How to Get to & Travel Around Chongqing?

Chongqing, called the "8D City," is one of the four municipalities directly under the central government in China, and it has a highly developed transportation system. Whether you fly directly from abroad or transfer within China by plane or train, getting to Chongqing is quite easy. In this guide, we will mainly introduce the methods of transportation in Chongqing and recommended places to visit from Chongqing.

Night view of Hongya Cave in Chongqing

How to Get to Chongqing

By Plane

Aerial view of Chongqing City

Chongqing has one airport, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. It is quite large, with four terminals: T1, T2, T3A, and T3B. Currently, most flights, both domestic and international, arrive at and depart from T3A and T3B.

The airport operates flights to most of the major cities across China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Changsha, Guangzhou, and more.

In addition, Chongqing Airport offers direct international routes to the United States, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and many European countries. This makes it a convenient choice for travelers with limited vacation time who want to avoid transferring through Beijing or Shanghai.

By the way, there is a shuttle train between T3A and T3B, which takes only about 5 minutes, making cross-terminal transfers very convenient.

By Bullet Train

Chongqing West Railway Station

If your previous destination is Chengdu, Changsha, Xi'an, Guilin, or Yunnan, consider taking a high-speed train to Chongqing. Bullet trains are fast and comfortable, and you don't need to arrive too early. Getting to the station about an hour in advance is enough. From these cities, the journey to Chongqing by high-speed train takes no more than 6.5 hours.

There are 5 train stations in Chongqing:

• Chongqing West Station & Chongqing North Station: Most trains arrive at these two stations. To reach city attractions such as Hongya Cave, Chongqing North Station is a bit quicker than Chongqing West Station.
• Chongqing East Station: The newest railway station. It takes only 45 minutes to get from Chongqing East to Wulong, which is faster than from other stations. In addition, it operates some routes to Zhangjiajie, Nanchang, Changsha, Guangzhou, and Xi'an.
• Chongqing Station: The oldest railway station, currently closed for renovation.
• Shapingba Station: A relatively smaller station located in the southwest of Chongqing, which mainly operates trains to Sichuan. It's next to a large shopping mall, making dining and accommodation very convenient.

Main Transportation Methods in Chongqing

Chongqing is built on mountainous terrain with relatively steep slopes, so transportation is an essential part of daily life. Besides driving or taking a taxi, you can also use public transportation. It has two main features: wide coverage and low fares. The development of the metro system has further helped to greatly ease traffic pressure.

Metro

Metro runs through a building at Liziba Station

Chongqing's metro stations are spread throughout the city. The subway not only runs underground but also crosses rivers. And at Liziba Station, you can even see metros passing right through the middle of a building, a truly unique sight.

The metro is very affordable, with fares ranging from 2 to 9 RMB (about 30 cents to 1.2 USD). Both the airport and train stations are connected to the metro.

Bus

Buses in Chongqing run throughout the city streets, and a one-way ticket costs only 2 RMB (about 30 cents). All buses are air-conditioned, making them a comfortable option even in hot weather.

Taxi

A taxi in Chongqing

There are two types of taxis in Chongqing. The yellow ones can be hailed directly on the street, while other ones must be booked through apps like Didi and look just like regular private cars.

Of course, you can also choose to hire a private car. We can arrange dedicated transfers for you to various attractions, as well as to the airport, train stations, and more.

Public Bike & E-Bike

Chongqing has public bikes and e-bikes, but most of them are concentrated around universities. They are less common near scenic spots, as many places don't have dedicated bike lanes. Also, since Chongqing's roads are quite steep, we generally don't recommend this option for visitors.

Getting Around China From Chongqing

Chongqing's well-developed transportation makes it easy and fast to travel to other regions or cities in China, so you can definitely consider an extended trip starting from Chongqing.

Chongqing to Beijing

Forbidden City in Beijing

• Transportation Time Cost: about 2.5 hours by plane

Beijing is one of the main entry and exit cities in China, so if you can't fly directly to Chongqing, consider spending a few days in Beijing first before heading there. The flight from Beijing to Chongqing is very convenient and takes less than three hours. However, taking a bullet train from Beijing is not the best option, because it will take at least 7 hours.

It's worth setting aside 2-3 days to explore Beijing's most iconic attractions, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace.

Chongqing to Shanghai

The Bund in Shanghai

• Transportation Time Cost: about 2.5 hours by plane

In China, both Chongqing and Shanghai are famous for their night views along the river in the city. Shanghai is a very friendly city for visitors who don't speak Chinese. There are plenty of bilingual Chinese-English signs, and English is commonly spoken.

Similar to Beijing, Shanghai is also one of the main entry cities. It takes about two and a half hours to fly from Shanghai to Chongqing, which is much faster than taking an 11-hour bullet train.

Chongqing to Chengdu

Pandas in a breeding center in Chengdu

• Transportation Time Cost: about 2 hours by bullet train

Chengdu is very close to Chongqing, and if you're a panda fan, you won't want to miss this city. However, there are no flights from Chongqing to Chengdu, but the bullet train is very fast - it takes as little as two hours to get there.

It's worth noting that Chengdu and Chongqing share similar food traditions, and both are famous for their love of spicy cuisine.

Chongqing & Yangtze River Cruise

Yangtze River cruise at a port in Chongqing

Chongqing is the starting point of a Yangtze River cruise. After enjoying your time in Chongqing, you may board a 4-day, 3-night cruise to Yichang. Along the way, you'll not only admire the magnificent landscapes of the Three Gorges, but the ship will also stop at several ports where you can disembark to visit attractions such as Baidi City and Shennü Stream. The final stop of the cruise is the Three Gorges Dam, where you can experience the ship lift as your vessel rises to a more expansive stretch of water.

Chongqing to Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

• Transportation Time Cost: 2.5 to 4 hours by bullet train

If you appreciate architecture, natural views, and geography, consider visiting Zhangjiajie after your Chongqing tour. There are no direct flights from Chongqing to Zhangjiajie, but fortunately, taking a bullet train takes as little as two and a half hours to get there.

Chongqing is famous for its unique architectural layout, earning it the nickname "8D Magic City." Zhangjiajie, on the other hand, is home to the towering "Avatar Mountains," one of the most stunning natural landscapes in China.

Chongqing to Wulong

Fairy Mountain in Wulong, Chongqing

• Transportation Time Cost: about 45 minutes by bullet train

If you have an extra one or two days, you can visit Wulong. Wulong is located in the southeast of Chongqing and is home to a large karst landscape tourist area. It's very convenient - just a 45-minute bullet train ride from downtown Chongqing. If you don't want to stay overnight in Wulong, you can take the bullet train back to downtown Chongqing at 6:30 p.m.

Plan Your Chongqing Tour With Us

Chongqing's roads are intricate and can be confusing, making it easy to lose your way. That's why we recommend traveling with a local guide. We can arrange a private tour to Chongqing for you, including an English-speaking guide and exclusive cars to help you experience the beauty of Chongqing from the best perspectives. Feel free to contact us or write to trip@odynovotours.com for your personal itinerary.