By air. Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) is the second-busiest airport on Hainan and handles most of the city's traffic. Direct domestic flights connect Sanya to virtually every major Chinese city — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Xi'an — usually with multiple daily options. International routes include Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Moscow, and several other regional destinations, though the international network has been smaller since the pandemic. The airport is about 15 kilometres west of the city centre; taxis to Dadonghai run RMB 50-80.
By rail. The Hainan Eastern Ring High-Speed Railway connects Sanya to Haikou in about 90 minutes, with frequent services through the day. Stations along the line serve Boao, Wenchang, and Wanning. The same loop continues around the western side of the island as the Hainan Western Ring Railway. The terminus is Sanya Railway Station, about 5 km north of the city centre.
By car. The G98 expressway loops around the entire island and connects Sanya with all the major towns. Driving up to Haikou takes about three hours non-stop.
Visa policy. Foreign nationals from most countries can enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days as long as they arrive directly via an approved tour operator or port of entry. Check current rules before travelling — the policy has changed several times.