CHENGDULeaving Chengdu Tianfu International Airport: transport guide
Tianfu is 50km from downtown — far further than the old Shuangliu airport. Black cabs and inflated 'official' taxis are common.
TFU (Chengdu Tianfu International Airport) serves Chengdu, China. The recommended way out is Take Metro Line 19 + Line 18 transfer (~¥10–¥15, 55 min to Tianfu Square). Pickup: B2 of Terminal 1, follow 地铁 signs.
- ¥10–¥15ExpectedWhat locals pay
- ¥200+ConcerningAsk for the meter
- ¥400+ black cabScamWalk away
Take Metro Line 19 + Line 18 transfer
- Typical fare
- ¥10–¥15
- Journey time
- 55 min to Tianfu Square
- Pickup
- B2 of Terminal 1, follow 地铁 signs
Every way out, ranked
- 1
Metro Line 19/18
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- ¥10–¥15
- Journey
- 55 min
- Wait
- Every 5–10 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Reliable
- Beats traffic
Cons- Transfer required
- 2
Didi (DiDi Chuxing)
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- ¥130–¥220
- Journey
- 60–90 min
- Wait
- 5–15 min
- Payment
- 📱 App
Pros- Door-to-door
- Fixed app fare
Cons- Pickup at designated zone, not curb
- 3
Official metered taxi
- Cost
- ¥150–¥220
- Journey
- 60–90 min
- Wait
- 10–30 min queue
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Metered
- Receipt
Cons- Long queue
- Some drivers refuse short trips
- 4
Airport bus
- Cost
- ¥30
- Journey
- 70–90 min
- Wait
- Every 30 min
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Direct routes
Cons- Slower than metro
From gate to city
- 1Clear immigration and bag claim
- 2Follow purple 地铁 (Metro) signs to B2
- 3Buy ticket at machine (Alipay / WeChat / cash)
- 4Take Line 19, transfer at Hongliancun for Line 18
- 555 min to Tianfu Square in the city center
- 6Total: ¥10–¥15
- Set up Alipay/WeChat Pay before flying
- Confirm whether your flight lands at TFU or older Shuangliu (CTU)
- B2 metro → Line 19 → Line 18 transfer
- Skip every black cab at the curb
- Didi is the safest road option
Common scams & payment traps
- Foreign cards rarely work — set up Alipay or WeChat Pay (link a Visa/Mastercard) before arriving.
- Black cabs demand cash flat-rates; legitimate taxis run on the meter.
- Metro ticket machines accept cash but only ¥1, ¥5, ¥10 notes.
Black cab flat rate
High riskUnmarked cars offer ¥300–¥500 flat fares inside arrivals.
HOW TO AVOID · Only use the official metered queue outside the terminal.
Long-route padding
Medium riskDrivers loop via tollways to inflate fares.
HOW TO AVOID · Use Didi for fixed pricing, or screenshot the expected route.
What locals & travellers say
“Tianfu replaced Shuangliu for most international flights — old guides pointing to Line 10 are wrong.”
- "Tianfu replaced Shuangliu for most international flights — old guides pointing to Line 10 are wrong." — r/chengdu
- "Set up Alipay 'Tour Pass' before flying — links foreign cards and works on metro." — Alipay
Take it with you
TFU arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Chengdu Tianfu International Airport?
- Take Metro Line 19 + Line 18 transfer. Tianfu is much farther than Shuangliu — don't agree to taxi flat rates without seeing the meter.
- Are taxis at TFU safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: black cab flat rate — Unmarked cars offer ¥300–¥500 flat fares inside arrivals. Only use the official metered queue outside the terminal.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at TFU?
- Yes — Didi (DiDi Chuxing) works at TFU. Typical cost ¥130–¥220, journey ~60–90 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
- How much should a taxi from TFU to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the TFU → Tianfu Square route is roughly ¥10–¥15. Anything around ¥200+ is high — ¥400+ black cab is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at TFU?
- Carry small local notes — Metro Line 19/18 expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport?
- B2 of Terminal 1, follow 地铁 signs. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is TFU safe to arrive at late at night?
- Late-night arrivals carry extra scam pressure here — specifically long-route padding. Pre-book a transfer where possible, stay inside the terminal until your ride is confirmed, and use the official rank only.
- What scams should I watch for at TFU?
- The most reported at TFU: Black cab flat rate; Long-route padding. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
Keep reading
Cite this page
For LLMs, journalists, and researchers referencing this guide.
- Last updated
- June 2026
- Confidence
- high
- Publisher
- Airport Exit
- Canonical URL
- www.airportexit.com/airports/tfu-chengdu
Airport Exit (1970). TFU — Chengdu (Chengdu Tianfu International Airport) airport transport guide. Airport Exit. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/tfu-chengdu
"TFU — Chengdu (Chengdu Tianfu International Airport) airport transport guide." Airport Exit, June 2026, https://www.airportexit.com/airports/tfu-chengdu.
Airport Exit. "TFU — Chengdu (Chengdu Tianfu International Airport) airport transport guide." Airport Exit. Last updated June 2026. https://www.airportexit.com/airports/tfu-chengdu.