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

by Bethy

April 17, 2025

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

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

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
1	Airport → Minshan Hotel	Renmin South Rd, Huaxi Dam	6:30 AM–8:00 PM	¥10
2	Airport → North Station	Tianfu Square	6:30 AM–8:00 PM	¥17
3	Airport → East Station	South Railway Station	7:00 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.

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From Chengdu Tianfu Airport to Downtown

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

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
1	Airport → Chunxi Road	24/7 service	All day	¥15-25*
2	Airport → Jinsha Hub	24/7 service	All day	¥15-25*
5	Airport → Shuangliu Airport	Midnight–5:00 AM	Night 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

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.

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

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

Credit: ChinaAirline Travel

Arriving at TFU?

International (T1): Clear immigration (2F) → baggage claim (1F).
Domestic (T2): Direct to baggage claim (1F/2F).
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

Holiday Inn Chengdu Airport (Shuangliu International Airport)

No. 62, Airport South Fourth Road | 13.72km from downtown

Breakfast

Airport pickup service

Gym

Parking

Spa

Wi-Fi

Check Availability

Minhang Julong Hotel

Middle Section of Jichang East 1st Road | 13.57km from downtown

Breakfast

Airport pickup service

Gym

Parking

Wi-Fi

Check Availability

More Hotels near Shuangliu Airport

Hotels near Chengdu Tianfu Airport

Fanjing Tianfu Hotel

No. 178, August Road, Jianyang City, Sichuan Province, China | 11.94km from downtown

Breakfast

Gym

Parking

Swimming Pools

Wi-Fi

Check Availability

Tianfu Youju Hotel (Chengdu Tianfu International Airport Branch)

No. 178, August Road, Caochi Street, Eastern New District | 11.97km from downtown

Breakfast

Gym

Parking

Swimming Pools

Wi-Fi

Check Availability

More Hotels near Tianfu Airport

FAQs about Chengdu Metro

Which Chengdu airport is better?
Which Chengdu airport is nearer to the city?
How do I get from Chengdu Airport to the city?

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