Chengdu soars with two major airports. Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), the new global hub, is located about 50km southeast of the city center – hop on the Chengdu Metro Airport Line for a smooth and efficient ride! It handles most international flights and a growing number of domestic routes across its sprawling Terminals 1 and 2.
Situated just 17km southwest of downtown, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) is quick and easy to reach, operating primarily domestic flights and some regional services from its compact and convenient Terminals 1 and 2.
Together, TFU and CTU connect you across China and to major destinations worldwide. Below, you’ll find essential information on navigating both airports and the easiest ways to travel to and from each.
Chengdu Airports & Terminals
Chengdu is served by two major airports: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU). Together, they form a comprehensive air hub connecting the city to destinations worldwide. Below is a summary of their terminal layouts and services.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
- Location: Approximately 17km southwest of downtown Chengdu.
- Terminals: Terminal 1: Primarily serves domestic flights. & Terminal 2: Handles both domestic and international flights.
- Well-connected to the city via Metro Line 10, taxis, and buses. Convenient for shorter layovers and domestic travel.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
- Location: About 50km southeast of downtown Chengdu.
- Terminals: Terminal 1 (Dedicated to international and regional flights) & Terminal 2 (Focuses on domestic operations)
- Accessible via the high-speed Chengdu Metro Airport Line (approx. 45 minutes from the city).
Chengdu Airport Arrivals & Departures
Source from Unsplash
Category | Chengdu Shuangliu Airport （CTU) | Chengdu Tianfu Airport (TFU) |
T2: International & some domestic flights | T2: Domestic flights | |
International: 3+ hours before flight | International: 3.5+ hours before flight | |
Peak Hours: 6:00-9:00 AM, 5:00-8:00 PM (both airports)
Transport Options:
- Metro: Line 10 (CTU), Line 18 (TFU)
- Inter-airport Transfer: Allow 4+ hours for 80km journey between CTU and TFU
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Chengdu Airport Duty Free Shops
Source from Unsplash
Chengdu’s two major airports, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), offer well-stocked duty-free shops for international travelers. Below is a detailed overview of what you can expect:
Chengdu Airport | 📍 Locations & Operating Hours
Airport | Shop Location | Operating Hours |
Chengdu Airport | 🛍️ Products & Brands
Both airports offer a wide selection of duty-free goods, including:
1. Perfumes & Cosmetics
- Luxury Brands: La Mer, La Prairie, Chanel, Dior, Estée Lauder, Shiseido
- Popular Fragrances: Gucci, Versace, Bvlgari, Chloe
2. Liquor & Tobacco
- Spirits: Hennessy, Macallan, Martell, Wuliangye, Moutai
- Wines: Bordeaux, Penfolds, Château Margaux
- Cigarettes: Marlboro, Chunghwa, Panda
3. Luxury Goods & Accessories
- Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Prada, Gucci
- Travel Essentials: Samsonite luggage, Philips shavers
Chengdu Airport | 🛒 Shopping Tips
1. Eligibility: Only international passengers (with passport/boarding pass) can shop.
2. Payment Methods:
- CNY, USD, JPY (CTU departure only), HKD (CTU departure only)
- Credit Cards (Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay)
- Mobile Payments (Alipay/WeChat Pay)
3. Pre-order Online: Some retailers allow reservation & airport pickup.
4. Liquid Restrictions: Purchases over 100ml will be sealed for gate delivery.
Chengdu Airport | 🌏 Arrival vs. Departure Shopping
- Departure: Larger selection (cosmetics, luxury goods, liquor/tobacco).
- Arrival (CTU only): Focuses on liquor/tobacco & premium fragrances.
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How to get from Chengdu Airport to City
Source from Wikipedia
Transportation Options from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) to City Center
Mode of Transport | Route Details | Approx. Cost | Travel Time | Best For |
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Transportation Options from Chengdu Tianfu Airport (TFU) to City Center
Mode of Transport | Route Details | Approx. Cost | Travel Time | Best For |
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Important Notes:
- Confirm Your Airport: Double-check whether your flight operates from Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) or Chengdu Tianfu (TFU). The two airports are 80+ km apart.
- Traffic Advisory: Travel times may vary significantly during rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM).
- Payment: Ensure you have WeChat Pay or Alipay set up, as these are the primary payment methods for all transport options.
- TFU Distance: Note that Tianfu Airport is considerably farther from downtown, making the metro the most efficient option for most travelers.
Trip.com Car Hire Chengdu Airport
Source from Unsplash
Coverage: Available at both Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU).
Biggest Hurdle: You ABSOLUTELY MUST have a Chinese International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your home country driver's license. Rental agencies will not rent to you without it.
The Rental Process at Chengdu Airport
Pickup Location:
- CTU (Shuangliu): Rental counters are located in Terminals T1 and T2 arrivals halls. Note: After completing paperwork, you'll need to take a shuttle bus (5-15 minutes) to an off-site rental facility. This can be inconvenient when traveling with luggage.
- TFU (Tianfu): Counters are in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 arrivals. Some major companies have facilities within the airport parking structure, while others require a short shuttle ride to nearby lots.
Required Documents:
- Passport with valid Chinese visa
- Home country driver's license
- Chinese IDP (physical copy required)
- Credit card in the driver's name for payment and security deposit
Insurance & Fees:
- Basic insurance is included in rental rates
- Consider adding Super CDW to reduce your deductible to ¥0
- Security deposit: ¥3,000-15,000 (higher for luxury vehicles) will be blocked on your credit card
- Use a credit card, not debit, for the deposit
- Optional daily "toll pass" fee (¥50-80) for ETC device - you can decline this if staying within Chengdu city center
Vehicle Return:
- Return with full fuel tank or pay agency markup prices plus service fee
- Both CTU and TFU have gas stations near the rental return facilities
- Deposit refund typically takes 7-14 business days to process
The Map of Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU)
Credit: ChinaAirline Travel
The Map of Chengdu Tianfu Airport (TFU)
Credit: ChinaAirline Travel
Hotels Near Chengdu Airport
FAQs about Chengdu Airport
Which terminal is international at Chengdu Tianfu?
Terminal 1 Chengdu Tianfu International Airport(TFU) Terminal 1 mainly serves international flights, which is located 500 metres west of Terminal 2. Terminal 1 covers 33,7200 square metres and has four floors.How do I get from Chengdu Tianfu airport to the city?
To travel from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) to the city center, you can use the Chengdu Metro Line 18 (fastest), shuttle buses, or a taxi. The subway takes about 35-50 minutes via the express or regular Line 18, shuttle buses take about an hour, and taxis offer a direct 1 to 1.5-hour ride.Is TFU airport the same as CTU?
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) is better for most travelers as it is the main international hub with more flights, amenities, and connectivity. Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) is newer but farther from the city and has more new & long-haul routes.