Chengdu Shuangliu — Airport bus + city
Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) to Chengdu — Updated 2026
Chengdu has two airports: **Shuangliu (CTU)** — the older one closer to the city, primarily domestic + regional — and **Tianfu (TFU)** — the newer mega-airport south of Chengdu for international + Sichuan Airlines hub. This guide covers CTU. **Airport bus routes 1-9** connect Shuangliu to major Chengdu districts — Chunxi Road (¥10, 35 min), Tianfu Square (¥10, 30 min), Chengdu North + South railway stations (¥10, 40 min). Operate 06:30-23:00, every 20-30 minutes. **Metro Line 10** runs from the airport to Hua Xing terminus via Sichuan University in 30 minutes for just ¥2 — dramatically cheaper than the bus, with onward Metro Line 1/3/7 connections to anywhere in the city. Metro is the strong default; airport bus is the fallback for direct service to non-metro destinations.
Airport bus + city stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu Shuangliu T1+T2 | 0 min | Both terminals have airport bus + metro access |
| Wuhou Temple area | ~15 min | Tourist district |
| Tianfu Square | ~25 min | Central Chengdu, Metro Lines 1+2 |
| Chunxi Road | ~30 min | Shopping + nightlife district |
| Chengdu South Railway | ~40 min | High-speed rail to Chongqing + Kunming |
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Airport bus + city vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 10 | ¥2 | 30 min | Cheapest. Connects to Lines 1/3/7. Best for most. |
| Airport bus Line 1 (Chunxi) | ¥10 | 35 min | Direct to Chunxi Road shopping district. |
| Airport bus Line 2 (Tianfu Sq) | ¥10 | 30 min | Direct to central square. |
| Airport bus Line 5 (railway) | ¥10 | 40 min | Direct to Chengdu North/South railway stations. |
| DiDi (ride-hail) | ¥40-¥80 | 25-50 min | China's ride-hail. |
| Taxi (Shuangliu rank) | ¥50-¥80 | 25-50 min | Use only official airport rank. |
FAQ
Should I fly into Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) or Tianfu (TFU)?+
Domestic + some Asia regional → CTU. International + Sichuan Airlines long-haul → TFU. The two airports are 50 km apart with no direct rail — allow 90+ min between them by airport shuttle. Always confirm IATA code when booking — CTU and TFU are different airports.
Metro or bus from Chengdu Shuangliu?+
Metro Line 10 (¥2, 30 min) beats airport bus on cost + similar speed. Bus only wins for direct service to non-metro destinations (e.g. some hotels in Wuhou district, or direct to Chengdu South Railway). The metro station is directly under both T1 + T2 — follow signs to "Metro / 地铁".
How do I see the giant pandas from Chengdu airport?+
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is 25 km northeast of central Chengdu. From Shuangliu: Metro Line 10 to Tianfu Square (30 min), transfer to Line 3 + Line 7 (30 min) — total 60+ min. Easier: pre-booked taxi or DiDi direct from airport (¥120-¥180, 45-60 min, 35 km). Many tour operators offer airport-to-panda-base packages.
Late-night Chengdu Shuangliu bus?+
Airport bus routes run 06:30-23:00. Metro Line 10 runs roughly 06:30-23:00 (limited late service). After 23:00: DiDi (¥40-¥80) or taxi (¥50-¥80). Chengdu is generally a "late" city — restaurants + hotpot until midnight — so airport transit at 22:00 is normal + still busy.
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