Chengdu Airport Guide – Shuangliu (CTU) & Tianfu (TFU) Transfer, Maps & Tips

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by Bethy

April 17, 2025

AirportsChengduChengdu Airport
Chengdu Airport

About Chengdu Airports

Chengdu has 2 major airports: ​Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)​​ and the newer ​Tianfu International Airport (TFU)​.

  • Flying into Chengdu from overseas?​​ Most flights still use ​Shuangliu Airport (CTU)​—it’s closer (16km/~30 mins to downtown) and has better metro and food options.
  • But if you’re on certain domestic routes (especially budget airlines) or newer international/long-haul flights (like some to Southeast Asia), you might land at ​Tianfu Airport (TFU)​— but very far from city center (50km/2hr+ to downtown).
Chengdu Airports Guide | Shuangliu vs Tianfu

✈ Shuangliu Airport (CTU)

Chengdu's primary international gateway

  • 🏢 Terminals: 2 (T1 domestic, T2 international)
  • ✈️ Major Airlines: Air China, Sichuan Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines
  • 📊 Annual Traffic: 40M+ passengers, 300K+ flights (2023)
  • 📍 Location: 16km from downtown (~30 min drive)

✈ Tianfu Airport (TFU)

Chengdu's new airport, most for new routes

  • 🏢 Terminals: 3 (T1/T2 domestic, T3 international)
  • ✈️ Major Airlines: Spring Airlines, China Eastern, AirAsia, Scoot
  • 📊 Annual Traffic: 20M+ passengers, 150K+ flights (2023)
  • 📍 Location: 50km from downtown (~2 hour drive)
🎁 Search the cheapest flights to Chengdu and the best Chengdu hotels! Get connected fast with China eSIM.
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Chengdu Airport to Downtown - Shuangliu Airport vs Tianfu Airport

Chengdu Airport to Downtown - Shuangliu Airport vs Tianfu Airport

Credit: Wikipedia

Shuangliu is older but much closer to downtown (18km), with easy metro access (Lines 10/19) and mature nearby amenities—ideal for city trips.

Tianfu, opened in 2021, is sleek & huge (4F grade) but far (62km); while it offers modern facilities and metro Lines 18/19, late-night flights are tricky (expensive taxis, 2-3hr buses).

​What to Know​Shuangliu Airport (CTU)​​ | 18km (~35 mins)​Tianfu Airport (TFU) | ​62km (~1.5-2+ hrs)​
​Metro​Line 10 or 19 (35 mins, ¥5-10)Line 18 (express) or 19 (1 hr+, ¥10-15)
​Shuttle Bus​Lines 1-3 (¥10-17, 30-40 mins)Lines 1-5 (¥15-25*, 1-1.5 hrs)
*Daytime: ¥15; Night (23:30–6:00): ¥25*
​Taxi​¥50-70 (30-40 mins)¥150-200 (1-1.5 hrs)
​Other Options​City buses (¥1-2)High-speed train to Chengdu East (30 mins, ¥30)

If u are going to Chengdu from other cities in China, pls search China bullet train below!

🎁 Search the cheapest flights to Chengdu and the best Chengdu hotels! Get connected fast with China eSIM.

From Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Downtown​

​Distance:​​ ~18km | ​Travel Time:​​ 30–50 mins

From Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Downtown

Shuangliu Airport to Downtown​ | By Metro​

  • ​Line 10​ runs straight to downtown (Taipingyuan → swap to Line 3 for Tianfu Square/Panda Base).
  • ​Line 19​ connects to Tianfu Airport (if you’re transferring).
  • ​Cost: ¥5-10 | ​Time: 35 mins.
  • ​Hours: 6:00 AM–11:25 PM (last train from airport).

Shuangliu Airport to Downtown​ | ​By Shuttle Bus​

  • ​Daytime: Lines 1-3 go to Minshan Hotel, North Station, or East Station (¥10-17, 30-40 mins).
​Line​​Day Route​​Key Stops​​Hours​​Cost​
1Airport → Minshan HotelRenmin South Rd, Huaxi Dam6:30 AM–8:00 PM¥10
2Airport → North StationTianfu Square6:30 AM–8:00 PM¥17
3Airport → East StationSouth Railway Station7:00 AM–1:00 AM¥15
  • ​Night Buses: Run until 5:30 AM (¥25). Stops include Chunxi Road and Wuhou Shrine.
  • Where to ride Airport bus: T1: Gate No. and Gate No. 2 (1F) | T2: Exit 2 or Exit 4 Platform (1F)

Shuangliu Airport to Downtown​ | ​By Taxi​

  • ​Cost: ¥50-70 to downtown (Tianfu Square/Chunxi Road).
  • ​Pickup: T1 (Gate 2) or T2 (Gates 4-5).
  • ​Tip: Use ​Didi​ (China’s Uber) for fixed fares.

✅Grab your China eSIM now for instant, reliable data at the best price I've found!

🎁 Search the cheapest flights to Chengdu and the best Chengdu hotels! Get connected fast with China eSIM.

From Chengdu Tianfu Airport to Downtown​

Distance:​​ ~62km | ​Travel Time:​​ 1.5–2+ hours

From Chengdu Tianfu Airport to Downtown​

Opt for the express metro or train to save time. Late arrivals? Tianfu’s 24/7 shuttle buses or taxis are your only options (metro stops ~23:30).

​Tianfu is HUGE. Arrive ​3+ hours early​ if flying out—some gates are a 20-min walk from security.

Tianfu Airport to Downtown​ | ​By Metro​

  • ​Line 18 Express: Non-stop to South Railway Station (35 mins), then transfer to Line 1 for Tianfu Square.
  • ​Line 19: Connects to Shuangliu Airport (1 hr+).
  • ​Cost: ¥10-15 | ​Hours: 6:00 AM–11:30 PM.

Tianfu Airport to Downtown​ | ​By Shuttle Bus​

  • ​Lines 1-3​ run 24/7 to Chunxi Road, Jinsha Hub, or Chengdu Zoo (¥15-25).
  • ​Line 5​ connects to Shuangliu Airport after midnight.
​Line​Key​ Routes​​Key Stops​​Hours​​Cost​
1Airport → Chunxi Road24/7 serviceAll day¥15-25*
2Airport → Jinsha Hub24/7 serviceAll day¥15-25*
5Airport → Shuangliu AirportMidnight–5:00 AMNight only¥25

Day: ¥15 | Night: ¥25

Tianfu Airport to Downtown​ | ​By Taxi​

  • ​Cost: ¥150-200 (includes ¥40 highway toll).
  • ​Time: 1.5-2+ hrs (traffic-dependent).
  • ​Tip: Pre-book a car via Didi/Alipay to avoid scams.

Tianfu Airport to Downtown​ | ​By High-Speed Train​

  • Route: Tianfu Airport Station → Chengdu East Station.
  • ​Time: 30 mins | ​Cost: ¥30.
  • ​Frequency: Every 30 mins (6:00 AM–10:00 PM).
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Chengdu Shuangliu Airport - Terminals & Facilities

Chengdu Shuangliu Airport - Terminals & Facilities

Credit: ChinaAirline Travel

Shuangliu Airport | ​Terminal 1 (T1) Facilities​

  • ​1F (Arrivals)​:
    • Domestic/International baggage claim
    • Taxi stand (Gate 2/Gate 5)
    • Metro Line 10 (B1 level)
    • Currency exchange, SIM card kiosks
  • ​2F (Departures)​:
    • Check-in counters (A-D: Domestic, E-F: International)
    • Security check (separate for domestic/international)
    • Boarding gates (1-12 Domestic, 101-108 International)
    • Limited dining/shopping (1 café post-security)
  • ​3F: Airport offices (no passenger access)
🎁 Search the cheapest flights to Chengdu and the best Chengdu hotels! Get connected fast with China eSIM.
Chengdu Shuangliu Airport - Terminals & Facilities

Credit: ChinaAirline Travel

Shuangliu Airport | ​Terminal 2 (T2) Facilities​

  • ​1F/2F (Arrivals & Transfers)​:
    • Baggage claim (Domestic only)
    • Metro Lines 10 & 19 access
    • Taxi/bus stands
  • ​3F (Departures)​:
    • Check-in counters (Domestic only)
    • Security check
    • Boarding gates (larger walking distances)
    • More dining/shopping options
  • ​4F: Offices/commercial area
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Chengdu Shuangliu Airport - Arrivals/Departures Guide

Chengdu Shuangliu Airport - Arrivals/Departures Guide

Credit: Unsplash

Shuangliu Airport | ​Arrival Guide​

  • ​Follow signs​ to baggage claim (T1: 1F; T2: 1F/2F).
  • ​International arrivals: Clear immigration/customs (T1 only).
  • ​Transport options:
    • ​Taxis: Outside arrivals (T1: Gate 2/5; T2: designated stands).
    • ​Metro: Lines 10 (T1/T2) or 19 (T2 only) to downtown.
    • ​Buses: Stops outside both terminals.

Shuangliu Airport | ​Departure Guide​

  • ​Check your terminal​ (T1 for some international flights).
  • ​Check-in:
    • T1: Domestic/International counters (2F).
    • T2: Domestic only (3F).
  • ​Security: Allow extra time for T2 (larger terminal).
  • ​Post-security: Confirm gate (T1: limited amenities; T2: more options).
🎁 Search the cheapest flights to Chengdu and the best Chengdu hotels! Get connected fast with China eSIM.

Chengdu Tianfu Airport - Terminals & Facilities

​

Chengdu Tianfu Airport (TFU) Terminals Guide

Credit: ChinaAirline Travel

Tianfu Airport ​Terminal 1 (T1) – International Flights​

​Facilities by Floor:​​

  • ​1F: Baggage claim, meeting point, taxis/buses
  • ​2F: Immigration, customs, APM train to T2 (free, 2-min ride)
  • ​3F: Int’l boarding gates, duty-free, lounges
  • ​4F: Check-in (68 counters), security, business area

​Key Info:​​
✔ ​Check-in: Opens 3hrs before flight (closes 50mins prior)
✔ ​To T2: Free APM train (B2) or 10-min walk (500m)

🎁 Search the cheapest flights to Chengdu and the best Chengdu hotels! Get connected fast with China eSIM.

Tianfu Airport Terminal 2 (T2) – Domestic Flights​

​Facilities by Floor:​​

  • ​1F/2F: Baggage claim, metro/bus stops
  • ​3F: Check-in, security, boarding gates
  • ​4F: Dining, shopping (more options than T1)

​Key Info:​​
✔ ​Metro: Line 18 to downtown (express: 35 mins, ¥10)
✔ ​Taxis: ¥150-200 to city (1-1.5hrs, toll fee extra)

Chengdu Tianfu Airport - Arrival/Departure Guide

​

Chengdu Tianfu Airport - Arrival/Departure Guide

Credit: ChinaAirline Travel

​Arriving at TFU?​​

  1. ​International (T1)​: Clear immigration (2F) → baggage claim (1F).
  2. ​Domestic (T2)​: Direct to baggage claim (1F/2F).
  3. ​Transport: Follow signs to metro/taxis (both terminals).

​Departing from TFU?​​

  • ​T1 (Int’l)​: Arrive ​3hrs early​ – long walks to gates!
  • ​T2 (Domestic)​: Arrive ​2hrs early; more food options post-security.
🎁 Search the cheapest flights to Chengdu and the best Chengdu hotels! Get connected fast with China eSIM.

Best Hotels near Chengdu Airports (With Shuttle/Pickup)​

​

For ​early flights or late arrivals, these hotels are ideal for convenience:

Hotels near Chengdu Shuangliu Airport

More Hotels near Shuangliu Airport

Hotels near Chengdu Tianfu Airport

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Bethy

Bethy

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Hey there! I’m Bethy (Huang Lan, 黄澜) – a travel enthusiast and content creator for Trip.com. I live as a digital nomad, mostly based in China, and I’ve also lived in awesome places across Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. I love traveling all over the world, sharing useful travel tips and guides for fellow wanderlusters. When I’m not on the road, I’m a huge cat lover and play guitar for fun~

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