I’ve just recently finished researching all the modes of transportation from Chongqing to Jiuzhaigou, and I’ve found that there are quite a lot of options!
To help you save time, I’ve put together a super detailed guide that covers everything about planes, trains, buses and charters, and I’ll also tell you which is best for different needs.
Chongqing To Jiuzhaigou Flight
This is the shortest but most expensive way to fly
If you hate long car rides as much as I do, direct flights are the way to go. **Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) has 3-5 direct flights to Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (JZH) every day**, with a flight time of just 1 hour and 20 minutes. I checked the data for April 2025, and the fares fluctuate quite a bit:
– Off Season (Nov-Mar): about $88-143 (620-1,000RMB) one way, Sichuan Airlines often has promotions
– Peak Season (April-October): can go up to over $200 one way
Note! Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport to the scenic area will also take 1.5 hours by car, the airport bus is $28 (200 RMB) one way, carpooling is more cost-effective at $14 (100 RMB) per person. My advice: if the budget is sufficient and time is tight (for example, only 3 days of vacation), choose the most appropriate direct flight.
Chongqing To Jiuzhaigou Train
The new high-speed train opened in 2024 is the most recommended.
Option 1: Ordinary Train (not recommended)
There is no direct ordinary train from Chongqing to Jiuzhaigou, and you must go to Chengdu to transfer to another train first. The whole journey takes more than 15 hours and the hard seat fare is about 43 dollars (300 yuan).
Although this green train is cheap, the seats are hard and the toilets are dirty, I tried it once and never wanted to experience it again.
Option 2: Chongqing To Jiuzhaigou High Speed Train (highly recommended!)
The new Sichuan-Qingdao Railway, which opened in August 2024, has completely changed the game! You can now go like this:
1. Chongqing North Station→Chengdu East Station (1.5 hours by train, $23/$160)
2. Chengdu East Station→Huanglong Jiuzhai Station(2 hours by high-speed train, $43/$300)
The whole journey takes the fastest 5 hours to arrive, and the total cost of the second class seat is about $66 ($460).
Key Advantages:
– More than 30 trips per day to choose from
– Huanglong Jiuzhai Station has a direct bus to the scenic area ($28/$200)
– The scenery along the way is comparable to a National Geographic documentary
Related: What are the train stations near Jiuzhaigou?
Chongqing To Jiuzhaigou Bus:the cheapest but the most strenuous
There are 2 direct buses to Jiuzhaigou from Chongqing Caiyuanba Bus Station every day:
– Departure time: 8:00 and 8:40
– Fare: $31 (218RMB)
– Time consumed: 10-12 hours (easy to get seasick on bumpy mountain roads) )
My experience: very little seat pitch (for people over 1 meter 8) very unfriendly (very unfriendly to people over 1 meter 8) , Midway 3 stops Sketchy toilets. Advantage is that it is cheap and suitable for backpackers with very low budget. Remember to bring neck pillow and motion sickness medicine!
Related reading: What are the bus stations near Jiuzhaigou?
Taxi/carpooling: flexible but need to be careful
If you are traveling with 4 people, chartering a bus is more cost-effective than a high-speed train:
– The whole journey costs: about $343 (2,400RMB)
– Time: 8-9 hours (you can stop at any time to take photos)
– Route recommendation: Chongqing→ Guang’an→Nanchong→Songpan→Jiuzhaigou
Carpooling Tips: Look for fellow travelers on the message boards of youth hostels near Chongqing North Railway Station or Hongyadong, and split the cost of the trip at US$86 (RMB 600) per person. Be careful to check the driver’s documents in advance to make sure highway tolls are included.
Personal advice: carpooling is not recommended for first-time travelers to China, as there are many difficulties stopping you.
The Ultimate Cost-Effective Solution
According to my calculations (based on April 2025 prices):
| Mode of Transportation | Cost/Person | Time | Comfort | Suitable for Crowd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airplane | $143 | 3hours | ★★★★★ | Business/Family |
| High Speed Rail | $66 | 5hours | ★★★★☆ | Most Travelers |
| Carpooling | $86 | 8hours | ★★★☆☆ | Small Groups of 4 |
| Buses | $31 | 12hours | ★★☆☆☆ | Poor Student Travelers |
My Recommendation: – Preferred High-speed rail: fast, comfortable and affordable
– Second choice carpooling: suitable for young people who like to travel freely
– Careful with buses: unless you’re particularly tolerant
Tips (Things You Must Know)
1. Jiuzhaigou Weather: Jiuzhaigou’s temperature in April is 0-15°C. Bring a waterproof jacket and non-slip shoes
2. Ticketing Tips: High-speed rail tickets 15 days in advance in the 12306 official website to grab tickets, plane tickets Tuesday afternoon often reduced prices
3. Plateau reaction: Jiuzhaigou altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level, it is recommended to prepare in advance oxygen bottles (scenic spots sold for $ 14 / 100)
4. Network Signal: mobile signal is the best, followed by telecom, Unicom is often no signal
Hopefully, this guide can help you save at least 50% of the transportation costs! If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment and ask me. I wish you a beautiful photo with 10,000 Instagram likes in Jiuzhaigou!
(Note: 1 USD ≈ 7 RMB conversion, data from China Railway 12306, Sichuan Airlines official website and the latest timetable in 2025)
