Qingdao Liuting International Airport is the main air hub for international and domestic flights into Qingdao. Located 23kms from the city centre, it services more than 30 Chinese cities and a handful of foreign destinations. There are currently 96 airlines which fly in and out of the airport, offering easy access from nearly every corner of the globe.

The basic but efficient terminal offers all the typical facilities a traveller would need upon arriving in a new country. There are a few restaurants, shops and a branch of the Bank of China to assist with any monetary needs. An information desk can be found in the Arrivals Area to help with most tourism questions (tel: +0532 0532 96567). 

There are only a couple of ways to get from the airport into the city: taxi or shuttle bus. Bus number 710 runs between the airport and the Haitian Hotel following the arrival of every flight throughout the day. Another shuttle bus runs between the terminal and the Qingdao Coach Station, which is next door to the Sifang Hotel. The first bus departs the airport at 09:00 and the last one at 19:00. Otherwise, you can always hire a taxi to take you directly to your destination. They are waiting outside the Arrivals Hall and use a meter for all fares.

Thanks to its location on the Yellow Sea and position as northern China’s busiest seaport, there are several different ways to get to Qingdao. Train travel is one of the most convenient travel options but due to the city’s popularity as a tourist destination, trains can often be fully booked. Over 30 trains arrive and depart every day between Qingdao and other major Chinese cities such as Shanghai and Beijing. It is best to purchase your train tickets as early as possible from a travel agency.

The bus offers an alternative way to get to Qingdao. The long-distance bus terminal is located in the northern end of the city and services regular coaches from all the major cities in northern China, as well as many other destinations farther abroad. Buses from within the Shandong province use a parking area just to the south of the railway station. Tickets for all buses can be purchased from the little green kiosks in front of the railway station. Qingdao’s coastal location means you can get here by ferry from South Korea and Japan. Boats depart from Incheon in South Korea four times a week and frequently from Shimonoseki in Japan.

Qingdao is well-developed for tourism and as such, boasts efficient public transportation around the city. Due to its hilly topography, few visitors use bikes or their feet to get around. Public buses are the preferred means of getting around between sights and are relatively easy to navigate thanks to a good amount of English signage. Most taxis in Qingdao are air-conditioned and available round the clock. They typically use a meter and can be easily hailed on the street or hired in front of every hotel and tourist spot. Always ask if your driver to use the meter.