Transport
Move through the city without the guesswork
Chengdu's metro is excellent, DiDi is easy once it is set up, and the airports are far apart. These guides cover the details that matter.
Most visitors can rely on the metro and DiDi. The metro is cheap, signed in English, and predictable; DiDi handles door-to-door trips and luggage. The main friction is payment setup, not the transport itself.
If you are arriving at Tianfu, allow more time than you think. If you are taking a high-speed train, check the station name carefully — Chengdu has several.
Getting around
Start with this one
30–45 min by car; Line 10 by metro
Chengdu airport transfers
Tianfu or Shuangliu, metro or taxi: how to choose, what it costs, and how much time to allow for the transfer into central Chengdu.
About CNY 2–10
Chengdu metro
A large, clean, English-signed metro network that is the easiest way to cross Chengdu — if you avoid rush hour and learn the payment app.
CNY 10–25 by DiDi or taxi
DiDi and taxis in Chengdu
The easiest door-to-door option in Chengdu, if you set up the app, use the right pickup point, and have your destination written in Chinese.
Chengdu East
High-speed rail from Chengdu
Chengdu is a high-speed rail hub: book with your passport, use Chengdu East or South, and reach Chongqing, Leshan, or Xi'an without flying.