Chengdu ↔ Tianfu Airport by High-Speed Train: 26 Mins, ¥24
High-speed trains connect both Chengdu East Railway Station (成都东站, Chengdudong) and Chengdu South Railway Station (成都南站, Chengdunan) with Tianfu Airport Railway Station (天府机场站, Tianfujichang). Since the Chengdu–Yibin High-Speed Railway opened on December 26, 2023, the fastest trip is just 26 minutes for ¥24.
- Chengdu East (成都东) ↔ Tianfu Airport: 26–30 min, ~25 trains/day, ¥24–31 (2nd class)
- Chengdu South (成都南) ↔ Tianfu Airport: ~30–35 min, ¥20–30 (2nd class) — fewer trains than Chengdu East but useful if you’re staying in south Chengdu
- Railway line: Chengdu–Yibin High-Speed Railway (成宜高铁)
- Train types: C-category and G-category high-speed trains
- Station: Tianfu Airport Station is underground, directly beneath the GTC between T1 & T2 — Tianfujichang station guide here
 | Tianfu Airport to Chengdu train, Chengdu to Tianfu Airport train, Tianfu Airport to Chongqing train, Leshan to Tianfu Airport train, Shuangliu Airport to Tianfu Airport train, Emeishan to Tianfu Airport train |
 | Find hotels for foreigners near Tianfu Airport, Chengdu East Station, Chunxi Road, |
 | Chengdu metro network (Chinese only, English available on APP) |
 | Flights to or from Chengdu Tianfu Airport, Tianfu Airport Transfer Service |
Train Schedule & Fares
There are now ~25 high-speed trains daily running between Chengdu East and Tianfu Airport — a big jump from the initial 5 trains/day when the route first opened in December 2023. Chengdu South also has direct trains to the airport, though at lower frequency. Trains run from early morning to late evening in both directions.
| Route | Duration | Frequency | First Train | Last Train | 2nd Class | 1st Class | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu East → Tianfu Airport | 26–30 min | ~25/day | ~06:56 | ~22:00 | ¥24–31 | ¥38–50 | ¥82–105 |
| Tianfu Airport → Chengdu East | 26–30 min | ~25/day | ~07:00 | ~21:30 | ¥24–31 | ¥38–50 | ¥82–105 |
| Chengdu South → Tianfu Airport | ~30–35 min | Fewer trains | ~07:30 | ~20:00 | ¥20–30 | ¥32–48 | ¥72–98 |
| Tianfu Airport → Chengdu South | ~30–35 min | Fewer trains | ~08:00 | ~21:00 | ¥20–30 | ¥32–48 | ¥72–98 |
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For a live schedule & ticket availability, refer to www.trip.com/trains/china/
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Which station should you use? Chengdu East is the main hub — more trains, earlier first departure, later last train. Chengdu South is smaller and more manageable, ideal if your hotel is in south Chengdu or near the Hi-Tech Zone (高新区). Both stations have metro connections (Line 2/7 at East; Line 1/7/18 at South).
Book your tickets online:
| Chengdu East → Tianfu Airport Train | Tianfu Airport → Chengdu East Train |
| Chengdu South → Tianfu Airport Train | Search All China Trains |
What the Journey Looks Like
The train travels on the Chengdu–Yibin High-Speed Railway, running through the eastern suburbs of Chengdu, past Tianfu Station (currently unopened, 暂缓开通) and Sanchahu, arriving at Tianfu Airport Station — an underground station built directly beneath the airport’s GTC (Ground Transportation Center). You never step outside — from train platform to airport check-in is all indoors.
Train ↔ Flight Transfer at Tianfu Airport
This is where the Tianfu Airport HSR station really shines. Tianfu Airport Railway Station (Tianfujichang) is located underground, directly inside the GTC (综合交通换乘中心) between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. See full station guide →
Navigating Chengdu East Station (成都东站)
Chengdu East Railway Station is Chengdu’s largest rail hub, located in Chenghua District (成华区). It’s a massive station — allow extra time if it’s your first visit.
- Metro connections: Line 2 (east–west) & Line 7 (circle line) — both stop right underneath the station
- Station layout: Trains depart from the upper level; arrivals come out on ground level. Follow signs carefully — the station has 26 platforms.
- Transfer to other trains: If you’re connecting to another train at Chengdu East, follow the “便捷换乘 / Transfer” signs — you can stay inside the station without exiting through security again.
- West Square vs. East Square: Metro exits on West Square side. If you need the airport bus (Line 4), it’s also on West Square.
See also: Chengdu East Railway Station Full Guide.
Navigating Chengdu South Station (成都南站)
Chengdu South Railway Station (Chengdunan) is smaller and easier to navigate than Chengdu East. Located in Wuhou District (武侯区), it’s closer to the Hi-Tech Zone and southern Chengdu.
- Metro connections: Line 1, Line 7, and Line 18 — all three converge here
- Station size: Much smaller than Chengdu East — 5 platforms vs. 26. You won’t get lost.
- Transfer: Same-station transfer available. Metro Line 18 express trains to TFU depart from here.
- Best for: Travelers staying in south Chengdu, Hi-Tech Zone, or near the New Century Global Center
Metro vs. Train to Chengdu City — Which Should You Choose?
Both the high-speed train and the metro connect TFU to Chengdu — but they serve different parts of the city and different needs. Here’s my honest comparison:
| Option | Time | Cost | Frequency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSR to Chengdu East | 26–30 min | ¥24–31 | Every 30–60 min | Connecting to another train; heading to east side of Chengdu |
| HSR to Chengdu South | ~30–35 min | ¥20–30 | Less frequent | South Chengdu, Hi-Tech Zone, Global Center area |
| Metro Line 18 Express | 33–37 min to South Station | ¥10–11 | Every ~8–10 min | South Chengdu; more frequent departures |
| Metro 18 → Line 1 to city center | ~50–60 min to Tianfu Square | ¥11 | Every ~8–10 min | Heading to Tianfu Square, Chunxi Road, central Chengdu |
| Taxi / Didi | 50–70 min | ~¥170–210 | Anytime | Heavy luggage, family with kids, late night (metro closes ~23:30) |
| Airport Bus Line 4 | ~50 min | ¥15–25 | Every 15–30 min | Budget direct to Chengdu East; late night when trains stop |
Jack’s take: If your final destination is Chengdu East or South Station (to catch another train), take the HSR — fastest and you’re already at the station. If you’re heading to central Chengdu (Tianfu Square, Chunxi Road, Kuanzhai Alley), the metro is usually more practical — no need to navigate a massive train station just to get on the metro again. For more: Tianfu Airport by Metro Line 18 | Airport Bus Lines.
Direct Trains from Tianfu Airport to Other Cities
Tianfu Airport has direct high-speed trains to several destinations beyond Chengdu — you don’t always need to transfer at Chengdu East or South.
Tianfu Airport → Chongqing (重庆)
There are direct trains from Tianfu Airport to both Chongqing West (重庆西) and Chongqing North (重庆北). If you’re flying into TFU but your real destination is Chongqing, you can skip Chengdu entirely.
- Tianfu Airport → Chongqing West: ~2h, ~3 trains/day, ¥120–160
- Tianfu Airport → Chongqing North: ~2h30, ~4 trains/day, ¥130–170
- Chongqing West → Tianfu Airport: ~1.5–2h (fastest 1h29), ~10–15 trains/day, ¥120–160
Jack’s tip: Flying into TFU and taking a direct train to Chongqing can be a smart routing — especially if TFU flights are cheaper than CKG flights. Just factor in the ~2h train ride plus transfer time. Full guide: Chongqing to Tianfu Airport by Train.
Tianfu Airport → Zigong (自贡), Yibin (宜宾), Luzhou (泸州)
The Chengdu–Yibin HSR runs south from Tianfu Airport, with direct trains to cities along the line. If you’re heading to southern Sichuan, check if a direct train exists before going into Chengdu to transfer back out.
- Zigong (自贡): ~30–40 min direct from Tianfu Airport
- Yibin (宜宾): ~1h direct — gateway to southern Sichuan and Yunnan connections
Connecting via Chengdu East or South to Other Destinations
For destinations not served by direct trains from Tianfu Airport, Chengdu East and Chengdu South are your transfer hubs. Here are the most popular onward routes for foreign travelers:
Leshan (乐山) & Emeishan (峨眉山)
For the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei — two of Sichuan’s UNESCO sites.
Direct trains exist but are very limited: There are 1–2 direct trains per day from Leshan and Emeishan that pass through Tianfu Airport (usually on the Luzhou-bound afternoon service). If the timing happens to line up with your flight, it’s the simplest option:
- Leshan → Tianfu Airport (direct): ~1h35, 1–2 trains/day
- Emeishan → Tianfu Airport (direct): ~1h50, 1–2 trains/day
Jack’s recommendation: Transfer at Chengdu East or Chengdu South instead. Don’t bet on that single direct train. Transferring gives you far more flexibility:
- Leshan → Chengdu East: ~1h, ¥54, 20+ trains/day — then Chengdu East → Tianfu Airport (26 min)
- Leshan → Chengdu South: ~1h, ¥50, 20+ trains/day — then Chengdu South → Tianfu Airport (~30 min)
- Emeishan → Chengdu East: ~1.5h, ¥65, 20+ trains/day — then Chengdu East → Tianfu Airport (26 min)
- Emeishan → Chengdu South: ~1.5h, ¥60, 20+ trains/day — then Chengdu South → Tianfu Airport (~30 min)
- At either station, follow transfer signs — stay inside, no need to exit through security
- Total: ~2–2.5h including transfer — leave your scenic spot by early afternoon for an evening flight
| Leshan → Tianfu Airport Train | Emeishan → Tianfu Airport Train |
| Chengdu East → Leshan Train | Chengdu East → Emeishan Train |
Read: Leshan to Tianfu Airport Guide | Emeishan to Tianfu Airport Guide.
Huanglongjiuzhai (黄龙九寨) — Jiuzhaigou & Huanglong
The gateway to Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong Scenic Area via the Sichuan–Qinghai Railway.
- Chengdu East → Huanglongjiuzhai: ~2h, ¥140–180 (2nd class)
- After the train: ~2h bus to Jiuzhaigou Valley entrance, ~¥50
- Total from TFU: TFU → Chengdu East (26 min) → Huanglongjiuzhai (~2h) → bus (~2h) ≈ 5h door-to-door
Read: Tianfu Airport to Jiuzhaigou by Train + Bus.
No Direct Train to Tianfu Airport from Your City?
Not every city in Sichuan has direct trains to Tianfu Airport Station. If you’re coming from Leshan, Emeishan, Ya’an, Dujiangyan, Suining, Nanchong, Mianyang, or other regional cities, take a train to Chengdu East or Chengdu South first, then transfer to a Tianfu Airport train.
- Leshan/Emeishan → Chengdu East (~1–1.5h) or Chengdu South (~1h) → Tianfu Airport (26–35 min). A few direct trains exist — check the schedule first. Full guide: Leshan | Emeishan.
- Dujiangyan/Qingchengshan → Xipu Station via Chengguan Express → Metro 2 → Chengdu East or Line 1/7 → Chengdu South → Tianfu Airport. Full guide: Dujiangyan to Tianfu Airport.
- Ya’an → Chengdu East or South (~1h) → Tianfu Airport (26–35 min)
- Mianyang/Guangyuan → Chengdu East (~45 min / 1.5h) → Tianfu Airport (26 min)
- Nanchong/Suining → Chengdu East (~1.5h / 1h) → Tianfu Airport (26 min)
Hotels Near the Airport & Train Stations
Near Tianfu Airport
TFU is ~51 km from central Chengdu. If you have an early morning flight, or arrive on a late-night train, staying at an airport hotel saves you the 1-hour Didi ride.
Near Chengdu East Station
If you’re connecting through Chengdu East and have an early train the next morning:
Near Chengdu South Station
Smaller station area but convenient for south Chengdu:
Jack’s tip: If your flight lands after 23:00 and you need to be in the city the next morning, consider an airport hotel — metro Line 18 starts running around 06:00, and the first train to Chengdu East isn’t until ~07:00. A late-night Didi into the city costs ¥170–210 and takes 50–70 minutes. Alternatively, Airport Bus Lines 1, 2N, and 6 run 24/7 — ¥15–25 to get downtown overnight.
Related Articles on Chinatrain12306
- Tianfu Airport Railway Station Full Guide — station layout, all routes, every destination
- Tianfu Airport by Metro Line 18 — express train timetable & stops
- Chengdu Tianfu Airport Bus Lines — 6 lines, 24/7, ¥15–25
- Tianfu Airport to Chunxi Road — direct transport to downtown
- Chongqing to Tianfu Airport by Train — direct trains both directions
- Dujiangyan to Tianfu Airport — from the irrigation system & Qingchengshan
- Tianfu Airport to Panda Base — visiting the pandas from TFU
- Metro Line 19: Tianfu ↔ Shuangliu Airport Express — dual-airport metro
- Chengdu East Railway Station Guide — your main transfer hub
- Shuangliu Airport to Tianfu Airport by Train — reverse direction guide
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