Quick answer
Chengdu has a clean, cheap, extensive metro and Didi (China's Uber) is everywhere. The catch for foreigners is payment: most things expect WeChat Pay or Alipay, both of which now let you link an overseas card. Set that up before you arrive and the city opens up. Chengdu has two airports — Tianfu (TFU, far out) and Shuangliu (CTU, central) — both linked by metro and taxi.
- Metro
- Clean, cheap, English signage; pay by QR or card
- Ride-hailing
- Didi — cheap, but app is best in Chinese
- Airports
- Tianfu (TFU, ~50 km) · Shuangliu (CTU, central)
- Payment
- Alipay/WeChat with an overseas card linked
- Cash
- Accepted but increasingly awkward; carry some
Paying for things (the real hurdle)
China is almost entirely cashless, and most payments go through WeChat Pay or Alipay via QR codes. The good news for visitors: both apps now let you link an international Visa or Mastercard and pay like a local. Setting this up before you land removes 90% of the friction — taxis, metro, snacks and tickets all become tap-and-go.
Cash is still legal and some places take it, but vendors increasingly struggle to make change. Carry a little for emergencies, but rely on a linked payment app. We're happy to help you set yours up on day one.
The metro
Chengdu's metro is modern, inexpensive and has English station names and signage. It's often the fastest way across the city and avoids traffic. You can buy single-journey tokens from machines (which take cash and QR), or scan straight through the gates with Alipay/WeChat once set up. It connects to both airports and the high-speed rail stations.
Didi and taxis
Didi is China's dominant ride-hailing app — cheap, plentiful and far easier than flagging a cab. It works best in Chinese and needs a working in-app payment method; the English-language 'DiDi' option in some travel apps can help. Street taxis exist but may be reluctant to take foreign-card payment or struggle with destinations in English.
If you'd rather not wrestle with apps, we can call and translate rides for you, or provide a private car and driver for the day so transport is simply handled.
Airports and high-speed rail
Chengdu has two airports. Tianfu International (TFU) is large and about 50 km from the centre; Shuangliu (CTU) is closer in. Both link to the city by metro and taxi, but arrivals halls, taxi queues and ticket machines are confusing for first-timers. The high-speed rail (from Chengdu East and other stations) reaches Leshan in about an hour and many other cities quickly, but tickets are real-name and tied to your passport.
How Chengdu Buddy helps
We meet you at the airport or station with a licensed driver, help you link a payment app and buy a data SIM/eSIM, and either set you up to get around solo or provide a car and companion for the day. Send us your flight or train details and you'll never have that stranded-on-arrival moment.
Independent local companion & travel-assistance service. Not a licensed tour guide or travel agency. Prices, opening hours and visa rules can change — please confirm current details before you travel.