Chengdu Tianfu Airport to the City
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) is in Jianyang, southeast of Chengdu, much farther from Tianfu Square than Shuangliu. The usual ways into the city are Metro Line 18, high-speed rail from Tianfu Airport Station, a taxi or rideshare, and airport buses. All of those leave from the Ground Transportation Centre between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. This is not Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU).
Metro: Line 18 and Line 19
The stations are in the Ground Transportation Centre: Terminal 1&2 of Tianfu International Airport Station, and Tianfu International Airport North Station. Line 18 runs to Chengdu South Railway Station (transfer to Line 1 for Tianfu Square). The airport publishes a RMB 10 fare from Chengdu South to the Tianfu terminal stations. Express services skip intermediate stops; regular trains do not. Chengdu Metro’s service hotline is 028-61638000.
Line 19 is the airport-to-airport line toward Shuangliu. Express trains are the ones to use for a CTU connection; they are not a substitute for Line 18 into the city.
Buy a ticket or use a metro app / Tianfutong. Allow extra time with luggage; the walk from arrivals through the Ground Transportation Centre is longer than the walk to Joyhub.
High-speed rail
Tianfu Airport Station is under the Ground Transportation Centre. Trains to Chengdu East are the useful city hop when they match your time (often around half an hour). Tickets are sold through 12306; there is no walk-on guarantee. Jianyang South Railway Station is a different stop, about 16 km from the terminals, next to the Wanhui Center hotels.
Taxi, rideshare and buses
Official taxi ranks are at the Ground Transportation Centre. Plan on well over an hour to central Chengdu in normal traffic, longer at peak times, and a fare in the RMB 150 to 200 range is commonly quoted; confirm on the meter or in the app. Rideshare uses designated pick-up zones. Airport bus lines run toward the city and, at night, between the two airports; check the airport traffic pages for the current map, because routes and night surcharges change.
Show the driver 成都天府国际机场 if there is any confusion with Shuangliu.
Hotel transfers
Tianfu Joyhub Cheer Hotel and Tianfu Joyhub Air Hotel are a walk from the terminals, so you do not need a vehicle for the last stretch. Take A Nap Hotel is inside Terminal 2. Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Tianfu Airport Zone publishes a complimentary TFU shuttle (06:00 to 22:00 on IHG) and is 300 metres from Jianyang South. Ibis, Vienna and Hanting are in the same Wanhui Center area with listed hotel shuttles; confirm times.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a metro from Chengdu Tianfu Airport to the city?
Yes. Chengdu Metro Line 18 runs from Terminal 1&2 of Tianfu International Airport Station and Tianfu International Airport North Station to Chengdu South Railway Station. The airport's traffic page lists a RMB 10 fare from Chengdu South to the terminal stations. Express trains skip stops; regular trains call at all stations. Hours are typically 06:00 to 23:30; confirm on the day.
How do I get from Tianfu Airport to Shuangliu Airport?
Metro Line 19 connects the two airports. Express trains are published at about 30 minutes and about RMB 10, stopping at Shuangliu Airport Terminal 2 East and Terminal 1&2 of Tianfu International Airport Station. Regular Line 19 trains take longer. See also the Tianfu or Shuangliu guide.
Which Tianfu hotel is best if I also want to go into Chengdu?
If the priority is the terminals, stay at Joyhub Cheer or Joyhub Air and take Line 18 from the Ground Transportation Centre. If you arrive by high-speed rail at Jianyang South, Holiday Inn Express, Ibis, Vienna and Hanting are in that cluster. None of these hotels is in central Chengdu.
Information last verified: August 13, 2026