Chengdu’s recently renovated airport is a 20-30 minute taxi ride from the city center or a 30-40 minute bus ride. Bus no. 303 to the airport can be picked up next to theMinshan Hotelon Renmin Nanlu a few hundred meters south of Tianfu Square. The bus ticket costs Y10. The bus runs from about 6:40am to 10:00pm daily. From the airport into the city this bus costs Y10 and drops you off at the same place, but just shout to the driver if you want to be dropped off earlier. A taxi to the airport from the city center costs about Y35-40 plus a Y10 airport expressway toll. Currently Chengdu’s airport only offers international flights to Tokyo, Bangkok, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Singapore. And as of May 28, the Dutch airline KLM is now offering direct Amsterdam-Chengdu flights twice a week in each direction. Reserve tickets as far as possible in advance as this flight will surely be packed every time.
All travelers and local expats should be aware that it is possible to find large discounts at local travel agencies on domestic flights by purchasing tickets in the 1-5 days before you wish to fly. For those traveling toKunmingorXianfrom Chengdu, you can often find plane tickets that are even cheaper than the soft sleeper train ticket and the flight will save you as much as 15 hours. Travel agencies that do not have English-speaking employees, and therefore do not receive foreign customers, often have even cheaper tickets. Those seeking assistance in acquiring budget tickets are welcome to email the Synotrip Chengdu manager.