Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) serves Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in northwestern China, and the surrounding Guanzhong area.
The airport is located 34 kilometres northwest of Xi'an city centre, and 13 kilometres northeast of the centre of Xianyang, the two cities that give it its name.
With 4 passenger terminals and over 1 million square meters of space, XIY is the largest airport in Northwest China.
In 2025, XIY handled over 48.5 million passengers, making it the seventh-busiest airport in mainland China. It is a major domestic and international hub with direct flights to destinations across Asia and Europe.
Major Airlines - China Eastern Airlines
Xi’an Airport is a major hub for China Eastern Airlines, which is one of the largest airlines in China. It operates more than 4500 flights per month, serving over 75 destinations. China Eastern primarily uses the new Terminal 5.
Several other Chinese carriers use XIY as a hub, including Hainan Airlines, Okay Airways, and Tianjin Airlines. They mostly serve bigger cities domestically and some regional destinations.
Other domestic airlines with a significant presence at Xi’An include Sichuan Airlines, Air Changan, Air China, Beijing Capital Airlines, Chengdu Airlines, China Express Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Fuzhou Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, and Tibet Airlines.
The low-cost segment is served by 9 Air, Colorful Guizhou Airlines, Spring Airlines, and others.
Internationally, Xi’an is linked by direct flights to Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Europe. Some major carriers that have scheduled services to and from XIY include Turkish Airlines, AirAsia (both the Thai and the Malaysian branches), Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Scoot, VietJet Air, and others.
Xi’an Airport sees flights by more than 40 airlines regularly, serving direct flights to over 160 destinations. See all airlines at XIY.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Xi’an Xianyang International Airport has 4 passenger terminals: T1, T2, T3 and the new T5, completed in early 2025:
Terminal 1: A more basic facility that reopened in 2017. Serves domestic low-cost airlines such as 9 Air and Spring Airlines.
Terminal 2: Opened in 2003 and handles only domestic airlines and their domestic flights. It’s located about 700 meters from Terminal 3.
Terminal 3: Opened in 2012 and was the largest until 2025 when T5 opened. It remains a hub for international and domestic services of smaller Chinese carriers.
Terminal 5: Opened in 2025 and is now the primary international hub with advanced facilities and various amenities. It is larger in area than T1, T2, and T3 combined!
The Free Rainbow Shuttle bus connects all four terminals. It runs between Gate 512 at Terminal 5 and Gate 316 at Terminal 3, with stops at T1 and T2.
Metro Line 14 also stops at all terminals.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Domestic-to-domestic connections are generally straightforward, though they may require a Security check.
Domestic-to-international connections require that you clear Immigration in XIY. If traveling with the same airline under the same reservation, you don’t have to re-check your luggage.
International-to-domestic connections require that you clear Immigration at XIY, so make sure you fulfill the requirements for entry into China.
If you are transiting at Xi’An Airport between two international flights under the same reservation (PNR code), you can remain within the international transit area of the airport (most likely in Terminal 5) and will not need to clear Immigration.
Should you wish, though, which may be worth it if you have enough time between flights, you can take advantage of China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy. Xi’An Xianyang Airport is an eligible port of entry for this scheme. Make sure your nationality is eligible and that you have an onward flight to a third-country destination to claim your visa-free entry (return flights to the same origin are not eligible).
WiFi and other services
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, but to connect, you need an active local mobile number to receive a verification code for access.
It may be possible to receive this OTP verification code to a foreign number, but if you don’t, you can seek assistance at one of the information desks, where they will give you a code to use.
Other services spread throughout all terminals include:
Currency exchange
ATMs
Banks
Baggage storage
Charging stations
Prayer rooms
Children’s play areas
Information desks.
Cultural exhibits and the CWAG Airport Museum: a unique attraction inside Terminal 5, showcasing Tang-era artifacts uncovered during construction.
Lounges at XIY
Xi’an Airport features over a dozen lounges spread across its terminals. There is at least one lounge in each terminal, though they are concentrated in Terminals 2 and 3.
With Terminal 5 now open and slowly absorbing more of the flights, it is expected that new lounges will open there in the foreseeable future.
Terminal 1 has the Take A Nap Hourly Charged Lounge, located landside near Gate 332. It is not a traditional lounge with seating areas and a buffet; instead catering to those looking to take a nap before, after, or in between flights. It features a full-sized bed, power supply, wi-fi, computer desk, wake-up service, and a public bathroom.
In Terminal 2, there are:
China Eastern Airlines Lounge #22: Opposite Gate 9. Features a buffet and an alcohol bar.
First Class Lounge #2: Opposite Gate 10. Offers light snacks.
First Class Lounge #3: Opposite Gate 14. Offers light snacks.
Shenzhen Airlines King Lounge: Opposite Gate 8. Features a buffet and an alcohol bar.
Terminal 3 houses the following lounges:
China Southern Airlines VIP Lounge: Opposite Gate H40 on Level 2. Offers a food buffet.
China Eastern Lounge: On the way towards Gates H01-H16. Offers a food buffet.
China Eastern VIP Lounge: On the way towards Gates H51-H60. Offers a food buffet.
ICBC VIP Lounge: Landside. Offers light snacks.
VIP Lounge V33: Near Gates H40-H60. Offers light snacks.
Take A Nap Hourly Charged Lounge: Landside near Gate 312. Not a traditional VIP lounge, instead suitable for short naps and restful periods. Features a full-sized bed, power supply, wi-fi, computer desk, wake-up service, and a public bathroom.
VIP Lounge V38: Near Gate H30. Features a food buffet and an alcohol bar.
Lastly, the new Terminal 5 has:
V22 China Eastern Lounge (Terminal 5): Serves domestic departures near Gate 149.
International First Class Lounge (Terminal 5): Near Gate 256 and serves international premium passengers. Offers a food buffet, alcohol bar, showers, and more.
Many of those lounges accept Priority Pass and other membership programs.
Dining Options at XIY
Xi’an Airport offers many dining options in each terminal. You can easily find authentic local Chinese food and Shaanxi specialties, as well as Western-style meals, fast food chains, cafés, and places to get a quick snack.
Some popular places to eat and drink at Xi’an Xianyang Airport include:
Long Xing Lou Restaurant: Known for hearty hand-pulled noodles and traditional Chinese dishes in the domestic area of T3.
Perch Coffee Restaurant: Coffee and light meals, ideal for breakfast, a caffeine boost, or a quick bite before boarding.
Montez Coffee - Dess: Airside in T3.
Xian Roujiamo Restaurant: An elegant restaurant that serves Shaanxi specialty snacks in T3.
Loktao: A fast-casual Chinese restaurant in the central commercial zone of Terminal 3.
Memories Noodle: Serves rich, delicious, and nutritious noodles in the south wing of the central commercial zone of T3 (towards Gate H50-H60).
Chun Cui Cafe: Offers coffee and pastries airside in T2, opposite Gate 11.
Denials Café & Bar: Offers both Chinese and Western food, as well as various coffee drinks. Has 2 locations - airside in Terminal 2, opposite Gate 10, and airside in Terminal 1, opposite Gate 3.
Traveller Star Restaurant: Offers coffees, teas, wines, and various cold drinks. Has 2 locations: airside in Terminal 1, 2nd floor, opposite Gate 6, and landside in Terminal 2, beside the Long Distance Bus Gate.
Western fast food chains like Burger King, KFC, and Subway also have outlets in Xi’an Airport.
Food courts and restaurants generally operate from early in the morning through to the last flights, with Terminals 3 and 5 offering late-night dining and a few convenience stores.
Transport to and from the airport
The Xi’an Metro Line 14 connects the airport to the city, providing a direct link to downtown Xi’an. This is the most convenient and usually fastest way to reach the downtown areas. The line runs between Heshao, Beikezhan (Beiguangchang) station, and the Airport.
Tickets for the metro are purchasable from machines or kiosks before entry. Prices start at CNY 2, with a maximum one-way price of CNY 2 (charged by distance). One-day passes cost CNY 15 (~2 USD).
Alternative options include a total of 12 bus lines, of which 4 run during the night. They serve various locations within the city and the suburbs.
There are also long-distance buses that run to Baoji, Hancheng, Hanzhong, Lintong, Pingliang, Qingyang, Tongchuan, Yan'an, Yangling, and Weinan.
Metered taxis are available outside Arrivals in front of each terminal as follows:
Terminal 1: Across the main exit.
Terminal 2: Across Exit 211.
Terminal 3: Leave the terminal via Exit 314, then go inside the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) right across the road, cross the hall, and use Exits G08 or G09 to reach the taxi stands.
Terminal 5: Across Exit 501.
The rate is 8.5 CNY (9.5 CNY during the night) for the first 3 kilometers and 2 CNY per kilometer thereafter.
Parking at XIY
Xi’An Airport offers one indoor and one outdoor car park, as well as a VIP parking facility.
The pricing for the Ground Car Park is 1.5 CNY per 15 minutes with a daily maximum of 60 CNY. Larger vehicles pay a slightly more expensive rate.
The pricing for the Underground Parking is 1.75 CNY per 15 minutes with a daily maximum of 70 CNY and slightly more for larger vehicles. (19 seats and more).
The East VIP Parking facility, PVIP2, and PVIP3 serve Business VIP vehicles. Valet parking is also available in front of Terminals 3 and 5.
Hotels near Xi’An Xianyang International Airport
There aren’t any traditional hotels directly integrated into the airport’s terminals. If you’re looking for places to sleep inside the airport itself, check out one of the hourly nap lounges in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
Near Xi’An Airport, there are several hotels, for example:
Western Airport Aviation Hotel (Xi’an Airport): A business-style hotel near the airport that offers a free shuttle, parking, wi-fi, and has an on-site restaurant.
Regal Airport Hotel: Linked to Terminal 3 by a walkway and has full-service amenities, including a spa, pool, fitness, and a restaurant.
Xian, China
