So, you’ve booked that Taiwan trip, decided where to stay, picked out all the best things to do in Taipei: now it’s time to figure out how to get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei city center!
Frankly, I was a little nervous about how I was going to get from the Taipei airport to the city center, because it was my first time going to a country that uses Chinese characters in its signage.
I had been to Japan before, so I wasn’t altogether unfamiliar with a character-based alphabet.
Then again, Japan is renowned for its organization, and I wasn’t sure how Taiwan would be in comparison.
I was worried that with the language barrier and not even being able to read basic signs, it’d be a nightmare to get into the city center from Taipei airport.
Luckily, it was pretty easy!
It actually was quite simple to get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station,
From there, I then was able to take the MRT to my hostel, since I was staying in Shilin.
While I was worried at first, I shouldn’t have been: Taipei is an ultra-modern city with fantastic infrastructure!
There are multiple ways to get from Taipei Airport to the city center without any hassle or fuss — let’s get into them all!
Table of Contents
Before Leaving Taipei Airport
Let me remind you of one thing to note before leaving the airport.
In Taipei, it is important to always bring cash with you!
Upon arriving at Taipei airport, you can withdraw money from ATMs at the airport (for the best rate) or exchange currency (at a much worse rate).
I found that my credit card and debit card often didn’t work in Taipei, even at some convenience stores, as many systems only accept local cards.
Plus, you’ll want cash on hand for buying any street snacks that catch your eye!
A Few Notes about Taoyuan Airport
Taoyuan is a rather large airport due to the high demand for flights in and out of Taiwan.
Originally there was only one passenger terminal at Taoyuan, which was Terminal 1.
Eventually, the huge number of passengers streaming into Taipei Airport made them decide to build Terminal 2, a newer terminal.
They were planning to open a third terminal by 2020 due to the huge volume of passengers — but the pandemic derailed that, and the timeline is now set for 2025.
Taipei Taoyuan International is a large airport for such a small country: T1 hosts 18 boarding gates, and T2 hosts 20 boarding gates.
It is also the main hub for airlines like China Airlines and EVA Air, which handles many flights from the USA’s West Coast, especially SFO and LAX.
In terms of how to get from Taipei airport to your hotel, your options depend on your time of arrival.
Depending when your flights lands at Taipei Taoyuan Airport, you’ll have to decide the best mode of transportation to take, which could be either a train, bus, taxi, or a Taipei airport transfer.
We’ll go into all of those options now!
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station by MRT
One simple way to get from Taoyuan airport to Taipei City Center is to take the Airport MRT, which started its operation in 2017.
It took a whopping 20 years of work to finish (the landscape around it is no joke — see the photo above!)!
Still, it’s worth the effort as it’s made getting into Taipei city center a breeze compared to previous options.
It’s also significantly reduced travel times during peak periods when buses would inevitably experience traffic delays.
Plus, the Airport MRT trains have spacious areas where you can place your luggage, and it is accessible for passengers with disabilities.
To get to the MRT station, it takes about 15-20 minutes of walking from immigration.
It is a bit of a walk, but once you arrive at the station, it’s all a breeze!
The cost of the fare is NTD$ 160 (equivalent to about $5 USD) from Taoyuan airport to Taipei Main Station.
However: the trains are not available 24/7, so this is not an option if you arrive late at night and don’t want to wait at the airport until the morning.
The MRT only operates from 6 AM until the last train at midnight, and it takes about 35 minutes on the express line.
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei by High Speed Train
If you want to get to the city center in the fastest way possible, the MRT is the slightly better choice, as it takes only 35 minutes vs. 40 minutes.
It takes 20 minutes for the bus from the airport to get to the HSR station, since it’s a few kilometers away from the airport.
Then, it takes 20 minutes on the high-speed train. So really, even though it’s considered “high speed”, it’s actually not the quickest way to get to downtown Taipei from the airport.
However, some people get excited to experience a high-speed train, and it’s quite easy to take without much of a price difference (plus if you’re staying in Banqiao, it’s the fastest way to get there).
From the airport, you would need to ride the U-Bus to the THSR, which takes 20 minutes.
If you’re traveling during a busy season, this can be a good way to avoid the crowds on the MRT!
Once you arrive at the station, you can board the THSR which will bring you to Banqiao or Taipei HSR station.
If you are looking to experience the THSR, first you need to purchase U-Bus tickets for around NTD $25 (less than $1 USD) so you can board the bus that takes you to the THSR Taoyuan Station.
From there, you’ll need to buy a ticket on the THSR for around NTD $180 (around $5 USD).
All in all, you will spend about NTD $185 (around $6 USD) for the total trip via high speed rail!
Getting from Taipei Airport to City Center by Bus
It is very easy to get to the bus station from the airport (just a short walk from the arrival hall).
It is also the cheapest option to reach the city center, making it the best choice for light travelers and budget-conscious ones.
This is how I personally got into Taipei when I visited, as I didn’t want to walk all the way to the MRT!
Make sure that you carefully note the bus numbers, because each one has different stops!
I will list the ones that can drop you near the heart of the city, Taipei Main Station.
It’s the easiest, but it’s not the fastest way: it will take you about an hour or more of travel, due to traffic and several stops made along the way.
Two buses can drop you near the Taipei Main Station – Bus 1819 and 1961.
Only the Kuo Kang Bus 1819 is available 24/7, making it one of the two choices you have between midnight and 6 AM.
There are roughly 15 to 20-minute intervals between each bus. Bus 1819 has a fare of NTD$ 140 (around $5 USD).
If you arrive after midnight and are wary of taking public transit, I would suggest that you take an airport transfer instead. I’ll explain that in a bit!
This way, you’ll be met at the airport, picked up smoothly, and dropped off right at your hotel’s door.
Meanwhile, there’s also the CitiBus West Bus 1961, but it only operates until 1 AM.
The West Bus 1961’s last stop is in the Ximending area, which is one of most popular areas to stay in Taipei.
Bus 1961 has a fare of NTD $100 (around $4 USD), so it’s the cheapest way to get from Taipei Airport to the city center.
If your final destination is in Xinyi District, East Bus 1960 is a good option, especially if you are staying near the Taipei City Hall area and Taipei 101.
The fare costs NTD $145 (around $5 USD) and the last bus is at 1 AM, but it only departs every 20-40 minutes.
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Your Taipei Hotel by Airport Transfers
For someone who wants a smooth arrival option on a budget, airport transfers are easily the best choice.
You have the convenience of having privacy in your own ride and also the efficiency as you reach your hotel!
They are a little more pricy than getting a taxi right at the airport, because the driver will wait for you, help you with your luggage, and drop you off directly with your hotel.
That said, it’s the best way to guarantee a quick and seamless transit from Taoyuan airport to Taipei, so it’s worth the price for many!
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City Center Hotels by Taxi
Airport taxis are available just outside the arrival halls, and you can also ask the Tourist Service Center if you have trouble finding it.
Taxis are available 24 hours and this is one of the only methods of transportation if you arrive later than midnight, because most of the buses (except Bus 1819) and the trains are no longer available.
Just a reminder, that taxi prices have a minimum fare of NTD $1100 (around $36 USD) and often ends up costing about NTD $1500 ($48 USD) with traffic.
During night hours, the taxi price can go as high as NTD $1500-2000 (around $48-64 USD).
The average Uber fare is about the same, ranging from NTD $1,200 to NTD $2,500 during surges.
The fare is based on the meter, and there is also 50% surcharge for travel at night, plus highway toll fees are also not included in the fare but will be addded on at the end.
Generally, taxi drivers in Taipei are pretty honest, but I always recommend you find the actual taxi line-up rather than going with someone trying to get you to their taxi.
The fare differential between a taxi and an airport transfer is rather minimal, so I think airport transfers are the way to go.
I would recommend a taxi or Uber only if you didn’t plan in advance to book an airport transfer, which is about the same price and less stressful.
If you are: arriving late at night, are traveling with a family, have heavy luggage, stressed about navigating the transit system, or traveling for business — take an airport transfer or a taxi.
Otherwise, if you don’t mind a more leisurely way into the city, the MRT or bus is your best budget bet.
Getting an eSIM Card at Taoyuan Taipei Airport
If you are the type of person who always likes to book their Uber anywhere, then the best thing I would suggest is to get an eSIM!
Even though Taipei Airport has free WiFi, you might want an eSIM for being around the city center or exploring without racking up international fees.
The eSIM is valid in 10 Asian regions, is inexpensive, and is easy to activate with a simple QR code!
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.