Chengdu Transport Guide

Chengdu’s metro system covers the city with 14 lines. Starting in 2025, international Visa and Mastercard holders can tap their cards to enter stations (including bus stops).Direct Access to Attractions: Line 3, Panda Avenue Station (transfer to shuttle bus at the Panda Base); Line 4, Kuanzhai Alley Station; Lines 3/5, Gaoshengqiao Station (Wuhou Temple); Lines 1/2, Tianfu Square Station (Chengdu Museum); Line 4, Caotang North Road Station (Du Fu Thatched Cottage).Dujiangyan: Take the express train from Xipu Station—30 minutes, 10 yuan.

The starting fare is 8 yuan (2 km). Didi is integrated into Alipay. Short trips within the city cost 15–25 yuan. Taxis in Chengdu are inexpensive, but traffic can be heavy during rush hour. Restaurants recommended by taxi drivers are usually reliable (Chengdu locals are very honest when it comes to food), but it’s still a good idea to double-check them on Dianping.

Shuangliu Airport (CTU): Metro Line 10 goes directly to the city center in about 30 minutes; a taxi ride costs 50–80 yuan. Tianfu Airport (TFU): Metro Line 18 takes about 50–60 minutes; a taxi ride costs 150–200 yuan. Tianfu Airport is very far from the city center—about 60 kilometers away—so choose Shuangliu whenever possible.

Chengdu has three high-speed rail stations. Chengdu East Station: The largest, serving the Chengdu–Chongqing, Chengdu–Xi’an, and Chengdu–Guiyang high-speed rail lines; takes 20 minutes to reach the city center via Metro Line 2. Chengdu South Station: Serves the Chengdu–Kunming and Chengdu–Guiyang routes; takes 15 minutes to reach the city center via Metro Line 1. Chengdu West Station: Serves the Chengdu–Ya’an route. From Xipu Station, take the express train to Dujiangyan—30 minutes, 10 yuan.