Getting Around Chengdu
Chengdu is a major transportation hub in Western China with a well-developed public transit system. Visitors have multiple options for moving around the city, from metro and buses to taxis and ride-hailing services. The city is also walkable in its central areas, making it accessible for exploring on foot.
The Metro System
Chengdu's metro is the primary way for tourists to navigate the city. The system contains multiple lines that connect major destinations, railway stations, and airports. Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 18 all have interchange points with each other in the city center region, making transfers straightforward.
Line 1 runs north–south through the city center along major thoroughfares, connecting the North and South railway stations. Line 7 runs in a circle around the city and has interchanges with all other lines as well as the North, South, and East railway stations, making it useful for general orientation. Line 10 serves Shuangliu International Airport, while Line 18 serves Tianfu International Airport.
You can buy single-ride metro tickets from ticket vending machines, which have English-language options available and accept payment via WeChat and Alipay with foreign cards. Ticket booths also accept cash. A contactless metro card is available and offers a 10% discount on all journeys. When using the metro, you must pass your bags through an x-ray machine at entry points. Keep your ticket safe, as you need it to exit the system—insert it into the slot on the right side of the gate when leaving.
Buses and Bus Rapid Transit
Chengdu has an extensive bus network, including a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line that runs in a loop. Bus stops display lists of lines serving that location. Tickets cost ¥1 for non-air-conditioned buses (now very rare) and ¥2 for air-conditioned buses. Fares are paid in exact cash at a metal box next to the driver, and no change is given. Typically, you enter through the front door and exit through the rear, though newer articulated buses allow entry at either front or rear doors, with the middle door for exiting only.
Bus maps and announcements use Chinese characters and Chinese-language announcements, which can make navigation challenging for non-Chinese speakers. The aMaps smartphone app (Chinese version) can help plan bus routes by selecting destinations.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are readily available throughout Chengdu. Official taxis are marked in green-and-yellow or blue-and-yellow colors and can be hailed from the street or at official taxi stands. When taking a taxi, there is no extra charge for luggage or additional passengers. Use standard precautions to distinguish official taxis from unlicensed ones—if a driver is overly enthusiastic about picking you up, you may end up paying more.
Walkability
Central areas of Chengdu are walkable, making it practical to explore neighborhoods and attractions on foot. The city center is reasonably compact for a metropolis of its size.
Getting from the Airports to the City
Chengdu has two international airports. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, located about 14 kilometers southwest of the city center, traditionally served as the main airport but is being transitioned to handle mostly domestic routes. Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, located about 53 kilometers southeast of the city center, is newer and increasingly handles international services.
From Shuangliu International Airport
Metro Line 10 runs directly from Shuangliu Airport (with separate stations at Terminals 1 and 2) to Taipingyuan, where you can transfer to Metro Lines 3 and 7 for connections throughout the city. Single-ride metro tickets can be purchased from machines immediately before the ticket gates, which accept WeChat and Alipay with foreign cards and offer English-language interfaces.
Airport shuttle buses operate between the airport and the city center for ¥10–15. The main line stops at the Air China airline office in a side street off Renmin Nanlu, near the entrance of the Minshan Hotel. Service runs all day but is less frequent in the middle of the night.
Taxis from Shuangliu Airport to the city center average ¥45. When traveling from the city to the airport, add an additional ¥10 to account for tolls on the Airport Expressway. Queuing for marked taxis at the official stand in the domestic arrival area ensures you get an official, regulated vehicle.
From Tianfu International Airport
Metro Line 18 runs directly from Tianfu Airport to South Railway Station, where you can transfer to Metro Lines 1 and 7 for access to other parts of the city. A ticket to the city center (Tianfu Square) costs ¥11 as of October 2024. You can purchase tickets from machines at the station that accept WeChat and Alipay.
Metro Line 19 also connects Tianfu Airport to Shuangliu Airport, taking approximately 30 minutes, allowing transfer between the two airports if needed.
Airport shuttle buses operate between Tianfu Airport and the city center for ¥40. The main shuttle service starts at Chengdu IFS near Chunxilu subway station.
Taxis from Tianfu Airport to the city center are also available, though the greater distance makes the metro a more economical option for most visitors.
Intercity Travel
Chengdu has multiple railway stations serving different destinations. Chengdu Station (also called Chengdu North Station) handles most long-distance and high-speed train services, though it has been closed for expansion since October 2022 and is expected to reopen in 2026. Chengdu East Station serves local Sichuan destinations and some eastern and northern services. Chengdu South Station handles short-distance trains to nearby attractions. Chengdu West Station serves distances to Dujiangyan and Ya'an.
The Chengdu–Dujiangyan intercity railway operates like a metro service with low fares (highest fare ¥15), connecting Chengdu to nearby suburban destinations including Dujiangyan and Pengzhou.
Three bus stations serve different regional destinations: Chadiànzi, Xīnnánmén, and Wǔguìqiáo. The Xīnnánmén bus station has a nearby tourist information center offering free city maps and assistance with hotel transportation.