Car Rental in Xiamen (2026) - Driving Guide & Best Rates
Explore Xiamen's beaches and attractions with ease by renting a car, offering convenient transportation for your perfect trip.
Driving Requirements
Chinese traffic law allows visitors to drive on a foreign license only when paired with a certified Chinese translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention. This combination is valid for up to 90 days from the date of entry. After 90 days, or if you become a resident, you must obtain a Chinese license.
The legal minimum driving age in China is 18. Rental companies in Xiamen set their own higher thresholds, some accept drivers from 18, others require 21 or even 25, and most add a surcharge for renters under 25. Check the specific policy of the rental company you choose.
Chinese law requires every vehicle to carry Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance (CTPL) that covers injury to third parties. Rental companies typically include CTPL in the base rate and offer optional supplemental coverage (collision damage, theft, higher liability limits) that you can select at pickup.
Rental companies universally require a major credit card in the primary driver's name to block a refundable security deposit. The amount varies by company and vehicle class. Debit cards or cash deposits are rarely accepted, so confirm the card policy when booking.
Traffic in Xiamen drives on the right-hand side. Right turns on red are generally prohibited unless a green arrow signal is displayed, and scooters often have priority at uncontrolled intersections, which can surprise visitors. Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants, and mobile-phone use while driving is strictly forbidden.
Helpful Tips
Pick up at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) for the largest fleet and 24-hour desks. But expect an extra ¥50, ¥80 airport surcharge. City branches along Hubin South Road or near Xiamen North Railway Station skip the fee and keep weekday hours only.
Walk around the car and photograph every panel, alloy wheel, and the odometer in the airport's well-lit rental garage. Most Xiamen agencies default to basic compulsory insurance, so decide on the ¥50/day Super-CDW upgrade before you leave the counter.
Google Maps works for routing but can lag on real-time traffic in Xiamen's tunnels, preload Baidu Maps or Amap (高德地图) in English mode and download the Fujian offline map for smooth navigation to Gulangyu ferry piers and ring-road toll gates.
All rentals come with a petrol (RON 92/95) engine and a full-to-full policy. The closest 24-hour Sinopec station is 3 km south of the airport on Xiangyun Road, refill there before return to avoid the ¥100-plus refueling service fee.
Hotel car parks in Siming District (e.g., around Zhongshan Road) charge ¥5, ¥8 per hour with overnight caps at ¥40; street parking inside the blue-line zones is ¥3 per 30 minutes until 22:00, and spaces near the university and ferry terminals fill quickly on weekends.
Driving Warnings
Xiamen bans right turns on red city-wide unless a green arrow is displayed. Violations are camera-enforced with automatic fines.
During typhoon season (July, September) flash flooding can close low-lying tunnels like the Xinglin Bay Tunnel and coastal roads near Hulishan Fortress without warning.
Morning rush on Huandao Road (the coastal ring) backs up westbound from 07:30, 09:00, at the junction with Jiahe Road, where local drivers aggressively use the shoulder.
Speed cameras on the Xiamen Bridge and G15 expressway approach issue fines for exceeding 100 km/h by even 3 km/h; rental cars are tracked electronically and penalties are mailed to the renter.