1. From the airport to the city
After arriving at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, you have several options to get to the city:
Airport Express: Take the Airport Express K01 line directly to Jiefangbei, with a ticket price of 15 yuan.
Rail Transit: At Terminal 2, you can take the light rail Line 10 and then transfer to Line 2 to Linjiangmen Station; at Terminal 3, take Line 10 to Hongtudi Station, then transfer to Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station. The whole trip takes about 1 hour.
Taxi: The starting fare for airport taxis is 10 yuan, but since the airport is quite far from the city, the cost is around 30 yuan. Make sure to recognize the unique yellow taxis in Chongqing and avoid any potentially unsafe unlicensed cabs.
Chongqing North Station, Chongqing West Station, and Shapingba Station all offer convenient transportation options to the city:
Chongqing North Station: You can take light rail Line 10 to Hongtudi Station, then transfer to Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station; or go directly on Line 10 to Zengjiayan Station, then transfer to Line 2 to Linjiangmen Station.
Chongqing West Station: Take light rail Line 5 to Shiqiaopu Station, then transfer to Line 1 to Jiaochangkou Station or Xiaoshizi Station.
Shapingba Station: You can take light rail Line 1 directly to Xiaoshizi Station, which takes about 42 minutes.
There are various transportation options in Chongqing, with rail transit being the most recommended:
Rail Transit: Chongqing's rail transit currently has Lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 10, covering almost all popular attractions and stations. The ticket prices are affordable, starting at 2 yuan and not exceeding 10 yuan. Operating hours are from 6:30 to 22:30 (subject to local conditions). You don’t need to buy tickets at the station; just get the "Chongqing Public Transport Code" on WeChat or Alipay, and you can easily scan to ride.
Buses: There are many bus routes in Chongqing, but since many places are one-way streets, getting off at one stop might require a long walk back to catch a bus at another stop, making it less convenient than rail transit. However, the newly opened 480 Yuzhong sightseeing bus is worth a try; it only costs 2 yuan to visit all attractions in the Yuzhong District in one go.
Taxis: The daytime starting fare for Chongqing taxis is 10 yuan, and at night, it’s 11 yuan. Note that from 3 PM to 7 PM is shift change time, making it hard to get a taxi, so it’s best to avoid that time. Also, it’s a good idea to ask for a receipt after getting in to protect your rights.
Ferries and Yangtze Cableway: Riding the Yangtze Cableway lets you cross the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, enjoying stunning river views and city scenery. Taking a ferry is also a great way to experience the unique water city vibe of Chongqing.
In short, when traveling in Chongqing, choosing the right mode of transportation is super important. Hope this transportation guide makes your trip to Chongqing easier and helps you out. Have a great trip!