China train guide · checked October 2026
Chengdu to Chongqing by train
The two capitals of Sichuan food are linked by trains that run almost like a shuttle, so you can decide on the day and still get a seat outside holidays.
- Journey timeabout 1–1.5 hours
- Fastest train1 h
- Second classfrom ¥95 (about 55 PLN) – up to ¥155
- How oftenevery 10–20 minutes, in both directions
Stations
Show the Chinese name to your taxi driver.
Chengdu's main high-speed station (metro lines 2 and 7).
Trains arrive at Shapingba (重庆沙坪坝站), Chongqing West (重庆西站) or Chongqing North (重庆北站) – choose the one nearest your hotel.
Good to know
- The same trains run the other way, from Chongqing to Chengdu East.
- At weekends and during holidays book a day or two ahead – the line is popular with locals too.
Other ways: Buses take 4 hours or more; flying makes no sense on this distance.
On the way
The line crosses the Sichuan Basin – rice paddies, bamboo groves and low hills – with stops such as Neijiang and Dazu South, the station for the Dazu Rock Carvings (UNESCO).
When you arrive
Shapingba station is in the west of the city, not far from the old river port of Ciqikou; from all three stations the metro or a taxi takes you to Jiefangbei in the centre. Chongqing is built in layers, so don't trust a flat map: check which level your hotel's entrance is on.
How to book
- Buy on Trip.com (English, foreign cards) or in the official 12306 app – tickets go on sale 15 days before departure.
- Your passport is your ticket: you book with its number and scan it at the gates. Bring the same passport you booked with.
- Be at the station 40–60 minutes early: there is a security check at the entrance, and gates close a few minutes before departure.
- Big suitcases fit at the end of each carriage or on the racks above the seats.
Times and fares are typical values for second class, checked in October 2026. Fares are dynamic (peak trains cost more) and timetables change – check the live timetable on Trip.com or 12306 before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see Chengdu and Chongqing in one trip?
Easily: they're 1–1.5 hours apart with trains every 10–20 minutes, so many travellers spend 2–3 days in each. Our Cyberpunk & Pandas itinerary does exactly that.
Can I stop at the Dazu Rock Carvings on the way?
Yes, some trains stop at Dazu South (大足南站). From there it's about 50–60 minutes by taxi to the carvings at Baodingshan, so it's easiest as a day trip from Chongqing.
