Chengdu's metro and buses serve many popular destinations. Start with the airport or station on your actual ticket, then plan city journeys and side trips. Fares, journey times, services and operating status below are reference information; re-check station closures, discounts and last trains before departure.
Airports and railway arrivals
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
- The airport is about 16 kilometres from the centre, with Line 10 reaching Taipingyuan in around 30 minutes for CNY 2–6. Night bus 1 to Chunxi Road and taxis around CNY 40–60 have also been listed. Check what is operating at your arrival time.
- Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
- Tianfu is about 50 kilometres away. A roughly 37-minute express on Line 18 to South Railway Station has been listed at CNY 10, and a 27-minute train to Chengdu East at CNY 20–34. The stated 23:30 last metro and CNY 200-plus taxi estimate are reference figures, not live information; check the day's timetable and fare.
- Transferring between the two airports
- For reference, a roughly 30-minute direct Line 19 service for CNY 10, a CNY 25 night bus, and a CNY 140–190 taxi including tolls. Check the distinction between direct and ordinary trains and the actual night-bus timetable.
- Chengdu East Railway Station and station names
- Line 2 takes about 20 minutes from Chengdu East to Chunxi Road. Chengdu Railway Station (North) has been listed as closed, but operating status can change: use the full station name on your ticket, 12306 and the latest station notice rather than the word Chengdu alone.
Getting around the city
- Metro
- The metro serves many major sights. Use Tianfutong or Alipay/WeChat transport codes; a 10% discount, CNY 2 starting fare and CNY 10–35 daily cost have been listed. Discount eligibility and costs are not universal guarantees; check your route.
- Bus
- Bus fares start around CNY 2 and are useful for places beyond the metro. Free or discounted metro-to-bus transfers within an hour may be available; eligibility depends on the actual ticket, payment method and local rules.
- Taxis and ride-hailing
- For reference, CNY 10–20 for short central trips and a starting fare around CNY 9. Use a licensed service, avoid touts outside airports and stations, and allow for traffic.
- Shared bicycles
- Useful for connections under about three kilometres. Consider weather, luggage, cycling infrastructure and designated parking, and follow local traffic rules.
Side trips and the panda base
- Dujiangyan and Qingcheng Mountain
- We recommend Line 2 to Xipu, then a roughly 30–40-minute intercity train to Qingchengshan or Lidui Park for about CNY 10; direct tourist buses from Chunxi Road are another option. For Dujiangyan, distinguish Lidui Park from Dujiangyan station and check the actual train service.
- Sanxingdui Museum
- Direct tourist buses from Chunxi Road or the panda base are listed at about 1.5 hours. For public transport, plan a rail journey to Guanghan North Railway Station followed by a local connection; it is not a Chengdu metro stop. Check the full rail-and-transfer itinerary and the bus operator before travelling.
- Chengdu panda base
- We recommend Line 3 to Junqu General Hospital, then official bus 409 or a shuttle to the West Gate. Avoid unsolicited three-wheelers and unlicensed cars at the metro exit; confirm the current shuttle route and boarding point.
Common transport pitfalls
- Allow for peak traffic
- Traffic around Chunxi Road, Kuanzhai Alley and the panda base can be heavy at peak times and holidays. Compare the metro when timing matters.
- Identify the actual bus operator
- Use the official Chengdu Bus mini-program or an authorized ticket office, and avoid touts and detours. A vehicle labelled 'direct tourist bus' is not automatically official.
- Check the last service yourself
- For reference, a last metro around 23:30 at Tianfu and night buses until about 04:30 at Shuangliu. Do not rely solely on those figures after a delay: check alternatives before departure and again on arrival.