Electric Caocao rides usually cost a bit more than Didi
At Chengdu Shuangliu (T1 and T2), Caocao Zhuanche sits in the middle ground: pricier than a basic Didi Express, still usually cheaper than a true chauffeur service. Most cars are licensed new‑energy vehicles, and r/China users call them “nicer” than standard Didi, with cleaner interiors and newer models. Figure on paying a small premium over a metered taxi into downtown Chengdu for a predictable, app‑quoted fare.
Caocao pickup works like any ride‑hailing at CTU: book from the app, then meet the car at the designated online-taxi area outside T1 or T2 on the arrivals level. The app shows a fixed‑price quote before you confirm, which can beat taxis in heavy 3rd Ring Road traffic but sometimes lands higher than a taxi in light late‑night traffic. Drivers usually message you on the in‑app chat in Chinese once they’re within a few hundred meters.
Several Zhihu business travellers say they use Caocao from CTU because drivers “usually don’t smoke” and tend to know the terminal road system and elevated ramps better than regular city taxis. In practice that means fewer surprise detours through local streets and more direct runs to places like Tianfu Square or the Hi‑Tech Zone. Cars are typically BYD or Geely EVs with working rear seatbelts and functioning AC, which still isn’t universal in some legacy taxis.
Plan for slower car availability than Didi: users report Caocao wait times at CTU stretching to 15–25 minutes late at night, compared with 5–10 minutes for Didi on the same curb. Supply is strongest on weekday business mornings and early evenings, when airport runs to the Financial City and Tianfu Software Park spike. Outside those windows, the app may show “no cars” or repeatedly extend the estimated arrival time.
Account setup is the catch. You generally need a Chinese mobile number plus WeChat Pay or Alipay linked to a local bank card to pay for Caocao; overseas cards inside those wallets work inconsistently. Foreign travellers usually find Didi’s international app smoother, with English UI and direct Visa/Mastercard support. Caocao’s customer support is also reported as slower than Didi’s when disputes arise over tolls or routes.
Step-by-step: using Caocao at CTU
- 1. In Wi‑Fi area near arrivals in T1 or T2, download/open the Caocao app and log in with a Chinese phone number.
- 2. Add a payment method in the app (WeChat Pay or Alipay tied to a mainland CNY balance) before you leave the terminal Wi‑Fi.
- 3. Set your pickup pin to “Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport T1” or “T2” and then drag it to the actual ride‑hailing pickup zone shown on the in‑app map.
- 4. Enter your destination in Chinese characters if possible (for example “太古里” or “天府广场”) to reduce driver confusion, then confirm the fixed‑price quote.
- 5. Once matched, message the driver with your exact door number, like “T2 Gate 4,” and walk to the online-taxi lane outside that gate.
- 6. Check the license plate in the app against the car before you get in, then confirm the destination on the driver’s navigation screen.
- 7. After drop‑off, payment auto‑processes in the app; screenshot the receipt page immediately if you need an invoice for a company expense claim.
One last tip: during late‑night arrivals after 23:00, open both Caocao and Didi at the same time—book whichever shows a real car within 10–15 minutes, not just the lower headline fare.