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First-time visitors to Chengdu often stand at the ticket machine wondering which option to pick. The wrong choice means paying more or standing in line twice. This guide cuts through the options so you know exactly what to use.
Quick Answer
Which ticket should I use on the Chengdu Metro?
Direct answer: Use the QR code on your phone through the Chengdu Metro app, WeChat, or Alipay. It gives you a 10% discount on every ride, and if you spend over 200 yuan in a calendar month, the discount jumps to 40% off. It's the most convenient option for tourists.
Is the day pass worth it?
Direct answer: Yes, if you plan to take 4 or more metro trips in a single day. A one-day pass costs 20 yuan. A typical single trip costs 3-5 yuan, so 4 trips already make the pass cheaper. The three-day pass (50 yuan) is the best value for a standard weekend trip.
Can I use my foreign credit card?
Direct answer: Yes. All station gates now accept Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay international cards directly. Just tap your card on the reader. No discount applies, but it's the easiest option if you don't want to set up a Chinese payment app.
How do I get to the Panda Base by metro?
Direct answer: Take Line 3 to Panda Avenue Station (熊猫大道站). Exit from Gate A and transfer to the official free shuttle bus. Do not take unlicensed taxis waiting outside the station. Arrive before 8:00 AM, pandas sleep during midday heat.
What happens if I stay on the metro longer than 4 hours?
Direct answer: You will be charged the maximum single-journey fare of 13 yuan as a penalty. The system tracks entry and exit times. Always exit within 4 hours.
Quick Decision Table
| Ticket Type | Price | Discount | Best For | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QR code (Chengdu Metro app) | Per trip | 10% (up to 40% monthly) | All tourists | Highest |
| QR code (WeChat/Alipay) | Per trip | 10% (up to 40% monthly) | All tourists | High |
| Tianfutong physical card | Per trip | 10% | Long-term stays | Medium |
| Single-journey ticket | Per trip | None | Occasional riders | Low |
| One-day pass | 20 yuan | Unlimited rides | Single-day intensive travel | High |
| Three-day pass | 50 yuan | Unlimited rides | Weekend trips | High |
| Five-day pass | 70 yuan | Unlimited rides | Extended stays | High |
| Bank card (Visa/Mastercard) | Per trip | None | Foreign visitors | High |
TripChina Verdict
Use the QR code on the Chengdu Metro app. It gives you the best balance of discount, convenience, and extra features. The app shows real-time train positions, station crowding levels, bathroom locations, and even where the themed trains are running. Download it before you arrive.
Buy a three-day pass (50 yuan) if you plan to visit 3+ attractions per day. At 16.7 yuan per day, it pays for itself after 4-5 trips. Most tourists visiting Chengdu for a weekend will save money with this option.
Skip the single-journey ticket unless you have no smartphone and no bank card. It offers no discount, requires queuing at a machine every time, and if you lose it before exiting, you pay the maximum fare of 13 yuan.
How to Choose Your Payment Method
QR Code via Chengdu Metro App (Best Overall)
The Chengdu Metro app is not just a payment tool. It's a full navigation system. You can plan a route, see real-time train locations, check which carriage has the least crowding, find the nearest bathroom, and even locate lost items.
How to set it up: Download "成都地铁" from your app store. Register with your phone number. Link a payment method (Alipay, WeChat Pay, or a Chinese bank card). Generate a QR code at the gate. You can also activate face-scanning for hands-free entry.
The discount structure matters: Every ride gets 10% off the base fare. If your total metro spending in a calendar month exceeds 200 yuan, every subsequent ride gets 40% off until you hit 400 yuan. After 400 yuan, it returns to 10% off. The counter resets at the start of each month.
One catch: You cannot mix QR codes from different apps. If you enter with the Chengdu Metro app, you must exit with the same app. Using WeChat to enter and Alipay to exit will create an incomplete trip record and may result in extra charges.
QR Code via WeChat or Alipay
These mini-programs work the same way as the app but with fewer extra features. You cannot check crowding levels, bathroom locations, or lost items. The same 10% discount applies.
When to use this: If you already have WeChat or Alipay set up and don't want to download another app. It works fine for basic travel.
Tianfutong Physical Card
This is the card locals use. It costs 20 yuan to purchase (refundable) and gives a flat 10% discount on all rides. It also works on city buses.
When to consider this: If you are staying in Chengdu for more than two weeks. For shorter stays, the QR code is simpler.
Single-Journey Ticket
Buy from the vending machine or ticket counter. Insert cash, scan a QR code, or tap a bank card. The machine dispenses a plastic token. Tap it at the entry gate, then insert it into the exit gate slot when you leave.
The risk: If you lose the token before exiting, you pay the maximum fare of 13 yuan. The token is only valid at the station where you bought it, and only on the same day.
When to use this: Only if you have no smartphone and no compatible bank card.
Bank Card Direct Tap
All station gates now accept contactless payment from Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay international cards. No setup required. Just tap and go.
No discount applies. But for foreign visitors who don't want to deal with Chinese payment apps, this is the friction-free option.
Day Passes
Available as one-day (20 yuan), three-day (50 yuan), and five-day (70 yuan) passes. Buy from the dedicated vending machines at stations or through the Chengdu Metro app (electronic version only for one-day pass).
The math: A typical single trip costs 3-5 yuan. If you take 4 trips in a day (for example: hotel to attraction, attraction to lunch, lunch to second attraction, back to hotel), the one-day pass saves you money. The three-day pass is the best value for most tourists.
Rules: Passes are non-refundable and non-transferable. They activate on first use and expire at the end of service on the final day. Unlimited rides within the validity period.
Getting to the Airports
Chengdu has two airports. Make sure you know which one your flight uses before you board the metro.
To Shuangliu Airport (Domestic + Some International)
Line 10 is the direct line. Get off at Shuangliu Airport Terminal 1 Station (T1) or Shuangliu Airport Terminal 2 Station (T2). From T2 station, follow the L2-L4 passageway to the terminal.
Line 19 also serves T2. Get off at Shuangliu Airport Terminal 2 East Station and exit from Gate C or D.
To Tianfu Airport (International + Some Domestic)
Line 18 is the fastest option. The express train takes 33 minutes from South Railway Station to Tianfu Airport Terminal 1 & 2 Station. The regular train stops at every station and takes about 50 minutes.
Line 19 also reaches Tianfu Airport. It runs on the same tracks as Line 18 for part of the journey. The express train takes 30 minutes from Shuangliu Airport Terminal 2 East Station to Tianfu Airport.
How to tell the difference: At Tianfu Airport station, Line 18 and Line 19 share the same platform. The floor markings show which waiting areas are for which line. The station broadcast uses a female voice for Line 18 and a male voice for Line 19. The platform screens display the train type and destination.
Timing tip: If you are at South Railway Station and see a regular Line 18 train departing before the next express train, take it. A regular train departing before XX:47 (for example, 14:47 or 15:47) will arrive at Tianfu Airport earlier than waiting for the next express.
Getting to Major Attractions
| Attraction | Metro Line & Station | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chunxi Road / Taikoo Li / IFS Panda | Lines 2, 3, Chunxi Road Station | City center shopping |
| Kuanzhai Alley | Line 4, Kuanzhai Alley Station | Traditional Chengdu streets |
| Wuhou Shrine / Jinli | Line 3, Gaoshengqiao Station (Gate D, 10-min walk) | Three Kingdoms history, night market |
| Panda Base | Line 3, Panda Avenue Station (Gate A) | Transfer to official shuttle bus |
| Du Fu Thatched Cottage | Line 13, Du Fu Thatched Cottage Station | Exit directly to entrance |
| Qingyang Palace | Line 13, Qingyang Palace Station | Ancient Taoist temple |
| Tianfu Square / Chengdu Museum | Lines 1, 2, Tianfu Square Station | City center, free museum |
| Eastern Suburb Memory | Line 8, Eastern Suburb Memory Station | Creative industrial park |
| Global Center | Line 1, Jincheng Plaza Station | Massive shopping mall |
| Sichuan Museum | Line 2, Tonghuimen Station | 800-meter walk |
| Xinglong Lake | Line 1, Science City Station | Urban lake and park |
| Anshun Gallery Bridge / Hejiang Pavilion | Line 2, Dongmen Bridge Station | Jinjiang night views |
| Wenshu Monastery | Line 1, Wenshu Monastery Station | Buddhist temple |
| Zoo | Line 3, Zoo Station | Child-friendly themed station |
Local Truth: How Chengdu Metro Actually Works
Chengdu Metro is widely considered the best-signaged metro system in China. Station names are clear, directional arrows are consistent, and the digital screens provide real-time information that actually helps.
The platform screens matter. On Lines 6, 8, 13, 19, 27, and 30, the screen at the platform shows which carriages will be least crowded when the next train arrives. Stand in front of a green section on the screen for more space.
The train screen tells you where to stand. Before reaching a transfer station, the screen above the door shows exactly which carriage position will be closest to the transfer通道. Move to that position before the train stops.
Line 7 runs in two directions. Inner loop (clockwise) and outer loop (counter-clockwise). Check the destination on the platform screen before boarding. Riding the wrong direction means a full loop back.
Escalator etiquette: Stand on the right, walk on the left. Blocking the left side will get you tapped on the shoulder.
Gate timing: Wait for the previous person's gate to fully close before scanning your QR code. Scanning too early creates an invalid record and you will need to switch to another gate.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Do not eat or drink on the train. The rule prohibits eating inside carriages, with exceptions for infants and people with medical conditions requiring liquid food. This includes water and gum. Violations can result in fines.
Do not mix payment methods. Enter with one app, exit with the same app. Mixing WeChat entry with Alipay exit creates an incomplete trip record. You will need to manually complete the record in the app within 4-7 days, or face extra charges.
Do not bring prohibited items. No pets except guide dogs and police dogs. No electric scooters or unsealed bicycles. No balloons. No loose liquor (sealed bottles under 56% alcohol, max 2 liters per person, are allowed). No items exceeding 1.8 meters in total dimensions, 1.6 meters in length, or 30 kilograms in weight.
Do not lose your single-journey token. If you lose it before exiting, you pay the maximum fare of 13 yuan. This is more than most actual trips cost.
Do not enter without knowing your exit time. The system tracks how long you are inside. Exceeding 4 hours triggers a penalty of the maximum fare.
Practical Tools and Services
Chengdu Metro app does more than payments. Use it to:
- Plan routes with "fastest" or "fewer transfers" options
- Check real-time train positions
- View station crowding levels
- Find bathroom locations (some stations have bathrooms on the platform level)
- Locate lost property
- See if a themed train is currently running and where it is
Luggage storage trial: Panda Avenue Station and Eastern Suburb Memory Station have storage lockers for visitors with large bags.
Metro驿站: South Railway Station and Incubation Park Station have rest areas with seating, water dispensers, and phone charging stations.
Accessibility: All stations have elevators, tactile paving, and accessible bathrooms. Call 028-61638000 in advance to arrange assisted boarding.
Lost property: Report items through the app or call the service hotline. Unclaimed items are transferred to police after one year.
Translation devices: Station staff have handheld translators supporting English, Japanese, Korean, and other languages.
FAQ
Can I use the same QR code for multiple people?
No. One QR code per person. Each passenger needs their own account and payment method.
What is the operating schedule?
Most lines run from approximately 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Lines 1, 2, 3, and 4 may extend to 11:30 PM. Extended hours apply during holidays and major events. Check the Chengdu Metro app for real-time schedules.
How do I get from Shuangliu Airport to Tianfu Airport?
Take Line 19. The express train runs directly between the two airports in about 30 minutes.
Is there a monthly pass?
No monthly pass exists. The closest option is the five-day pass (70 yuan). For longer stays, use the QR code which gives 40% off after 200 yuan of monthly spending.
Can I bring my bicycle?
Only if it is folded, sealed in its original factory packaging, and meets the size requirements (total dimensions under 1.8 meters). Unsealed folding bikes are not allowed.
What should I do if my trip record is incomplete?
Open the app you used to enter. Complete the trip record manually within 4-7 days. The system will charge you based on the actual route. After 7 days, the system may apply the maximum fare.
How do I find the bathroom?
Open the Chengdu Metro app. Go to the "便民信息" (Convenience Info) section. Select your station. It shows whether the bathroom is on the platform or in the concourse. Some stations have bathrooms on both levels.
Can I use Apple Pay?
Yes, if you have added a supported bank card (Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay). Tap your phone on the card reader at the gate.
For more Chengdu travel tips, visit our Chengdu Travel Guide Hub.
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