Hefei Xinqiao International Airport (HFE)

Layover Guide

Making the most of your stopover at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport — hotels, city tours and transit tips.

Your HFE Layover at a Glance

City AccessAccessible
Minimum layover for city7 hours

Best use of a long layover

The shuttle bus or a taxi (up to an hour or more each way in traffic) reaches central Hefei, where the Anhui Museum and the Lord Bao Memorial Park (Baogong Yuan) are the main sights — given the drive time here, this only makes sense on a genuinely long layover with a comfortable immigration buffer.

Inside the airport

The CIP Lounge, First Class Lounge, or China Eastern Airlines lounge are the main sit-down options for Priority Pass holders, status passengers, or a paid day-pass; otherwise there are standard terminal cafés and shops.

A small number of hotels operate within a short drive of the terminal for a long overnight connection, though none is directly attached to the building.

Hefei Xinqiao is covered by China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy for eligible passport holders (55+ nationalities as of 2026), provided you hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region and register your itinerary with immigration on arrival. Travelers whose nationality isn't covered need a full Chinese visa arranged in advance.
Transit visa requirements vary by nationality and change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate of China before travel.

Layover Duration Guide

Under 3 hrs
Stay Airside

Grab a meal, use the lounge or rest. Not enough time to clear immigration and return safely.

3 – 6 hrs
Airport Exploration

Explore landside facilities, duty-free and airport dining. Consider a transit hotel if you need rest.

6 – 12 hrs
Quick City Visit

Enough time to visit Hefei city centre if transit visa permits. Allow 3 hrs buffer for return and re-entry.

12 hrs+
Overnight Stay

Book a nearby hotel. You can explore Hefei properly — consider a guided tour to maximise your time.

Hotels Near HFE

Staying close to the airport? Airport hotels and transit hotels let you rest without a long transfer.

Recommended · Hotels
Find Hotels Near HFE

Airport hotels, transit stays and Hefei city centre options — free cancellation on most bookings.

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City Tours from HFE

Short on time? Layover tours are designed to fit your connection window — pickup from the airport, back before your gate opens.

Recommended · Tours
Hefei Layover Tours

Half-day and layover-specific tours with airport pickup. See the highlights of Hefei without missing your connection.

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Practical Tips for Your HFE Layover

Use left-luggage storage at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport if you plan to leave the terminal — most airports offer coin lockers or staffed storage near arrivals.
Get a China eSIM before your layover so you have data for maps and translation the moment you land.
Download offline maps for Hefei in advance — useful if you leave the terminal and connectivity is patchy.
Always allow at least 3 hours buffer before your next departure when leaving the airport — immigration queues are unpredictable.
Check your next airline's check-in deadline. Some require you to be at the gate 45–60 minutes before departure.
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Stay Connected in China

Activate a China eSIM on Airalo before you travel — instant data, no SIM card queue at the airport.

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