Transport · Airports · XIY
西安咸阳国际机场 · XIY / ZLXY. Gateway to the Terracotta Army and the Silk Road, Xi'an's airport has metro access and authentic Shaanxi Muslim food stalls in the terminal.
About this airport
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport serves the capital of Shaanxi province and one of the most visited cities in China, home to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and its Terracotta Army (UNESCO), the Tang dynasty city walls, the Drum and Bell Towers, and the Muslim Quarter's medieval street food culture.
The airport sits in Xianyang, a separate city that merges administratively with Xi'an, about 47 kilometres northwest of the city centre. T3, opened in 2012, is a reasonably modern facility though showing its age in some areas. Metro Line 12 opened in 2020, finally connecting the airport to the city rail network after years of reliance on taxis and buses.
Xi'an's position as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road gives it a unique cultural character: the Hui Muslim community centred on the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter has been present for over a thousand years, and the resulting cuisine — hand-pulled noodles, flatbreads, lamb dishes, and sesame-based sweets — is distinct from both Sichuan and Cantonese cooking. Airport food stalls in T3 do a decent version of the most popular dishes.
The 144-hour TWOV makes Xi'an practical for transit visitors wanting two or three days to see the Terracotta Army and the city walls before continuing their journey.
Terminals
Three terminals: T1 (closed to passengers), T2 (domestic and some international), T3 (opened 2012, main terminal for domestic and all international). Metro Line 12 connects the airport to the city.
Transit to the city
Metro Line 12 (Airport Line) connects T3 to the city's metro network, with the journey to the Bell Tower area taking about 40 minutes (CNY 10). Airport buses to multiple city stops run every 15–20 minutes (CNY 26). Taxis to the Muslim Quarter or Drum Tower cost CNY 100–140.
Priority Pass lounges
Food
T3 has a food court with north Shaanxi specialities including rou jia mo (meat-stuffed flatbread), biang biang noodles, and lamb soup. The Shaanxi Muslim cuisine options are a highlight for travellers wanting authentic local food before departure.
Sleep options
No airside hotel directly connected. The Airport Hotel Xi'an (Holiday Inn brand) is a short shuttle ride from T3. The city centre is 40 minutes away by metro.
Transit visa-free rules
Xi'an holds a 144-hour TWOV for eligible nationalities on qualifying routes. Transit passengers may travel within Shaanxi province.