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Chengdu Airport Guide – Shuangliu (CTU) & Tianfu (TFU) Transfer, Maps & Tips
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).
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)
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) |
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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).
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)
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
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).
Chengdu Tianfu Airport - Terminals & Facilities
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)
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.
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
Hotels near Chengdu Tianfu Airport
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