Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)

Layover Guide

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

Your NKG Layover at a Glance

City AccessAccessible
Minimum layover for city6 hours

Best use of a long layover

The Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao) and Qinhuai River area make for an atmospheric wander, roughly 45–60 minutes from the airport by metro/taxi given the distance out to Lukou.

Inside the airport

The China Eastern lounge or a general business lounge, hours and access permitting.

No hotel is attached to the terminal; a couple of airport-area hotels are a short shuttle ride away.

Nanjing Lukou is one of the airports approved for China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit for eligible nationalities transiting to/from a third country or region — register with border police on arrival, and verify your passport is currently eligible before relying on it.
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 Nanjing 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 Nanjing properly — consider a guided tour to maximise your time.

Hotels Near NKG

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

Recommended · Hotels
Find Hotels Near NKG

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

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City Tours from NKG

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

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Nanjing Layover Tours

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

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Practical Tips for Your NKG Layover

Use left-luggage storage at Nanjing Lukou 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 Nanjing 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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