Hi there! I’m Dalia Xu, a 30-year-old female travel enthusiast with over a decade of globetrotting experience. Nature landscapes and hotel reviews are my passions—through years of journeys, I’ve honed a knack for distilling practical, user-friendly travel insights. Today, I’m thrilled to share this comprehensive guide to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), covering downtown transfers, key scenic spot connections, and in-terminal services to make your trip smooth and hassle-free.
Airport Basic Information Overview
- Airport Code: TFU
- Location: Lujia Town, Jianyang City (administered by Chengdu), Sichuan Province
- Core Distance: Approximately 50 km from downtown Chengdu (Jinli/Kuanzhai Alley); 60-80 minutes by car
- Terminal Distribution:
- Terminal 1 (T1) serves domestic flights of multiple airlines;
- Terminal 2 (T2) serves international flights and domestic flights of Sichuan Airlines, and is integrated with the transportation hub.
Comparative Analysis of 4 Intra-City Travel Options
| Travel Option | One-Way Travel Time | Price Range | Target Audience | Core Advantages | Notes |
| Metro Line 18 (Airport Express Line) | 30-50 mins (with transfer) | $2.12 – $2.83 | Budget-conscious travelers, solo visitors | Low cost, stable operation, wide coverage | Express service available during peak hours; check platform signs |
| Airport Shuttle Bus | 50-70 mins (by route) | $2.83 – $4.24 | Travelers to specific districts, small groups | Direct to key areas, sufficient luggage space | No advance booking; tickets via Alipay/WeChat QR code |
| Taxi | 60-80 mins (subject to traffic) | $21.19 – $33.91 | Travelers with large luggage, families, elderly | 24/7 door-to-door service, no transfers | Night surcharge (23:00-06:00); prone to rush-hour congestion |
| Ride-Hailing Services | 60-80 mins (subject to traffic) | $16.95 – $22.62 | Travelers preferring flexibility, online booking | Transparent pricing, selectable car models | Book 20-30 mins in advance; designated pickup areas |
Intra-City Transfer Details
1. Metro Line 18 (Most Cost-Effective)
As Chengdu’s dedicated airport metro line, it connects Tianfu Airport to downtown core, with express service during peak hours—ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
- Core Information
- Route: Tianfu Airport T1/T2 Station → Chaoyang Temple Station (transfer hub) → downtown stations via Line 1/2/7.
- Station Location: Located on the B1 floor of T1/T2 Terminal; follow the “Metro Line 18” guidance signs to find it.
- Operating Hours: Trains depart the airport from 06:00 to 23:30.
- Departure Interval: During peak hours (07:30-09:30, 17:30-19:30), the interval is 8-10 minutes per shift; during off-peak hours, it is 10-12 minutes per shift.
- Ticketing & Practical Details
- Ticketing Channels: You can buy tickets through station self-service machines, ticket counters, or the Alipay/WeChat mini-program “Chengdu Metro”.
- Child Policy: Children under 1.2 meters travel for free, and children between 1.2 and 1.5 meters enjoy a half-price discount.
- Key Tip: Express trains skip some stations, so please look for the “Express” labels on the platform screens to confirm.
- Fare & Travel Time Reference
| Destination | One-Way Fare (USD) | Estimated Travel Time |
| Chaoyang Temple Station (transfer hub) | $2.12 | 30 mins |
| Kuanzhai Alley (via Line 2 transfer) | $2.83 | 50 mins |
| Chunxi Road (via Line 1 transfer) | $2.83 | 45 mins |
| Chengdu East Railway Station (via Line 7 transfer) | $2.83 | 55 mins |
2. Airport Shuttle Bus (Wide Coverage)
Fixed routes to downtown key areas and transportation hubs, with direct access to scenic spots like Jinli—suitable for travelers heading to specific districts.
- Key Route Information
| Route Number | Terminus | Departure Time (T1/T2) | One-Way Fare (USD) | Passing Stations | Boarding Points |
| Line 1 | Chunxi Road (Downtown) | T1: 06:30-23:00; T2: 06:35-23:05 | $3.53 | Jinli, Kuanzhai Alley, Tianfu Square | T1 Exit 3; T2 Exit 5 |
| Line 2 | Chengdu East Railway Station | T1: 07:00-22:30; T2: 07:05-22:35 | $2.83 | Chaoyang Temple Metro Station, Chengdu Railway Station | T1 Exit 3; T2 Exit 5 |
| Special Line | Chengdu Panda Base | T1: 08:00-16:00; T2: 08:05-16:05 | $4.24 | Panda Avenue Metro Station | T1 Exit 3; T2 Exit 5 |
3. Taxi (Door-to-Door Convenience)
24-hour operation with no transfers, providing direct and comfortable travel—ideal for travelers with large luggage, families, or elderly companions.
- Waiting & Pricing
- Waiting Points: Official taxi queues are located at Exit 2 of T1 Terminal Arrival Hall and Exit 4 of T2 Terminal Arrival Hall; please queue as instructed.
- Pricing Standard:
- Daytime (06:00-23:00) starts at $1.98 for the first 3 km, $0.35 per km for 3-15 km, and $0.53 per km for distances over 15 km.
- Nighttime (23:00-06:00) applies a 20% surcharge on all fares.
- Fare Reference for Popular Destinations
| Destination | Daytime Fare Range (USD) | Nighttime Fare Range (USD) | Estimated Travel Time (Non-Peak) |
| Kuanzhai Alley | $21.19 – $28.26 | $25.43 – $33.91 | 60-80 mins |
| Chunxi Road | $22.62 – $29.67 | $26.86 – $35.33 | 65-85 mins |
| Chengdu East Railway Station | $18.98 – $25.44 | $22.78 – $30.53 | 55-75 mins |
4. Ride-Hailing Services (Flexible and Controllable)
Online booking with clear price estimates, supporting economy, business, and 7-seater car selection—avoids on-site queuing for flexible travel.
- Practical Information
- Recommended Platforms: DiDi Chuxing and Amap Dache are recommended, both of which support English operation interfaces.
- Pickup Points: The dedicated ride-hailing area is in P4 Parking Lot of T1 Terminal and Zone 2 on the Ground Floor of P8 Parking Lot of T2 Terminal; please follow the ground signs and app navigation.
- Practical Tips: It is recommended to book 20-30 minutes in advance, select the “Airport Pickup” option and bind your flight number to automatically sync flight delay information. Surge pricing may occur during rush hours (07:30-09:30, 17:30-19:30).
- Price Reference
| Destination | Fare Range (USD) | Estimated Travel Time (Non-Peak) |
| Chunxi Road | $16.95 – $22.62 | 60-80 mins |
| Kuanzhai Alley | $15.54 – $21.19 | 65-85 mins |
| Chengdu Panda Base | $26.87 – $33.91 | 45-65 mins |
Inter-City & Scenic Spot Connections
1. To Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
| Departure Terminal | Travel Mode | Route Details | Total Fare (USD) | Estimated Travel Time |
| T1 | Metro + Bus | Line 18 → Line 3 (Chaoyang Temple) → Bus 198 (Panda Avenue) | $2.83 | 1 hour 20 mins |
| Ride-Hailing | Direct to Panda Base | $28.26 – $35.33 | 50 mins | |
| Special Shuttle Bus | T1 Exit 3 → Panda Base (departs every 60 mins) | $4.24 | 1 hour | |
| T2 | Metro + Bus | Line 18 → Line 3 (Chaoyang Temple) → Bus 198 (Panda Avenue) | $2.83 | 1 hour 15 mins |
| Ride-Hailing | Direct to Panda Base | $26.87 – $33.91 | 45 mins | |
| Special Shuttle Bus | T2 Exit 5 → Panda Base (departs every 60 mins) | $4.24 | 55 mins |
2. To Jiuzhai Valley National Park
| Travel Option | Route Details | Total Fare (USD) | Estimated Travel Time | Notes |
| Recommended (Rail + Bus) | Line 18 → Chengdu East Railway Station → High-Speed Rail (Chengdu-Mianyang) → Long-Distance Bus (Mianyang-Jiuzhai) | $35.33 – $42.40 | 6-7 hours | Most time-saving; book high-speed rail 1-2 days in advance |
| Alternative (Direct Bus) | Tianfu Airport Bus Station → Jiuzhai Valley | $42.40 | 8-9 hours | Departs 08:00/10:00 daily; no advance booking |
3. To Huanglong Scenic Area
| Route Details | Total Fare (USD) | Estimated Travel Time | Key Tips |
| Line 18 → Chengdu East Railway Station → High-Speed Rail (Chengdu-Songpan) → Local Bus (Songpan-Huanglong) | $42.40 – $49.47 | 7-8 hours | No direct bus; high-speed rail tickets via 12306 app 1-2 days in advance |
4. To Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (SHA)
| Travel Option | Route Details | Total Fare (USD) | Estimated Travel Time |
| Most Cost-Effective | Line 18 → Line 1 (Chaoyang Temple) → Line 10 (Xinnanmen) → Shuangliu Airport | $2.83 | 1 hour 30 mins |
| Fastest | Ride-Hailing (direct) | $35.33 – $42.40 | 50-60 mins |
In-Terminal Practical Services
1. Terminal Transfer (T1 ↔ T2)
- Free Shuttle Bus: Operates 24 hours a day, with departures every 10 minutes from Exit 4 of T1 and Exit 6 of T2, and the journey takes about 15 minutes. This is the most convenient transfer method.
- Walking: Not recommended, as the distance between terminals exceeds 3 km, and the walking time takes more than 1 hour.
2. Key Service Information
| Service Type | Location | Details |
| Tax Refund | T2 International Arrival Hall Exit 2 | Show passport, tax refund form, purchased goods; process within 90 days |
| SIM Card Purchase | T1/T2 Arrival Hall (China Mobile/Unicom booths) | Passport required; 30-day data plan: $7.07-$10.60 |
| Payment App Assistance | T1/T2 Arrival Hall Information Desk | Help foreign travelers register Alipay/WeChat Pay (bind overseas credit cards) |
| Dining | T1/T2 Departure Hall 3F | Local snacks (hot pot, dandan noodles); 06:00-23:30; 24/7 fast food in T2 Arrival Hall |
| Duty-Free Shops | T2 International Departure Hall (after security) | Cosmetics, liquor, local specialties; tax-free limit $565/person; show passport & boarding pass |
| Luggage Storage | T1/T2 Arrival Hall B1 floor | Charged by size: $0.71-$1.41/item/4hrs; $2.83-$4.24/item/day |
| Currency Exchange | T2 International Arrival/Departure Hall | Supports USD, EUR, JPY; real-time exchange rate |
| Free WiFi | Whole airport | Network: “TFU-Free-WiFi”; login via mobile number (Chinese/foreign) or passport |
3. Overnight & Check-In Tips
- Overnight Rest Areas: Free rest areas are available at the B1 floor of T2 Arrival Hall with benches; paid lounges are located at the 3F of T2 Departure Hall, costing $14.13 for 4 hours.
- Tip: The airport temperature is about 22°C at night, so it is recommended to bring a blanket.
- Check-In Deadlines:
- For domestic flights, the counter closes 45 minutes before departure, and self-service check-in is available 1 hour before departure.
- For international flights, the counter closes 45 minutes before departure, and check-in starts 60 minutes before departure.
Traffic Congestion Tips
- Core Congestion Periods
- Morning Peak: 07:30-09:30 (airport to downtown, Tianfu Avenue busy)
- Evening Peak: 17:30-19:30 (downtown to airport, South Ring Road congested)
- Special Congestion: Weekends/holidays (09:00-11:00, 14:00-16:00) — tourist flow surges
- Avoidance Suggestions
- Rush-hour travel: Prioritize Metro Line 18 to bypass road congestion
- Railway station transfers: Arrive 1.2 hours early if taking taxis/rideshares; metro is more punctual
- Holiday travel: Book ride-hailing 1 hour in advance, or choose shuttle bus to avoid surge pricing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Arrived in the early morning, what transportation is available besides taxis?
A: Take the night shuttle bus (operates until last flight lands) to Chunxi Road/Chengdu East Railway Station, or wait for the first metro (06:00) in the terminal lounge.
Q: Traveling with a stroller or wheelchair, which transportation is most convenient?
A: Taxis, ride-hailing, or shuttle buses (all have barrier-free access); Metro Line 18 has elevators but some transfer stations need assistance.
Q: What if I miss the last metro?
A: Choose taxi/ride-hailing or consult the airport service desk for real-time night shuttle bus info.
Q: Can I book airport shuttle bus tickets in advance?
A: On-site purchase only (cash/QR code); special line to Panda Base has fixed schedules—arrive 10 mins early.
Dalia Xu
Dalia Xu is a 30-year-old female seasoned travel enthusiast
with over a decade of travel experience,
she has a passion for natural landscapes and hotel reviews.