Tianfu Airport - Airport Bus Ticket Purchasing Advice

Question

Hello.

From Tianfu Airport, I am taking the airport bus –Line 1 to Chunxi Road.

My bus ticket can be bought from an airport bus ticket desk or at the bus stop in either T1/T2. I also believe I can use a transport ticket vending machine to purchase bus tickets.

For bus ticket purchasing, does any reader have advice based on their experience of purchasing an airport bus ticket.

Regarding payment method, my research said it will be AliPay or WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay).

But, I read a travel blog post that said that airport bus tickets can only be purchased with cash –Is that out of date travel advice and that tickets can only be purchased via the digital payment option.

Any advice/guidance on TianFu airport bus ticket and purchasing options would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

TshirtonTour

Answer

Purchasing airport bus tickets at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is relatively straightforward, and the information about cash-only payments is outdated. Most travelers now use digital payment methods rather than cash.

Ticket Purchase Options:

There are dedicated airport bus ticket counters at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 where you can buy tickets in person.
Some bus stops also have self-service ticket vending machines. These machines typically support digital payments rather than cash.
Mobile payment options such as AliPay (支付宝) and WeChat Pay (微信支付) are widely accepted and are often the easiest method for travelers. Most counters and machines will display QR codes for scanning with these apps.

Cash Payments:

While some older sources may mention cash payments, cash is becoming less commonly accepted at Tianfu Airport bus services. It's recommended to have a digital payment option ready.
If you prefer cash, some ticket counters may accept it, but availability is not guaranteed, and having digital payment simplifies the process significantly.

Tips and Advice:

Ensure your mobile payment apps are set up and linked to an account or card that works in China.
If you are not using Chinese mobile payment apps, consider asking hotel staff or airport staff for assistance, or carry a small amount of cash in RMB just in case.
Tickets for Line 1 to Chunxi Road can usually be purchased immediately upon arrival without long waits, but allow extra time if you are arriving during peak hours.

In summary, the easiest and most reliable method to purchase your airport bus ticket from Tianfu Airport is via AliPay or WeChat Pay at either the ticket counter or self-service vending machines. Cash payments are mostly outdated and not recommended.

Tianfu Airport - Airport Bus Ticket Purchasing Advice

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