the city centre?: About ¥6 for a single journey to Dongfeng Square (¥5 to the Line 6 terminus at Tangzixiang). You get a 10% discount with a Kunming transport card.
Where is the metro station at Kunming Changshui Airport?: On level B2, directly under the terminal — follow the 'Metro / 地铁' signs down from arrivals, about a 5-minute walk. Don't exit to the ground-level taxi and bus area.
What time does the airport metro stop running?: Line 6 runs roughly 06:20 to 22:55, about every 15 minutes. After it closes, the Line 2 airport shuttle bus to Kunming Railway Station (¥25) runs until around 02:00, or take an official metered taxi (¥80–90).
Is the airport bus or the metro better?: The metro is cheapest at about ¥6 and avoids traffic. The ¥25 airport shuttle bus is a one-seat ride to Kunming Railway Station with no transfer, useful late at night once the metro has stopped.
What is the best way from KMG to downtown Kunming?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: Metro Line 6 from under the terminal, changing to Line 3 at East Coach Station for Dongfeng Square — about ¥6 and roughly 45 minutes into central Kunming.
How much is a taxi from Kunming Changshui International Airport to the city?: An official metered taxi is about ¥80–90 to the centre, while unlicensed touts in arrivals charge foreigners ¥150–300 — the metro does the same trip for about ¥6 in roughly 45 minutes.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.