Chengdu Transportation

The transportation network in Chengdu is very developed. It has one of China’s busiest airports; it is the intersection point of five trunk railway lines; it is connected with thousands of miles of expressways and has dozens of coach stations sending passengers to various destinations. Within the city area, there are subways, city buses, taxis and many other transport conveniences for passengers to choose from.

 

Air

Chengdu Airport
Shuangliu Airport

There are two airports serving passengers in Chengdu: Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), in the southwest of the city and about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the city center; and Tianfu International Airport (TFU) around 50 kilometers (31 miles) southeast to the city center. Have in mind which airport you are going to land in or depart from to save trouble. 

Frequent one-hour flights are available to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. Flights to Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, take about one and a half hours, with two-hour flights available to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. It is convenient to visit the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Spot by air, a 40-minute flight to Jiuhuang (Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong) Airport.

  Chengdu Flights (brief introduction & flight search)
 

As the largest railway hub in southwest China, the city has convenient railway transportation. At present, it has three railway stations for passenger transport: Chengdu Railway Station, East Railway Station, Chengdu West Railway Station and South Railway Station

Chengdu Railway Station
Chengdu Railway Station
Train for Chengdu
Platform at Railway Station
This city has several main coach stations transferring passengers within or outside Sichuan Province, including Xinnanmen Bus Station (Tourism Bus Center), Chadianzi Bus Station, Tianfu Airport Bus Station, East Railway Station Bus Station, Beimen (North Gate) Bus Station.
 
Chengdu Metro
Metro Station
Currently, Chengdu metro line 1, line 2, line 3, line 4, line 5, line 6, line 7, line 8, line 9line 10, line 17 and line 18 are in operation. Passengers can take line 1 from Weijianian to Science City via North Railway Station, Tianfu Square, Sichuan Gymnasium, South Railway Station, Jincheng Plaza and other places in the city. Line 2 can take travelers to Chadianzi Bus Station, People's Park, Chunxi Road, East Railway Station, Institute of Public Administration and other areas. Line 3 runs between Taipingyuan and Military General Hospital, passing Chunxi Road, Chengdu Zoo, Xinnanmen Bus Station and Zhaojue Temple. Line 4 connects Xihe and Wansheng, passing some popular scenic areas like Wide and Narrow Alley, Sichuan Museum and Cultural Park.

Linking Huagui Road and Huilong, metro line 5 has 41 stations stretching around 49 kilometers. Line 6 links Wanggongci and Lanjiagou, covering Southwest Jiaotong University and Renmin Road North. Line 7 passes South Railway Station, East Railway Station and North City Bus Station with a duration of 66 minutes. Line 8 travels between Lianhua and Shilidian. Line 9 connects Huangtianba and Financial City East via 13 stations. Chengdu metro line 10 links Taipingyuan and Xinping, passing Terminal 1 & Terminal 2 of Shuangliu International Airport. Line 17 links Jinxing and Jitouqiao, running in the northwest-southeast direction. Line 18 operates between South Railway Station and Tianfu Airport North, containing 9 stations. 
In addition, Line 13, Line 19, Line 27 and Line 30 will serve the public in the near future. 
 Metro Maps
 Public bus services extend in all directions. You can get to most of places, especially sights inside the city, by bus. The ticket fare is usually CNY 2. It is advised to take some loose change.
 Bus/ Metro Search
 Four sightseeing lines and some city tourist bus lines take visitors to most attractions in Chengdu downtown. There are also many direct tourist buses to famous attractions in nearby cities. 

Bus in Chengdu Taxis in Chengdu
 

Taxi

Hundreds of taxi stands are available in the city. Except hailing a taxi at a stand, it is also feasible to take one along the street. To shuttle around by cab, you’d better avoid the rush hours between 07:30 – 09:00 & 17:00 – 19:00. The taxi fare is as below:

Mileage Petrol Taxi Electronic Taxi
Daytime Nighttime Daytime Nighttime
Flag-down Rate for First 2km (1.2mi) CNY8  CNY9 CNY9 CNY10
2-10km (1.2-6mi) CNY1.9/km   CNY2.2/km CNY1.9/km CNY2.2/km
10-60km CNY2.85/km  CNY3.3/km CNY2.85/km CNY3.3/km
 

Riding a bike can be the best choice for a leisurely city tour. You can find many dockless bikes on the streets of Chengdu. Visitors just need to download bike sharing apps and finish the ID verification procedure to use these bikes. It usually costs CNY 0.5 - 1 for every 30 minutes.
 

Transportation to Other Cities

- Last updated on Apr. 16, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Chengdu Transportation
Asked by Marco from GERMANY | May. 13, 2024 07:36Reply
Visit of the Leshan Giant Buddah on Sunday (26.05)
Hi,

I like to visit the Leshan Giant Buddah on Sunday the 26.05 and want to ask, if the Chengdu Sightseeing Bus "Leshan Giant Buddha Round Line" is driving on this day? Is it right, that the bus leaves at Chunxi Rd (Exit C of Chunxi Rd. Metro Station) at 8:30 and drives back from the Leshan Giant Buddah at 16:30? And is there any possibility to reserve a seat or is it first come, first serve?
Asked by Lavi from THAILAND | May. 07, 2024 19:12Reply
from TFU airport to Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Tianfu Square Hotel
How to go from TFU airport to Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Tianfu Square Hotel by bus or other transportations ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | May. 08, 2024 23:36
00Reply


Take metro line 18 at the airport to South Railway Station, then transfer to line 1 to Jinjiang Hotel, Exit A out, then walk northward to the crossing the walk westward for 400m to find the hotel.
Asked by Stephie from MALAYSIA | Apr. 14, 2024 00:59Reply
Do they still accept cash on public transportation
Hi, Im planning to visit chengdu next month, if i would like to travel around the city using public transportation (eg: busses and metro), do they still accept cash?
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Apr. 16, 2024 17:52
00Reply


Yes. But you need take change for buses as they accept exact fare only.
Asked by Guest from SINGAPORE | Feb. 18, 2024 22:28Reply
Chengdu Panda Base to Sanxingdui Museum sightseeing bus
Hi, I tried to search on Wechat Lvqilin Jingqu Zhitongche but could not find any sightseeing bus from Chengdu Panda Base to Sanxingdui Museum. There is only transport from Kuanzhai Xiangzi City Terminal to Sanxingdui. Thanks.
Answers (1)
Answered by Lori | Feb. 19, 2024 17:53
00Reply


You can buy Chengdu Panda Base to Sanxingdui Museum bus tickets on the Wechat Chengdu Jingqu Zhitongche.
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