Chengdu Airports to the City: Shuangliu & Tianfu
How to get from Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) and Tianfu (TFU) airports into the city — metro, 24-hour buses and taxis, with times, prices and which to pick.
Chengdu has two airports, one near and one far, and knowing which you land at changes your plan. This guide covers Shuangliu (CTU) and Tianfu (TFU), with 2026 times and prices.
The two airports
| Shuangliu (CTU) | Tianfu (TFU) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from center | ~16 km | ~51 km |
| Fastest option | Metro Line 10, 25–50 min | Metro Line 18 express, 37 min |
| Cheapest option | Metro, ¥5–6 | Metro, ¥10–11 |
| Good for | Domestic flights | International + many domestic |
From Shuangliu Airport (CTU)
- Metro Line 10: to Taipingyuan and onward to Chunxi Road — about 25–50 minutes for ¥5–6. Runs roughly 6am–11pm. Most domestic flights arrive at T2, which has its own metro station.
- Night bus: a cheap option (¥2–3) from 9pm to 4:30am, at T2 Arrivals A.
- Taxi / ride-hailing: ¥60–100 to the center in 30–40 minutes — the easy pick with luggage or a group.
From Tianfu Airport (TFU)
- Metro Line 18: the express train reaches South Railway Station in about 37 minutes (regular ~50 min) for ¥10–11. Runs ~6am–11:30pm.
- Airport buses: five lines run 24 hours to Chunxi Road, Chengdu East station, Jinsha, Global Center and more — ¥15 day, ¥25 night, every ~30 min. Buy via the An Yi Bus or Chengdu Bus app, or at the counters.
- Taxi / ride-hailing: about ¥200 plus a toll and 60 minutes — worth it only for 3–4 people splitting the fare.
- High-speed rail: fast trains from Chengdu East toward the airport area suit travelers staying near that station.
Transferring between the airports
- Metro Line 19: about 30 minutes, ¥10, running 6am–11:30pm.
- Night bus 5: 0:00–5:00, ¥25, via Global Center.
- Taxi: 50–60 minutes, ¥150–200 — the airports are about 70km apart.
Which should you choose?
| Situation | Pick |
|---|---|
| Domestic flight at CTU | Metro Line 10, cheap and quick |
| International at TFU | Metro Line 18 express, or 24h bus |
| Late night / early morning | TFU’s 24h buses / night lines |
| Group with luggage | Taxi (CTU) or split taxi (TFU) |
Practical tips
- Use official channels only — the metro, official bus counters and licensed ride-hailing; skip anyone who approaches you in the terminal.
- Set up payment first: Alipay transit codes cover the metro and buses — see our payments guide.
- Know your hotel area: most stays cluster around Chunxi Road/Taikoo Li — see where to stay in Chengdu.
- Budget time from TFU: it’s the far airport — leave 60–90 minutes more than you think for the ride in.
- Metro help: our Chengdu guide covers the city’s transport.
Where this fits
Chengdu is the hub of the Sichuan route, a stop on the two-week route and the base for the food tour.
Fares and times as of August 2026, based on official Chengdu transport announcements — confirm current schedules before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Chengdu airport is closer to the city?
Shuangliu (CTU), about 16km southwest of the center, handles most domestic flights. Tianfu (TFU), about 51km southeast, is the main international gateway and the one to budget travel time for. If you have a choice and don't need international, CTU is far more convenient.
How do I get from Tianfu Airport (TFU) to the city?
The metro Line 18 is fastest — an express train takes about 37 minutes to South Railway Station for ¥10–11. There are also 24-hour airport bus lines (¥15 day / ¥25 night) to Chunxi Road, Chengdu East station and more. A taxi runs about ¥200 plus toll — only worth it for groups.
How do I get from Shuangliu Airport (CTU) to the city?
Metro Line 10 reaches Taipingyuan and the city in about 25–50 minutes for ¥5–6. Taxis to the center run ¥60–100 in 30–40 minutes. Note CTU's T1 and T2 are separate metro stations — most domestic flights use T2.
Do the airport buses run late?
Yes — Tianfu's five airport bus lines run 24 hours (¥15 day, ¥25 night, every ~30 min), and Shuangliu has a cheap night bus from 9pm to 4:30am. For early flights, metro Line 18's first trains start around 6am, so use the 5:55 express or a night bus.
How do I transfer between the two Chengdu airports?
Metro Line 19 links them in about 30 minutes (¥10), or the night airport bus 5 runs 0:00–5:00 (¥25). A taxi between them is about 50–60 minutes and ¥150–200. If you have a long layover, plan for this — the airports are ~70km apart.