Chengdu Airport Taxi Services: Availability And Tips

Chengdu, deemed China's happiest city, is served by two airports: Shuangliu International Airport and Tianfu International Airport. Both airports offer a range of transportation options to the city centre, including taxis. This article will focus on the availability of taxis at Chengdu's airports and provide essential information for travellers.

Taxi availability at Chengdu Airport

Chengdu Airport, also known as Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, is located 16-20 km southwest of downtown Chengdu. The airport has two terminals, T1 and T2, with taxi stands outside Gate 1 in T1 and Gates 4 and 5 in T2. Taxis are readily available during flight arrival times, but there may be long queues at late night hours.

The taxi fare from the airport to downtown Chengdu is typically between €8.60 (CNY 60) and €10 (CNY 70). The route you take from the airport will depend on your destination, but the fastest route is usually to take the S6 to Renmin South Road, which takes about 30 minutes without traffic.

Chengdu also has a well-developed transportation network within the city, with subways, city buses, and many other travel options. There are hundreds of taxi stands throughout Chengdu, and it is easy to flag down a taxi on the street. The city's taxis are easy to spot, as they are green with a taxi sign on top. If you prefer, you can also call a taxi company to request a pickup.

If you want to ensure a smooth arrival and avoid potential language barriers, you may consider pre-booking an English-speaking driver in advance. This option offers a flat rate with no hidden charges, and your driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals gate, ready to assist with your luggage.

Taxi costs from Chengdu Airport

Chengdu International Airport (CTU) is located around 20 km southwest of downtown Chengdu. The airport is easily accessible by taxi, with taxi services available 24/7 at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Official taxis can be found at the exit of the airport.

The cost of a taxi from Chengdu Airport will depend on your destination and the time of day you are travelling. Taxi fares are higher at night between the hours of 23:00 and 06:00.

A taxi from Chengdu Airport to Chengdu city centre usually costs between 80 and 100 CNY (approximately €8.60 to €10 or RMB60 to RMB70). The journey to the city centre takes around 25 to 30 minutes without traffic.

If you are travelling to the South Railway Station, the fare will be between 20 and 30 CNY. For other destinations, you can negotiate a flat rate with the driver or be charged based on a metered rate.

For example, a taxi from Chengdu Tianfu Airport to Chengdu City Centre (Tianfu Square) is estimated to cost RMB194 one way, while a trip to Chengdu East Railway Station is estimated to cost RMB160 one way.

You can also book private transfers in advance, which offer a fixed price and are available at competitive and affordable rates.

Taxi booking options at Chengdu Airport

Chengdu has two airports: Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and Tianfu International Airport (TFU). There are several taxi booking options at both airports.

Taxi booking options at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

Shuangliu International Airport is located around 16-20 km southwest of downtown Chengdu. There are plenty of taxis during flight arrival times, but there may be long queues at night. The taxi stands are located outside Gate 1 in Terminal 1 and Gates 4 and 5 in Terminal 2.

If you would prefer to book your taxi in advance, you can use a service like Welcome Pickups to book an English-speaking driver at a competitive flat rate. Your driver will meet you at the arrivals gate and take you directly to your accommodation.

Taxi booking options at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport

Tianfu International Airport is located around 50-65 km southeast of Chengdu's city centre. Taxis are available at this airport but are usually expensive.

As with Shuangliu International Airport, you can also book a taxi in advance for your arrival at Tianfu International Airport through a service like Welcome Pickups.

General taxi booking options in Chengdu

In Chengdu, you can hail a taxi from one of the many taxi stands or from the street. Chengdu's taxis are easy to spot as they are green with a taxi sign on top of the vehicle. You can also call a taxi company to request a pickup or pre-book a ride online. One number you can call is 028 962999.

Getting to Chengdu Airport

Chengdu has two international airports: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is 16-20km southwest of downtown Chengdu.

By Taxi

Taxis are readily available at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, but they can be expensive. The cost of a taxi to downtown Chengdu is around €8.60-€10 (CYN 60-70) during the day, and there is a surcharge for rides between 23:00 and 6:00. It is possible to negotiate a flat rate with your driver if you are travelling to a well-known destination.

By Subway

You can take the subway from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to downtown Chengdu on line 10, which runs from 6:30 am to 11 pm. You will need to transfer to line 3 or line 7 to reach downtown. The journey takes around 30-40 minutes.

By Train

There is a train station underneath Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, with direct trains to Leshan and Mount Emei. You can also take a train to Yibin, Mianyang, and Kunming.

By Bus

Shuttle buses are available from 6 am until 11 pm, but the number of buses has decreased since the opening of the subway. There is also an airport shuttle bus that runs 24 hours a day, with one bus every 30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 15 yuan during the day and 25 yuan at night.

Chengdu Tianfu International Airport

Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is 50-65km southeast of downtown Chengdu.

By Taxi

Taxis are available at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport but are usually expensive.

By Subway

You can take the metro from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport to Chengdu South Railway Station on line 18, and transfer to other metro lines from there. The metro runs every day from 6:20 am to 11:30 pm.

By Bus

There is an airport shuttle bus that runs 24 hours a day, with one bus every 30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs 15 yuan during the day and 25 yuan at night.

Taxi safety and complaints in Chengdu

Chengdu is considered a very safe destination for foreigners, and licensed taxis in Chengdu are the safest option for transportation. When taking a taxi, ensure the meter is turned on or agree upon a set price with your driver in advance. Chengdu taxis will either charge based on a metered rate or a flat rate that can be negotiated before starting your journey.

If an issue does arise, be sure to record the details of your ride, including the license number, the driver's name, the time and location of your journey, and keep your receipt. You can report the complaint to the taxi company or the local transportation authority, and you can request help from your hotel front desk if needed.

• Taxis may be harder to come by during rush hours.
• Have enough cash to pay your taxi fare, as most taxis won't accept foreign credit cards.
• If your driver doesn't speak English, have the name of your destination printed in Chinese beforehand. Your accommodation can also provide directions to the driver in Chinese.
• A fully accessible wheelchair taxi may be hard to come by in Chengdu. If you have a foldable wheelchair, regular taxi drivers will be happy to assist you, and you can store the wheelchair in the storage compartment or the back seat. You can also book a larger vehicle in advance with one of the Chengdu taxi companies for some extra space.

Frequently asked questions