If you’re arriving by plane, you won’t have to ponder too long which airport to fly into. Shantou has just one – Jieyang Chaoshan Intl. Airport (SWA).

Jieyang Chaoshan Airport is 16 kilometers from central Shantou, so expect a bit of a commute into the center of the city.

Pass through the doors of Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport and your Shantou getaway will have begun! The city’s main airport, it’s located 16 kilometers from the center of town.

There are 16 air carriers that jet into Shantou from 47 worldwide airports.

Shantou receives the most flights from China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines and China Southern Airlines with China Eastern Airlines being the number one choice of carrier. Shanghai is the most popular city for travelers to jet off from.

With roughly 640 direct flights running each week, you’ll be hitting the tarmac in Shantou before you have time to say, “Are we there yet?”

Flights to Shantou departing from Shanghai, Changsha and Chongqing airports are the most popular.

If you’re flying to Shantou from Shanghai, you’ll have a flight time of 2 hours and 21 minutes. Those setting off from Zhengzhou can expect to be midair for 2 hours and 28 minutes. From Nanjing it’s approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes away.

We’ve all come across those fortunate jet-setters who manage to score impossibly cheap plane tickets whenever they fly. Want to know how to do it for your Shantou vacation? Don’t wait until the last possible moment to secure your flight. Another easy way to land the best deal is to research all options. If where you’re headed has several airports, don’t forget to research the cost of flying into a smaller terminal. And finally, don’t forget that the early bird catches the worm. Familiarize yourself with airfare costs and be ready to secure your seat as soon as you spot a bargain. The best deals never last long.

We’ve rounded up all the info you need to make your journey as pain-free as possible. Follow our tips and you’ll be zooming through the airport and exploring Shantou before you know it.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It’s easy — first, pack your passport, travel docs, cash and daily medications. Next, you’ll want some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a tablet filled with your favorite movies are some wonderful options. If you intend to take a quick nap, a neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you hop off the plane looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don’t have a pocket knife lurking in your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable goods, such as fuel and matches, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The narrow aisles of a plane are not the best place for a fashion parade. Layer yourself up with comfortable clothes and take a cardigan as the temperature can drop in the cabin. Slightly roomy, flat shoes are always a good idea too.
• Unfortunately, one risk of long-distance travel is developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged inactivity. To prevent this, take every opportunity to walk around and give your legs a stretch. Compression socks and tights are another easy way to help minimize this risk.

The secret is to be organized before you get to security. That way, you’ll be boarding that plane to Shantou in no time at all. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Your travel documents and passport will need to be shown to airport security. Have them easily accessible so you don’t hold up the line.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• All electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, will also need to be scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them in your checked suitcase. They won’t be allowed in the cabin.