Question 1

How long does the ferry from Xiamen to Kinmen take?

Accepted Answer

The crossing from Xiamen (Wutong) to Kinmen (Shuitou) takes 30 minutes. From Quanzhou (Shihu) to Kinmen it takes 60 minutes. Allow 90 minutes at the terminal on top of that: online sales close an hour before departure, and immigration on both sides takes time.

Question 2

Do I need the China Digital Arrival Card?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Everyone entering mainland China fills one in, which on this route means the Kinmen → Xiamen (Wutong) and Kinmen → Quanzhou (Shihu) sailings. It is free, it is done online before you travel, and the National Immigration Administration runs it. Fill in the China Digital Arrival Card: https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/

Question 3

Do I need the Taiwan Arrival Card?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Everyone entering Taiwan fills one in, which on this route means the Xiamen (Wutong) → Kinmen and Quanzhou (Shihu) → Kinmen sailings. It is free and online, and Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency runs it. Fill in the Taiwan Arrival Card: https://twac.immigration.gov.tw/

Question 4

Do I need a passport for the Kinmen ferry?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Xiamen–Kinmen and Quanzhou–Kinmen are international crossings with immigration control at both ends, and the name on your ticket has to match your passport exactly. Whether you also need a visa or an entry permit depends on your nationality, so check the two immigration sites above before you book.

Question 5

How much does the Xiamen to Kinmen ferry cost?

Accepted Answer

CNY 159 in standard class leaving the mainland and CNY 140 leaving Kinmen, with business class at CNY 174 and CNY 150 on the sailings that offer it. Those are the ferry operator’s own fares, passed through without a markup. The Quanzhou route sells standard class only.

Question 6

How often do the ferries run between Xiamen and Kinmen?

Accepted Answer

Twelve crossings a day each way between Xiamen (Wutong) and Kinmen (Shuitou), roughly hourly from early morning to early evening. The Quanzhou (Shihu) route runs two crossings a day each way.

Question 7

When do online ticket sales close?

Accepted Answer

One hour before departure. Your seat is then held until 35 minutes before departure and released after that, so be at the terminal 90 minutes before the boat leaves.

Question 8

What happens if the sailing I want is sold out?

Accepted Answer

Most full sailings keep a waitlist open, so sold out is rarely the end of it. Quanzhou (Shihu) often has seats on days when Wutong does not, and the sailing after the one you wanted is usually an hour away.

Question 9

What is the Mini Three Links?

Accepted Answer

The Mini Three Links (小三通) are the direct ferry routes between Kinmen and Matsu and the Fujian coast, running since 2001. The Xiamen (Wutong) ↔ Kinmen (Shuitou) and Quanzhou (Shihu) ↔ Kinmen crossings booked here are part of it.

Question 10

Which terminals do the ferries use?

Accepted Answer

Wutong Ferry Terminal (厦门五通码头) in Xiamen, Shihu Port (泉州石湖港) in Quanzhou, and Shuitou Pier (金门水头码头) on Kinmen. Every sailing we sell runs between those three.

Question 11

Can I book if I hold a Chinese, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan passport?

Accepted Answer

Not with us. Residents of the mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan cross on a different permit system, and the ferry company’s nationality list leaves those four out, which is why you will not find them in the passport field here.

KinmenExpress

Be at the terminal 90 minutes before departure

Sold out is rarely the end

Xiamen - Kinmen

Every boat from this pier has departed on Sat 19 Sep

Reading before you go

Waitlists, explained: why sold out usually is not

Getting to Wutong ferry terminal in Xiamen

Arriving at Shuitou pier on Kinmen

KinmenExpress FAQ