Chengdu, considered the happiest city in China, is the perfect blend of ancient history and modernity. The city’s most famous draw is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can see pandas in their natural habitat. And be sure to bring your appetite when visiting; Chengdu is UNESCO’s first proclaimed ‘City of Gastronomy’.
The journey from Chengdu International Airport to Chengdu is around 20 kilometres. You can take a taxi, airport bus, or metro to transfer from Chengdu airport to the city. With an airport taxi, it takes around 40 minutes to reach the city centre without traffic and the fare is estimated to be somewhere between €8.60 (CYN 60) and €10 (CYN 70). Additionally, several airport buses pick up passengers from the airport and head to different locations in Chengdu. By bus, it takes around an hour to reach Chengdu city centre, and the fare costs from €1.42 (CYN 10) to €2.41 (CYN 17), depending on your route. You can also take the metro to reach the city centre in around 20 minutes. The fare for the metro from the Chengdu airport to Chengdu is just €0.71 (CYN 5).
3 options to go from Chengdu Airport to city center
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bus | €2.84 | 60min | 06:00–05:30 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Keep in mind, that once you reach your bus stop, you may have to do some additional walking or take a taxi the rest of the way to your accommodation, adding time and effort to your journey. | ||||||
Taxi | €8.60 | 40min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| We recommend sticking with licensed taxis from the airport taxi stands. Taxis are green with a taxi sign on the vehicle roof. | ||||||
Metro | €1.42 | 20min | 06:00–23:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Depending on where exactly you are headed, you may need to transfer to another line after taking Line 3, or instead of taking Line 3 at Taipingyuan, you may want to transfer to a different line sooner. | ||||||
Taking a taxi from Chengdu International Airport to the Chengdu centre is the easiest and most comfortable transfer option. Taxis are available 24/7 from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. You can also pre-book a ride with a top-rated company like Welcome Pickups for a fixed competitive rate you can rely on. The journey by taxi from Chengdu airport to Chengdu city centre takes around 40 minutes, depending on the traffic conditions. Unless you book your transfer in advance, the taxi fare will be based on a metered rate and is estimated to cost from €8.60 (CYN 60) to €10 (CYN 70).
Taxi fare from Chengdu airport to the City Centre
Taxi fares in Chengdu are based on a metered rate, but if you are travelling to a major point in the city such as railway stations and major tourist spots, you can also negotiate a flat rate. Taxi fares may vary between the different Chengdu taxi companies but, more or less, the metered taxi fares during the day can be estimated by the following rates:
Base fare / first 2 km: €1.28 (CNY 9)
Price per kilometre – up to 10 km: €0.27 (CNY 1.90)
Price per kilometre – over 10 km: €0.40 (CNY 2.85)
Hourly rate for standing or waiting: €3.24 (CNY 22.80)
To go from the Chengdu airport (CTU), you should expect to pay around €8.60 (CYN 60) to €10 (CYN 70), however, you also have the option to book your taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups for a flat competitive rate with no hidden fees to avoid any surprises!
Where do I take a taxi from?
Taxis pick up passengers from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Chengdu airport. The taxi stand for Terminal 1 is just outside of Gate 02 on the arrivals level. If you are flying into Terminal 2, you can find the taxi stand near the crosswalk of the arrivals level.
Convenience
Taking a taxi is the most convenient and comfortable form of transportation from Chengdu airport to Chengdu city centre, especially if you are travelling with young children and/or lots of luggage. After landing at the airport, you can readily take a taxi directly to your accommodation, and you won’t have to worry about navigating public transportation.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreTo go from Chengdu international airport to the Chengdu city centre by bus, you can take airport buses No. 1, 2, or 3, depending on where your exact destination is. The journey to the centre by bus takes around an hour, and tickets cost up to €2.41 (CYN 17) per person.
The main stops the buses make are as follows:
Bus No. 1: US Consulate, Huaxi Dam, and the Minshan Hotel
Bus No. 2: North Railway Station and Tianfu Square
Bus No. 3: South Railway Station and East Railway Station
How much is the bus fare from Chengdu airport to Chengdu City Centre?
The ticket cost for a Chengdu airport bus depends on which bus you take and the stop you depart from. Ticket prices cost between €1.42 (CYN 10) and €2.41 (CYN 17) per person.
Buses are available from 6:00 to 5:30.
Where can I find the bus?
The airport buses stop at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. At Terminal 1, you can find the bus stop at Gate 2 of the arrivals level. The bus stop for Terminal 2 is at the Exit 2 platform on the arrivals level.
Convenience
The bus takes the longest to transfer from the Chengdu airport to the city centre. But, unlike the metro, you won’t have to worry about transferring lines to get to downtown Chengdu, and the bus is available throughout the night.
Timetables
Airport Buses
Useful Tips
The metro is the fastest transfer option to the Chengdu city centre from the airport. To make the journey, you will take Line 1 from either Terminal 1 or 2 to Taipingyuan, where you will then transfer to Line 3 to continue your journey to the city centre. The journey takes around 20 minutes, and the metro runs every 10 minutes from 6:00 to 23:00.
How much is the metro fare from the Chengdu airport to Chengdu City Centre?
Metro fares are determined by the distance travelled. The first 4 kilometres costs €0.28 (CYN 2), and each additional 4 kilometres costs €0.14 (CYN 1). To reach the centre, the total will be around €0.71 (CYN 5), depending on where you need to alight.
The Metro is available from 6:00 to 23:00.
Where can I find the metro?
The Line 10 metro picks up passengers from both airport terminals. At Terminal 1, you can find the metro stop on the first floor outside of Gate 01. At Terminal 2, the metro stop is on the basement level near the L2, L3, and L4 passages, close to the Terminal 2 parking.
Convenience
The metro is the cheapest and fastest option to get to the Chengdu city centre from the airport. However, you will need to transfer metro lines and you may need to do some additional walking to reach your final destination, and this may be a bit tricky if you are travelling with large luggage and/or young children.
Timetables
Chendu Metro
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
What’s the distance from Chengdu airport to the city centre?
The Chengdu airport is around 20 kilometres from the city centre. By taxi, it takes around 40 minutes to reach the centre, by metro, the journey takes around 20 minutes, and if you choose an airport bus, it takes around an hour.
How can I get from Chengdu airport to Chengdu’s central area?
A taxi is the easiest and most comfortable way to reach Chengdu’s city centre. A door-to-door taxi ride from Chengdu airport to your Chengdu accommodation in the city centre should take around 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the metro, which is another great option to get to the centre quickly, especially during rush hours. You can also take an airport bus, although that option takes around an hour to get from the airport to the city centre.
What’s the cost of a taxi from Chengdu International Airport to Chengdu?
Taxis generally charge based on a metered rate. Depending on where you are going, you may also be able to negotiate a flat rate with your driver. Typically, a ride from Chengdu airport to the city centre will cost around €8.60 (CYN 60) to €10 (CYN 70).
Transfer Options in Chengdu
FromChengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
ToLeshan
Chengdu Taxi - Prices and Useful Tips for Taxis in Chengdu
Chengdu Airport Taxi: Compare All Taxi Options & Prices