Ningbo Airport: Transport, Services and Travel Tips

At Ningbo, it's not your destination that determines the terminal, but your airline! A little unusual, isn't it? It's a relatively rare arrangement in China, and the easiest way to end up at the wrong terminal building!

Don't worry, though. If you do need to switch terminals, it takes around eight minutes via the connecting walkway. However, if you have luggage or a tight connection, it's definitely worth knowing which terminal you need before you travel.

No need to panic. Trip.com has put together a complete guide to Ningbo Lishe International Airport, covering terminals, the metro, lounges, dining options, and everything you need to know when you arrive!

Essential information about Ningbo Lishe Airport (NGB)

It is easy to forget that Ningbo has its own international airport. Opened on 30 June 1990 in Haishu District, around 12–16 km from the city centre depending on the reference point, Ningbo Lishe International Airport is the second-largest airport in Zhejiang after Hangzhou. And it is growing fast. Here are some key figures:

• One runway, 3,200 metres long and rated 4E, plus two passenger terminals.
• Terminal 1 dates back to 2002 and covers 45,000 m². Terminal 2, opened on 29 December 2019, covers 112,400 m², making the difference clear as soon as you move between the two.
• Terminal 2 increased aircraft parking stands from 26 to 60 and boarding gates from 15 to 43. The number of air bridges also rose from 7 to 24.
• In 2025, the airport handled 16.12 million passengers, ranking 30th among airports in China.
• On 22 February 2026, the airport recorded more than 60,000 passengers in a single 24-hour period, the first time it had reached this figure.
• Internationally, 18 destinations were served by the end of 2025, including Phuket, Hanoi and Vientiane, all launched that year. Manado followed in early 2026. There is also Ürümqi, the airport's first non-stop connection to Xinjiang.

Transport to and from Ningbo Airport

This is the real advantage of Ningbo: the airport is close to the centre and connected to the metro. A rare luxury in China!

Good to know about the metro: Lishe International Airport Station is located in the transport centre south of Terminal 2, with direct access to the terminal basement. There is no need to walk outdoors. Line 2 then connects with the city centre, bus station and railway station.

📌 Trip.com tip: From Terminal 1, the station is around a 10-minute walk via the footbridge. If you have heavy luggage, taking a taxi can save you time!

The seven bus routes do not only serve the city centre. They also connect with Zhoushan, Yuyao, Cixi, Xiangshan and Hangzhou Bay, making them useful if Ningbo is not your final destination.

Ningbo Airport Terminal 1 or 2: which one do you need?

This is the key point to remember above all else! In Nanjing or Shanghai, international and domestic flights are separated. In Ningbo, everything is organised by airline:

🚨 Key point: This terminal allocation has already changed several times, most recently in December 2023 and again in late January 2026, when Jiuyuan Airlines moved to T2. Do not rely on an old guide or your memory. The terminal is shown on your boarding pass.

If you are flying from the UK, you will arrive at T2, regardless of your connection. There are no direct flights from the UK to Ningbo, but all international arrivals, including those from Seoul and Bangkok, use this terminal.

How do you get from one terminal to the other at Ningbo Airport?

The two buildings are connected by an indoor walkway starting from the T1 departures level. It takes around 8 minutes on foot, with shelter from the rain, so it is a convenient option.

Take extra care if you have two connecting flights operated by different airlines. You will need to collect your luggage, change terminals and check in again. Allow at least one hour, and more during busy periods.

Ningbo Airport arrivals and departures: practical tips

On arrival

• Immigration: Separate queues are available for foreign travellers. Fingerprint collection is mandatory and is currently available at Terminal 2 only.
• Baggage: Baggage reclaim belts are on the arrivals level, downstairs in the terminal building.
• Customs: Use the green channel if you have nothing to declare, or the red channel if you do.
• Getting out: The metro and ride-hailing services are located in the basement, while taxis and buses are available on the arrivals level.

On departure

• Check-in closing times: For domestic flights, baggage drop closes 30 minutes before departure, or 25 minutes before departure if you have no checked baggage. Allow 40 minutes for international flights. Some airlines close check-in earlier, with China Southern closing 35 minutes before departure.
• Boarding gates: Gates close 20 minutes before departure.
• When to arrive: Allow 2 hours before a domestic flight during quieter periods, 2.5 hours during the morning and evening peaks, and 3 hours for an international flight.
• T2 check-in areas: E and F are for domestic flights, while G is for international flights.

💡 Trip.com tip: T2 boarding gates support facial recognition boarding. If you have no checked baggage, check in online and you may not need to visit a check-in counter at all.

Arrival requirements in Ningbo: visas and regulations

Good news, and it applies to Ningbo as well as the rest of mainland China:

• 30-day visa exemption: Until 31 December 2026, British citizens, along with most EU nationals, can enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days per entry. This covers tourism, business, family visits and transit.
• 240-hour visa-free transit: Ningbo is one of the approved entry points. However, this scheme is generally less relevant to British travellers, as the 30-day visa exemption offers greater flexibility.

Conditions to meet:

• A valid ordinary passport covering the full duration of your planned stay in China.
• A maximum stay of 30 days per entry, with the allowance resetting each time you enter China.
• An eligible purpose of travel. Work and study are not permitted under the visa exemption.

Planning a trip to Ningbo? There are no direct flights from London, so you will need to travel via a Chinese or regional hub such as Xiamen, Guangzhou or Hong Kong.

Services and facilities at Ningbo Airport

Terminal 2 is spacious and well equipped, while Terminal 1 is smaller but still functional. Here is what you can find at the airport:

• Free Wi-Fi, with authentication by mobile phone number.
• Breastfeeding rooms, accessible facilities, left-luggage services and lost property offices in both terminals.
• ATMs, charging points and convenience shops in each terminal area.
• Arrivals duty-free shop: one operator was approved in January 2026, adding to the existing duty-free shop for departing passengers.

Airport lounges and premium areas in Ningbo

Want to relax in one of Ningbo Airport's lounges? There are several lounges across the two terminals, with access available through Priority Pass or DragonPass.

🚨 Terminal trap: these lounges are not connected. A lounge in T2 is no use if your flight departs from T1, and vice versa. Check your terminal before choosing a lounge!

Restaurants and duty-free at Ningbo Airport

The choice is less extensive than at Hangzhou or Shanghai, for example, but there is still plenty to keep you occupied while you wait. One detail to note: the shops and facilities are not all located on the same side.

💡 Internet tip: Activate an eSIM before you leave. Without one, your usual apps may be blocked, making it difficult to book a ride or use maps.

💡 Payment tip: QR codes are widely used for payments with Alipay or WeChat Pay, including on the metro. It is still worth carrying some cash, as small payments may not always work with foreign cards.

What to do in Ningbo after landing?

Often reduced to its port, one of the busiest in the world, Ningbo deserves more than a quick stop!

• Tianyi Ge: founded in 1561, this is the oldest surviving private library in China, surrounded by peaceful gardens.
• The Old Bund: older than Shanghai's Bund, with former consulates and churches now converted into cafés and restaurants.
• Moon Lake: right in the heart of the old town, perfect for a relaxing late afternoon.
• Tiantong Temple: an important centre of Chan Buddhism, around 25 km east of the city.
• Dongqian Lake: the largest natural lake in Zhejiang, around 40 minutes from the city centre.

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