Chongqing Transport – Airport, Metro, Trains & Taxis
Chongqing Transport – Airport, Metro, Trains & Taxis
Chongqing, a sprawling mountain city built on hillsides at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, is famous for its hotpot, pickled peppers, and dramatic terrain. Its metro system includes cable cars and mountain escalators. Mandarin is spoken; Sichuan-Chongqing dialect is local.
Airport Access
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
- Distance: 21km northeast of city center
- Transfer options:
| Method | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 10 | 35 min | ¥7 | To Hongtudi (downtown transfer) |
| Metro Line 3 (Airport Branch) | 45 min | ¥6 | To Chongqing Station |
| Airport Bus | 60-90 min | ¥15 | Multiple routes |
| Taxi | 40-70 min | ¥70-110 | Terrain affects routes |
| Didi | 40-70 min | ¥60-95 | Reliable option |
Metro & Cable Car Overview
Chongqing Metro has 10+ lines including unique cable cars and mountain escalators — must-try experiences!
Key Lines & Unique Features
- Line 10: Jiangbei Airport → Hongtudi → Jiahualing
- Line 3: Chongqing Station → Guanyinqiao → Airport branch
- Line 6: Beibei → Hongtudi → Chongqing Station
- Yangtze River Cable Car (长江索道): Nanbin Road → Xinhua Road, ¥10 one-way
- Liziba Station: Line 2 passes through a residential building — photo spot!
- Crown Escalator (皇冠大扶梯): Two 112m escalators connecting Shangxinjie to Lianglukou — ¥2
Liziba Photo Tip: Line 2 runs through the middle of a residential building at Liziba Station. Stand outside the station or take the metro itself for the iconic view. Best visited in the morning.
Fares & Tickets
- Base fare: ¥2, max ¥10
- Payment: Single tickets, Chongqing Tong, Alipay/WeChat Pay
- English support: Full bilingual
High-Speed Train Stations
Chongqing West Station (重庆西站) – Main High-Speed Hub
- Destinations: Chengdu (1h 30min), Guiyang (2h), Guangzhou (5h), Shanghai (8h)
- Metro access: Line 5
Chongqing Station (重庆站)
- Traditional and some high-speed trains
- Metro access: Line 3
Chongqing North Station (重庆北站)
- Regional and some high-speed
- Metro access: Line 3, Line 10
Chengdu Day Trip: Chongqing West → Chengdu East takes just 1h 30min. The new Chengdu-Chongqing high-speed line opened in 2021.
Taxi & Ride-Hailing Tips
Taxis
- Base fare: ¥10 for first 3km, ¥2.3/km
- Important: Due to mountain terrain, road distances can be longer than straight-line distances. Avoid unmarked taxis.
Didi & Ride-Hailing
- Works well in Chongqing
- Some areas require more walking due to slopes
Tourist Hotspot Access
| Attraction | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hongyadong (Hollow House) | Line 2: Jialing Park + walk | Iconic stilt houses, night views |
| Chaotianmen (River Confluence) | Line 1/6: Xiaoshizi + walk | Yangtze meets Jialing |
| Yangtze River Cable Car | Nanbin Road Station | Must-do scenic ride |
| Wulingyuan / Zhangjiajie | Train to Zhangjiajie (4h) | Day trip possible but long |
| Hotpot Restaurants | Throughout city | Try 珮姐 or 莽子 |
| Liziba Station | Line 2: Liziba | Metro through building |
| People’s Square | Line 2/3: Zengjiayan | City center, Liberation Monument nearby |
Navigation Tip: Chongqing's hilly terrain means Google Maps/Apple Maps walking directions sometimes send you up impossible slopes. Local residents use Amap (Gaode Maps) which knows the stairways!
Editorial Note: All facts verified against official metro and railway data. Fare adjustments and line extensions happen periodically. Always verify locally before travel. This article is for travel navigation reference only.