What is the cheapest way from Tianfu Airport to central Chengdu?

Metro Line 18 from the station on level B1 under Terminals 1 and 2: CNY 10 to Chengdu South Railway Station, then a free transfer to Line 1 for Tianfu Square and Chunxi Road, roughly CNY 12 and 75 minutes in total.

Where do I catch the metro at Tianfu Airport?

Follow the 'Metro / 地铁' signs from arrivals down to level B1, to the 'Tianfu Airport T1·T2' station on Line 18. Trains run roughly 06:00 to 23:30.

Is the express Line 18 train more expensive than the local?

No. Express and local trains are both CNY 10 to Chengdu South Railway Station; the express just stops at fewer stations and takes about 35 minutes instead of 50.

How much is a taxi from Tianfu Airport to Chengdu?

About CNY 194 to Tianfu Square, since the airport is roughly 67 km south of the city — versus roughly CNY 12 on the metro. Unlicensed 'black taxi' touts in arrivals charge even more with no meter — avoid them.

How do I get to the city when the metro is closed?

Take the 24-hour Airport Shuttle Bus Line 1 to Chunxi Road for CNY 15 (CNY 25 between 23:30 and 06:00), a one-seat ride of about 80 minutes.

What is the best way from TFU to downtown Chengdu?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: Metro Line 18 to Chengdu South Railway Station, then Line 1 to Tianfu Square or Chunxi Road — about CNY 12 and 75 minutes in total.

How to get from Chengdu Tianfu Airport (TFU) to downtown Chengdu — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) into central Chengdu is Metro Line 18: it's CNY 10 from the airport station on level B1 to Chengdu South Railway Station, where you transfer to Line 1 for Tianfu Square and Chunxi Road in the city centre (about CNY 12 and 75 minutes in total, one continuous journey). The express and local trains cost the same, so take whichever comes. Don't grab a taxi — the airport is 67 km south, so a metered cab runs about CNY 194, and unlicensed touts in arrivals charge even more.

How to find it

AIRPORTChengdu Tianfu International Airport
01From arrivals in Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, follow the 'Metro / 地铁' signs down to level B1, to the 'Tianfu Airport T1·T2' station on Line 18 (a 5–10 minute walk).
02Buy a CNY 10 single-journey ticket to Chengdu South Railway Station at the machine, or use a Tianfu Tong card or the Alipay/WeChat metro QR, then tap in.
03Board Line 18 toward Chengdu South Railway Station (成都南站). The local train takes about 50 minutes; a marked express (快) stops at only 4 stations and does it in about 35 minutes for the same CNY 10 fare.
04At Chengdu South Railway Station, transfer to Line 1 (no need to re-buy) and ride toward the centre for Tianfu Square (天府广场) and the Chunxi Road (春熙路) area; tap out at your stop. The onward Line 1 leg adds a couple of yuan on the same journey, roughly CNY 12 in total.
CITY CENTREChengdu

Ticket

Chengdu Metro single-journey ticket, Line 18 (Tianfu Airport Express) to Chengdu South Railway Station

Where to buy: At the ticket vending machines in the metro station on level B1 under Terminals 1 and 2, or tap in with a Tianfu Tong card or the Alipay/WeChat 'Chengdu Metro' QR code.

How to pay: Machines take cash and mobile pay (Alipay/WeChat) and issue a token; tap or scan in at the gate and tap out at your destination. No paper ticket to validate separately.

Local's trick: Line 18's express (快) and local trains cost the same CNY 10, so take whichever comes first — but the express reaches Chengdu South in about 35 minutes. The transfer to Line 1 there is inside the paid area, so you don't re-buy; just tap out at your final stop. Scanning the Alipay or WeChat 'Chengdu Metro' QR at the gate skips the ticket-machine queue.

Trap to avoid: Tianfu Airport is about 67 km south of the city, so a metered taxi runs around CNY 194 and 75+ minutes to Tianfu Square, and unlicensed 'black taxi' touts who approach you in arrivals charge even more with no meter. Skip them — the metro is CNY 10.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
MetroCheapest route	CN¥10.00	1 h 15 min	Chengdu Metro single-journey ticket, Line 18 (Tianfu Airport Express) to Chengdu South Railway Station
Bus	CN¥15.00	1 h 20 min	Airport Shuttle Bus Line 1 to Chunxi Road (春熙路)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Tianfu Airport to central Chengdu?: Metro Line 18 from the station on level B1 under Terminals 1 and 2: CNY 10 to Chengdu South Railway Station, then a free transfer to Line 1 for Tianfu Square and Chunxi Road, roughly CNY 12 and 75 minutes in total.
Where do I catch the metro at Tianfu Airport?: Follow the 'Metro / 地铁' signs from arrivals down to level B1, to the 'Tianfu Airport T1·T2' station on Line 18. Trains run roughly 06:00 to 23:30.
Is the express Line 18 train more expensive than the local?: No. Express and local trains are both CNY 10 to Chengdu South Railway Station; the express just stops at fewer stations and takes about 35 minutes instead of 50.
How much is a taxi from Tianfu Airport to Chengdu?: About CNY 194 to Tianfu Square, since the airport is roughly 67 km south of the city — versus roughly CNY 12 on the metro. Unlicensed 'black taxi' touts in arrivals charge even more with no meter — avoid them.
How do I get to the city when the metro is closed?: Take the 24-hour Airport Shuttle Bus Line 1 to Chunxi Road for CNY 15 (CNY 25 between 23:30 and 06:00), a one-seat ride of about 80 minutes.
What is the best way from TFU to downtown Chengdu?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: Metro Line 18 to Chengdu South Railway Station, then Line 1 to Tianfu Square or Chunxi Road — about CNY 12 and 75 minutes in total.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.