Complete Guide to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport: Transport, Facilities, and Tips

Hi, I’m Alex Chen, an independent traveler from China who enjoys exploring cities on my own. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) now handles all passenger flights through T3, with most passenger procedures completed in T3A. In this guide, I’ll show you how to get from the airport to downtown Chongqing, Jiefangbei and Hongya Cave, how to transfer between T3A and T3B, and how to use practical airport services such as tax refunds, Wi-Fi and overnight facilities.

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Overview of Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport

• Airport Code: CKG
• Address: Lianglu Subdistrict, Yubei District, Chongqing, China (Apple Maps/Amap)
• Distance from Downtown Chongqing: 19 km
• Terminal Information:
  • T3A Terminal: This is the main passenger-processing terminal at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. All passenger flights now use T3. Check-in, baggage drop, baggage claim, and security for both T3A and T3B flights are handled in T3A. International and regional flights use T3A.
  • T3B Terminal: T3B is a domestic-flight satellite concourse connected to T3A. If your boarding gate begins with J, K, L, or M, complete check-in and security in T3A first, then take the airport APM to T3B.
  • T1 and T2 Terminals: Neither terminal currently handles passenger flights. T2 stopped handling passenger flights on December 23, 2025, when the remaining airlines moved their passenger operations to T3.

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4 Best Ways to Get to Downtown Chongqing

1. Metro

From T3 Terminal

• Route: Start at the B1 level of T3A and take Metro Line 10.
• Operating Hours:
  • Monday to Friday: 6:38 AM – 11:23 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday: 6:33 AM – 11:23 PM
• Fare: 2–7 CNY, depending on your destination.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
• Frequency: Every 10 minutes.

How to Buy Tickets:

• Ticket Machines: Accept cash, Alipay, or WeChat Pay.
• Mobile Payment: Use Alipay to scan the QR code at the gate.
• Ticket Counters: Accept international credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, AE, JCB).

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2. Airport Bus

From T3 Terminal

• Pick-Up Point: Exit 9 on the first floor.
• Route: Take Airport Express Line K01.
• Operating Hours:
  • Start: 8:30 AM
  • End: 30 minutes after the last flight arrival.
• Fare: 15 CNY per person.
• Frequency:
  • 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM: Every 30 minutes.
  • After 10:30 PM: Departs 30 minutes after the first passenger boards.
• Duration: Approximately 50 minutes.

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3. Taxi

From T3 Terminal

• Pick-Up Point: First floor of the parking building.
• Operating Hours: 24/7.
• Fare Estimate:
  • To Jiefangbei (Downtown): 48 CNY during the day, 55 CNY at night (approximately 22 km).
  • To Chongqing North Railway Station: 42 CNY during the day, 48 CNY at night (approximately 19 km).
• Duration: About 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

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4. Ride-Hailing

From T3 Terminal

• Pick-Up Point: B1 level of the parking building.
• Operating Hours: 24/7.
• Fare Estimate:
  • Daytime: Approximately 40 CNY.
  • Nighttime: Approximately 47 CNY.

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4 Best Ways to Get to Jiefangbei and Hongya Cave

From T3 Terminal

1. Metro

• Pick-Up Point: Metro station on the B1 level of T3A Terminal.
• Route: Take Metro Line 10 to Hongtudi Station. Switch to Line 6 (toward Tea Garden) and disembark at Xiaoshizi Station. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk to Jiefangbei or Hongya Cave.
• Fare: 5–7 CNY.
• Duration: Around 50 minutes to 1 hour.

2. Airport Shuttle Bus

• Pick-Up Point: Exit 9 on the first floor at T3A Terminal.
• Route: Take Airport Express Line K01 directly to Jiefangbei (Guotai Square). For Hongya Cave, continue from Jiefangbei on foot or by local transport.
• Fare: 15 CNY per person.
• Duration: About 65 minutes to Jiefangbei.

3. Taxi

• Pick-Up Point: Taxi stand on the first floor of the parking building at T3A Terminal.
• Route: Take a taxi directly to Jiefangbei or Hongya Cave.
• Fare Estimates:
  • Jiefangbei: Approximately 48 CNY during the day and 55 CNY at night (about 22 km).
  • Hongya Cave: Similar to the Jiefangbei fare.
• Duration: Around 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

4. Ride-Hailing Services

• Pick-Up Point: B1 level of the parking building at T3A Terminal.
• Route: Use a ride-hailing app to book a car directly to Jiefangbei or Hongya Cave.
• Fare Estimates:
  • Daytime: About 40 CNY.
  • Nighttime: About 47 CNY.
• Duration: Approximately 40 minutes.

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Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport Guide

Tax Refund Services

• Eligibility:
  • Purchases of eligible tax-refund goods made by the same overseas visitor on the same day at the same tax-refund store must total at least CNY 200.
  • The eligible goods must have been purchased no more than 90 days before departure.
• Refund Amount:
  • The refund rate depends on the VAT rate applied to the goods. Eligible goods subject to the 13% VAT rate have an 11% refund rate, while goods subject to the 9% VAT rate have an 8% refund rate. The actual amount received is the calculated refund minus the tax refund agency service fee.
• Refund Method:
  • For refund amounts of CNY 20,000 or less, you can choose cash or bank transfer. Refunds over CNY 20,000 are paid by bank transfer only.
• Process:
  • Before security, take the tax-refund goods, Tax Refund Application Form, sales invoice(s), and your passport or other valid travel document to the airport Customs inspection point for verification.
  • After Customs verification and security, go to the tax refund counter in the restricted international departure area of T3A and submit your documents to complete the refund.

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Buying a SIM Card

For travelers needing a local SIM card:

• Location: T3A Terminal, 4th floor, near Area 3B.
• Price: 50 CNY for 30GB of data.
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

This option is perfect for staying connected during your trip in China.

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T3A to T3B Transfer Guide

If your boarding gate begins with J, K, L, or M, complete check-in and security in T3A first. After security, follow the yellow arrows on the floor or the signs for T3B / APM, then take the escalator or elevator down to the APM platform. Ride the free airport train to T3B. After arriving, go up to L3 and follow the signs to your J, K, L, or M boarding gate.

• Travel Time: About 3 minutes
• Frequency: Usually about every 5 minutes

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Dining Options at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport

Whether you need a caffeine boost or a quick snack, T3A Terminal offers several options:

• Pacific Coffee
  • Location: Departure Hall, L438.
  • Hours: 5:00 AM until the last flight departs.
• Starbucks
  • Location: Departure Hall, F08.
  • Hours: 5:00 AM until the last flight departs.
• Ya Kun Coffee & Toast
  • Location: Departure Hall, F21.
  • Hours: 5:00 AM until the last flight departs.

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Duty-Free Shop Hours

• Location: Comprehensive Duty-Free Shop, located in the international arrivals baggage claim area at T3A Terminal, near Gate 19.
• Hours: Open 24/7.

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Luggage Storage Locations and Fees

T3A Terminal

• Location: Departure level, north of Check-In Island 3H.
• Hours: 4:30 AM – 11:00 PM.
• Pricing:
  • Large suitcase:
    • 0–6 hours: 20 CNY.
    • 6–12 hours: 30 CNY.
    • 12–24 hours: 40 CNY.

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Currency Exchange Services

• T3A Terminal (International Arrivals)
  • Location: G1TL01 area.
  • Hours: Open 24/7.
• T3 Terminal (Departure Level)
  • Location: 2F, near Counter 3B.
  • Hours: Open 24/7.

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Free Wi-Fi at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport

The airport offers free Wi-Fi, which you can access through four different login methods:

• SMS Authentication: Available for users with a Chinese mobile number.
• WeChat Login: Connect by authenticating through your WeChat account.
• Token Machines: Designed for travelers without a mobile number to generate temporary login credentials.

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Can You Stay Overnight at the Airport?

Yes, the airport accommodates overnight travelers with the following facilities:

Free Resting Area

• Location: T3 Terminal, Departure Level, near Check-In Island 3J on the 4th floor.
• Amenities:
  • Luggage storage.
  • Restrooms.
  • Nursing rooms.
  • Vending machines.
  • Water dispensers.
  • Charging stations.
  • Massage chairs.

Paid Sleeping Pods

• Location: T3 Terminal, Arrival Level, near Gate 7.
• Description: There are 16 sleeping pods available, similar to capsule hotels, each equipped with a massage chair and a private, enclosed resting space for one person.
• Pricing:
  • Options include 1, 1.5, 2, or 6 hours.
  • Full-night stay: 130 CNY per night.

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Check-In Deadlines

Make sure to arrive at the airport with ample time to complete check-in procedures:

• Domestic Flights: Check-in closes 40 minutes before departure.
• International and regional flights: Check-in closes 60 minutes before departure.

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How to plan your Chongqing trip

Chongqing is famous for its mountain city landscape, riverside night views, cable cars, and unique urban culture. A short stay of 2 days works well for city highlights, while 4–5 days allows you to explore Red Rock history and extend your journey to Wulong’s UNESCO landscapes. Here are our most popular private tour options: