Chongqing Transportation Overview

  1. Metro/Light Rail

    • 9+ lines covering major attractions (e.g., Line 2 for Liziba’s “train-through-building”).
    • Fares: ¥2–7 per ride; day passes (¥15–20) available.
    • Advantages: Fast, avoids traffic, English announcements.

  2. Buses

    • Extensive network (¥2 flat fare), but routes are less English-friendly.
    • Best for: Short distances or areas unreachable by metro.

  3. Yangtze River Cableway

    • Iconic aerial crossing (¥20 one-way); scenic but crowded at peak hours.

  4. Taxis/Ride-Hailing

    • Taxis: Start at ¥10; prone to traffic jams during rush hours (7–9am, 5–7pm).
    • Didi (ride-hailing): More reliable, accepts foreign cards via Alipay.

  5. Walking

    • Challenging due to steep slopes and stairs (“Mountain City” terrain).
    • Recommended areas: Hongyadong, Jiefangbei pedestrian streets.

Transport Options Comparison

Type Cost (¥) Speed Tourist-Friendliness Best For
Metro 2–7/ride ★★★★★ ★★★★☆ (English signs) City-wide travel
Bus 2/ride ★★☆☆☆ ★★☆☆☆ (No English) Budget short trips
Cableway 20/one-way ★★★☆☆ ★★★★★ (Scenic) Photo ops/river views
Taxi/Didi 10+/trip ★★☆☆☆ (jam) ★★★☆☆ (App needed) Late-night/group travel
Walking Free ★☆☆☆☆ ★★★☆☆ (Hilly) Compact areas like CBD

Key Tips

  • Avoid rush hours (7–9am, 5–7pm) for taxis/buses.
  • Use metro + walking for efficiency; cableway for sunset views.
  • Download maps offline (Google Maps with VPN or Baidu Maps).