HFE Airport: Codes and Names for Hefei Xinqiao International Airport

HFE is the IATA code for Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, the main airport of Hefei, the capital of Anhui province in eastern China. If you see "HFE airport" on a booking or an e-ticket, this is the airport it means. Its ICAO code, used by pilots and air traffic control, is ZSOF. In Chinese the airport is written 合肥新桥国际机场, and many travellers simply call it Hefei Airport, Hefei International Airport or Xinqiao Airport.

The airport opened in May 2013 and took over from the older Hefei Luogang Airport, which sat inside the city and stopped handling flights once Xinqiao began operating. So if an old guide or map mentions Luogang, remember that all passenger flights for Hefei now use Xinqiao and the HFE code.

Hefei Xinqiao International Airport is run by the Anhui Civil Aviation Airport Group. It handles both domestic and international flights and acts as a base for China Eastern Airlines, which has more routes here than any other carrier.

Why the HFE code matters when you book

Searching by code avoids confusion with similar names. Typing "HFE" on Traveloka takes you straight to Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, whether you are flying from Singapore, from another Chinese city or from elsewhere in Asia. The code stays the same for departures and arrivals, and it is the one printed on your baggage tag.

Where Is Hefei Xinqiao Airport? Location and Distance from Hefei

Hefei Xinqiao International Airport lies outside the built-up city, in the Gaoliu area on the western side of the Hefei metropolitan region. The terminal is roughly 32 kilometres from central Hefei by road. That distance is the main thing to plan around: the airport is not a quick hop from downtown, so give yourself enough time to reach it.

By car or taxi the trip to the city centre usually takes around 40 minutes to an hour. It can take longer in the morning and evening rush, or when roads are busy before public holidays. Travellers heading to the university and business districts in the east and south of the city should allow a little extra.

The airport's out-of-town site was chosen so it could grow. It has space for a second terminal, which is part of a long-term expansion plan, and for new rail links into the city.

Hefei Xinqiao Airport Terminal and Facilities

Passenger flights at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport currently use a single main terminal building for both domestic and international services. The building is known for its shape: from above, its roof looks like a tropical fish. Inside, departures and arrivals are on separate levels, with check-in, security and passport control on the departures side and baggage claim and customs on the arrivals side.

A single terminal makes the airport easy to find your way around. You do not need to move between buildings, and international and domestic check-in areas sit in the same hall. Signs are in Chinese and English.

Lounges

A CIP lounge sits landside, before security, near the check-in area. It offers Wi-Fi, reading material and snacks, and guests can check in for their flight from inside the lounge. Entry depends on your ticket class, airline status or a paid pass, so confirm eligibility before you travel.

Runway and aircraft

The airport has one runway, 3,400 metres long and 45 metres wide. It is long enough for large wide-body jets, which lets the airport handle both short domestic hops and longer international flights.

Airlines and Routes from Hefei Airport (HFE)

A wide network of Chinese airlines serves Hefei Xinqiao International Airport. China Eastern Airlines flies to more destinations from here than any other carrier. Other carriers include Air China, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, XiamenAir, Chengdu Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, Qingdao Airlines and Colorful Guizhou Airlines.

Domestic flights

Domestic routes link Hefei with most major cities in China. Frequent destinations include Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kunming, Xi'an, Xiamen, Beijing, Haikou, Sanya, Shenyang and Harbin. Many travellers also use HFE for trips to Urumqi, Guiyang and Hohhot.

International and regional flights

For readers in Singapore, the most useful link is the nonstop China Eastern Airlines service between Hefei and Singapore. Korean Air connects Hefei with Seoul Incheon. Regional flights also run to Hong Kong and Macau. Other international services come and go by season, so check current options when you search.

If there is no direct flight from your city on your dates, Hefei is easy to reach with one stop through Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Beijing, all of which have frequent flights to HFE.

Getting to and from Hefei Xinqiao International Airport

Airport shuttle buses

Dedicated airport shuttle buses are the main public transport link between Hefei Xinqiao Airport and the city. Several routes run to key points in Hefei, including the railway stations and major hotel areas. Look for the shuttle bus signs after you leave the baggage hall.

Taxi and ride-hailing

Taxis wait at the official rank outside arrivals. The ride to central Hefei usually takes 40 to 60 minutes. Ride-hailing apps are widely used in China. It helps to have your hotel name and address written in Chinese to show the driver, and mobile payment is the easiest way to pay.

Rail link

A dedicated airport rail line, Line S1, has been built to connect Xinqiao Airport with the city. It is designed to cut the journey to central Hefei to around half an hour. Check whether it is in passenger service before you travel; if it is not, use the shuttle buses or a taxi.

Driving and parking

Parking is available at the airport for travellers who drive. Remember that driving in China requires a Chinese driving licence, so most visitors use buses, taxis or a pre-booked transfer.

Tips for Flying Through Hefei Airport

• Arrive early. Check-in and security queues at HFE can build at peak times, and international flights need extra time for passport control, so do not cut it fine.
• Plan the road trip. The 32-kilometre journey from the city is the part most likely to run late, so leave a buffer.
• Power banks. Security checks in China are thorough. Power banks must go in your hand luggage, never in checked bags, and they need a clearly marked capacity.
• Liquids. Standard limits of 100 ml per container apply to hand luggage.
• Connections. If you are connecting from an international flight to a domestic one elsewhere in China, you may need to collect and recheck your bags at the first airport. Build in plenty of time.
• Entry rules. Check the current entry and transit requirements for your passport before you fly to China.

Exploring Hefei and Anhui from Xinqiao Airport

Hefei is the political, economic and cultural centre of Anhui province and a growing hub for science and technology. It is a practical base for trips around the province, and high-speed trains link it with Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing.

In the city, Baogong Park honours Bao Zheng, the upright Song Dynasty official, and includes his tomb and the Pure Wind Pavilion beside the Baohe River. Xiaoyaojin Park is a popular green space split by waterways, with gardens of plum blossom, peony and azalea. The Anhui Museum holds a large collection that includes ancient bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties.

A short drive south brings you to Chaohu Lake, one of the major freshwater lakes of China. Sanhe Ancient Town, in Feixi County, is known for its white walls, grey roofs and bluestone streets. Many visitors also use Hefei as a gateway to the wider scenery of Anhui, including the Yellow Mountains further south.

Ready to fly to or from Hefei? Compare HFE flights and set a Price Alert on Traveloka to book at the right time.