Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU), officially Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, is the older of the two international airports serving Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. It is in the north of Shuangliu District, only about 16 km south-west of central Chengdu, which puts it much closer to town than the newer Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU). Shuangliu has two passenger terminals, T1 and T2, and Metro Line 19 links it directly with Tianfu.

Because Chengdu has two airports, the first thing to check on any booking is the code. CTU means Shuangliu; TFU means Tianfu. This guide explains which airlines use T1 and T2 at Shuangliu, how to move between them, the metro and rail links, parking and the main services.

Terminals and airlines at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport

Air China, Shenzhen Airlines and Tibet Airlines appear at both T1 and T2, so if you fly with one of them, go by the terminal on your e-ticket.

T1 (Terminal 1)

T1 has the international check-in hall and handles the flights to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, as well as domestic services. These airlines use T1:

• Air China
• Air Macau
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• EVA Air
• Hong Kong Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Tibet Airlines

T2 (Terminal 2)

T2 has the domestic check-in hall. These airlines use T2:

• Air China
• Air China Inner Mongolia
• Chengdu Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• Dalian Airlines
• Hainan Airlines
• Loong Air
• Shandong Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines
• Spring Airlines
• Tibet Airlines

A temporary change is under way: some Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan flights are moving in batches from Tianfu to Shuangliu T1. Both Chengdu airports run flights on those routes for now, so confirm your airport and terminal before you travel.

Moving between T1 and T2

A free shuttle bus runs between the terminals. Board it outside door 3 of T1 on the south side platform, or outside door 9 of T2 on the north side platform. Walking takes about 8 to 10 minutes, and Metro Line 10 stops at both terminals too.

Getting to and from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport

Rail is the strong point at Shuangliu: metro lines, an intercity line and a high-speed line all stop beneath T2. Leave yourself a margin at busy times. Fares are shown at the station or the counter.

Metro Line 10

Line 10 runs from Wuhouci in the city through Shuangliu Airport T1 and T2 to Xinping. At T1, use exit 04 on the arrivals level or the entrance in the T1 car park. At T2, the station is on level B2, through passages L2 to L4, with more entrances in the T2 car park.

Metro Line 19 (to Tianfu Airport)

Line 19 leaves from Shuangliu Airport T2 East station on level B2, passage L3. It runs between Jinxing and Tianfu Airport North, calling at Tianfu Airport T1 and T2, which makes it the direct link between Chengdu's two airports.

Metro Line 30

Line 30 also starts at Shuangliu Airport T2 East, on level B2, and heads east to Longquanyi railway station south.

Intercity and high-speed rail

Shuangliu Airport railway station is under T2, on level B2 by passage L3. It is on the Chengdu to Mianyang and Leshan intercity line, which also serves Chengdu South and Chengdu East, and on the Chengdu to Guiyang high-speed line.

Taxis

At T1, the taxi rank is about 50 m south of door 6 on the arrivals level. At T2, follow the arrivals-level pedestrian crossing to the rank.

Parking at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport

There are car parks in front of T1 and in front of T2, with standard, accessible and coach bays and EV charging bays. Barriers read your number plate, so there is no ticket to keep. Car rental desks are in the T2 car park. Check the charges on site.

Facilities at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport

Lounge

A paid VIP lounge is run by the airport's VIP centre in zone F of T2. Ask your airline or the centre whether your ticket includes access.

Information desks and layout

Each terminal has information desks on both the departures and arrivals levels. At T1 the departures desk sits in the international check-in hall, and at T2 it is in the domestic check-in hall.

Food and drink

There are restaurants and cafes in the terminals. Outlets change, so see what is open when you get there.

Luggage storage

Left luggage is landside in both terminals: at T1 on the north side of security area B, and at T2 behind check-in island P.

Money exchange

You can change money in both terminals, next to security B at T1 and to the right of security DE at T2.

Airside electric carts

Electric carts run airside from the security areas to the piers. They are free for passengers aged 60 and over, small children, pregnant passengers, passengers with disabilities and those transferring.

Tips for flying from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport

For domestic flights, check-in closes 30 minutes before the scheduled departure and boarding gates close 15 minutes before. Arrive early so you have time for check-in and security. For Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan flights, check-in closes 45 to 60 minutes before departure, depending on the airline. China's entry and transit rules depend on your passport, so check the official guidance before you travel. For updated times on the day, open the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport

The fare cards on this page show fares on popular trips from Chengdu. Underneath, the CTU flight schedule lists some of the upcoming flights by date, with the airline and the planned times. It is a sample, not every flight, and some Chengdu routes use Tianfu instead, so search your own dates to see all the options and set a Price Alert if you would like to wait.

Popular routes from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport include:

• Chengdu to Beijing flights
• Chengdu to Shanghai flights
• Chengdu to Kunming flights
• Chengdu to Lhasa flights
• Chengdu to Xiamen flights
• Chengdu to Qingdao flights
• Chengdu to Wuhan flights
• Chengdu to Harbin flights

Exploring Sichuan, or heading on to Tibet? Compare Chengdu flights on Traveloka and pick the one that suits your plans.