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Layover in Chongqing
Located in southwestern China, Chongqing city is the regional cultural and tourism hub. It is a megacity with a permanent population of over 32 million (in the municipal administrative area) , and over 11 million in the central urban area , and you can find delicious food, interesting tour sites and hospitable people here. If you happen to layover here, be sure to make good use of your time to get a taste of this interesting city.
Good to know: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) is located 20 km (12 miles) north of Chongqing city center. Serving as an important aviation hub for southwestern China, the airport connects 158 destinations worldwide via 51 airlines, and in 2025, it handled over 50 million passengers, surpassing the 50-million milestone for the first time.
The subway system is called Chongqing Rail Transit or CRT, which is a comprehensive system consisting of metro, monorail, and suburban lines. You can find that the light rail passes through a building at some sections.
- Can I leave the airport during a layover in Chongqing?
- As an eligible foreign passenger, what should I do to apply for 240-Hour Visa-free Transit?
- Luggage storage at Chongqing airport
- Chongqing Airport WiFi
- Airport Lounge and hotel
- What are the transportation options from the airport to the city center, bus station, or train station?
- Top-rated attractions in Chongqing
- How many hours before the flight should we get back to Chongqing airport?
- Recommended Chongqing layover tour packages
1. Can I leave the airport during a layover in Chongqing?
You cannot leave the airport if you don't have a visa nor are eligible for the 240 hour transit visa exemption policy.
You are eligible for the 240 hour transit visa exemption policy if you:
A. Booked a flight ticket to a third country or region.
B. Hold a passport from one of the following 57 countries:
America：The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway.
Oceania: Australia and New Zealand
Asia: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan.
2. As an eligible foreign passenger, what should I do to apply for 240-Hour Visa-free Transit?
It is very easy to apply for the 240 hour visa free transit, you just need 3 steps:
- Step 1: Prepare the required documents for the 240-Hour Visa-free Transit. You need to have a valid passport (at least 3 months of validity), book your direct flight ticket to a third country after China and have a visa to the third country (if it is required) .
- Step 2: When you board the flight to Chongqing, you should tell the agent at the airport that you are eligible for 240-Hour Visa-free Transit in China and that you have all the necessary documents with you.
- Step 3: When you arrive at Chongqing airport, you'll be looking for a specific line for those applying for a 240-hour transit visa. Normally, it will only take you 5-10 mins to get the sticker "Temporary Entry Permit" on a blank page of your passport. Then everything is done.
3. Luggage storage at Chongqing airport
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport provides 24-hour self-service lockers. There are three sizes of compartments to suit passengers’ needs. The largest compartment fits a 28-inch suitcase. If luggage is not collected within 24 hours, the system will send a reminder to the passenger.
There are two official luggage storage counters:
T2A Terminal: Departure hall, behind Check-in Island 2C.
T3 Terminal: Departure hall (4th floor), north side of Check-in Island 3H.
Opening Hours: 04:30 – 23:00
Pricing (reference):
| Bag Size | 0-6 hrs | 6-12 hrs | 12-24 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (max. side ≤65cm) | 8 RMB | 13 RMB | 18 RMB |
| Medium (max. side 65–90cm) | 12 RMB | 20 RMB | 28 RMB |
| Large (max. side >90cm) | 20 RMB | 30 RMB | 40 RMB |
Additional notes:
Overstay beyond 24 hours: An extra charge of 2 RMB / 4 RMB / 5 RMB per piece for every additional 6 hours for Small / Medium / Large bags respectively.
Small items (knives, lighters, power banks, cosmetics etc.): 2 RMB per piece per day; maximum storage period is 30 days (power banks limited to 15 days).
Less than 6 hours will be counted as a full 6 hours.
Prices are subject to change. Confirm at the counter before storing.
Chongqing Airport WiFi
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport offers free Wi-Fi. Travellers with a Chinese mobile number only need to enter their phone number to connect. Visitors without a Chinese number must scan their passport at a Wi-Fi ticket kiosk to get access credentials.
Kiosk locations:
Near Check-in Islands 3A and 3J, Departure Level L4
Near Check-in Islands 2B and 2E, Departure Level L3, Terminal T2
5. Airport Lounge and hotel
Free‑of‑charge Rest Areas
Pre‑security: Near Check‑in Island 3J on Level 4, and near Gate 8 on the Arrivals Level (Level 2) of Terminal T3A. Seats and recliners are available, close to restrooms and water dispensers.
Post‑security: Near Gate E11 of Terminal T3A. Seats, power sockets and water dispensers are provided.
Paid Rest Options
Sleep Pods / Recliners: Near Gate E10 of Terminal T3A. Charged by the hour with good privacy.
Capsule Hotel: Near Exit 6 on the Arrivals Level (Level 2). Hourly‑rate accommodation with relatively new facilities, yet no private bathroom in most units.
Notices
Temperature & lighting: If you plan to stay overnight, please note that the airport may lower the air‑conditioning temperature and keep lights on at night. A light jacket, eye‑mask and noise‑reducing earplugs are recommended.
Valuables: Please keep your valuables safe while staying overnight.
If you want to stay in a hotel, these are hotels near the airport:
Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Hotel - (5 minutes' walk from the International terminal) Free airport pick up on request.
Days Hotel and Suites Hillsun Chongqing - (1 minute from the airport) Free airport shuttle is available upon request or you can take subway line#10 get off at Yubei Square Exit 1A.
Rica Hotel (Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport) - (1 minute from the airport) Free airport shuttle is available upon request or you can take subway line#3 get off at Bijin station, exit 1.
6. What are the transportation options from the airport to the city center, bus station, or train station?
Taxi: A taxi ride to the city center (Jiefangbei) costs you about 50-70 yuan (7-10 USD), the ride is about 30-45 mins.
Shuttle bus: There are multiple shuttle bus routes that take you to different destinations in the city. The airport express bus K01 will take you to Jiefangbei (city center). The airport express bus K06 will take you to Chongqing West Railway Station where you can find a bullet train to all major cities in China. Other operating routes include K05 (Nanping), K07 (Shapingba Railway Station), and K08 (University City). Note that K02, K03, and K04 are currently suspended.
Subway: There are two subway lines serving the airport: Line 3 and Line 10. Line 3 operates from 06:30 to 22:30, and Line 10 operates from 06:30 to 23:00. Additionally, an automated people mover (monorail) connects T3A and T3B terminals, operating 24 hours.
7. Top-rated attractions in Chongqing
We have listed 9 top rated attractions in Chongqing. But your Chongqing trip is not complete if you don't try the hotpot. There are countless delicious hot pot eateries around the city, including the renowned Xiao Tian E.
How to travel from Chongqing airport to major attractions
| Name of Tourist Attraction | Distance(from airport) | Recommended visiting time | Why visit here? | How to get here? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Gorges Museum | 24km (15mi) | 1.5 hrs | Get a full perspective of the Three Gorges | Metro: Line 10 to Zengjiayan Station (Exit 5) . Bus: Routes 152, 262, 421, 829, 862 Loop, 881 to Grand Hall stop |
| Hongyadong | 24km (15mi) | 1.5 hrs | Unique multi-level Chongqing-style architecture for shopping , dining and sightseeing | Metro: Line 2 to Linjiangmen Station (Exit 2), or Line 1/6 to Xiaoshizi Station (Exit 9), then 10-min walk . Bus: Routes 111, 151, 181, T001 to Hongyadong stop . |
| Huguang Guild Hall | 29km (18mi) | 1 hour | Traditional architecture and Sichuan Opera show | Metro: Line 1 or 6 to Xiaoshizi Station, then 9-15 min walk . Bus: Routes 503, 871 to Huguang Guild Hall stop; or 440, 112 Outer Ring, 262, 401, 424, 476 |
| E'ling Park | 29km (18mi) | 1 hour | Nice local park, you can have a view of the whole city. A building in the park once housed Australia's first diplomatic mission to China. | Metro: Line 1 to E'ling Station (Exit 1), 10-min walk . Bus: Route 829 to E'ling Park stop (entrance); or 118, 403, 411 to E'ling Station |
| Ciqikou Old Street | 32km (20mi) | 1.5hrs | Old town | Metro: Line 1 to Ciqikou Station (formerly Porcelain Mouth), exit and walk ~5 min to the entrance . Bus: Routes 202, 220, 224, 237, 261, 467, 503, 808, 843 to Ciqikou/Porcelain Mouth stop |
| Zhongshuge Bookstore | 37km (23mi) | 1 hour | One of the World's Most Majestic Bookstores | Metro: Line 2 to Yangjiaping Station, 100m from the entrance . Bus: Routes 412, 416 to Yangjiaping stop |
| Panda House in Chongqing Zoo | 38km (24mi) | 1 hour | See giant panda bear | Metro: Line 2 to Zoo Station (Exit 1) . Bus: Routes 148, 204, 207, 416, 412, 413, 419 to Zoo Station/Dongwuyuan stop |
| Dazu Rock Carvings | 118km (74mi) | 2 hrs | UNESCO World Heritage site | No direct metro. Bus: take a long-distance bus from Caiyuanba or Chenjiaping Bus Station to Dazu (~2 hrs), then transfer to local bus to the scenic area . |
| 816 nuclear military plant | 133km (83mi) | 2 hrs | Unfinished nuclear military plant that is open to public | No direct metro. Bus: take a train/bus to Fuling North Station, then take the Fuling Tourism Express (departs 9:30/10:00/10:30 AM) directly to 816 Project Visitor Center . The best way is joining a guided tour |
8. How many hours before the flight should we get back to the airport?
We recommend that you get back to airport at least 3 hrs before your flight.
9. Recommended Chongqing layover tour packages
If you have 6 hours to visit Chongqing during your layover:
You can use the subway as transportation, you can include Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street and Hongyadong, and you can find restaurants and lots of shops at this area.
If you have 9-12 hours:
Again, you can use the subway to travel around, you can include Jiefangbei Pedestrian Street, Hongyadong, Three Gorges Museum, and E'ling Park
If you have 2 to 3 days:
One day city tour to Jiefangbei Pedestrian, Hongyadong, Ciqikou old town and E'ling Park, then a one day tour to Dazu Rock Carvings and the 3rd day to Fuling to visit 816 nuclear military plant and the Baiheliang Underwater Museum. By the way, Fuling is a small city which Peter Hessler described in his book River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze.
Another hidden gem of Chongqing is Wulong Karst National Geological Park, so if you are a geological buff, this place is for you. The itinerary will be like this: Day 1, city tour in Chongqing, Day 2, travel to Wulong, about 2.5 hrs' drive, visit Three Natural Bridges (part of Transformers 4 'Age of Extinction' was shot here) and Longshuixia Gap. On Day 3, Furong cave in the morning then drive back to the airport.
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