Chengdu became one of the few cities in the world with two large international airports when Tianfu International Airport opened in 2021. If you’re flying to Chengdu, it’s now essential to check which airport your flight uses — because they’re on opposite sides of the city and the metro access from each works differently. Getting this wrong means a much longer and more expensive journey than expected.
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Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) — The Established One
Shuangliu (IATA: CTU) is the original international airport, about 16 km southwest of Chengdu city center. It’s been the main gateway since 1990 and still handles a large portion of both international and domestic traffic. Most visitors flying Air China, China Eastern, and various international carriers on routes that have been operating for years will arrive here.
Terminals: Shuangliu has two terminals — T1 and T2. T1 handles China Eastern and some domestic carriers. T2 is the larger international terminal, handling Air China, most international routes, and the remainder of domestic flights. They’re connected by a free shuttle bus.
The airport is manageable in size — not as sprawling as some of China’s super-hubs. Immigration at T2 for international flights typically takes 20–40 minutes.
Getting from Shuangliu to Chengdu City
Metro Line 10 connects directly from Shuangliu Airport to the main Chengdu metro network. Trains run from both T1 and T2 stations and connect to Taisheng Road Station (Line 3), from which you can reach most of central Chengdu. The journey to the city center takes about 30–40 minutes and costs ¥5–¥10.
More usefully, Line 10 connects to the Chengdu East Railway Station (高铁东站) with a transfer — important if you need to catch a high-speed train onward.
Taxis from Shuangliu to central Chengdu (Tianfu Square, Chunxi Road) typically cost ¥50–¥80 and take 25–45 minutes. Traffic heading into the city can be heavy in evening rush hours.
DiDi works well at Shuangliu. Pickup zones are designated at both terminals.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) — The New Giant
Tianfu International Airport (IATA: TFU) opened in June 2021, about 51 km southeast of central Chengdu, near the new Tianfu New Area development zone. When fully operational, it will be one of the largest airports in the world by capacity. Currently it handles selected China Eastern routes, some international flights, and is gradually receiving more traffic as airlines shift operations.
Why it matters for travelers: If your flight has been moved to TFU or is operated by China Eastern on newer routes, you’ll arrive significantly further from the city center. The distance is not insurmountable, but it requires planning.
Getting from Tianfu Airport to Chengdu City
Metro Line 18 is the key connection from TFU. It connects the airport to Tianfu New Area stations and eventually links to the broader Chengdu metro network. The journey to the main city center (Tianfu Square area) takes about 50–60 minutes total with a transfer.
Tianfu Airport Express — a dedicated high-speed rail connection between TFU and Chengdu city center stations is operational. The express rail takes approximately 30 minutes to central Chengdu stations. This is the fastest option and worth using if you have luggage and limited time.
Taxis from TFU to central Chengdu cost ¥150–¥250 given the 51 km distance. Allow 50–70 minutes, longer during rush hours.
How to Tell Which Airport Your Flight Uses
When booking, the airport code tells you everything:
- CTU = Shuangliu
- TFU = Tianfu
On Trip.com or Ctrip, the departure/arrival airport is listed clearly. On physical tickets and e-tickets, look for the city code. If you’re in doubt, search the specific route — most airlines list it clearly on their own websites.
The practical reality in 2026: Most international flights still go through Shuangliu (CTU). China Eastern is increasingly using Tianfu (TFU) for domestic routes and selected international ones. If you’re on Air China, Sichuan Airlines, or most foreign carriers, assume CTU unless told otherwise.
Transferring Between the Two Airports
If you arrive at one airport and need to depart from the other — say, arriving international at CTU and departing on a domestic China Eastern flight from TFU — you have options:
Highway: A direct expressway connects both airports. Taxi or chartered car takes about 45–60 minutes and costs ¥150–¥200.
Airport Shuttle Bus: Inter-airport shuttle buses run periodically. Check schedules at the information desk on arrival. Cost is around ¥70–¥90.
For this kind of transfer, allow 3–4 hours minimum between your international arrival and domestic departure. Clearing immigration, collecting bags, and making the transfer all takes time.
Practical Notes
For the Giant Panda Base: From Shuangliu (CTU), the easiest route is metro to the city center and then metro/taxi to the panda base — see our dedicated Chengdu metro guide for the specific route.
High altitude arrivals: Chengdu itself sits at about 500 meters, so no altitude concern flying in. If you’re continuing onward to higher destinations (Jiuzhaigou at 2,000m, Siguniang Mountain at 3,500m+), acclimatize carefully.
SIM cards: Available at both airports in arrivals. Shuangliu has a wider selection of providers.