Kunming Airport (KMG), officially Kunming Changshui International Airport, is the main airport of Yunnan province in south-west China. It is in Guandu District, about 24.5 km north-east of central Kunming in a straight line, and Kunming Metro Line 6 runs right into the building. KMG is one of China's eight regional hub airports and a gateway to South and Southeast Asia. Passengers use one main terminal, T1, for domestic and international flights, plus the S1 Satellite Concourse, an airside pier for domestic and intra-Yunnan services.

Kunming Changshui stands at about 2,100 m above sea level. Its two independent runways, of 4,000 m and 4,500 m, can take the Airbus A380. Yunnan Airport Group runs the airport. Below you will find the terminal and its airlines, the metro and other ways into Kunming, parking, the layout floor by floor, facilities and check-in deadlines.

Terminals and airlines at Kunming Airport

Kunming Changshui has a single main terminal building, and check-in for every flight takes place there. Domestic passengers whose flight boards at the satellite reach S1 airside, after security. The airport does not publish which airline uses which boarding area, so check the details on your e-ticket and boarding pass.

T1 (domestic and international)

T1 handles both domestic and international flights. The airport names six base carriers at Kunming, and it also lists Shanghai Airlines and China United Airlines at T1 check-in:

• China Eastern Airlines (including its Yunnan branch)
• Lucky Air
• Kunming Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Ruili Airlines
• Shanghai Airlines
• China United Airlines

Many other airlines fly to KMG as well, including international carriers, but the airport does not name them. On a codeshare ticket, look for the operating airline on your e-ticket; that is the check-in desk you need.

S1 Satellite Concourse (domestic)

The S1 Satellite Concourse sits north of T1 and serves domestic and intra-Yunnan flights. You cannot check in at S1. Check in at T1, clear security and then continue to the satellite.

Moving between T1 and S1

An automated people mover links T1 with the S1 satellite on the airside, for domestic passengers. If your flight boards from S1, allow a little extra time after security for the ride.

Getting to and from Kunming Airport

The ground links at Kunming Changshui sit below the departure hall. Arrivals is on level B1, the metro on B2 and ride-hailing pick-up on B3 of the parking building. The operator does not publish journey times, which depend on traffic and your stop. Fares are shown at the station, at the counter or in the app.

Metro (Line 6)

Kunming Metro Line 6 ends at Airport Centre station, on level B2 of the terminal. In the city it connects with Lines 2, 3 and 4, so most districts are one change away. It is the easiest choice if you are travelling light.

Taxi

The taxi rank is on level B1, the arrivals level. Taxis are metered within Kunming city.

Airport express coach

Airport express coaches leave from the long-distance coach station, about 200 m west of the terminal on level B1. Routes serve the city and other towns in Yunnan. The timetable is posted on the Yunnan Airport Express WeChat account.

Ride-hailing

From B1 arrivals, follow the signs and escalators to pick-up Zone H on level B3 of the parking building. A driver usually reaches the pick-up point within about 10 minutes of accepting your booking.

City bus

The airport says airport bus lines also run into the city, but it does not say where to board them, so ask airport staff in arrivals.

Parking

A multi-level parking building serves the terminal, and its level B3 doubles as the ride-hailing pick-up. The airport does not set out short-term and long-term areas on the pages we could read, and rates change, so check on arrival.

Facilities at Kunming Airport

The terminal covers the basics for a long wait or a connection. The airport gives no details on duty free shopping or smoking areas, so those are left out here.

Terminal layout

Level 3 (F3) is the departure hall, with the check-in areas and domestic security. Level 2 holds the international departures area. Arrivals and the greeting hall are on B1, beside the taxi rank, and the metro station is one floor down on B2.

Food and drink

Dining and commercial areas are spread through the terminal. The airport does not list them by floor, so look out for them on your way to the gate.

Lounges

Kunming Airport has VIP and CIP lounges, a transit hall, and first and business class lounges. Entry depends on your ticket and airline, so check with your carrier before you fly.

Luggage storage and wrapping

A left-luggage counter in the terminal looks after bags, although the airport does not say exactly where it is. Baggage wrapping points are on level 3 of the departure hall.

Rest rooms by the hour

Hourly rest rooms in the terminal give you somewhere to lie down during a long layover.

Wifi, charging, money and medical help

WiFi 6 covers the whole terminal, and charging points are provided throughout. Bank branches and ATMs are inside the building. Medical first-aid points are in the terminal, backed by a 24-hour emergency medical line.

Families and accessibility

There are children's play rooms, accessible facilities and free wheelchairs. A one-stop escort service helps older, disabled and pregnant passengers and unaccompanied children, and a free buggy service runs in the domestic waiting areas.

Tips for departing from Kunming Airport

For domestic flights, check-in closes 40 minutes before scheduled departure and boarding closes 20 minutes before. For international flights, each airline sets its own check-in cut-off, and boarding closes 20 minutes before departure. The airport does not publish a rule on how early to arrive, so add time for security, and for the people mover if you board from S1.

Entry rules for China, and for wherever you are flying next, depend on your passport, so check the official guidance before you travel. For updated times on the day, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Kunming Airport

KMG connects Kunming with cities across China and around Southeast Asia, and the fare cards on this page show fares on its popular routes. The schedule tables list upcoming departures and arrivals at Kunming Changshui by date, with the airline and the scheduled times. They hold a selection of flights, not the whole timetable. Pick a route, compare airlines and departure times for your dates, and set a Price Alert if you would rather wait for a better fare. Your e-ticket arrives by email and in the app once you book.

Popular routes from Kunming Airport include:

• Kunming to Singapore flights
• Kunming to Bangkok flights
• Kunming to Kuala Lumpur flights
• Kunming to Hanoi flights
• Kunming to Chiang Mai flights
• Kunming to Hong Kong flights
• Kunming to Lijiang flights
• Kunming to Shanghai flights

Off to Yunnan or onward through Kunming? Compare flights from Kunming Airport on Traveloka and book the one that works for you.