Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport

Chongqing Jiangbei serves one of China’s largest and fastest-growing inland cities, and it has climbed steadily up the ranks of the country’s busiest airports. Several Chinese carriers base operations here, and the airport has expanded across multiple terminals to keep pace with the city’s growth.

The layout

The airport operates more than one terminal, with the newer buildings adding substantial international and domestic capacity. As at most large Chinese airports, the terminals are big and the walk to a distant gate takes time, so follow the signage and leave a margin on connections — and check which terminal your flight uses, since a transfer between buildings is not instant.

Getting into the city

Chongqing Rail Transit serves the airport directly — Metro lines run from the airport into the city center and connect to the wider network — which is the cheapest and most reliable way in, avoiding the road traffic. The airport sits about 24 km northeast of central Chongqing. Taxis are metered and available, but bear in mind Chongqing’s famously mountainous, multi-level terrain can make road journeys slower and more winding than the distance suggests.

Worth knowing

If you are transiting China through Chongqing, check the current visa-free transit rules for your nationality and route before counting on leaving the airport. Volumes rise sharply around Chinese public holidays, when domestic travel surges, so allow extra time on both arrival and departure during those windows. Immigration and security are thorough on international flights, so don’t plan a tight international connection here.