Sichuan is a vast southwestern province of China renowned for its fiery cuisine, spectacular natural scenery, and rich cultural heritage. Home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Jiuzhaigou, Mount Emei, and the Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan captivates visitors with its dramatic landscapes ranging from lush river valleys to towering Tibetan-fringe highlands.
- Public
- Chengdu Metro is clean, modern, fast, and bilingual — the best way to get around the city. Bus routes are comprehensive but signage is Chinese-only.
- Taxi
- Use Didi exclusively — street-hailed taxis at tourist spots may not use meters. Download Didi before arrival and link a foreign card.
- Rental
- Car rental is not practical for foreign visitors without a Chinese license. Private car hire with an English-speaking driver ($80–180/day) is the best alternative for exploring western Sichuan.
- Walking
- Chengdu's city center around Chunxi Road, Tianfu Square, and the alley neighborhoods is very walkable and pedestrian-friendly.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $35–45 (Tianfu TFU), $20–28 (Shuangliu CTU); 45–60 min to city center
- Taxi Info
- Use Didi app to avoid overcharging; official taxi stands also available at both airports
- Shuttle
- $3–6, shared shuttle buses to multiple city destinations
- Shuttle Info
- Multiple shuttle bus routes serve different districts of Chengdu; check signage at arrivals
- Bus
- $1.50, Metro Line 18 from Tianfu Airport / Metro Line 10 from Shuangliu Airport
- Bus Info
- Metro is fastest for Shuangliu; Line 18 from Tianfu takes 40 min to central Chengdu
- Private
- $50–80, pre-booked private transfer from tour operators or hotels
- Private Info
- Book via your hotel concierge or Ctrip for airport pickup signs — reliable and stress-free
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Comprehensive bus network across Chengdu; $0.30 flat fare per journey
Alternatives
Metro (9 lines, bilingual), Didi (most practical for tourists), Hellobike shared bicycles ($0.30/30 min)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $0.50 base fare + $0.20/km (metered taxis inside Chengdu)
- Apps
- Didi Chuxing
- App Names
- Didi Chuxing — the dominant ride-hailing app in China
- Typical Fare
- $3–8 for average Chengdu city ride; $20–28 from Shuangliu Airport to city center
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Long-distance coaches from $5 (Dujiangyan) to $45 (Jiuzhaigou, 9–10 hours); depart from Chengdu's Xinnanmen or Chadianzi bus stations
Shared
Shared vans/taxis serve highland routes in western Sichuan; arrange through local guesthouses
Flights
Domestic flights from Chengdu to Kangding ($80–120) and Daocheng ($100–150); saves 8–12 hours of road travel
Private
Private car with driver from $80/day for regional sightseeing to $180/day for western highland routes
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Chengdu is the major transport hub of Sichuan with two international airports, extensive high-speed rail connections, and a growing metro network. Western Sichuan highlands are best reached by long-distance bus or private vehicle as rail links are limited. Domestic flights connect Chengdu to Daocheng Yading and Kangding airports in remote western areas.
Airports
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Jiuhuang Airport (Jiuzhaigou/Huanglong)
Kangding Airport
Daocheng Yading Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Didi Chuxing
Essential ride-hailing app; supports international credit cards; covers all of Sichuan cities
Ctrip / Trip.com
Book high-speed train tickets, flights, and long-distance buses; available in English
Alipay
Essential for paying metro tickets, shared bikes, and QR-code payments throughout Sichuan
Baidu Maps
Best mapping app for China — use instead of Google Maps (blocked); has transit and walking navigation
Hellobike
Shared bicycle app for city cycling in Chengdu; unlocked via WeChat or Alipay
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Didi Chuxing before arriving — link your international Visa/Mastercard in the app settings
Set up Alipay Tourist Edition to pay for metro tickets at ticket machines and transit apps
Buy high-speed train tickets on Ctrip/Trip.com in advance — they fill up during holidays
For western Sichuan multi-day routes (Kangding → Tagong → Daocheng), hiring a private driver is the only practical option for most travelers
The Jiuzhaigou shuttle bus system within the park is mandatory — personal vehicles are not permitted
Chengdu Metro Line 18 now connects directly to the new Tianfu International Airport — very convenient
Arrive at Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station (for western Sichuan) early — morning buses to highland areas sell out
The Chengdu Rail Transit app is available in English and shows real-time metro arrival times