Transport · Airports · CTU
成都双流国际机场 · CTU / ZUUU. Chengdu's older airport closer to the city centre, now sharing traffic with Tianfu (TFU), with metro access and 144-hour Sichuan province transit exemption.
About this airport
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport has served Sichuan's capital since 1938 in various forms. Through the 2000s and 2010s it was one of the busiest airports in western China, handling the growth in tourism to the panda reserve, the UNESCO-listed Leshan and Emei sites, and the rapidly expanding Chengdu tech economy.
In 2021 the new Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) opened about 50 kilometres to the south, designed to become Chengdu's primary hub. The intention is for Shuangliu to eventually transition to domestic-only or specialist services, while Tianfu handles all international traffic. As of 2026 both airports continue operating mixed domestic and international schedules during the transition.
Shuangliu's advantages over Tianfu are proximity and metro connectivity. The city centre is accessible in 30 minutes, compared to over an hour from Tianfu. For short layovers where a quick trip into the city is possible, CTU is the easier option. Chengdu's food scene — arguably the best in China for Sichuan cuisine — is accessible within an hour even on a short transit, and the city's many tea houses near Renmin Park are a 40-minute ride from the airport.
Terminals
Two terminals: T1 (domestic) and T2 (domestic and international). Metro Line 10 (Airport Line) connects both terminals directly to the city's metro network. Note that since the opening of Tianfu (TFU) in 2021, Shuangliu handles a reduced proportion of Chengdu's total traffic.
Transit to the city
Metro Line 10 runs from T1 and T2 to the city centre (Century City, Shuangliu stations) in about 30 minutes (CNY 6). Taxis to Tianfu Square cost CNY 50–80. Shuangliu is closer to the city centre than the newer Tianfu airport.
Priority Pass lounges
Food
T2 has authentic Sichuan food stalls including mapo tofu rice boxes and dan dan noodles alongside standard chains. The spice levels at airport stalls are generally moderated for tourist traffic.
Sleep options
The Marriott Chengdu Airport is near but not connected to T2. Several budget hotels are in the Shuangliu area. For longer layovers, the city centre is 30 minutes away by metro.
Transit visa-free rules
Chengdu (CTU) holds a 144-hour TWOV for eligible nationalities, covering travel within Sichuan province.