Chongqing is a city built on mountains, where rail transit weaves through buildings, taxis wind their way along undulating mountain roads, and navigation arrows overlap on layers of overpasses—Chongqing’s transportation system itself is a unique travel experience.
This guide aims to help you easily navigate the transportation network of this “8D magical city” from the moment you arrive in Chongqing.
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Airport to City Center Transportation
Chongqing Rail Transit Guide
Maps & Navigation
Ride-Hailing App Recommendations
Useful Transportation Tips
Itinerary Planning Recommendations
1、Transportation from the Airport to the City Center
Chongqing city center currently has only one airport – Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG).
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) is located northeast of the city center, approximately 19 to 21 kilometers away, and is a major aviation hub in Southwest China.
The airport currently operates two main passenger terminals, T2 and T3. T2 primarily serves domestic flights, while T3A, the largest terminal, handles all international flights and most domestic flights. A free shuttle bus runs between the two terminals approximately every 15 minutes.
Four main modes of transportation from the airport to the city center:
- Rail Transit: The Most Affordable Option
Currently, there are two rail transit lines connecting the airport and the city center:
- Metro Line 10: Departing from Terminals 3 and 2, it provides quick access to transportation hubs such as Chongqing North Railway Station and Hongtudi. Transfers are available on Lines 6, 1, and 2 to reach key areas like Jiefangbei and Jiaochangkou.
- Light Rail Line 3: Also connects to the airport, passing popular commercial areas like Guanyinqiao, and takes approximately 60 minutes to reach the city center.
How to get there: From Terminal 3A, go to Level B1 to enter the subway station; from Terminal 2, you can take Line 10 or Line 3. There are automatic ticket machines inside the subway with English interfaces and they accept cash. The fare from the airport to the city center is usually 6-8 yuan.
If you require internet/communication services, you can find short-term SIM cards available for foreign passengers at the China Telecom “Love Wing Station” service counter located on the first floor of the International Arrivals Hall in Terminal 3A, next to the foreign currency exchange window.
- Airport Bus K01 Express: Directly to Jiefangbei
- T3 Boarding Point: Take the elevator or escalator to [1st Floor] → Find [Exit 9]
- Terminal 2 boarding points: Divided into Domestic A and Domestic B. Domestic passengers exit from Gate 3 and look straight ahead; Domestic passengers exit from Gate 6 and look to the right.
If you need to take the K01 airport bus to the airport, you can board at the Chongqing Grand World Junting Hotel in Jiefangbei.
- Ride-hailing and Taxi: Convenient and Direct
- Booking a ride-hailing service through apps like Didi Chuxing and Gaode Taxi will cost approximately 50-70 yuan from the airport to Jiefangbei, taking about 35-40 minutes.
- A licensed taxi to Jiefangbei will cost around 60 yuan. It is recommended to estimate the price in advance using a map app to avoid overcharging.
- Private Car Transfer Service: A Hassle-Free Option
If you have large luggage, arrive late at night, or wish to enjoy the convenience of someone holding a sign to pick you up at the airport, you can book a private car transfer service in advance. It takes you directly from the airport to your hotel, and the driver speaks fluent Mandarin, making it especially suitable for first-time visitors. (Booking can be done through Manjing Travel Agency www.manjingtravel.com)
2、Chongqing Rail Transit: Turning Complexity into Simplicity
Chongqing Rail Transit currently has 13 operating lines. Lines 2 and 3, in particular, pass through most of the tourist attractions within Chongqing’s urban area.
Main routes and attractions along the way
| line | Featured stops | Attractions/areas along the route |
| Line 1 | Xiaoshizi, Shapingba, Ciqikou, Bishan | Chaotianmen, Jiefangbei, Ciqikou Ancient Town, University Town |
| Line 2 | Jiaochangkou, Liziba, Zoo, Yudong | Liziba Station (train passes through the building), Zoo |
| Line 3 | Guanyinqiao, Nanping, Jiangbei Airport T2 | Guanyinqiao business district, Nanping business district, Garden Expo Park |
| Line 6 | Grand Theatre, Red Land, Beibei | Chongqing Grand Theatre, Jiangbei City |
| Line 10 | Jiangbei Airport Terminal 3, Chongqing North Railway Station | Direct airport transfer, transfer at Chongqing North Railway Station |
| loop | Chongqing West Railway Station, Shapingba District, Ranjiaba District | Connecting multiple transportation hubs |
For Chongqing Rail Transit Ticketing and Payment:
The rail transit system accepts the following payment methods:
- Cash (can be used at automatic ticket vending machines)
- International credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, AE, JCB, etc., can be used to purchase tickets at manual counters)
- Alipay / WeChat Pay (scan the QR code at the gate to enter the station)
- Chongqing Transportation Card (can be purchased at major subway stations)
Tip: If you plan to stay in Chongqing for several days and frequently use public transportation, it is recommended to purchase a Chongqing Transportation Card upon arrival (deposit is refundable) to save the hassle of purchasing tickets each time.
3、Maps and Navigation
In Chongqing, the importance of navigation is self-evident—the complex interchanges, overlapping roads, and multi-layered street layouts make navigation in this city far more challenging than in cities on the plains.
Recommended Navigation Tools
Gaode Maps: Supports driving, walking, cycling, and public transportation navigation, and integrates ride-hailing functionality; suitable for all travel scenarios.
Baidu Maps: Wide coverage, fast real-time traffic information updates; suitable for driving navigation and real-time traffic updates.
Google Maps / Apple Maps: Familiar to international users, but real-time traffic information updates in mainland China may not be as timely as with local applications.
Useful Navigation Tips
- Multilingual Selection: After downloading Amap (Gaode Maps), switch to your preferred language in the settings.
- Save Destination: Save hotels, airports, and major attractions to your favorites using their Chinese names.
- Public Transportation Planning: Select “Bus/Subway” mode in the navigation app; the app will recommend the best transfer options.
- Walking Navigation: Chongqing’s mountainous terrain means that the straight-line distance displayed by the navigation may differ significantly from the actual walking distance; please allow extra time.
4、Recommended Ride-Hailing Apps
In mainland China, using a ride-hailing app is more reliable, safer, and more transparent than hailing a taxi on the street. Below are the most commonly used ride-hailing platforms in Chongqing:
Didi Chuxing
Didi is China’s largest mobile transportation platform, covering all cities nationwide. The Didi app offers an English interface, supports registration with foreign mobile phone numbers and international credit card binding, making it the easiest ride-hailing tool for foreign tourists.
Gaode Map Ride-Hailing
If you need a software that integrates navigation, public transportation route recommendations, and ride-hailing, we recommend using Gaode Map Ride-Hailing.
Meituan Ride-Hailing
Meituan’s ride-hailing service is integrated into its food delivery app, often offering price discounts, suitable for short daily trips. If you already use Meituan for food ordering, the ride-hailing function is seamlessly integrated without requiring a separate download.
Taxi Safety Tips
- Before getting in the car, verify that the license plate number, vehicle model, and driver information match those displayed in the app.
- You can share real-time trip information with fellow passengers using the app’s “Trip Sharing” function.
- Prioritize using official or well-known platforms to ensure trip safety and service quality.
- If the driver doesn’t speak English, you can directly show them the Chinese address of your destination.
If you don’t want to download an additional app, you can also hail a ride directly through the Didi mini-program in WeChat or Alipay. These two methods do not require separate registration; simply log in with your WeChat/Alipay account.
5、Practical Transportation Tips
Mobile Payment
In Chongqing, mobile payment covers almost every scenario—from hot pot restaurants to convenience stores, from snacks to scenic spot tickets.
- Alipay/WeChat Pay: Subway QR code payment, bus QR code payment, taxi payment, ride-hailing (requires prior download)
- Cash: Taxi payment, bus payment (coin payment), subway payment (but not all places accept cash payments)
Chongqing’s subway stations now support multiple payment methods, including foreign card payments, cash payments, and mobile payment via QR code scanning. Mobile payment is currently the most convenient method; it is recommended to install Alipay or WeChat Pay on your phone and bind it beforehand.
Network Connectivity
eSIM (Recommended)
Free Wi-Fi is available at airports and most hotels. If you wish to stay online throughout your trip, you can purchase a China eSIM plan in advance and use it upon arrival without needing to change your physical SIM card.
- Purchase Channels: “China eSIM” can be purchased on platforms such as KKday, Klook, and Airalo.
International Roaming
- Contact your overseas operator to activate a China Mainland roaming data plan. The advantage is that you don’t need to change your number; the disadvantages are that it may be more expensive and the network speed may not be ideal.
Language Communication
- Translation App Preparation: Download Google Translate (supports photo translation of menus) or Microsoft Translator in advance. Baidu Translate also offers offline Chinese-English packages.
- Subway/Airport: Major stations have signs in both Chinese and English, and announcements are also made in English.
- Restaurant Ordering: Most popular restaurants offer menus with pictures; simply point to the picture to order. You can also use a translation app to take a picture of the menu to understand it.
- Emergency Assistance: Call 110 (police) or 120 (ambulance). Some hospitals have foreign-related service windows.
Other useful tips
- Power bank is essential: Navigation, taking photos, and making payments all require power. Shared power banks (such as those from Meizu) are widely available throughout the city, but you might not find an empty spot to return them. Bringing your own is more reassuring.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Chongqing has many slopes and stairs, and you can easily walk over 20,000 steps a day. Sneakers or flat shoes are the wisest choice.
- Weather and rain gear: Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cold and foggy. Carry a folding umbrella; rain can come unexpectedly in this mountainous city.
- Emergency contact: It’s recommended to take a photo of the hotel’s business card or address and save it on your phone. In case your phone runs out of battery, you can show the Chinese address to a taxi driver.
Recommended itinerary for a trip to Chongqing
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Recommended classic Chongqing itineraries