Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
Also known as: Shenzhen Airport, Bao'an Airport, SZX Airport, Shenzhen Baoan Airport. Formerly Shenzhen Huangtian Airport.
Private transfer from SZXSee pricesSee pricesAbout Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) is the main airport for Shenzhen, in Guangdong Province, China. It sits in Bao'an District on the Pearl River Delta shoreline, about 32 km northwest of the city center.
Shenzhen Airlines and China Southern have their largest operations here, alongside Hainan Airlines, Air China, China Eastern and many other Chinese carriers that link Shenzhen with Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing and most large cities in the country. International flights reach Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, the Middle East, Australia, Europe and North America, with foreign airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and Malaysia Airlines also serving the airport.
All passenger flights use Terminal 3, a single large building with a satellite concourse to the north reached by an automated people mover. Metro Line 11 stops beneath the Ground Transportation Center next to the terminal, and the drive to Futian takes about 40 to 50 minutes depending on traffic.
From the airport, most travelers head to Futian, Nanshan, Qianhai or Luohu in Shenzhen, or continue to Dongguan, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau by road, rail or ferry.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Shenzhen Airport Company Ltd.
- Passengers per year
About 66 million in 2025
- Runways
Three; the third opened in November 2025
- Main airlines
Shenzhen Airlines and China Southern
- Location
Bao'an District, about 32 km northwest of central Shenzhen
Arrival tips for Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
After landing at Terminal 3, follow the signs to immigration on Level 2. Foreign visitors must complete a China arrival card, which can be filled in online before the flight through the National Immigration Administration website, app or mini program, or on arrival at the port. Citizens of countries covered by China's 30-day visa-free policy or the 240-hour visa-free transit policy can enter without a visa if they meet the conditions, and transit travelers need an onward ticket to a third country.
Baggage claim and customs are on the same level. The arrivals hall leads through covered walkways to the Ground Transportation Center, where you find the official taxi rank at Gate 13, the ride-hailing pick-up zones, airport buses and the entrance to Metro Line 11. Use only the marked taxi rank and ignore anyone offering rides inside the hall. Many drivers do not speak English, so keep your hotel address in Chinese.
Shenzhen has a humid subtropical climate with hot, rainy summers. Local time is China Standard Time (UTC+8) and the currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY); mobile payment apps are widely used.
Ground transportation
Metro Line 11 is the most direct option for most travelers heading to Futian or Nanshan, while taxis suit those with heavy luggage or late arrivals.
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Book a transfer from SZXMetro Line 11
Airport Station is reached from Level 1 of the Ground Transportation Center. The ride to Futian takes about 30 minutes, with transfers to Lines 1 and 2 at Qianhai; trains stop running around midnight.
Taxi from Shenzhen airport
The official taxi rank is at Gate 13 of the Ground Transportation Center. Allow about 40 to 50 minutes to Futian and 50 to 60 minutes to Luohu, longer at peak hours.
Rideshare
DiDi cars pick up at the ride-hailing zones of the T3 Ground Transportation Center. The app works with international cards, but drivers may contact you in Chinese.
Airport express buses
Buses leave from the Ground Transportation Center for Futian, Luohu and other districts, with night services after the metro closes. They are slower than the metro at busy times.
Ferry to Hong Kong and Macau
A free shuttle bus runs from the Ground Transportation Center to Fuyong Ferry Terminal, about 10 minutes away. Ferries reach Hong Kong International Airport's SkyPier in about 50 minutes and also serve Macau; check schedules in advance.
Cross-border coach to Hong Kong
Coaches run from the airport to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island via the Shenzhen Bay or Huanggang control points. You carry your luggage through both immigration checks, which adds time.
Terminals
Terminal 3
Handles check-in, arrivals, immigration and baggage claim for all domestic and international passenger flights. Arrivals and baggage claim are on Level 2, with the metro and buses on Level 1.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air China, AirAsia, China Eastern, China Southern, Emirates, Hainan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spring Airlines, XiamenAir
Satellite Concourse
A boarding concourse north of Terminal 3 that opened in late 2021, linked to the main building by an automated people mover. Passengers check in and collect bags in Terminal 3.
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Shenzhen airport from the city center?
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is about 32 km northwest of central Shenzhen. A taxi to Futian takes about 40 to 50 minutes, Nanshan Hi-Tech Park is about 22 km and 30 to 40 minutes away, and Luohu is about 40 km and 50 to 60 minutes away. Metro Line 11 reaches Futian in about 30 minutes.
Is Shenzhen airport in the city?
Yes. The airport lies inside the city of Shenzhen, in Bao'an District on the eastern shore of the Pearl River estuary. It is on the western side of the city, so the business districts of Nanshan and Qianhai are closer than Futian or Luohu, which are further east.
How many terminals does Shenzhen Bao'an airport have?
Shenzhen Bao'an has one passenger terminal, Terminal 3, which opened in 2013 and handles all domestic and international flights. A satellite concourse to the north opened in late 2021 and is linked to Terminal 3 by an automated people mover. A Terminal 4 is planned but not yet open.
Which terminal do airlines use at Shenzhen airport?
All passenger airlines use Terminal 3, including Shenzhen Airlines, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Air China and foreign carriers such as Emirates and Singapore Airlines. Check-in, immigration and baggage claim are all in Terminal 3, and some flights board at the satellite concourse, which you reach by the people mover after security.
How do I get a taxi at Shenzhen airport?
Follow the yellow taxi signs from arrivals to Gate 13 on the first floor of the Ground Transportation Center, where the official taxi rank operates. Taxis are metered. Many drivers do not speak English, so show your destination written in Chinese or saved in a map app such as Amap.
Is there a metro from Shenzhen airport to the city?
Yes. Metro Line 11 stops at Airport Station next to Terminal 3 and runs east through Bao'an and Nanshan to Futian in about 30 minutes. You can change to Lines 1 and 2 at Qianhai. Service runs from early morning until around midnight, and ticket machines accept mobile payments and cash.
Can I use DiDi at Shenzhen airport?
Yes. DiDi is the main ride-hailing app in Shenzhen and picks up at the ride-hailing zones of the Terminal 3 Ground Transportation Center. Set your pick-up point to the airport's ride-hailing zone in the app. Drivers may message in Chinese, so the in-app translation feature is useful.
Do I need a visa to enter China at Shenzhen airport?
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of countries covered by China's unilateral visa-free policy can stay up to 30 days, a policy in force through 31 December 2026. Shenzhen airport is also a 240-hour visa-free transit port for eligible nationals with an onward ticket to a third country. All foreigners complete an arrival card.
How do I get from Shenzhen airport to Hong Kong?
You can take a free shuttle bus to Fuyong Ferry Terminal and a ferry to Hong Kong International Airport's SkyPier, about 50 minutes on the water. Cross-border coaches also run from the airport to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island via the Shenzhen Bay or Huanggang control points, with immigration checks on both sides.
How do I get from Shenzhen airport to Macau?
Ferries from Fuyong Ferry Terminal, reached by a free shuttle bus from the airport's Ground Transportation Center in about 10 minutes, sail to Macau's Outer Harbour and Taipa ferry terminals. Check the schedule and book through the official ferry platform before travel, and arrive about 30 minutes before departure.
What time zone and currency does Shenzhen use?
Shenzhen uses China Standard Time (UTC+8) with no daylight saving time. The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY). Mobile payments through Alipay and WeChat Pay are used almost everywhere, and both apps accept international cards. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot, rainy summers and mild winters.
How busy is Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport?
Shenzhen Bao'an handled about 66 million passengers in 2025, a record, up from about 61.4 million in 2024. It also handled about 2.05 million tons of cargo in 2025. The airport is run by Shenzhen Airport Company Ltd. and operates three runways, the third of which opened in November 2025.