KFC

By 22:30 in T3, KFC is usually still serving

This KFC sits in Terminal 3’s Ground Transportation Centre, just past arrivals and before the airport buses and taxi stands, and it reliably keeps the lights on from about 06:00 to 23:00 when most other food counters in T3 have already pulled down the shutters.

Figure on spending around 40–55 CNY for a burger or chicken set with fries and a drink, roughly the airport’s usual 20–30% markup over downtown Xi’an pricing, so it’s cheap by airport standards but not a budget steal compared with the city.

The layout is classic mainland China KFC: counter service, a few tables, and trays turning over quickly as domestic and international flights dump passengers into T3, and it sits right along the route to the airport shuttle buses into central Xi’an.

Menu is the standard China mix: fried chicken pieces, Zinger-style burgers, rice boxes, egg tarts, and strong iced milk tea; if you want something that travels well for the bus, the boxed chicken-and-rice sets in the 40–50 CNY range beat loose fries in a paper sleeve.

Regulars posting on Chinese forums mention ordering ahead on Meituan or Ele.me, then just swinging by the counter to grab their bag on the way to the bus bay, which can easily save 10–15 minutes during the evening peak.

Watch for long queues around evening arrival banks after 20:00, when multiple flights dump into baggage claim and reviews complain about slower service, slightly smaller portions, and the typical airport pricing lift.

Tip: if your flight lands late into T3 and you still see the clock under 23:00, head straight from customs to this KFC before joining the taxi or shuttle line, because other arrivals-side food options may already be closed.