Taxi vs Metro at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
Take Metro — recommended by locals over the alternative.
Side by side
| Factor | Taxi | Metro |
|---|---|---|
| Option | Official metered taxi | Metro Line 19/18 |
| Cost | ¥150–¥220 | ¥10–¥15 |
| Journey | 60–90 min | 55 min |
| Wait | 10–30 min queue | Every 5–10 min |
| Payment | Card & Cash | Card & Cash |
| Locals recommend |
- ✓ Metered
- ✓ Receipt
- ! Long queue
- ! Some drivers refuse short trips
- ✓ Reliable
- ✓ Beats traffic
- ! Transfer required
Scams to watch either way
- Black cab flat rate
Unmarked cars offer ¥300–¥500 flat fares inside arrivals.
Avoid: Only use the official metered queue outside the terminal.
- Long-route padding
Drivers loop via tollways to inflate fares.
Avoid: Use Didi for fixed pricing, or screenshot the expected route.
Frequently asked
Q.Taxi or Metro from TFU — which is better?
Metro — recommended by locals over the alternative. Metro Line 19/18: ¥10–¥15, 55 min.
Q.How much is Taxi from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport?
¥150–¥220 typical. Journey 60–90 min, wait 10–30 min queue. Payment: Card & Cash.
Q.How much is Metro from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport?
¥10–¥15 typical. Journey 55 min, wait Every 5–10 min. Payment: Card & Cash.
Q.What should I watch for on arrival at TFU?
Black cab flat rate: Unmarked cars offer ¥300–¥500 flat fares inside arrivals. — Only use the official metered queue outside the terminal.
Fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist, all transport options ranked, and every reported scam.