Port basics
- IATA / port code: CTU
- City: Chengdu
- Province: Sichuan
- Type: International airport
- 240h status: Eligible for entry and exit
- Sister ports in the same metro: TFU
240h transit port · Air · Sichuan
CTU Chengdu: 240-hour visa-free transit port
Chengdu Shuangliu Intl is one of the 65 designated 240h visa-free transit ports. Use it for entry, exit, or both — policy snapshot 2026-05-18.
Arrival tip
Chengdu Shuangliu is the older and closer Chengdu airport. Some international/regional arrivals still use it, but many long-haul and newer international routes use TFU (Tianfu). Same 240h/CDAC logic applies. Allow ~45-60 minutes from gate to curb.
Don't forget: complete the Digital Arrival Card within 72 hours before landing.
Onward transport from CTU
- Metro Line 10 — fastest public-transit link from Shuangliu toward central Chengdu
- Taxi to city center — ~¥70-100
- Airport Express buses to multiple city stops
Accessible provinces from this port
Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan.
The list above reflects what's practical by direct transport from CTU. Some eligible regions are city-limited under the official table; run the checker and verify the exact cities before booking.
Check your route through CTU
The check below has CTU pre-filled as your China entry port. Adjust the other fields to fit your trip.
240h Transit Eligibility CheckBased on NIA policy as of 2026-05-18
EDGE · Needs airline verificationSichuan
HK / Macau / Taiwan count as separate regions, so they are valid third-region exits. Exit by HSR to West Kowloon (WKL) counts.
Rule detail
240h transit checks
Passport eligible for 240h transit
PassUnited States is on the 55-country 240h list.
Entry port is a listed 240h port
PassChengdu Shuangliu Intl (CTU, Sichuan) is on the 65-port list.
Stay is 240 hours or less
PassCalculated stay: about 119 hours (5 days).
A → China → B route shape (different countries/regions)
PassSFO (United States) → China → ICN (South Korea).
Hong Kong / Macau / Taiwan handled correctly
PassYour route does not involve HK/Macau/Taiwan. (These would count as third regions if used.)
Exit mode (air / rail / sea) is supported
PassExit by air to a third country/region — standard 240h exit path.
Planned regions are inside the 24 eligible provinces
PassPlanned regions: Sichuan.
City-level stay-area caveats checked
InfoSichuan is limited to listed cities including Chengdu, Leshan, Yibin, Deyang, Meishan, Ziyang, Zigong, Luzhou, Suining, Neijiang, and Ya'an.
Onward destination is not inside mainland China
PassOnward leg is outside mainland China — correct.
Airline counter risk
Boarding proof check
High airline-counter risk: bring printed proof and budget escalation time.
This does not necessarily mean the route fails. It means the check-in agent may need clearer proof or supervisor escalation.
Policy result is not clean
highFix the 240h eligibility issue before relying on airline-counter proof. A printout cannot rescue an itinerary that does not fit the rule.
What to say at check-in
I'm using China's 240-hour visa-free transit. Here is the NIA policy excerpt, my route, and my confirmed onward transport to a third country or region. Could you verify the Timatic override condition?
If the agent hesitates
Could a supervisor or international policy desk verify the China 240-hour transit override in Timatic? My itinerary is A to mainland China to a different country/region within 240 hours.
Carry these at airline check-in
- Printed Boarding Kit with NIA policy QR code.
- Printed onward ticket to a different country/region within 240 hours.
- Hotel booking or host address in China, preferably with Chinese address.
- CDAC reference or QR code if already submitted.
- Adjust the route, stay length, passport policy path, or province plan before booking.
Recommended next steps
Set up before arrival regardless of visa path.
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