Photo: 姜 明雄 / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Contents
Xiamen to Kinmen is one of the most unusual short crossings in East Asia. The trip links the modern Fujian port city of Xiamen with Kinmen, a Taiwanese-administered island group that sits just offshore but feels culturally distinct. The water between them is narrow, yet the journey crosses a sensitive border, so the practical details matter more than the distance.
The ferry is the only way to travel between the two directly. It uses the Mini Three Links ferry corridor between Xiamen's Wutong Ferry Terminal and Kinmen's Shuitou terminal.[1] You can book the ferry for this route on GoAsia.cc, then make sure your documents, arrival timing and onward transport on Kinmen are in order before you go.
Xiamen to Kinmen by Ferry
The ferry is quick, direct and purpose-built for this crossing. From Xiamen the crossing takes about 30 minutes and costs 160 yuan (RMB) one way, while the return fare from Kinmen is NT$650.[1] About 10 different companies run the service.[1]
Ferries leave Wutong between 09:00 and 17:30 and leave Kinmen between 09:00 and 17:30, and the times change slightly every month.[1] The monthly timetables are published by the Kinmen County Port Authority.[2] The crossing is short enough that comfort is less about luxury and more about timing, boarding smoothness and having your paperwork ready. Seating is standard ferry seating, and the ride can feel more like an airport shuttle on water than a scenic cruise.
Buy your ticket at the ferry terminal, where tickets go on sale one hour before each departure, or book online.[1] Because this route involves immigration and border formalities, arrive earlier than you would for an ordinary domestic ferry. Airlines and ferry companies require ID such as a passport before boarding.[1] Kinmen is administered by Taiwan, so Taiwan's entry rules apply when you arrive. Rules can change, especially for cross-strait travel, so verify entry requirements for your nationality before booking.
Getting to Wutong Wharf and Leaving Shuitou Pier
Wutong Ferry Terminal is on the Xiamen side of the crossing and is the key departure point to know. Depending on where you stay in Xiamen, you may reach it by taxi, ride-hailing, metro connection plus taxi, or local transfer. Build in city traffic time, especially if you are coming from the old city, railway station or airport area.
On arrival in Kinmen, the terminal is about a 20-minute walk from the village of Shuitou and about a 10-minute bus ride from the town of Jincheng.[1] Kinmen is spread out, with historic villages, military sites, beaches and small towns rather than one dense urban center. Taxis, buses, scooters and rental cars are the usual onward choices. If you are arriving late in the day, arrange your onward transport in advance, because services can be quieter outside peak ferry times.
For many travelers, Kinmen is not just a transit stop. It rewards at least one overnight stay, with Fujian-style houses, wind-lion statues, battlefield tunnels and quiet coastal roads. If you are returning to Xiamen the same day, pay close attention to the last ferry and leave a buffer for ticket exchange and immigration. In spring, fog can cancel ferries and flights for a day or sometimes two, so keep a spare day in your plan.[1]
Comparing Your Options
| Mode | Price | Duration | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry | 160 yuan (RMB) one way[1] | 30min[1] | Simple and direct |
Tips for Traveling from Xiamen to Kinmen
- Check entry rules before booking. This is a cross-border ferry, not a domestic island hop. Visa and entry requirements depend on nationality and travel status.
- Arrive early at Wutong Wharf. Allow time for ticket exchange, document checks and boarding procedures.
- Carry passport and booking details. Keep documents in a small bag rather than buried in checked luggage.
- Plan your Kinmen transport. The ferry terminal is not the whole destination. Decide whether you need a taxi, bus, scooter or rental car after arrival.
- Watch the last ferry. Day trips are possible, but missing the final return ferry can force an overnight stay.
- Expect schedule changes. Ferry timings change every month, so confirm close to your travel day.[1]
Timetable
| Ferry Xiamen - Kinmen $ 26.43 30m | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Use the booking tool on this page to compare the transport options currently available from Xiamen to Kinmen, including current prices and schedules.
The ferry is the way to cross directly between the two, with a one-way fare of 160 yuan (RMB) from Xiamen according to Kinmen's official tourism site. It is also the standard way to make this short crossing.
The ferry takes about 30 minutes from Xiamen to Kinmen. Add extra time for reaching the terminal, ticket exchange, immigration and onward transport.
The ferry crossing itself takes about 30 minutes. Door to door, the total journey depends on where you start in Xiamen and where you are going on Kinmen.
The usual route runs from Xiamen's Wutong Ferry Terminal to the Shuitou terminal on Kinmen. Always confirm the terminal on your ticket before travel.
Yes, you should treat this as an international or cross-border movement. Ferry companies require ID such as a passport before boarding, and Taiwan's entry rules apply when you arrive in Kinmen. Rules vary by nationality, so check current requirements before booking.
A day trip can work if ferry times and entry rules line up, but it is a tight plan. Staying overnight gives you more time for Kinmen's villages, coastal roads and historic sites.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] Kinmen County Government (Kinmen Travel): How to get to Kinmen. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
- [2] Kinmen County Port Authority: Mini Three Links timetables (Kinmen County Port Authority). Retrieved October 15, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.