If you're a first-timer to Chongqing, you may wonder how to get here from abroad or other Chinese cities.
Chongqing also has a rich city transport system. Besides the light rail, there's also the cableway and ferries to get you around. In this guide, we'll show you how to use them smartly to explore the city like a local.
How to Get to/from Chongqing?
You can take planes, bullet trains, or a Yangtze River Cruise.
If You're Getting to/from Chongqing By Air
Chongqing has one airport, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG).
If you're coming from Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand, Chongqing is super convenient with direct flights both ways, offering one-stop immigration and customs.
If your country doesn't have direct flights, you'll usually arrive via Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, then take a domestic flight to Chongqing.
How to get to the city center from the airport?
- By Metro: Line 10 → Zengjiayan Station → transfer to Line 2 → Linjiangmen Station (runs between 6:30 am-11 pm, taking about 1h)
- By Airport Express Bus K10 (runs ~30min after flight arrivals, taking around 1h)
- By Taxi or Didi: taking about 30 min
Can I Sleep at Chongqing Airport?
Yes. In Terminal 3, you can find sleep pods and overnight rest areas.
If You're Getting to/from Chongqing By Train
If you're already in China, bullet trains make it easy to reach Chongqing or continue your journey.
Trains between Chongqing and nearby major cities
| Cities | Duration | Cities | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | 2h | Yichang | 4.5h |
| Zhangjiajie | 2.5h | Xian | 5.5h |
| Enshi | 2.5h | Kunming | 5h |
| Guilin | 4h | - | - |
Chongqing has 4 main train stations. You can get to the city center (Jiefangbei) by metro or taxi, and Chongqing North Station or Shapingba Station is closer to the city center.
| Railway Station | By driving | By metro |
|---|---|---|
| Chongqingbei (North) | 30min | 35min (Line 10 → Line 2) |
| Shapingba | 40min | 45min (Line 1 Direct) |
| Chongqingxi (West) | 40min | 1h (Line 5 → Line 2) |
| Chongqingdong (East) | 40min | 45min (Line 6, but take in two sections) |
Tips for choosing the railway station in Chongqing:
To/from Chengdu: West Station or Shapingba is the fastest (~1h).
To/from Zhangjiajie: East Station has the most and fastest trains (~2.5h).
To/from Yichang: North Station has most trains.
If You're Getting to/from Chongqing By Ship
You can take a Yangtze River Cruise. Currently, only two routes connect Chongqing:
- Chongqing → Yichang: 3-4 days, frequent departures
- Chongqing → Shanghai: 14 days, only one ship (Century Voyage)
It's great for the Yangtze River and Three Gorges sightseeing while reaching your destination. You can check our Yangtze River Cruise to learn more about the ships and departure date.
Typically, you'll arrive or board at Chaotianmen Dock, which is near the city center, Jiefangbei.
From the airport or train stations, you can take the metro (to Chaotianmen Station or Xiaoshizi Station), or a taxi to the dock, taking about 40-60 minutes.
With a private tour, we can help book your tickets and arrange airport or train station pick-up. Even for big families, you don't need to worry about extra luggage.
Contact us to plan your stress-free trip.
How to Get Around Chongqing from Downtown
Chongqing is a huge city, so if you want to travel from the city center to the surrounding areas, bullet trains and driving are the most convenient options.
Chongqing to Wulong
You can take a bullet train or regular train to Wulong, then a shuttle bus to Fairy Town Tourist Center. Either way, it takes about 2.5 hours to reach the tourist center.
You can also choose a private car, driving directly from your hotel to the attractions. Same travel time (~2.5 hours), but no transfers, very convenient.
Chongqing to Dazu
To visit the Dazu Rock Carvings, a direct shuttle bus from Jiefangbei or a private car is recommended. It takes about 2 hours straight to the attraction.
Taking the bullet train isn't ideal, because from the station, you still need about 1 hour transfer to reach the attraction.
Chongqing to Pengshui
If you want to visit Wujiang Gallery, Gongtan Ancient Town, or Chiyou Jiuli City, a private car is recommended. It's about 3 hours drive.
These places are relatively remote with fewer visitors, so taking a bullet train would make it a bit hard to get a taxi to the attractions.
A private car makes visiting Wulong or Dazu hassle-free, with flexible transfers. Check out our Chongqing tours, where everything is arranged for you.
Chongqing to Three Gorges
For Three Gorges attractions like White Emperor City, Goddess Scenic Area, the Peak of Three Gorges, Fengyan Three Kingdoms, and Fengdu Ghost City, a Yangtze cruise is the easiest. These are included as stops.
If I prefer not to cruise, how can I visit the Three Gorges and those attractions?
You can take a train to Fengdu, Fengjie, or Wushan, then take a shuttle bus to the attractions.
And if you just want to enjoy the gorge sightseeing, try to take the local ferry (red boat). I recommend these two parts:
- Fengjie to Wushan: You can enjoy the Qutang Gorge. The ferry runs twice a day: 8:00 am and 1:30 pm. The 1:30 pm trip offers better light for sightseeing.
- Wushan to Baolong: It's best to enjoy the scenery in Wu Gorge. I recommend taking a round trip, about 3h to and from, as Baolong is a small village, no need to stop. The ferry departs at 8:00, 10:00, 14:00, and 16:00.
How Do I Get Around in Downtown Chongqing?
Chongqing is an 8D mountain city and has a magical, well-developed transport system.
You can take light rail, cableway, ferries, taxis, and even escalators. These aren't just ways to get from A to B, but also popular spots to visit and take photos.
By Metro (Light Rail)
Chongqing has 12 metro lines, taking you to airports, train stations, and most city attractions.
Metro-accessible spots:
- Jiefangbei: Line 1/6 to Xiaoshizi, Line 2 to Linjiangmen/Jiaochangkou
- Hongyadong: Line 1/6 to Xiaoshizi, Line 6 to Grand Theatre (across the river view)
- Kuixinglou: Line 2 to Linjiangmen
- Xiahaoli & Longmenhao: Line 6 to Shangxin Street
- Liziba: Line 2 to Liziba Station
- Eling Park & Erchang Factory: Line 1 to Eling
- Raffles City: Line 1 →to Chaotianmen (also cruise dock)
- Three Gorges Museum: Line 10 to Grand Hall Station
- Shibati: Line 2 to Jiaochangkou
- Ciqikou Ancient Town: Line 1 to Ciqikou
- Guanyin Bridge: Line 3/9 to Guanyinqiao
- Ring Mall: Line 5 →to Chongguang
Unlike most cities' underground metros, Chongqing's metro is mostly elevated. This means you can enjoy city views while riding.
Recommended stations:
- Liziba: Train goes through the building
- Grand Theatre to Xiaoshizi: Evening ride with stunning Hongyadong night views from the right-side window (best after 8 pm in summer, 6 pm in winter)
- Fotuguan: "Spring train" through pink blossom trees. Best in March.
- Niujiaotuo: Sunset on Jialing River (best from May-Sep)
- Hongyancun: Deepest metro station in the world
Metro isn't very convenient when you're traveling with kids or seniors. A private car can transfer you between attractions conveniently.
By Yangtze River Cableway
- Open: 7:00–21:00
- Price: One-way 30 RMB (recommended), Round-trip 50 RMB
The Yangtze Cableway used to be a regular transport for locals, but now it's a popular ride for visitors. You can easily transfer between Jiefangbei and Longmenhao & Xiahaoli with it.
The cableway has North and South stations:
- North Station: near Jiefangbei
- South Station: near Longmenhao Old Street
Along the ride, you get views of the Yangtze River and riverside buildings, like Huguang Guild Hall and Raffles City.
But it usually requires 30min to 2hrs queues. To avoid the long lines, you can buy a VIP ticket, choose South Station with fewer crowds, or visit early at 7 am.
Best Time to visit: May to Oct, with blue skies, is better for photos and viewing, while Nov-Mar is foggy with grey skies.
By Ferry Boat
Chongqing has two types of ferries: transfer ferries and sightseeing cruises.
You can take the Jialing Ferry or Two Rivers Ferry to move between attractions, or hop on a Two Rivers Cruise to enjoy the riverside city views.
Jialing Ferry (Hongya Cave - Ciqikou Ancient Town)
- Dock: Hongya Cave Dock 1
- Time: 10:00 -17:00
- Price: 30 RMB one-way
Here is a hidden tip: From Nov-Apr, take the 5 pm last ferry from Ciqikou back to Hongya Cave. You'll arrive around 6 pm, just as the lights come on.
Two Rivers Ferry (Hongya Cave - Danzishi)
- Dock: Hongya Cave Dock 3
- Time: from Hongya Cave: 9:30–18:00; from Danzishi: 9:00–17:30. It runs hourly.
- Price: 15 RMB one-way
Danzishi is the best spot to see the confluence of the two rivers, one of Chongqing's busiest landmarks, with Raffles City.
It's opposite across the river, and the ferry will take you there in only 5min, very convenient. (Compared to 20min-driving by car or 1h by metro).
Two Rivers Cruise (round-trip)
- Daytime Cruise: 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30, 16:45 (Hongya Cave Dock)
- Sunset Cruise: 18:00 (Hongya Cave Dock)
- Night Cruise: 19:00–21:00 (Hongya Cave or Chaotianmen Dock 7)
You'll sail along the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers, and enjoy Chongqing's busiest skyline.
Night views are better than daytime. You'll see Hongya Cave lit up, and sometimes even a Saturday drone show. But the Daytime Cruise is less crowded and more cost-effective.
With a private tour, your guide will plan the best route for the day, helping you avoid long queues and waiting times. Just contact us.
By Taxi or Ride-Hailing (Didi)
Most of Chongqing's taxis are yellow. You can easily recognize them. The start fare is 10 RMB during the day, and 11 RMB at night. But avoid holidays and peak hours. Traffic jams can make rides expensive.
You can also use Didi or AMap Global apps, usually 3-20 RMB cheaper than taxis.
Driving is actually one of the best ways to experience Chongqing's amazing 8D traffic system.
As you drive through the 5-level, 20-ramp Panlong Overpass, you're weaving through the city's most complex traffic maze. Passing Egongyan Bridge, you'll see the railway bridge, road bridge, and overpass in one frame. The layered traffic layout is truly mind-blowing.
Can I Cycle in Chongqing?
You'll rarely see shared bikes or scooters in the city center or near popular attractions. Chongqing is a mountain city, so cycling can be strenuous.
But you can still find bike lanes in some spots. For example, Beibin Road offers bike rentals and a quiet riverside path. You can ride with kids along the river, and in the evening (7-9 pm), enjoy night views of Hongya Cave and Raffles City along the way.
Travel Chongqing with China Highlights
With a private tour, you don't need to worry about domestic transfers or complicated transportation arrangements.
We also arrange the right vehicle based on your group size and luggage, so you can travel comfortably from start to finish.