Random Stuff -getting
from ShuangLiu Airport into Chengdu.
When you land at Chengdu ShuangLiu airport, there are three
main options for getting into town;
bus, official taxi, unofficial taxi. Also, some airlines offer a free minibus service to some passengers.
Although you go through a toll gate on
the way from the airport into town, there is no charge to go
from the airport. There is a charge going to
the airport. You do not pay
any of the toll to go from the airport.
Buses (25 - 30 mins) Bus 303
Public bus 303 heads in to town. Head out of arrivals
and turn right. You should see the buses there.
There's plenty of room for luggage. Cost is 10 rmb the last time we used it,
although we have got lazy
recently and been using taxis. The 303 takes about 25 mins to get to the centre
of town, last stop by the
MinShan Hotel, opposite the JinJiang Hotel. Not 100% sure of when the 303 stops,
but we think it runs
between 7am and 7pm.
Buses 16 and 99
For travellers on a really thin shoestring, you can get to the airport for 2
RMB if you take 16 or 99 to
the South train station and then transfer to 404. Same
for the way back, but you have to walk over to
the Macao/Jiuzhaigou terminal. (tip courtesy of www.bikechina.com)
Official taxi (15 - 25 mins)
These are lined up just outside the airport. The drivers
may offer you a price, but best bet is to use the meter.
The drivers activate the meter by pushing the red 'for hire' sign forward. You
may hear a couple of beeps and the
"welcome to take my taxi," greeting (yes, that is what it says). To
get to the centre of town, it should be about 35 rmb
to 40 rmb, perhaps up to 50 if you are heading for some of the hostels near
TianFu Square.
Unofficial taxi
Of course you should never take these, but word has it
that some immoral and law-nonabiding people do accept the offer
of someone hanging around in arrivals, offering taxi services. Allegedly the
taxi will be shared by some other people,
but word has it that it is not much hassle, and they take you to where you want
to go. Some stories say that people
prefer to see the taxi first before negotiating a price. If the car is half-full
already, of course it ought to be cheaper.
The official taxis are still our favoured option, even though there can be long
and competitive queues for taxis.
Airline minibuses ("free"!) (25 - 40 mins)
Some airlines offer a free trip into Chengdu with their
minibuses, if you have flown with their airline. Sichuan Airlines is one - if you have paid more than 500 rmb for
your ticket, they offer the free minibus service. Worth asking the airline,
or ask the air crew. If you are in a hurry, though, just take a taxi.
China increased air fuel surcharges on 1st September 2006.
Passengers flying less than 800 km: fuel surcharge is 60 rmb (previously 30 rmb).
Passengers flying more than 800 km: fuel surcharge is 100 rmb (previously 60 rmb).
