Dalian for First-Time Visitors: Airport, Metro, Payments & Tickets (2026)

Short answer: A relaxed seaside city on the Liaodong peninsula: free squares and beaches, a small airport close to downtown, and 240-hour visa-free transit at both the airport and the passenger sea port.

Visa-free entry and 240-hour transit

Dalian's airport is a designated port for 240-hour visa-free transit. If you fly on to a third country or region, you can stay up to 10 days and travel across the 24 permitted provinces (Tibet, Xinjiang and a few other regions are not included). Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport and Dalian Sea Port (passenger) are both listed ports. The permitted area is Liaoning Province. You must continue to a third country or region within 240 hours. (official source)

Not sure which rule applies to you? Check your passport in 10 seconds or see rules by country.

Airport to the city

Times and fares change. Check Amap or the airport's official site on the day. (sources) First time landing in China? Read arriving in China step by step.

Metro and taxis

Metro: Dalian Metro has supported QR-code tickets and UnionPay cards since 2018. Before relying on tapping an overseas Visa, Mastercard or Amex at the gates, check at the station that it works. Set up Alipay's Transport tab for a Dalian metro QR code, or buy a single ticket at the station. (sources) Set up Alipay with your foreign card before you fly as a backup.

Didi: Didi works inside Alipay with a foreign card. Taxis are cheap, so a short ride between sights is easy. See how to use Didi as a foreigner.

Hotels in Dalian

Check in with your passport: hotels register foreign guests with the police automatically at check-in, so there's nothing else to do. Compare hotels in Dalian on Trip.com (affiliate link): the site is in English, shows prices in your currency and takes foreign cards. Save the hotel's address in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers.

Top sights: do you need to book?

Xinghai Square

FreeSame day is fineNo passport needed

Booking: Free, open all the time; no booking

How: Walk along the seafront; Binhai Road is also free

Show your driver 星海广场

Russian Style Street

FreeSame day is fineNo passport needed

Booking: Free to walk; no booking

How: Go in the daytime or early evening for the shops and cafes

Show your driver 俄罗斯风情街

Tiger Beach Ocean Park

Same day is fineBring your passport

Booking: Paid ticket; buy online or at the gate. Booking a day ahead can get a 20% discount; confirm on the park's ticket page.

How: Bring your passport in case the gate asks for ID; check the park's ticket page or Trip.com

Show your driver 老虎滩海洋公园

Lushun (Port Arthur) historic district

Bring your passport

Booking: Ticket rules vary by site; check the day before

How: Carry your original passport for any real-name entry

Show your driver 旅顺

"Book tickets" links are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Where to go next

ShenyangAbout 2 h by high-speed trainBeijingAbout 5 h by high-speed train

Booking trains: how to book China's high-speed trains as a foreigner. All cities: China city guides.

Next steps for your trip

FAQ

Can I use 240-hour visa-free transit in Dalian?

Yes. Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport and Dalian Sea Port (passenger) are both on the list. You can travel within Liaoning Province, but you must leave for a third country or region within 240 hours.

How do I get from Dalian airport to the city?

The airport is close to downtown. A taxi or Didi takes about 20–25 minutes and costs roughly ¥30–40. The metro costs a few yuan.

Do I need my passport for Dalian sights?

For paid and real-name sights, yes. Carry the original passport. Free open spaces like Xinghai Square need no ID.

Last verified 31 October 2026. Sources: [1] chinafortravelers.com, [2] govt.chinadaily.com.cn, [3] frommers.com, [4] frommers.com. Rules, fares and booking windows change often — confirm on official channels before you travel.