Chengdu Tianfu Airport (TFU) to City Center Guide (2026): Metro Line 18, 24h Bus & DiDi Pickup
TFU Airport to Downtown Chengdu (Chunxi Road / Taikoo Li) Options
| Route / Option | Duration | Est. Cost | Friction | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 18 Direct Express (直达快车) -> South Railway Station + Line 1 | 37 mins (Express) + 18 mins Line 1 | ¥11 ($1.55) | Medium (1 Transfer) | Daytime travelers with 1 carry-on or medium suitcase (06:00–23:30) |
| TFU Airport Bus Line 1 (24-Hour Nonstop to Chunxi Road / IFS Panda) | 65 – 80 mins | ¥15 day / ¥25 after midnight ($2.10–$3.50) | Low (Door-to-Door) | Late-night international arrivals (00:00–05:30) staying near Chunxi Road |
| High-Speed Train from Tianfu Airport Station -> Chengdu East Station | 26 mins rail + 20 mins taxi | ¥22 – ¥28 ($3.50) | Medium (1 Transfer) | Connecting immediately to Chongqing, Leshan, or Jiuzhaigou trains |
| Pre-Booked Private Airport Meet & Greet / DiDi Express | 55 – 65 mins door-to-door | ¥160 – ¥240 ($23–$34) | Low (Door-to-Door) | Families, 2+ large suitcases, or arrivals exhausted after long-haul flights |
1. Terminal 1 vs. Terminal 2 & The Metro Line 18 Express Secret
All international and Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan flights arrive at TFU Terminal 1 (T1), while domestic flights use Terminal 2 (T2). Follow the underground signs for "Metro Line 18 / 19 (地铁18/19号线)" between T1 and T2.
Look closely at the overhead LED screens on the Line 18 platform: in addition to regular all-stop trains (52 minutes to South Railway Station), Chengdu Metro runs dark-teal NONSTOP EXPRESS trains (直达快车) roughly every 30–60 minutes that skip intermediate suburban stops and reach South Railway Station in just 37 minutes.
Insider Dispatch Tip:
Never confuse Tianfu Airport (TFU) with Shuangliu Airport (CTU) when booking your departure DiDi! They are 70 km apart. Even if you take Metro Line 19, switching between the two airports takes 30 minutes on the express train.
2. Landing After 23:30? Take the 24-Hour IFS / Chunxi Road Bus or Private Car
Many flights from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, and Doha land at TFU between 23:00 and 02:00. Once Metro Line 18 closes at 23:30, walk to Gate 12 on Level 1 of Terminal 1 for Airport Bus Line 1, which runs 24 hours a day straight to the iconic climbing-panda sculpture at IFS / Chunxi Road.
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Show-Your-Driver Bilingual Taxi & DiDi Flashcards
Tap Enlarge for Driver in a taxi, or save as an offline A4 PDF before your flight.
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport Terminal 1
成都天府国际机场 T1航站楼（国际出发/到达）
Chéngdū Tiānfǔ Guójì Jīchǎng T-Yī
Double-check your flight code: TFU = Tianfu; CTU = Shuangliu.
Recommended Private Car & Instant-Book Day Tours
Chengdu 07:30 Giant Panda Base + Leshan Giant Buddha River Cruise Private Day Trip
Private Comfort Vehicle: 5-Seat EV Sedan / 7-Seat Executive MPV
Taking Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue + shuttle bus + intercity train to Leshan + taxi to the pier involves 6 separate legs in one day. A private car links the north side of Chengdu (Pandas) to southern Sichuan (Leshan) seamlessly.
- ✓ Arrives at Panda Base West/South Gate at 07:30 opening when pandas eat bamboo shoots (they sleep in AC rooms after 10:30 in summer)
- ✓ Afternoon drive to Leshan for the 30-minute panoramic river boat view (avoids the 2-hour cliffside staircase queue)
- ✓ Authentic Leshan sweet-skin duck (甜皮鸭) and Qiaojiao beef lunch stop in local old town
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taxi or DiDi cost from TFU Airport to downtown Chengdu?
A metered taxi or DiDi Express from TFU Terminal 1 to Chunxi Road / Taikoo Li costs ¥145–¥190 ($20–$27 USD) during the day, plus a ¥15–¥25 highway toll, and around ¥180–¥230 after 23:00.