Sanya Phoenix Airport has three terminals, with the buildings designated as Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and International Terminal.

Compared to other Chinese international airports, Sanya is a relatively small complex. Terminals 1 and 2 are combined into one building and the International Terminal is about 200 metres away.

Queues for security check are usually around 20 minutes long. You will wait between 30 and 75 minutes for passport control upon arrival.

Which terminal?

Some domestic airlines use both terminals for check-in, but the buildings are combined into one concourse, so orientation is very easy.

• Terminal 1 (check-in counters A, B, C) - domestic flights
• Terminal 2 (check-in counters D) - domestic flights
• International Terminal - all direct flights to international destinations

Transfer between flights

Sanya is not a major transfer point, but several airlines have bases here and transfers are possible.

Book a hotel near Sanya Airport

Connecting at Sanya Airport is very straightforward and simple.

What checks do I go through when I change planes?

Find out what procedures to expect during your transfer.

• International -> International: security check
• International -> domestic: immigration and security check
• Domestic -> International: immigration and security check
• National -> national: no check

Routes from Sanya to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan also count as international flights.

Do I have to leave the transit zone?

If you have luggage all the way to your destination or are travelling with hand luggage only, you do not need to leave the transit area.

Do I have to collect my luggage?

If both flights are booked on the same reservation and you have less than 24 hours to transfer, you do not need to collect your baggage.

Do I need a visa for China?

For international transfers, you do not need to arrange a visa for China, subject to a number of conditions, see below.

Visa-free entry for transfers up to 240 hours

Many airlines also offer long layovers of several days.

Sanya Airport is included in the visa-free entry program for up to a maximum of 240 hours.

Upon arrival, before passing through immigration, look for the special counter where these visa-free entries are processed.

Please note that if you cross within 24 hours, the officer may refuse to issue a visa-free entry permit and you will therefore have to spend time in the transit zone.

For transfers over 24 hours, visa-free entry permits are always issued without any problems. However, you need to present your flight ticket from China and your accommodation reservation.

We describe the details in the article Transfer in China and visa-free entry.

Visa-free entry for 30 days

Hainan Island is included in the special regime. Citizens of 59 countries can enter Hainan completely visa-free, i.e. not only when transferring via China.

The condition is a direct flight to Hainan from abroad without a stopover in China.

Citizens of these countries can enter Hainan visa-free via Sanya or Haikou airport:

• Australia and Oceania - Australia, New Zealand
• Asia - Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates
• Europe - Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Ukraine
• North America - Canada, Mexico, USA
• South America - Argentina, Brazil, Chile

Hotels near the airport

If you are flying out of Sanya Airport early in the morning, your best bet is to stay at the Sanya Phoenix Airport Hotel *** located directly opposite the International Terminal.