Official taxi curb (T2 arrivals) · ~20 min Kangbashi (~16 km) / ~50 min Dongsheng (~37–38 km)
Where they are
One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
BAV6.2
DSN7.4+1.2
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
BAV5.0
DSN7.2+2.2
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
BAV4.0
DSN6.4+2.4
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
BAV4.4
DSN6.6+2.2
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
BAV5.2
DSN6.4+1.2
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
BAV3.2
DSN6.2+3.0
Best for
BAV
Domestic trips to Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, and the main coastal cities on the 2026 summer planTravelers who want a short regional terminal once they are in the right building
DSN
Kangbashi / Genghis Khan Mausoleum hops without a rail puzzleAirline-status CIP opposite Gates 6–7A 4E diversion / training field with 747-class pavement
Watch out for
BAV
T1 versus T2 is not described the same way by Chinese Wikipedia and China SouthernChina Eastern check-in closes 30 minutes before departureNo rail to the terminal; the airport bus fare and hours disagree across published pagesWinter frost. The 2004 MU5210 accident was attributed to ice on the wing and no de-icingOn-time rate and security waits are not published. Zeros in the stats mean unpublished, not a measured perfect day
DSN
240-hour TWOV is not this port — Hailar / Manzhouli / Erenhot leftover areNo Priority Pass; DragonPass leftover is McD, not a CIPSingle 3,200 m runway, 1,400 m elevation, unpublished OTPLast city buses leftover ~17:35–18:00 — after that it is a taxi to Dongsheng
Amenities and tips
BAV
Card VIP hallsDepartures catering areaAirport bus
Be at the desk 90 minutes ahead
China Eastern opens Baotou counters 90 minutes before departure and closes check-in 30 minutes before.
Ask which building your flight uses
Chinese Wikipedia splits T1 (international) and T2 (domestic). China Southern still describes one terminal and lists no international check-in desks.
Do not plan a meal here
The only food note in the airline terminal guide is a catering rest area on the departures level.
DSN
McDonald’s landside 4FAirport bus to Dongsheng / KangbashiAirline CIP corridorPublic Wi-Fi unpublishedYurt-dome T2
China Eastern dies 30 / 45 minutes out — sit 2 hours anyway
MU leftover desks 90 minutes before STD, domestic cut 30 minutes, international 45, gate 15. Other airlines leftover unpublished — sit 2 hours domestic and 3 international.
There is one live hall: T2
Domestic and international share T2. Departures leftover 3F, arrivals 2F, VIP / leisure leftover 1F. No airside walk to a second terminal.
Landside McDonald’s on 4F — airside is a leftover mini shop
DragonPass leftover McDonald’s (before security) T2 departures 4F, 06:00–21:00, dine-in only, 2-hour voucher. Airside leftover is a takeaway pin, not a second full restaurant.
BAV · Baotou Donghe is a civilian one-runway airport in Donghe District, 23 km from the city on China Southern's page. CAAC counted 1,965,255 passengers in 2025. The air port has been formally open since 31 October 2024, but the published 2026 summer schedule was domestic only.
DSN · A 4E steppe airport with one oversized T2: 3.2 million passengers, no TWOV at this port, no Priority Pass, and a DragonPass that is a landside McDonald’s.
