Chongqing Transportation Guide: How to Get to & around Chongqing 2025

Chongqing, one of the four municipal cities in China, is a vital transportation hub in the southwest of China. It's well connected with many global cities by flights as well as numerous domestic cities by flights and trains. Moreover, it has established extensive inner-city transportation networks including rail transit and cars that connect popular attractions with its transportation hubs like the airport and railway stations. For your convenient and efficient Chongqing trip in 2025, read our Chongqing Transportation Guide to know how to get to Chongqing and how to get around Chongqing.

Click to Jump:

How to Get to / from Chongqing (Flight, Train, Ship)

How to Get to Chongqing from Hot Destinations in China (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Chengdu, etc.)

How to Get around Chongqing (Private Vehicle, Public Transportation)

Location: Airport Road, Lianglu Town, Yubei District, Chongqing (重庆市渝北区两路镇机场路)

Distance to Chaotianmen Dock: around 24km (40 mins by car)

Distance to Chongqing Downtown: around 24km (40 mins by car)

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG), one of the eight airport hubs in China, operates over 30 international airlines and more than 200 domestic airlines with over 1000 daily flights, linking Chongqing to nearly 160 destinations around the world. You can easily take a flight to transfer between Chongqing and international cities like Singapore (around 5 hrs), Seoul (around 4 hrs), Kuala Lumpur (around 4.5 hrs), London (around 11 hrs), Seattle (around 15 hrs), Sydney (around 11 hrs), etc. There are also many direct flights between Chongqing and other major cities in China such as Beijing (around 2.5 hrs), Xian (around 1.5 hrs), Shanghai (2.5 - 3 hrs), Guilin (1.5 hrs), Hong Kong (around 2.5 hrs), Guangzhou (around 2 hrs), Kunming (around 1.5 hrs), Wuhan (around 1 hr 50 mins), Hangzhou (around 2.5 hrs), Qingdao (around 3 hrs), and more.

▶ Check more about Chongqing Airport & Flights.

Chongqing Jiangbei Airport

Click to Enlarge Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Location Map

4 Days Chongqing Yangtze Cruise Tour

Itinerary: Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang

Highlights: Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, Three Gorges Museum, Shennv Stream, Hongya Cave, Liziba Metro

There are five railway stations in operation across Chongqing City, including Chongqing North Railway Station (重庆北站), Chongqing East Railway Station (重庆东站), Chongqing West Railway Station (重庆西站), Shapingba Railway Station (沙坪坝站), and Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Railway Station (江北机场站). Among them, the first four - Chongqing North, East, West Railway stations and Shapingba Railway Station, are frequently used.

Location: No. 51, Kunlun Road, Yubei District, Chongqing (重庆市渝北区昆仑大道51号)

Distance to Chaotianmen Dock: around 10km (0.5 hr by car)

Distance to Chongqing Downtown: around 10km (40 mins by car)

Chongqing North Railway Station (Chongqingbei Railway Station) connects most major cities in China. You can take G, D, and C trains to transfer between Chongqing and Beijing (7 - 9.5 hrs), Xian (5 - 5.5 hrs), Shanghai (10.5 - 13.5 hrs), Chengdu (2 - 2.5 hrs), Kunming (5 - 6 hrs), Guiyang (3 - 3.5 hrs), Wuhan (5 - 7.5 hrs), etc.

Chongqing North Railway Station

Location: East side of Guangmao Avenue, Nan'an District, Chongqing ( 重庆市南岸区广茂大道东侧)

Distance to Chaotianmen Dock: around 12km (40 mins by car)

Distance to Chongqing Downtown: around 12km (40 mins by car)

Chongqing East Railway Station (Chongqingdong Railway Station), newly opened in June 2025, is the largest high-speed railway station in Asia. Currently, it links Chengdu (1 hr 40 mins-2 hr 40 mins), has the most high-speed trains to Wulong (40 mins-2 hrs), and is the first and only railway station in Chongqing with connections to Zhangjiajie (2-4 hrs), Fenghuang Ancient Town (4-5 hrs)... Its network will further expand to include the Chongqing-Xiamen, -Wanzhou, -Guiyang, and -Kunming high-speed railways.

Location: No. 168, Fengzhong Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing (重庆市沙坪坝区凤中路168号)

Distance to Chaotianmen Dock: around 20km (40 mins by car)

Distance to Chongqing Downtown: around 20km (50 mins by car)

Chongqing West Railway Station (Chongqingxi Railway Station) is another frequently used station in Chongqing. You can take G, D or C trains to transfer between Chongqing and Beijing (10 - 26 hrs), Xian (5 - 6 hrs), Shanghai (11.5 - 12.5 hrs), Chengdu (1 - 2 hrs), Guilin (3.5~5 hrs), Kunming (4.5 - 5 hrs), Guiyang (2 - 3 hrs), Wuhan (around 5.5 hrs), Changsha (5.5 - 6 hrs), Leshan (2 - 5 hrs) and more.

Click to Enlarge Train Stations to Chaotianmen Dock Map

Location: No. 200, Beizhan East Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing (重庆沙坪坝区北站东路200号)

Distance to Chaotianmen Dock: around 15km (0.5 hr by car)

Distance to Chongqing Downtown: around 15km (50 mins by car)

Shapingba Railway Station primarily operates G-series high-speed trains from / to cities of the southwest region in China. Popular destinations it connects to include Chengdu (1 - 1.5 hrs), and Leshan (around 3 hrs). It also runs high-speed trains from Xian (around 6 hrs) and Shanghai (around 14 hrs).

Click to Enlarge Train Stations to Chongqing Downtown Map

5 Days Chongqing City Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Itinerary: Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang

Highlights: Liziba Metro, High-rise Observation Deck, Three Gorges Museum, People's Assembly Hall, Three Gorges Dam, Three Gorges

For a more leisurely and scenic route to travel to Chongqing, you can take the Yangtze River cruise from Yichang for 5 days, or from Shanghai for 12 days.

▶ Check more about Yangtze River Cruises.

Location: No. 49, Yangtze River Binjiang Road, Yuzhong Disctrict, Chongqing (重庆市渝中区长江滨江路49号)

Distance to Chongqing Downtown: next to it

Chaotianmen Dock, located at the junction of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River, is the only place to embark on or disembark from the Yangtze River Cruise in Chongqing City. It's 24km (40 mins by car) southeast from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and 10 to 20 km (0.5 - 40 mins by car) from Chongqing's four open railway stations. You can get there by car, airport express, or rail transit.

▶ For more detailed info about wharves, nearby attractions and how to get there, please check Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock.

Click to Enlarge Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock Location Map

Most travelers would travel to Chongqing after a visit to gateway cities in China such as Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, or neighboring popular destinations like Chengdu, Zhangjiajie, and Guilin.

Click to Jump:

①   ②  
③   ④  
⑤   ⑥  

Beijing, which is often planned as the first or last stop of a China trip, is about 1800km (20 hours by car) northeast from Chongqing. You can take a plane for 3 hours from Beijing Daxing International Airport or Beijing Capital International Airport, with nearly 100 daily non-stop flights. Moreover, you can travel by high-speed train, which takes 7 - 10 hours. There are 7 daily trains running from Beijing West Railway Station and Beijing Fengtai Railway Station to Chongqing North Railway Station and Chongqing West Railway Station.

► Check more about Beijing Yangtze Tours.

Forbidden City in Beijing in Jun. 2024

Xian, once the capital of 13 ancient Chinese dynasties and now one of three top tourist destinations in China, is 580km (8 hrs 50 mins by car) northeast from Chongqing. Taking a high-speed train ride lasting 5 to 6 hours is the best way to travel which departs from Xian North Railway Station to Chongqing's three main railway stations. There are nearly 20 one-way high-speed trains available. You can also take a plane for 1.5 hours. Every day 10 direct flights depart from Xian Xianyang International Airport to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.

► Check more about Chongqing Xian Transportation | Xian Yangtze Tours.

Terracotta Warriors in Xian in Sep. 2019

9 Days Beijing Xian & Relaxing Yangtze Cruise Tour

Itinerary: Beijing / Xian / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang

Highlights: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Yangtze River Cruise

Shanghai, the must-go city in China reputed as the “Oriental Pearl” and the “Paris of the East”, is 1670km (20.5 hrs by car) away from Chongqing. Traveling by flight is the fastest choice, which takes about 3 hours. There are nearly 70 daily non-stop flights from Shanghai Pudong International Airport or Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. Besides, you can take a high-speed train for 10.5 - 13 hours. 17 daily trains are running from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Songjiang Railway Station to Chongqing North Railway Station and Chongqing West Railway Station.

► Check more about Shanghai Tours | Yangtze Tours from Shanghai.

Lujiazui in Shanghai in Nov. 2017

Chengdu, the hometown of Giant Panda, lies around 265km (4 hrs by car) west from Chongqing. Transferring by bullet train is the most convenient and recommended way, which takes about 1 - 2.5 hours with over 140 high-speed trains running every day. You can get from Chengdu East Railway Station or Chengdu South Railway Station to any of Chongqing's four railway stations, among which high-speed trains to Shapingba Railway Station offer the shortest travel time.

► Check more about Chengdu Chongqing Transportation | Chengdu Yangtze Tours.

Panda Base in Chengdu in Jun. 2019

9 Days Beauty Tour to Jiuzhai Valley & Yangtze River

Itinerary: Chengdu / Jiuzhaigou / Huanglong / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang

Highlights: Jiuzhaigou Valley, Huanglong National Park, Chengdu Panda Base, Yangtze River Cruise, Hongya Cave

Zhangjiajie, famous for its uncanny natural wonders, is 530km (9 hrs 40 mins by car) east from Chongqing. You can take a plane for around 1.5 hours from Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport, but there are no flights every day. Besides, you can choose to take a high-speed train for 2 - 4 hours from Zhangjiajie West Station to the most-used Chongqing East Railway Station, or to Chongqing North Railway Station, Chongqing West Railway Station, and Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Railway Station.

► Check more about Zhangjiajie Yangtze Tours.

Tianzi Mountain of Zhangjiajie in Jun. 2024

6 Days Chongqing, Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Exciting Tour

Itinerary: Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Zhangjiajie

Highlights: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, Three Gorges Museum, Hongya Cave, Liziba Metro Station

Guilin, renowned for its amazing mountain and river scenery, lies 600km (12 hrs by car) southeast from Chongqing. You're suggested to take a high-speed train, which takes 4 - 5 hours to Chongqing. There are around 15 daily high-speed trains operating from Guilin Railway Station, Guilin North Railway Station or Guilin West Railway Station to Chongqing West Railway Station. Besides, you can opt to travel by plane for 1.5 hours, but only three direct flights in a week between Chongqing and Guilin are running, which run from Guilin Liangjiang International Airpot to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.

► Check more about Chongqing Guilin Transportation | Guilin Yangtze Tours.

Li River in Guilin in Aug. 2024

Chongqing has comprehensive inner-city transportation networks. You can take a private vehicle or opt for public transportation including taxi, rail transit and bus.

Chongqing has a busy and complex traffic system due to its special landform feature, and it can be hard for first-timers to Chongqing. Therefore, transferring between airports/ train stations to ports, hotels and attractions in Chongqing by private car is the most convenient way.

We yangtze-river-cruises.com offer tour packages, which cover safe, clean, comfortable, non-smoking, and air-conditioned private vehicles with experienced drivers as an important part of our tour packages. Once you book such a service, our English-speaking tour guide will accompany you all the way, giving you an introduction of your destinations and sharing some travel tips to help you make travel as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Please feel free to send us your group size, traveling date and time for enquiry.

Non-smoking Licensed Private Vehicle of Our Tour Package

By Taxi

You can also catch a taxi in yellow color to get around in Chongqing downtown area and suburbs. The flag-fall price of a taxi in Chongqing is CNY 10 from 6:00 to 23:00 and CNY 11 from 23:00 to next 6:00.

Note: Traffic jams appear a lot in Chongqing city, especially during rush hours (8:00-9:00 and 17:00-18:00). Therefore, you're recommended to leave enough time for your transfer.

Taxis in Chongqing

By Rail Transit

Until , Chongqing has established efficient rail transit networks with 12 Light Rail Transit Lines, including the Loop Line, Line 1, Line 2, Line 3, Line 4, Line 5, Line 6, Line 9, Line 10, Line 18, Jiangtiao Line, and International Expo Line. They normally run from around 6:30 to 23:00. Line 2 passes Liziba Station where you can view the spectacle of light rail running through a building, as well as Chongqing Zoo, which houses over 20 giant pandas. Line 1 stops at most of Chongqing's popular attractions including Hongya Cave, Jiefangbei CBD and Ciqikou Ancient Town, as well as Chaotianmen Dock, while Line 10 will take you to Three Gorges Museum and Chongqing Jiangbei Airport.

Click to Enlarge Chongqing Rail Transit Map ©Official Website(cqmetro.cn)

► Check more about
① Get from Chongqing Airport to Chaotianmen Dock;
② Get from Chongqing Airport to Chongqing Downtown;
③ Get from Chongqing Railway Stations to Chaotianmen Dock.

Wulong Karst, one of the world's most spectacular karst landscapes, lies about 190km southeast of downtown Chongqing (3 hours by car). You can take a high-speed train from Chongqing East, North or West Railway stations for 40 mins - 2 hours to Wulong South Railway Station, which is about 15km (45 mins by car) from Xiannvshan Tourist Center. From the tourist center, you can take a sightseeing buses for about 25 minutes to reach Three Natural Bridges or Longshuixia Gap. You can also take a coach (operating 07:30 ~ 19:40) from Chongqing downtown to Wulong Xiannvshan Tourist Center and transfer to the scenic spots by sightseeing buses, for 3 - 3.5 hrs. For visiting Furong Cave, it takes 2.5 hrs by car from Chongqing. Since there is no public coach or tourist bus available, independent travelers can hire a local taxi to reach the scenic spot for 40 mins after arriving in Wulong County by train or coach.

► Check more about .

Three Natural Bridges of Wulong Karst in Sep. 2024

4 Days Classic Chongqing & Wulong Karst Tour

Itinerary: Chongqing / Wulong / Chongqing

Highlights: Three Natural Bridges, Longshuixia Gap, Furong Cave, Liziba Metro Station, Three Gorges Museum

Dazu Rock Carvings, China's second grotto site that has been listed as a World Heritage Site, is about 100km (1.5 hrs by car) northwest from Chongqing downtown. For transfers with lower budgets, coaches are the most recommended. There are some coaches available from Chongqing downtown (Caiyuanba Bus Station), railway stations and airport to Dazu Bus Station, taking 1 hrs 40 mins. However, a further transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings scenic spot by local taxi is needed, which takes 20 mins. Besides, Chongqing North Railway Station operates high-speed trains to Dazu South Railway Station, which takes 40 mins. From there, another 1-hour local taxi ride is needed to reach the scenic spot.

► Check more about .

Dazu Rock Carvings in Nov. 2023

2 Days Chongqing & Dazu Rock Carvings Tour

Itinerary: Chongqing / Dazu / Chongqing

Highlights: Dazu Rock Carvings, Hongya Cave, Three Gorges Museum, Liziba Metro Station, High-rise Observation Deck

Not sure where to begin your Chongqing adventure? Looking for a top-notch Chongqing tour package? At Yangtze River Cruises (), with a local office right in Chongqing, we are your trusted travel partner. Whether you're interested in exploring the city itself, taking a side trip to nearby wonders like Wulong Karst or Dazu, or boarding your Yangtze River cruise from Chongqing, we craft the perfect itinerary to suit your needs.

Our Chongqing tour packages include expert guides, experienced drivers with comfortable private vehicles, carefully selected hotels, and all necessary attraction tickets. Each tour can be fully customized based on your group size, travel dates, fitness level, interests, budget, and any special requirements you may have. Our goal is to ensure you have an unforgettable experience in Chongqing. Browse our tours or contact us directly for assistance or to create a personalized itinerary!

Our Customer Enjoying Yangtze Cruise Trip

More Chongqing Travel Articles

Chongqing Tours

Chongqing Attractions

Chongqing Chaotianmen Dock

Chongqing Chengdu Transportation

Chongqing Xian Transportation

Chongqing Guilin Transportation

Chongqing Weather

Chongqing Accommodation

Chongqing Foods

Chongqing Shopping

Chongqing Maps

Cruises from Chongqing

Chongqing Travel FAQs & Tips

Chongqing Travel Guide

2025 Latest News

How to Plan a Cruise Tour

China Yangtze Tour Planning

How to Book a Cruise

How to Choose a Route

How to Choose a Ship

How to Choose a Cabin

Get to Cruise Ports

How to Leave Cruise Ports

Best Time to Cruise

What to Expect Onshore

Onboard Experience

What to Pack

Tipping & Tipping Suggestions

Yangtze Cruise FAQs & Tips

Yangtze River Cruise Guide

Customer Support Guide

16 Days China Yangtze Tour with Zhangjiajie Landscape & Guilin Karst

(Shanghai / Zhangjiajie / Guilin / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Xian / Beijing)

5 Days Chongqing City Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

(Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang)

6 Days Chongqing, Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Exciting Tour

(Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Zhangjiajie)

18 Days China Memorable Tour with Yangtze Cruise

(Shanghai / Yichang / Yangtze River Cruise / Chongqing / Zhangjiajie / Guilin / Xian / Beijing)

12 Days China Golden Triangle Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

(Beijing / Xian / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Shanghai)

13 Days Classic China Tour with Yangtze Cruise

(Beijing / Xian / Guilin / Yangshuo / Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Shanghai)

Not easy to find the right cruise ship/itinerary for you? Please contact one of our Yangtze cruise specialists to save your time and money. Click the right button to send an online inquiry and we will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Yangtze Cruise Inquiry

Questions & Discussions

Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.

Keith Van

Stations

After the river cruise we want to get to Shanghai on the bullet train but don’t know which station to go to in Yichang or which station to go to in Shanghai we will be staying at the Sunrise on the bund? Thanks

2019-05-16 23:37

raqeeb

about clarification on terminal

i saw in terminal 3 there is 3A and 3B, if i want to receive passenger which one i should go ?

2018-02-24 22:53

Hi Reqeeb,

Thank you for the question. The 3A and 3 B are classified for the departure. There is only one place for people arriving at Terminal 3 of Chongqing Jiangbei Airport, so if you would receive the passenger, you could directly go to the receiving place where you can reach convenient along the signs.

Have a nice day!

Carrie at yangtze-river-cruises.com 2018-02-26 11:09

Arianna

Taxi fare

I’d like to travel by taxi from Chongqing airport to Fengdu Ghost City? How much will I pay more or less please?

2018-02-15 03:02

Dear Ms. Arianna,

Greetings from Wonder at Yangtze-River-Cruises!

Thank you for your inquiry of Yangtze River Cruises. We are really glad to have this chance to serve for you.
It will take you around 3 hours from Chongqing airport to Fengdu Ghost City. I am afraid that few taxi drivers would like to do that since it is too far. It’s difficult to see how much it will take. If you need us to arrange private transfer service, the cost will be around RMB1800=USD290 for one vehicle. The cost is extremely expensive and not worthwhile compare to only one place.

Besides, if you like, we recommend you take Rail Transit Line 3 for less than 10 RMB from Chongqing Airport to Chongqing North Railway Station for about 50 minutes to catch a 1 hour high speed train to Fengdu for about 40 RMB and transfer to Fengdu Ghost City for about 20 minutes by local taxi for about 30 RMB, so you could arrive there for about 2.5 hours with a much lower cost of about 80 RMB.

Wish you a wonderful trip to the Fengdu Ghost City!

Wonder at yangtze-river-cruises.com 2018-02-24 16:47

Have a question? Get answers from our travel experts or guests