The Chengdu Metro (成都地铁) is the fastest, cheapest and most comfortable way to get around the city. Since the first line opened in 2010 it has grown into a network of more than a dozen lines that reaches the two airports, the main railway stations, Chunxi Road, Kuanzhai Alleys, Wuhou Shrine and the Jinsha Site. Trains run frequently, stations are clean and air-conditioned, and signs and announcements are bilingual in Chinese and English. For a visitor, the metro removes almost every excuse to sit in a traffic jam, and it is far more reliable than a taxi during rush hour.
Main Lines You Will Actually Use
- Line 1: The north-south spine, linking North Railway Station, Tianfu Square, Chunxi Road and South Railway Station.
- Line 2: East-west, reaching Chengdu East Railway Station, Chunxi Road and the old town.
- Line 3: Runs to Taipingyuan, where you connect to Shuangliu Airport on Line 10.
- Line 7: A loop around the city ring, useful for linking the railway stations without going downtown.
- Line 10: Directly to Shuangliu Airport terminals.
- Line 18: Express service to Tianfu Airport via South Railway Station.
Fares and Hours
Fares are distance-based and start at 2 yuan for short trips, rising to roughly 6 to 10 yuan for longer cross-city rides. A single ride rarely costs more than 10 yuan, which makes the metro extraordinarily affordable. Trains run from about 6:00 until 23:00, with first and last trains varying by station, so always check the last train time. Rush hour is 7:30 to 9:30 and 17:30 to 19:30, when trains are crowded and you may have to wait for the next one.
Paying with a Phone QR Code
You do not need a physical ticket. The easiest way for a foreign visitor is to open the Chengdu Metro app or the Tianfutong app, or use the Chengdu Metro mini program inside WeChat or Alipay, and generate a ride QR code. Scan it at the gate on the way in and out, and the fare is deducted automatically. You can also buy a single-journey token or a paper ticket from ticket machines, though most machines prefer Chinese payment methods and accept Chinese yuan cash. Generate your QR code before reaching the gate, as underground signal can be weak.
Tips for Foreign Riders
Stations are wheelchair accessible and have elevators, though not every exit has a lift. Eating, drinking and smoking are banned on trains. Follow the yellow line on the platform and mind the gap. Bilingual staff are rare outside major stations, so save station names in Chinese. If you get lost, the customer-service window near the gates can help. Buy a bottled water before you descend, since platforms can be crowded and stations long.
Practical Information
- Operating hours: about 6:00 to 23:00, exact times by station.
- Fares: 2 yuan base, up to about 10 yuan cross-city.
- Payment: phone QR code via Chengdu Metro or Tianfutong app; single-journey tokens at machines.
- Tips: Stand on the right of the escalator. Keep your QR code ready. Metro is faster than a taxi at rush hour. Use the English version of the app.
