For the majority of international visitors, “Chengdu Airport” stands as the principal entry point for venturing into Western China. However, it’s a common oversight that Chengdu is served by not one, but two primary airports—Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. This frequently results in disarray when arranging flights or planning travel schedules: Which airport will I touch down at? What differentiates them? How can I seamlessly access the city or make a connection? This guide meticulously addresses all queries pertaining to Shuangliu and Tianfu Airports, providing detailed and actionable advice—from choosing the appropriate airport to navigating transportation options and in-airport transfers—for a hassle-free beginning to your journey.
Pre-Departure Must-Know: Which Airport to Choose – Shuangliu or Tianfu?
The key to choosing an airport depends on your flight type and travel purpose. Understanding their core differences is the first step to smart planning.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport: The Preferred Choice for Convenience
As Chengdu’s long-standing air gateway, Shuangliu Airport’s biggest advantage is its proximity to the urban area, only about 16 kilometers away. Whether taking the metro, taxi or airport bus, you can usually reach popular downtown areas in 30 to 50 minutes. It mainly operates numerous domestic routes, regional routes to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, as well as some short-haul international routes to Asia. If your main itinerary is concentrated in downtown Chengdu or surrounding areas of Sichuan Province, or if you are taking a domestic flight in China, choosing Shuangliu Airport can save you a lot of time on round-trip transportation.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport: International Hub & Future Center
Tianfu Airport is a brand-new international aviation hub, opened in 2021. It is larger in scale and equipped with newer facilities, but farther from the urban area, about 50 kilometers, and the journey to the downtown area takes approximately 60 to 80 minutes. Currently, most long-haul international flights to and from Europe, the Americas and Africa, as well as more and more domestic flights, have been transferred to Tianfu Airport for operation. Therefore, if you are flying directly to Chengdu from overseas, or purchasing an international connecting flight to transfer in China, you are most likely to land at Tianfu Airport.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
Simple Rule to Remember: Choose Shuangliu for downtown convenience; choose Tianfu for long-haul international flights or connecting transfers. After purchasing your ticket, please confirm the airport code again: Shuangliu is CTU, Tianfu is TFU. This is the most important step to avoid mistakes.
From Airport to Downtown: Comprehensive Analysis of Four Transportation Methods
After confirming your arrival airport, the next step is to choose the most suitable transportation method to enter the downtown area. Below is a practical comparison of options for both airports.
Metro: The Most Stable & Cost-Effective Recommended Choice
- To/From Shuangliu Airport: The most convenient way is to take Metro Line 10. It has a station underground in the airport terminal, which can directly reach the downtown area such as “Taipingyuan” Station for transfers to other lines, leading to core areas like Chunxi Road and railway stations. The fare is low and it is completely unaffected by road traffic.
- To/From Tianfu Airport: Taking Metro Line 18 is highly recommended. This is an airport express line designed with a speed of 160 kilometers per hour, divided into “all-station stop” regular trains and “express trains” that only stop at major stations. Taking the express train, you can reach Chengdu South Railway Station from Tianfu Airport in as fast as 33 minutes, making it the fastest and most punctual public transportation method connecting to the downtown area.
Airport Shuttle Bus: A Cost-Effective Point-to-Point Choice
Both airports operate multiple airport shuttle bus routes to different hubs in the city (such as Chunxi Road, Kuanzhai Alleys, Chengdu East Railway Station). The price is slightly higher than the metro, but it can directly reach popular locations. It should be noted that travel time will be affected by urban traffic conditions, especially during peak hours. Please be sure to reserve more sufficient time when traveling to Tianfu Airport.
Taxi & Ride-Hailing Services: Door-to-Door Convenience
This is the most worry-free way, especially suitable for travelers with large luggage or groups. Taking a taxi from Shuangliu Airport to the downtown area usually costs between CNY 60-100. Starting from the farther Tianfu Airport, the cost may reach CNY 150-250 or more. Both airports also have clear pick-up points for ride-hailing services (such as “Didi Chuxing”), and booking a car through a mobile app is equally convenient.
Important Reminder: How to Transfer Between the Two Airports?
If you need to switch between Shuangliu and Tianfu Airports due to flight connections (for example, arriving at Tianfu on an international flight and departing from Shuangliu on a subsequent domestic flight), this will be the most time-consuming link. There is a direct airport shuttle bus between the two airports, with a travel time of about 70-100 minutes, which is the most economical and direct choice. It is strongly recommended that you reserve at least 4-5 hours or more for such transfers to cope with luggage collection, traffic delays and re-completing procedures.
Metro Line 18 at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
In-Airport Practice: Check-In, Transfer & Practical Facilities
Familiarizing yourself with in-airport processes can make your experience more relaxed and avoid unnecessary haste.
International Flight Check-In & Immigration Procedures
When taking an international flight at a mainland China airport, it is recommended that you arrive at the airport 3 hours before the flight departure to complete check-in. International counters usually close 45-60 minutes before departure. Please be sure to reserve enough time for baggage check-in, immigration document inspection and security checks. The signage systems of both airports include Chinese and English, but checking the terminal floor plan on the airport official website in advance will make you more oriented.
Detailed Process for Domestic-International Transfers (Especially Applicable to Tianfu Airport)
This is the most common transfer scenario at Tianfu Airport. Assuming you arrive on an international flight and need to transfer to a domestic flight to another city, please follow these steps:
- Immigration & Baggage Claim: Follow the “Arrivals” signs, first go through Chinese border inspection, then proceed to the baggage carousel to collect all your checked luggage.
- Recheck-In: Take all your luggage to the corresponding domestic flight counter in the departure hall to complete the check-in procedures for the next flight and recheck your luggage.
- Security Check & Boarding: After completing the procedures, go through the domestic flight security check and proceed to your boarding gate.
Key Point: You need to complete the immigration procedures and collect your luggage first before starting the process for the next domestic trip. Therefore, even if you purchase a connecting ticket, it is recommended to reserve at least 3.5 hours for such transfers to ensure sufficient time.
Convenient Facilities & Services in the Airports
Both airports provide free Wi-Fi (you may need to receive a text message verification code via a Chinese mobile phone number when connecting, or seek assistance at the service counter), currency exchange points, a variety of dining options and shopping stores. As a new airport, Tianfu Airport has a more modern design, featuring landscape courtyards and more rest areas, providing a more comfortable waiting experience.
Departure Hall of Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Key Action Suggestions for Travelers
To ensure a seamless experience at Chengdu Airports, we have summarized the following golden rules:
- Confirm the airport code repeatedly: This is the foundation of all planning. After receiving your e-ticket, first confirm whether the departure and arrival airports are CTU (Shuangliu) or TFU (Tianfu).
- Reserve buffer time for transportation: When traveling to the airport or transferring between airports, especially involving transfers between the two airports, be sure to add at least one more hour of buffer to the time you think is sufficient.
- Prioritize metro travel: For independent travelers with limited time and budget, the Line 18 express train connecting Tianfu Airport and Line 10 connecting Shuangliu Airport are the optimal solutions that balance efficiency and cost.
- Prepare necessary tools in advance: It is recommended to download offline map apps (such as Baidu Maps) and real-time translation software before departure. They will be helpful assistants when you need to ask for directions or read Chinese signs.
Smooth Start to Your Journey from Chengdu
In essence, by familiarizing yourself with the distinct roles of Chengdu’s primary airports—Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport—and by selecting the most suitable mode of transport and connecting itinerary in advance, this bustling aviation hub can serve as a steadfast support for your exploration of China’s interior, rather than pose as an impassable barrier on your travels. Should you encounter any difficulties with inter-airport transfers or local transit arrangements, it would be advisable to seek guidance from an experienced local agency such as China Dragon Travel. They are equipped to offer expert transfer strategies and services, guaranteeing a seamless and stress-free journey. Here’s to a smooth departure from the airport and an unforgettable travel experience on your 2026 visit to Chengdu!
