Tianfu or Shuangliu: Which Chengdu Airport
Chengdu has two international airports, and mixing them up is the most expensive mistake you can make on the ground. Check the three-letter code on the ticket before you book a hotel.
Tianfu (TFU)
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is in Jianyang, southeast of Chengdu, opened in 2021. Terminal 1 is mainly international (including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan); Terminal 2 is mainly domestic. The Ground Transportation Centre between them holds Metro Line 18 and Line 19, high-speed rail at Tianfu Airport Station, buses and taxis.
These hotels serve Tianfu only: Tianfu Joyhub Air Hotel, Tianfu Joyhub Cheer Hotel and Take A Nap Hotel at the terminals; Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Tianfu Airport Zone, Ibis Chengdu Tianfu Airport, Vienna Hotel Chengdu Tianfu Airport Wanhui Center and Hanting Hotel Chengdu Tianfu Airport near Jianyang South.
Shuangliu (CTU)
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is southwest of the city and much closer to Tianfu Square. Metro Line 10 serves Terminal 1 and Terminal 2; Line 19 also serves the Shuangliu airport area. The walkable hotel there is Chengdu Joyhub Air Hotel, a different building from Tianfu’s Joyhub Air.
Hotels at Shuangliu are covered at chengduairporthotel.com.
Moving between them
Line 19 express is the published public option: about 30 minutes, about RMB 10, Terminal 1&2 of Tianfu International Airport Station to Shuangliu Airport Terminal 2 East. Regular Line 19 trains stop more often. High-speed rail via Chengdu East is possible but slower door to door. A taxi is the late-night option when the metro has stopped.
If you land at one airport and fly out of the other the next morning, sleep at the departure airport. A cheap room at the wrong airport plus a 05:00 cross-city transfer is how connections are missed.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between TFU and CTU?
TFU is Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, southeast of the city in Jianyang, opened in 2021, with Terminal 1 mainly international and Terminal 2 mainly domestic. CTU is Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, southwest of the city and closer to the centre. They do not share terminals or hotels.
How do I travel between Tianfu and Shuangliu?
Chengdu Metro Line 19 connects them. Express trains are published at about 30 minutes and about RMB 10, calling at Terminal 1&2 of Tianfu International Airport Station and Shuangliu Airport Terminal 2 East. Regular Line 19 trains take longer. Taxis take an hour or more. Confirm your operating airline's airport on the ticket, not on habit.
Which hotel guide should I use?
If your flight uses TFU, use this site (tianfuairporthotel.com). If it uses CTU, use chengduairporthotel.com. Joyhub Air at Tianfu is not Chengdu Joyhub Air Hotel at Shuangliu; Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Tianfu Airport Zone is not Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Airport Zone.
Information last verified: August 13, 2026