Question

Asked by Mee from canada | Dec. 05, 2012 01:33

About:How to Travel to China without a Visa

Overnight at Kunming airport w/out a visa

I'm transiting thru Kunming Changshui airport (which means no visa required?) and have an overnight layover. If I understand correctly, no visa = cannot leave airport. But does the airport clear people out at night? Where can I stay that's within the airport boundaries (overnight)? There seem to be a lot of conflicting information on the internet (hourly lounges but they only open a few hours before flight, a hotel inside the airport (seems like heresay) - anyone got the facts?

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Answers (7)

Answered by Betty | Dec. 05, 2012 03:56

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Hi, you cannot stay overnight in the transit area. Actually, you can stay in the hotel inside of the airport. You can also try to contact your airlines for further confirmation.

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Answered by Mee | Dec. 05, 2012 10:05

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Betty, thanks for the input
Do you have the name of the hotel that is inside the airport or it's exact location? Contact e-mail/phone? Website? Have you stayed there?
My airline has no information about this it at all and the internet shows no listing for this at KMG airport. I need to verify/reserve something as I don't have a visa I may end up being rejected from my flight thru unless I can prove I can stay inside the airport - overnight.

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Answered by Alvin | Dec. 06, 2012 01:59

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Hi, why not stay in the hourly lounges? As far as I know there is no such hotel inside the airport. Or, you can just play it safe and get a transit visa in advance.

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Answered by Mee | Dec. 06, 2012 13:35

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I contacted an airline in Kunming China directly as well as several consulates and three travel agencies - because they ALL had contradicting answers:

Travel agency1: I can leave the airport as long as I stay in one mile radius of the transit grounds
Travel agency2: I can leave the airport as long as I stay in six miles radius of transit grounds
Travel agency3: Apply for transit visa but may not get it back in time for trip, better to change itinerary! I may not be able to board any flight on route thru Kunming overnight w/out a visa.

CE airlines (I called China directly): No need for visa and can leave Kunming transit grounds stay in city as long as back within 24 hours to airport, no hotel inside, hourly lounges not okay to stay overnight, but I have to leave the airport

Consulate1: No need for visa, but strongly suggested in case the flight is delayed and I stay longer than 24 hours
Consulate2: Must have visa in Kunming no matter what, the airline is wrong

Friend visited China recently thru OLD airport: Visa is required for the overnight stay outside airport

I don't want all this hassle or getting stuck at immigration because of so many contradictions, so I changed my itinerary.

I appreciate the suggestions but it would be helpful to hear from folks with actual firsthand experience at the new airport. Thanks.

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Answered by Oli | Mar. 26, 2013 09:04

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Hi Mee

What happened during your transfer? I'm doing the same next week and would like to sleep in the airport if possible....

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Answered by Michsaja | Aug. 11, 2016 14:03

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Hi - I am travelling alone and will be in Kunming Airport for 16 hour layover. I cannot find any online info to reserve a hourly lounge or better the hotel INSIDE the airport. Can you tell me- did you find out how to reserve?

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Answered by john | Aug. 12, 2016 21:41

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Hi Dear all if you guys flight from Kunming Changshui International Airport KMG, China, its really big airport and they have all night flight, and also there internation and domestice depature from same place but only when you guys bording its different gate, i had 3 time experience i always stay at airport just sleep at sofa, but you have to good take care your lugguage.

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