Taiwan Taoyuan Airport 台灣桃園國際機場
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is Taiwan's largest airport, located just outside of Taipei City in Taoyuan County. One of Taiwan's four International Airports, Taoyuan is by far the busiest. The airport boasts convenient transportation links to all over the island via city bus, long distance bus, HSR (High Speed Rail), or taxi service. The Airport MRT is currently the fastest and most convenient way to reach Taipei City.
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is one of two airports that serves Taipei and Northern Taiwan. Taipei Songshan Airport (previously the main international airport until Taoyuan was built) now mainly serves domestic flights and select charter flights.
Taoyuan Airport's IATA code is TPE.
The airport currently has 2 terminals which are connected by Skytrain service. The train is divided into two sections: one each for pre- and post-security clearance.
Mobile SIM Cards are available for purchase at Taoyuan Airport before clearing immigration. Alternatively, reserve online for easy pickup in the arrivals hall.
Luggage Services: There is ample luggage storage at Taipei Main Station available during business hours for temporary storage. Luggage porter services are available between a Taipei-area hotel and either TPE or Songshan Airports.
Transiting Passengers: Taoyuan airport is the main hub for China Airlines (華航) and EVA Air (長榮), and visitors traveling between the Americas and Asia frequently transfer at this airport. Taiwan offers visa-free entry to many countries, and the capital city Taipei (台北) is accessible in under 1 hour by bus or 40 minutes by a ~US$35 taxi fare. Visitors that wish to stay overnight close to the airport should look in Dayuan Township or nearby Zhongli Night Market (中壢觀光夜市). Those transferring with ample time are encouraged to visit Shilin Night Market (士林夜市) in Taipei City (台北市) for an unforgettable night market experience.
Useful Links:
Taoyuan Airport Terminal Info
Taoyuan Airport MRT
How to get to and from Taoyuan Airport
Taoyuan Airport offers a wide variety of public transportation links to all over Taiwan. Besides taxi, visitors can utilise city busses, long distance busses, MRT, or HSR to reach their final destination.
The following directions are a quick version for brevity, click here for more detailed instructions.
Reserve a car online and get a 30% discount, or take a luxury ride for the same price as a taxi:
Up to 4 passengers Toyota Camry - NT$880 one way (30% off taxi fare)
Up to 4 pax Mercedes or 8 pax van - NT$1238 one way (almost same as normal taxi fare)
For those heading to Taichung, Nantou, Hualien, Tainan, Kaohsiung, or Kenting, consider renting a car and picking it up conveniently at the airport in under 15 minutes. Renting a Toyota Wish (7 passenger car) is best for families and groups, and an International Driving Permit is required. More information about driving in Taiwan, as well as where and how to apply for an IDP in different countries can be found on this page.
To Taipei Metro Area:
The recommended method of transit for tourists visiting Taipei is to take the Airport MRT to arrive in 35 minutes. Another way is to catch a Kuo-Kuang Bus line 1819 (國光客運, Livery: white, blue, purple) to Taipei Main Station, then proceed to your destination using the Taipei MRT. Travel time is less than 1 hour depending on traffic, and the fare is around NT$140 depending on route. Taxis are also available for around NT$900-1200 depending on where you are going in the city. Please be aware there is a surcharge for trips originating at the airport, and credit cards can be used on Taoyuan Airport taxis.
From Taipei Metro Area:
Taking a taxi to Taoyuan Airport is a flat rate of NT$1000 from anywhere in Taipei if reserved over the telephone. Depending how many people are in your group and your situation, it may be wiser to just cab it instead of trying to find the bus to the airport. That being said, the most convenient place to find the airport bus is at the Kuo-Kuang West Bus Terminal (國光客運, Livery: white, blue, purple), located just outside of Taipei Main Station Exit East 3 (東3). Busses leave frequently and cost NT$140 per ticket. The Airport MRT is also accessible here.
To Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung (台中), Miaoli, Central Taiwan:
Taking one of the many available bus options is the most convenient method of transit. Prices and times vary based upon route.
To Nantou, Sun Moon Lake (日月潭), Qingjing Farm (清境農場, Cingjing):
Take a bus to Taichung Train Station, then transfer to a bus to Puli (埔里).
To Changhua, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting, Pingtung (屏東墾丁), Southern Taiwan:
The quickest option is to take the High Speed Rail (HSR) shuttle bus to the Taoyuan HSR Station, then take the HSR to the south.
To Yilan:
First travel to Taipei Main Station (台北車站) then transfer to train or long distance bus toward Jiaoxi Hot Spring Village (宜蘭礁溪).
To Hualien and Taroko Gorge National Park:
First travel to Taipei Main Station (台北車站) then transfer to Puyuma or Tze-Chiang train to Hualien Station.
To Taitung, Green Island, and Orchid Island:
Take a bus to Taipei Songshan Airport (台北松山機場) then fly domestic to Taitung. Alternatively, take a train from Taipei Main Station (台北車站), however the train takes 5+ hours and flying is preferable.
Originally opened in 1979, the airport was formerly known as Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (CKS International Airport, 中正國際機場) until 2006 when the name was changed.
2 Free Tours are available from Taoyuan Airport, one leaving in the morning at 08:00 returning by 13:15, and one leaving in the afternoon at 13:45 returning by 18:30. The morning tour visits Sanxia (三峽) and Yingge (鶯歌), and the afternoon tour visits Taipei 101 (fast-pass discount e-ticket here), Longshan Temple (龍山寺), and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂).
There are two airports in the Taipei Area, Taoyuan and Songshan airports. While the majority of commonly purchased tickets depart from Taoyuan Airport, flights to regional destinations such as South Korea, Japan, mainland China, or other charter destinations may depart from Songshan. Please double check your reservation before going to the airport.