✈️ How to Get There
Getting to and around Taiwan
✈️ Flying to Taiwan
Main Airport
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) — Taiwan's main international gateway, 40km west of central Taipei. Handles almost all international arrivals. Two terminals connected by a free shuttle. Efficient immigration, well-signed in English.
Other Airports:
- Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) — Inside Taipei city, handles regional routes from Japan, South Korea, and some mainland Asian cities. Very convenient for central Taipei hotels.
- Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) — Southern Taiwan gateway, useful if starting your trip in the south.
- Hualien Airport (HUN) — East coast, limited direct flights from Taipei and a few regional routes.
💡 Flight Tips
Direct flights from Europe take 13–15 hours. From the US west coast 12–14 hours. From Southeast Asia 3–5 hours. EVA Air and China Airlines are Taiwan's own carriers — both highly rated. Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air also serve Taiwan well.
🚆 From Taoyuan Airport to Taipei
Airport MRT (Fastest & Cheapest)
The Taoyuan Airport MRT runs express trains to Taipei Main Station in 35 minutes. Cost: NTD 160 (around €5). Trains every 15 minutes, 6am to midnight. Machines at the airport have English options. Also stops at Taipei City Hall and Da'an stations. The easiest option for most travellers.
Taxi
Fixed-rate taxis from Taoyuan Airport to central Taipei cost NTD 1,200–1,500 (around €35–45) depending on destination. Always use official taxi stands — never touts. Journey takes 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Credit cards accepted at official stands.
Bus (Kuo-Kuang)
Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819 runs from the airport to Taipei Main Station every 15 minutes for NTD 125. Takes 60–90 minutes in normal traffic. Useful if your hotel is near Taipei's bus terminals. Tickets sold at the bus counter in the arrivals hall.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Taiwan is visa-free for most Western travellers. Passport holders from the EU, USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and many others can enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days.
Taiwan uses an eGate system at immigration — pre-register your fingerprints on a previous visit to skip queues at Taoyuan. For first visits, standard immigration takes 10–20 minutes. Always check current entry requirements before booking.
Check visa requirements for Taiwan →🚄 Getting Around Taiwan
High Speed Rail (HSR / THSR)
Taiwan's HSR connects Taipei to Kaohsiung (340km) in 90 minutes for NTD 1,490 standard class. Stops include Taichung (52 min, NTD 700) and Tainan (1h 48min, NTD 1,080). Trains run every 15–30 minutes. Buy tickets via the THSR app, at stations, or at 7-Eleven ibon kiosks. Book in advance for weekends and holidays.
Taiwan Railways (TRA)
The conventional rail network covers the east coast that HSR doesn't reach. Taipei to Hualien takes 2 hours (NTD 440) on the scenic east coast line — cliffs, ocean, and gorge scenery the entire way. The Hualien–Taitung section through the Rift Valley is one of Asia's most beautiful train rides. Book east coast routes at least 3–5 days ahead.
Taipei MRT
Six colour-coded metro lines covering all major sights in Taipei. Clean, air-conditioned, trains every 2–5 minutes. Fares NTD 20–65. Buy an EasyCard at any station (NTD 100 deposit) — works on MRT, buses, YouBike, and many shops. Last train around midnight.
Intercity Bus
Kuo-Kuang and other operators serve destinations not on the HSR — including Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, and northeast coast routes. Buses depart from Taipei East Bus Station or Taipei Main Station. Sun Moon Lake takes 3.5 hours (NTD 310). Book 1–2 days ahead for popular scenic routes.
🎫 Travel Pass Tip
The Taiwan Rail Pass (TRA) covers unlimited conventional rail travel for 3, 5, or 7 days. The HSR Pass covers high-speed rail with unlimited journeys. Both are available to foreign passport holders — buy at airport stations or major TRA stations on arrival.
🛵 Scooters & Local Transport
Scooter rental is the best way to explore the east coast and rural areas. Rent in Hualien or Taitung from NTD 400–800 per day. An international driving permit is required. Helmets are always provided. Roads along the east coast and mountain routes are well-maintained and scenic.
YouBike (Taipei City Cycling)
YouBike bike-share stations are located every 300–500m across Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Hsinchu. Rent using an EasyCard — first 30 minutes free, NTD 10 per 30 minutes after. Excellent for riverside cycling paths and city exploration.
Domestic Flights
Mandarin Airlines and UNI Air operate domestic routes — Taipei to Hualien (25 min), Taipei to Taitung (50 min), and Taipei to the outlying islands (Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu). Worth considering for reaching Green Island and Orchid Island faster than the ferry. Book via the EVA Air or China Airlines websites.
🚗 Renting a Car
Recommended if you want to explore the central mountains, Alishan, or rural Nantou at your own pace. Taiwan drives on the right. Roads are generally excellent and well-signed in both Chinese and English.
Things to Know
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory — get one before leaving home
- Taipei city driving is not recommended — parking is limited and traffic is heavy
- Mountain roads to Alishan and Hehuanshan are narrow — drive carefully in rain
- Speed limits: 50 km/h (cities), 80–100 km/h (rural roads)
- Major rental companies (Budget, Hertz, iRent) available at airports and major train stations
⚠️ Typhoon & Mountain Roads
During typhoon alerts (June–October), mountain roads can close with no warning. Check the Central Weather Administration (CWA) app before driving to altitude. Never attempt the Suhua Highway or Alishan road during a typhoon alert.
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Taiwan
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💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Buy EasyCard at the airport: Works on every form of public transport — saves cash and queue time every day
- Book TRA east coast trains early: Taipei–Hualien trains sell out days ahead on weekends — book as soon as dates are confirmed
- HSR Pass for multiple cities: Costs less than two separate one-way tickets if you're visiting Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung
- Airport MRT over taxi: The express MRT is 8x cheaper than a taxi and takes only 5 minutes longer
- Kuo-Kuang for Alishan and Sun Moon Lake: Buses are significantly cheaper than private tours for these scenic routes