Two hours from CTU to Leshan, skipping Chengdu completely
If you land at Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) and want to head straight for the Leshan Giant Buddha instead of going into Chengdu city, the Airport Coach to Leshan is the point‑to‑point option. Coaches leave from the ground transport area at T1/T2 and run roughly during daytime and early evening, but reports say services thin out after around 19:00–20:00.
Tickets usually cost less than a high‑speed rail combo (shuttle + train), and riders on TripAdvisor called the direct coach “a lifesaver” because it avoids backtracking via Chengdu East Station and then another bus. The flip side: multiple travellers note that departure times are flexible, and buses may sit 10–30 minutes waiting to fill more seats before rolling.
Plan on around 2 hours on the expressway in normal traffic, but Chinese holiday weekends can stretch this run well past the 2.5–3 hour mark according to domestic trip reports. The coach doesn’t drop you at the Giant Buddha gates; it stops at a Leshan bus station, and you then need a 15–30 minute taxi or local bus ride to the main scenic area or your hotel.
One Chinese backpacker summed it up as “basic but direct”: expect standard long‑distance coach seating, onboard AC, and usually no onboard toilet, so use airport restrooms before boarding in T1 or T2. Buying tickets can be the trickiest step, as several foreign travellers complain about limited English signage at the counter and end up showing the Chinese characters for “Leshan” (乐山) on their phone.
How to use the Airport Coach to Leshan
- 1. Land at CTU T1 or T2: After baggage claim, follow the ground transport signs down to the long‑distance bus area; give yourself at least 30–45 minutes from landing to reaching the ticket window.
- 2. Find the Leshan counter: Look for “乐山” on the destination boards; if you don’t see it, go to the airport information desk and ask staff to point you to the Leshan coach ticket window.
- 3. Buy your ticket: Pay in cash or with Chinese mobile payment if you have it; keep the paper ticket, as staff will often check both at the gate and again at the bus door.
- 4. Wait for boarding and possible seat‑filling: Head to the indicated gate or stand; be ready for a 10–30 minute buffer while the driver waits to fill more seats, especially right after another coach has departed.
- 5. Ride to Leshan bus station: Expect about 2 hours in normal traffic; once in Leshan, follow signs or ask for taxis or buses going to the Giant Buddha (usually 15–30 minutes more).
Regulars often book flights landing by early afternoon so they can catch a daytime coach and still reach Leshan before dark; if your arrival hits after 19:00, assume you may need to stay one night in Chengdu and continue in the morning.