Gulangyu is reached by ferry from Xiamen. Residents and domestic tourists use one ferry terminal; international tourists are directed to a separate terminal in the Xiamen International Cruise Center. The crossing takes about five minutes. Ferries run frequently from early morning until late at night; the return service also operates continuously. The island has no motor vehicles — bicycles and electric carts for luggage are the only wheeled transport once you arrive.
Xiamen itself is served by Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, with extensive domestic connections and direct flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, and several other East Asian cities. High-speed rail connects Xiamen to Fuzhou (about ninety minutes), Guangzhou (about four hours), and Shanghai (about seven hours) via the coastal high-speed network.