By City-Bus

Bus transport in Xiamen is well developed and is considered convenient by most tourists. Nearly two hundred bus routes make nearly 300 stops around the city. The Ferry dock, Xiamen University and the railway station are the main starting stops. Buses operate from 06:00 to 23:00. There are ordinary public buses and double-decker buses with or without a conductor, and every line charges CNY1 per person. According to estimate, there are some ninety bus routes running between the city proper and outskirt areas. Another more than one hundred bus routes cover the city proper.

In addition, a special tourist bus route is also available. Starting from the Ferry Dock, the bus runs through Xiamen and covers many famous tourist attractions, and only charges CNY1 per person. The specific route is:
Ferry Dock - Zhongshan Road - Culture Palace - Park - Ten Thousand Rock - Nanputuo Temple - West Village - Xiamen University Hospital - Baicheng - Hulishan - Pearl Bay - Zeng Cuo An - Zengshan - Haiyun Stage - Huangcuo Coast - Coconut Village - Huangcuo Shizhoutou

There are some other tourist lines which can offer a perfect view of Xiamen's cityscape both at daytime and night:
Tour Line 1 (Daytime)
(Round route departing from South Hubin Bus Station)
Main Stops: Jinyuan Dasha (Jinyuan Building), Ferry Dock, Heping (Peace) Dock, Hulishan Fortress, Pearl Bay, Taiwan Culture Village, Haiyuntai, Yefengzhai (Coconut Wind Fort), Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center, Kwan-yin Hill, International Airport Hotel Xiamen, Xiamen People's Hall
Operating Hours: depart every thirty minutes and the interval is about one and a half hours
Ticket Price: CNY24 for and whole course (CNY4 within the first segment and CNY4 for every additional segment)

Tour Line 1 (Night)
(Round route departing from South Hubin Bus Station)
Main Stops: Jinyuan Dasha, South Hubin Road, North Hubin Road, Lianyue Road, SM Jiahe Road, South Hubin Road, Lujiang Dao, Xiahe Road, Shifu Dadao (City Government Avenue)
Ticket Price: CNY15 for the whole course

Tour Line 2
Main Stops: Xiamen Railway Station, Jinbang Park, Wenping Villas, East Gate of Xiamen Arboretum, Wenzeng Garden, Calligraphers' Saqure, Student Apartments of Xiamen University
Operating Hours: 06:20 – 18:30
Ticket Price: CNY2

By Taxi

Taxi is also a good choice when you tour Xiamen. There are more than 3,600 taxies running around every corner of Xiamen. The city's large numbers of taxies are more convenient and inexpensive than those of some other hot tourist destinations. A Xiamen taxi charges CNY8 for the first three kilometers (about 1.9 miles), and CNY2 for the next five kilometers (about 3.1miles) plus a 50% surcharge for each extra kilometer.

In addition, 50% allowance is charged for the part beyond 8 kilometers (about 5 miles). This is for single trip and it is not charged if renting a cab for round trip. What's more, the waiting time is charged for every five minutes. Waiting time refers to the time for waiting traffic lights, car speed below 12 kilometers (about 7.5 miles) per hour. The first five minutes are free and fare for every kilometer (CNY2) will be charged for every five minutes after that.

From 23:00 to 05:00, night-driving allowance costs 20% surcharge per kilometers more than day time. CNY1 is also charged for fuel surcharge once. After July 1, 2008, passengers do not pay for the toll of CNY12 while passing through Xiamen Bridge, Canghai Bridge, Jimei Bridge, Xinglin Highway Bridge and Xiang'an Tunnel.

Xiamen is not very large in area, so taking taxies around the city doesn't cost much. Here is some information for reference:
The Railway Station <-- --> Ferry Dock: about CNY15
The Railway Station <-- --> Island Ring Road (near Baicheng and Hulishan Battery): about CNY18
Gaoqi International Airport <-- --> the city center: CNY 5-30
The Railway Station <-- --> Jimei University: about CNY100

Tips: Xiamen downtown is not big. Some CNY20 may be enough within the downtown area. There are complaint numbers attached inside the cab and you can call them if not satisfy with the service. Xiamen taxis are formal and every of them will meter during operation. You can ask for invoices.

By Ferry

Xiamen Island, also called Ludao Island, is the main part of Xianmen City. It is the fourth largest island in Fujian Province. With beautiful seaside scenery and charming small islets around, ferryboat is an excellent way to enjoy such a fest on the eye.

Gulangyu must be the most attractive place of Xiamen. There are ferryboats running between Xiamen Island and Gulangyu Island. The dock of Xiamen Ferry is located at No.15, Lujiang Dao. It has ferryboats to the three ferry docks in Gulangyu Island: Bieshu Ferry Dock in the west part of the island opposite Gulang Villas, Gulangyu Ferry Dock in the east of the island (about 25 minute's walk from Gulang Villas) and Saqiutian Ferry Dock in the northeast.

It takes only five minutes and costs CNY8 per person for a round trip. The first departure from Xiamen Island is at 05:45. Ferry service from Gulangyu Island begins at 05:30. The ferryboats leave every ten minutes between 07:00 – 8:30, 11:30 – 12:30, 13:30 – 14:30, 17:00 – 18:30 and every 15 minutes during other periods during the day. There are also liners at night every 20 minutes until midnight. Please note that rush-hour ferryboats between 11:30 and 12:30 and in the afternoon between 13:30 and 14:30 are not available on Sunday.

In addition, there is a night ferry route from Xiamen Ferry Dock to Sanqiutian. It cost CNY5. Songyu is a small peninsular the west bank of Xiamen Island and at the north bank of outlet of jIulong River into the sea. There are also ferryboats to Songyu and the ticket is cheap, only CNY2.

On the ferryboats, visitors can get a perfect view of the scenery along the Lujiang River and a panorama of the garden island on the sea, as well as see some island afar. Generally, the ferryboats depart every thirty minutes from 07:40 – 17:00 at Xiaoba Dock in northwest side of Xiamen Ferry Dock. This is the tour around the whole island and the ticket price is CNY15.

By Rental Car and Bicycle

There are some rental car agencies in Xiamen. Rental fare varies from CNY120 to CNY3,300 per day depending on the types of the car. Valid identification and a deposit are needed. The recognizance ranges from CNY2000 to 9000. Reservations are recommended. In addition, CNY20 – CNY200 per hour will be charged for overtime.

Here gives some reference on the rental per day: Chevrolet (two box car), CNY130; Buick Sail, CNY160; Jetta, CNY 230; Mitsubishi (cross-country vehicle), CNY400; Nissan Bluebird, CNY450; Toyota, CNY600; Audi, CNY1000-CNY2500; BMW, CNY1500; Cadillac, CNY2600; Benz, CNY2300-CNY3380. There are also buses rented for tour group. More seats the bus has, more expensive the rental will be. For the driver, the salary should be paid CNY50 per day within Xiamen Island and CNY100 if going outside the island. Actual information depends on different car rental agencies. Please negotiate the rental a head of time.

It must be a fascinating experience to ride a bicycle along the Island Ring Road of Xiamen Island and the Taiwan Island just can be seen vaguely in the distance. Bicycle rental services are mainly offered on the Island Ring Road. The cost usually is CNY20-30 per day plus a deposit of CNY300-500. Moreover, CNY5 is needed for a toll on the Island Ring Road. Apart from ordinary bicycles, tandem ridings or bicycle made for three persons are also available.

There are many bicycle rental stalls along the section of Island Ring Road from Xiamen University to Hulishan Fortress and even further to the Arboretum. Flourishing lawns are in road sides and the sea is just in front. A forest oxygen bar nearby the road called Jiulongtan is a popular place of entertainment. There are pubs, teahouses and restaurants. Many new couples go there to take photos in their wedding gowns. June is perhaps the most favorable season to ride around the city. In the tourist high season, there will be many riders.