Kunming Transportation



Yunnan has rapidly developed its highway transportation system in recent times.  It is now easy, cheap, and relatively quick (often faster than trains) to get to cities in Yunnan and neighboring provinces, as well as to countries that are close-by.  

  • Getting To Kunming
  • Getting Around Kunming
  • Map of Kunming

  • Getting To Kunming

    Planes and Airport

    Study Chinese Language in ChinaKunming is the domestic transportation center of Yunnan Province, also is one of China's ports to Southeast Asia. Kunming Wujiaba International Airport (KMG) is one of China's five international airports, running about international airlines to and from Rangoon, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, New Delhi, Seoul, and Tokyo; as well as flights to and from Hong Kong and Macau. Domestic flights are available to over 40 to China's major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, etc.

    Kunming Wujiaba International airport located in southeastern Kunming is about 7.5 kilometers (about 4.7 miles) from the city center. Airport shuttle buses conveniently serve passengers between the city center and the airport.

  • Wujiaba International Airport inquiry: (86871) 711-3230
  • Ticket Booking Office of CAAC: (86871) 316-4270

  • Train

    Yunnan is a vast province.  Many people choose to travel by train even though it requires much more travel time than air and slower than city to city buses.  However, train travel is a more comfortable option for overland travelers as it can allow the traveler to get a glimpse into the beautiful scenery that Yunnan Province has to offer. There are two railway stations in Kunming:

    • Kunming South Railway Station (Nanyao Railway Station)

      The main railway station is called the Kunming South Railway Station Railway (Nanyao Railway Station). It is useful to travelers as most outbound trains depart from this destination. Trains to Dali, Yuxi, and other parts of China run every day. Travelers can most easily reach the train station by taxi and also have the option of three public buses:  52, 67 and 78 for 1 RMB.

      Kunming South Railway Station (Nanyao Railway Station)
      Address: No. 25 Beijing Road, Kunming
      Tel: (86571) 351-1534

    • Kunming North Railway Station ( Kunming Bei Zhang)

      The Kunming North Railway Stations is located about three kilometers (about 1.9 miles) north of the city center. This station is useful to those who want to travel to Vietnam.  A train departs to Hanoi, Capital of Vietnam, every Friday and Sunday.  You can now apply for your visa to Vietnam from Kunming. So be sure to obtain your visa in advance for it takes at least three working days to process . Taxi is the easiest option of transportation to and from this station or you can take a public bus (No. 25, 64, and 78).

    • Kunming North Railway Station ( Kunming Bei Zhang)
      Address: Northern End of Beijing Road, Kunming
      Tel: (86571) 517-2522

      Consulate General of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
      Address: Jia Hua Hotel, No. 157 Beijing Road, Kunming
      Tel: (86871) 352-2669       

      Train tickets can be booked in most hotels in Kunming city; or can be booked 7 days prior to the departure at a railway station ticket office, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.

    • Booking Train Tickets

      Train tickets can be booked in most hotels in Kunming or you can book train tickets 7 days prior to your departure at the Kunming Train Ticket Booking Office which is opened everyday from 8 am to 5:30 pm.

    • Train Ticket Booking Office
      Address: No. 19 Kunshi Road, Kunming
      Tel: (86871) 314-5495

     


    City to City Bus

    Highway transportation has developed rapidly in Kunming. Yunnan has built a comprehensive highway system with roads reach almost all the major cities or towns in the region. Bus travel across the region now is very convenient and easy. Travelers can take a bus here heading to the neighboring tourist destinations such as Dali, Lijiang. Highways radiate to places inside and outside Yunnan Province, as well as to neighboring countries. There are long-distance buses to Kunming from Beijing (National Highway 108), Lanzhou (213), Shanghai (320), Fuzhou (324) or other cities.
    There are four major long distance bus stations in Kunming with the South Bus Station and Railway Square Bus Station the most useful and important.

    • Kunming South Bus Station (Nanyao Station)
    • It's the first choice amongst travelers because this station is the most useful one of the four to travelers and has bus routes to most of the regional destinations. Common and luxurious Buses both depart here. A regular bus runs slower and usually the bus condition is not so good as the faster one. The bus station itself is well managed.  

      Address: No. 60 Beijing Road, Kunming
      Tel: (86871) 351-0617

    • Kunming West Bus Station
    • Address: No. 16 West Station, Kunming
      Tel: (86871) 532-6258

    • Bus Station at Railway Square
    • The majority of buses depart here. No fixed schedule is available and buses will leave when they are full. Most of the buses here are normal coaches and are a bit cheaper than the Faster and Luxurious buses. This bus station mainly caters for the domestic tourists who are familiar with the standard conditions.

    Getting Around Kunming

    Generally Kunming is not crowded and does not suffer much from traffic congestion, except occasionally during rush hours. Public buses, taxis and bicycles are the main means of transportation within the city.

    Public Buses

    There are nearly one hundred bus lines that cross and reach every corner of Kunming. The price is quite cheap usually RMB 1 for a non air-conditioning one and RMB 2 for an air-conditioning bus. The last shift usually leaves 10:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Passengers should get on a bus from the front door and get off from the back door. Today most buses are self-service, therefore bringing correct small change is recommended.


      Taxi

    Taking taxies is very convenient, as it is in other major cities in China. The fare for Santana is RMB 8 for the first three kilometers (about 1.9 miles) and RMB 1.8 for each additional kilometer. After 10:00 pm, the flag-down-rate increases to RMB 9.6 for the first 3 kilometers and RMB 2.7 for every additional kilometer (about 0.6 miles). The flag-down-rate of a mini taxi is RMB 7 for the first three kilometers (about 1.9 miles) and RMB 1.6 for every kilometer (about 0.6 miles) thereafter.


    Car Rental

    For those confident people, one option of getting around the city is to rent a car. Rental prices range from RMB 120 to RMB 500 per day for a four-seat vehicle. If renting a car with a driver who can also serve as tour guide; the deposit can be reduced to RMB 500 to RMB 1000 for one car with a driver, but at least RMB 5000 deposit is required if you rent a vehicle without a driver. (Note: Foreigners must have a Chinese driver's license and be sure to check inspect the vehicle before leaving the lot.)


    Bicycle

    Renting or purchasing a bicycle is another way to get around the city. Many hostels in Kunming offer bicycle rentals at about RMB 2 per hour and RMB 10 or RMB 15 for a day. The deposit for an old bike is RMB 200, RMB 400 for a new one. Cycling around the city is gaining in popularity since Kunming city is not big; travel by bicycle is convenient, economical and good for the environment. If you decide you wish to purchase your own bicycle, new bikes would cost anywhere from RMB150 ¨C RMB500, whereas a second hand bicycle would cost between RMB80 ¨C RMB120. Be sure to paddle lock your bike when parked so that you don't lose it.


    Walking

    You can walk within the city as distances between destinations can often be easily managed.  And like in most other Chinese cities, walking around a city can offer travelers a glimpse into the daily life of the locals that tourist attractions might not provide.

    Map of Kunming




    NOTE: Although this information is correct at the time of our web publication, it is still advised that you call the phone number and confirm the address before going to the venue because some venues may have changed their telephone numbers or address locations.