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Chengdu to Chongqing by High-Speed Train

Published 2026-10-21 · Updated 2026-10-21 · Transport

Written by China On Arrival Editorial Desk · Research basis: Editor research, fact-checked

TL;DR

A: Don't fly. The Chengdu–Chongqing corridor runs 80-130 trains a day (06:10-22:15), fastest about 1 hour 05 minutes, second class roughly ¥85-175 depending on train and station — book in the 12306 app or on Trip.com and go station-to-station, downtown to downtown.

What’s the short answer?

The Chengdu–Chongqing corridor is one of China’s densest high-speed routes: 80-130 departures a day between roughly 06:10 and 22:15, fastest around 1 h 05, second class from about ¥85. Flying makes no sense downtown-to-downtown — the plane saves 20 minutes in the air and costs you two hours on either end. Just show up at the right station with your passport.

Route facts (checked October 2026)

Distance~308 km
Fastest~1 h 05 min (G trains, 350 km/h Fuxing)
Typical1 h 20 min – 2 h
Frequency80-130 departures daily, first ~06:10, last ~22:15
Second class¥85-175 (dynamically priced — see below)
First class¥135-305

Which stations?

Most useful trains run Chengdu East (成都东) → Shapingba (沙坪坝) or Chongqing West (重庆西); cheaper D trains go to Chongqing North (重庆北). The trade-offs:

  • Chengdu East — every fast train starts here; Metro Lines 2 and 7, six stops to Chunxi Road
  • Shapingba — closest to central Chongqing’s west side, on Metro Lines 1/9/Ring
  • Chongqing West — most G trains; Metro Lines 5 and Ring into town
  • Chongqing North — mostly D trains, ~2 hours but cheapest (¥85-113); Metro Lines 3/4/10
  • Guilin-style trap to avoid: Chengdu West only serves slow conventional trains on this corridor

Fares are dynamic — the sticker range is wide

Every train has its own fare, and 12306 tags discounted departures with a visible percentage label. On recent checks: G trains to Shapingba ¥139-164, to Chongqing West ¥121-172, D trains to Chongqing North ¥85-113. Public-holiday dates shed the discounts first — book the 15-day window opening day for Golden Week.

Check today’s Chengdu → Chongqing fares →

How do you book?

Same two channels as everywhere in China: the official 12306 app (zero fees, English mode, foreign passports) or Trip.com (English checkout, small fee). The full comparison is in our 12306 vs Trip.com guide; the refund and change fine print is in the refund fees answer. Your passport is the ticket at the gate.

What do you do on arrival?

Chongqing’s hilly geography makes the station choice matter more than in flat cities — Jiefangbei and Hongyadong are one Metro ride from Shapingba, longer from North. Where to base yourself: Chongqing neighborhoods and Chengdu neighborhoods, or our Chengdu 5-day and Chongqing 3-day itineraries.

Sources

Riding on to either city? The Chengdu city guide and Chongqing city guide cover stay areas, costs and night views.

Sources