How do you get from Chengdu airport to the city?

Shuangliu is the closer airport, about 15–20 kilometers southwest of central Chengdu. Metro Line 10 connects the airport to Taipingyuan, where you can transfer to Lines 3 and 7. A taxi or DiDi to Chunxi Road takes roughly 30–45 minutes and costs around CNY 80–130.

The metro is cheaper and more predictable during rush hour, but it involves a transfer with luggage. A taxi is easier if you have large bags or arrive late. Use the official queue, not drivers soliciting inside the terminal.

• Metro Line 10
• Taxi: 30–45 minutes
• Cost: CNY 80–130

Tianfu is far southeast, about 50 kilometers from the center. Metro Lines 18 and 19 connect the airport to the city, but most destinations require a transfer. Allow 60–90 minutes by metro or 50–80 minutes by car. A taxi costs roughly CNY 180–260.

Tianfu is a large airport; immigration and baggage can take time. Allow at least two hours from landing to hotel. If you arrive late at night, book a hotel near the airport or arrange a transfer in advance.

• Metro Lines 18/19
• Taxi: 50–80 minutes
• Cost: CNY 180–260

Confirm which airport your ticket uses before booking a hotel. Keep your hotel address in Chinese for the driver. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before landing so you can pay for the metro or a ride.

Airport buses are cheaper than taxis but slower and less frequent. They can be useful if your hotel is near a stop, but the metro or DiDi is simpler for most visitors.

• Confirm the airport
• Save the hotel address in Chinese
• Set up mobile payment before landing

Check the terminal on your ticket, not just the airport. Shuangliu and Tianfu both have separate terminals, and the walk from the metro or taxi drop-off to check-in can take 10–20 minutes in a large terminal. At Tianfu, allow extra time for the automated train or long corridors between the terminal and the metro station. For departures, arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight; add more at holiday peaks. Metro last-train times vary by line and terminal, so check the Chengdu Metro app or the station board on arrival day rather than relying on a guidebook.

If you land after the metro stops, the official taxi queue is usually the safest option. Confirm the queue is inside the terminal and ignore anyone offering a ride before you reach it. Tell your hotel your arrival time, especially after midnight, and ask whether check-in is staffed around the clock. If you take a DiDi, follow the signs to the designated pickup zone; drivers cannot stop at the terminal curb. Keep a screenshot of your hotel address in Chinese and a small amount of cash in case your payment app fails. Airport hotels often run shuttles on a schedule; confirm the last shuttle time and whether it leaves from the arrivals level.