Travelling from Washington DC to Chengdu: what you need to know
You can choose from multiple airports when planning your flight from Washington DC to Chengdu. Explore your options for flying out of Washington DC from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Step off your plane in Chengdu at Tianfu International Airport (TFU) or Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU).
The timezone in Chengdu is UTC+8, which is 12 hours ahead of Washington DC.
To ensure you make it on your Washington DC to Chengdu flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Peak months like February or holiday periods such as spring break and Thanksgiving will mean bigger queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and head to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and four hours ahead of international departures is a wise idea.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Chengdu
To pick up cheap Washington DC to Chengdu flights, book early. Airlines generally offer the most competitive fares when flights first go on sale.
If you're flexible with your trip dates, use the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across every month when searching for your plane ticket from Washington DC to Chengdu.
There's no need to search every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Washington DC to Chengdu.
Find a cheap Washington DC to Chengdu flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Whether you'd like to visit a new place on the way or just take a break, we make it easy to book a flight with a stopover. To compare your options departing from Ronald Reagan National Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a stop you can make during your Washington DC to Chengdu flight.
DCA is about 6 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Washington DC to Chengdu? Avoid rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Of the flights that depart from Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% touch down on time at their destination.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Get the most out of your holiday with a stopover on your Washington DC to Chengdu flight. Visit friends or family or cross another city off your list. Whatever you'd like to do, here's where you can stop between Washington Dulles International Airport and Chengdu:
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
On public transport, you can travel from central Washington DC to IAD in around 1 hour 10 minutes. The terminal is roughly 40 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 50 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before catching your flight from Washington DC to Chengdu, unwind in one of these hotels near Washington Dulles International Airport:
74.39% of flights leaving Washington Dulles International Airport arrive according to schedule.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Whether just for an hour or a handful of days, a stopover can make your entire trip feel a little more manageable. When flying out of Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), you can book a ticket from Washington DC to Chengdu with a stop at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
From the centre of Washington DC, BWI is around 40 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 50 minutes to get there by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so on public transport.
Set yourself up for a smooth departure — stay near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and know you'll reach the terminal with time to spare. Get comfy at one of these hotels the day before if you're catching an early Washington DC to Chengdu flight:
The on-time performance record of BWI is 77.13%. To put it plainly, that's how frequently flights from this airport arrive as planned.
Arriving in Chengdu
Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
Tianfu International Airport (TFU) is approximately 48 kilometres from the centre of Chengdu. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Washington DC to Chengdu, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near TFU:
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
The centre of Chengdu is about 11 kilometres from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU). Once your flight from Washington DC to Chengdu has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near CTU. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your flight from Washington DC to Chengdu:
The address for Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is Airport Expressway Entrance.
Best time to go to Chengdu
It's time to work out your trip dates for your flight from Washington DC to Chengdu. April is the busiest month to travel to Chengdu. If you like a more relaxed atmosphere, go in January.
When booking your Washington DC to Chengdu tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Chengdu, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 0ºC (32ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF). Search for cheap flights from Washington DC to Chengdu around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Chengdu
Start your Chengdu trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from Washington DC to Chengdu, explore our range of accommodation options including:
Jinli Ancient Street and Wuhou Shrine are just the start of the popular attractions to add to your Chengdu travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Sichuan Opera Troupe.
Explore more of China
You've seen Chengdu, now it's time to discover other corners of China. Travel around 193 kilometres east to Nanchong to check off its popular sights. From 小西街 to 六合丝博园 and Yinxiang Jialingjiang Wetland Park, there's plenty to keep you busy.
Around 467 kilometres north of Chengdu, Tianshui is another favourite stop in China. Start your sightseeing at 伏羲祭祀广场, 成纪儿童公园 and 天水古城.
