Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)

Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) Guide, Facilities & Hotels, Cafes, and restaurants

When you are traveling to and from Kunming Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.

Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.

Brief Overview of Kunming Changshui International Airport in Yunnan Province, China

Situated about 24.5 km (15.2 miles) north-east of Kunming, the capital city center, lies the Kunming Changshui International Airport in China’s Yunnan Province. The province is located in the Changshui village in the Guandu district. It is one of the main gateway hub airports of mainland China. It serves flights to several cities, both in China and abroad.

A few regional cities are popular tourist destinations, such as Lijiang, Jinghong, Beijing, Chengdu, Guilin, Lhasa, Shanghai, Sanya, and Xi’an. While the international destinations include Taoyuan, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Hanoi, Dacca, Phnom Penh, Osaka, Singapore, Calcutta, Rangoon, Mandalay, Vientiane, and Bangkok.

IATA: KMG

Address:
Guandu,
Kunming,
China 

Airport Contact: +86 871 6709 0114

Website: http://www.kmcsia.com

Operation Hours: Kunming Changshui International Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain shops, food concessions, and public and private transport services may not offer their services throughout day and night. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may vary with the flight schedule. Hence, it is advised that you check with the airport.

Terminals in Kunming Changshui International Airport

Kunming Changshui International Airport has only one main terminal building with 66 gates connected via jet bridges. The terminal has three underground levels and three upper ground levels as well.

Travelers can easily find various amenities, such as the information desk, gift shops, food concessions, ATMs, lounges, business conference center, transportation, and more at the airport.

Parking Facilities at Kunming Changshui International Airport

Kunming Airport offers convenient and affordable parking options to travelers. One can choose from on-site parking options and off-site car parks and garages located in the nearest proximity to the airport.

Indoor and outdoor parking lots are available. Up to 15 minutes of parking is free. A fee of 8 Yuan ($1.12 USD) is charged for parking up to 60 minutes in the indoor parking lot and 5 Yuan ($0.70 USD) in the outdoor parking lot.

Airlines Served by Kunming Changshui International Airport

Kunming Changshui International Airport serves many domestic, but only a few international, government, and cargo airlines. Airlines that are served by the airport include Air Asia, Air China, Beijing Capital Airlines, Busan Air, Cathay Pacific, Chengdu Airlines, China Eastern, China Express, China Southern, Chongqing Airlines, Donghai, Fuzhou Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Hebei Airlines, Hongtu Airlines, JC International, Juneyao Airlines, Korean Air, Kunming Airlines, Lao Airlines, Laterite Airlines, Loong Air, Lucky Air, Malindo Air, Northern Airlines, Okay Airways, Orenburg Airways, Qingdao Airlines, Ruili Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, SilkAir, Spring, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Tianjin Airways, Tibet Airlines, Uni Air, Western Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.

Facilities and Services Available at Kunming Changshui International Airport

Kunming Airport in China’s Yunnan Province offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport has a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.

Security Check-points

There are security checks at the airport’s terminal. All passengers are required to pass through the security check-points.

Help Desk

When you are at the Kunming Airport and need help, there is an information desk to assist you. Here, you can inquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. It is located at

Wi-Fi and Mobile Charging Points

Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the terminal at the airport, in case you need to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet.

In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile and laptop charging power outlets are also available at the airport, in case you need to charge your laptop and/or phone’s battery.

Baggage Handling and Storage

Baggage storage services are offered and can be availed from the aircrew and employees assigned, at the western side of the Departure Hall on F3. They are open from 5 am until 12 am. Another baggage storage facility can be found in the Domestic Exit, on the west side of the Greeting Guest Hall on Base 1. They are open from 5 am until 11 pm.

Baggage trolleys are also available at the airport. There is a Baggage Claim facility available at the airport.

Luggage Wrapping:
The airport offers luggage wrapping to protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic. You can find it between Terminal 3F and Gate 2 of the Terminal Building. It is open from 5 am until 10 pm. There is another which can be found in Terminal 3F, between the 3rd and 4th doors. It is open from 5 am until 11:15 pm.

Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.

Lounge and Business Conference Centre

Kunming Airport provides premium lounges that passengers can use by either paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or via lounge membership programs.

ICBC VIP Lounge:
This VIP lounge is located in the main Terminal. It offers snacks, Wi-Fi, flight monitors, TV, newspapers, magazines, Internet Terminals, and telephones. It is open from first until last departure flights.

Best Lounge:
The lounge is located in the Domestic area, close to Gate 6. It offers snacks, Wi-Fi, flight monitors, newspapers, magazines, and TV. It is open from 6 am to 11 pm.

Best Lounge (Gate 28):
The lounge is located in the Domestic area, opposite Gate 28. It offers snacks, newspapers, magazines, and TV. It is open from 6 am to 11 pm.

V1 China Eastern International Lounge:
The lounge is located in the International area, close to Gate 65. It offers snacks, premium food, Wi-Fi, newspapers, magazines, Internet terminals, flight monitors, TV, and showers. It is open from 8 am to 5 pm.

V2 Kunming Airport International Lounge:
The lounge is located at the F1 level. It offers snacks, premium food, Wi-Fi, newspapers, magazines, Internet terminals, flight monitors, TV, and telephones. It is open from 8 am to 5 pm.

Lucky Air VIP Lounge:
The lounge is located in the Domestic Terminal, Airside, 1st Floor. Access to the lounge is via lounge membership programs.

Golden Century Lounge:
The lounge is located in the Domestic Terminal, Airside, 3rd Floor, Gates 2 and 28.

Stores and Duty-Free Shopping

You will find many stores throughout the airport’s terminals and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items – from children’s toys to fashion accessories. You can also buy books, magazines, etc., to help pass time.

Cafe, Bar, and Restaurants

Finding fast food options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nation-wide food chains at the Kunming Changshui International Airport. These fast-food restaurants are located throughout the terminal and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.

Food concessions have been operated throughout the airport with varying schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside. There are food courts at the airport.

Other Amenities at Kunming Changshui International Airport

The other amenities that are available to travelers at Kunming Airport include:

Medical Clinic:

There are a total of three medical clinics in the main terminal building that provides medical treatment to passengers. The medical clinics can be found at the west side of the security inspection area, in the Domestic Departure Hall on F3, Boarding Exit 30 at the arrival alleyway on F2 at east airside concourse Y, and the administrative area on F2.

Strollers:

The airport offers airplane-themed strollers for passenger use.

Changing Rooms:

There are changing rooms available with mirrors and cabins to change clothes. These are located at the International Terminal, Arrivals area, near Baggage Carousels Nos. 1 and 15.

Nursing lounge:

Nursing lounges are available at the airport, which includes baby changing facilities and sofas. These are located in the Domestic Terminal, near Gates No. 9 and 25, and also in the International Terminal, near Gate No. 73.

Children’s Play Area:

There are two children’s play areas that are located in the main terminal building. One is in the Commercial area of the Domestic Departure Hall and another can be found at the International Departure Hall on F2, at the front center area.

Mini Sleeping Cabins:

There are paid mini sleeping cabins, also called sleeping pods inside the airport. These are located one level up from Arrivals. The rates may vary based on the person’s needs. The average cost for using the facility for two hours is 88 Yuan ($12.38 USD).

Business Center:

If you need something printed or need to send an e-mail, the Airport Business Center can assist you with such tasks and more. It is located in the Domestic Terminal, 3rd Floor, next to Security Check-point No. 1.

ATM:

ATMs are available at the airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATM if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs located at the landside and airside.

Currency Exchange Counter:

The currency used in China’s Yunnan Province is Yuan (CNY). A currency exchange desk is available at the airport. There are two foreign exchange offices located at the airport. One can be found at Level 2F, next to the Duty-Free shop and another is at International Arrivals Area, Level B1, East Side.

Banking Services:

Banking facilities are available at the airport.

Hotels On-site and Nearby Kunming Changshui International Airport

Finding accommodations on-site at Kunming Airport or nearby should not be a problem for travelers as there are several hotels and resorts out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find comfortable places to stay during your visit to Yunnan Province in China.

A few hotels that are located not very far from the airport are:

Hangli Hotel:
The hotel is located just 1 km from the airport. It does not provide transport services to the airport.

Huangting Hotel Kunming Changshui Airport:
The hotel is located just 2 km from the airport. It also provides free airport transportation services.

Transport Options To and From Kunming Changshui International Airport

Getting to and from Kunming Changshui International Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs. There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.

Airport/Hotel Shuttle Service

Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to the hotel and/or airport. A free shuttle bus provides travelers with easy connectivity. There are several hotels located both in the surrounding Kunming Changshui International Airport and the downtown areas that provide free shuttle services to and from the airport.

Airport Express:
The Kunming Changshui International airport offers an express bus shuttle to passengers with multiple routes serving the surrounding destinations. An express bus ticket can cost around 25 Yuan ($3.52 USD), with most buses departing as early as 8 am in intervals of 20 – 30 minutes.

Bus Service

A few bus services offer transportation to and from the airport. Bus 919 stops at the airport and services different routes to the surrounding areas. The bus fare may cost around 13 Yuan ($1.83 USD). Each route has departures in a rotation of every 30 minutes. Some routes even start very early than others, so you will need to check with the bus.

Train/Metro Service

The city and the airport are also connected via Kunming Rail Transit, a metro service that can get you to and from Kunming Changshui International Airport quickly. Kunming Airport is connected with the Kunming subway on its way to down-town. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the city center.

Kunming Subway Line 6, also known as the Airport Line, joins Kunming Changshui International Airport and the city center. Line 6 is comprised of stops, namely Kunming Changshui International Airport, Airport Front, Dabanqiao, East Coach Station (connection with Line 3), Juhua, Dongjiao Road, Chajie, and Tangzixiang. Trains depart from 6:20 am to 10:20 pm every 15 minutes. Ticket prices range from CNY 2 ($0.28 USD) to CNY 5 ($0.70 USD) for a one-way ride, as per the distance.

Taxi Service

Taxis are available outside the airport. The pick-up location is located just outside Gate 3, Level B1. There are a few companies that offer taxi services to passengers to and from Kunming Changshui International Airport. These companies include Kunming Yinhe Taxi Company, Kunming Wuhuaxin Taxi Company, Kunming Wantong Taxi Company, and Kunming Zhenhuan Taxi Company.

Car Hire/Rental Service

You can hire a car at Kunming Changshui International Airport if you are in the mood to cruise around places in the city. There are several companies to choose from when renting a car at the airport. Car rental counters are located in the airport’s arrival hall. The companies or agencies that offer car rental services include Shanghai Yihao Car Rental Co. and Shenzhou Car Rental Co.

Ride-Sharing Service

DiDi Express and DiDi Premier offer ride-sharing services to passengers to and from Kunming Changshui International Airport. These can be found outside the main terminal. A ride to the city center costs around 117 Yuan ($16.45 USD) via DiDi Express and 177 Yuan ($24.88 USD) via DiDi Premier.

Conclusion

Traveling to and from Kunming Changshui International Airport will certainly give you a pleasant experience. And if you plan on staying here for a while, you will find a lot of attractions to enjoy your holidays. However, due to the fact that people in the Yunnan Province do not speak English, this may become a challenge for foreign travelers. However, finding a local guide who understands and speaks English could be helpful.