Ruth Haines
Taipei has two airports: Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport. Taoyuan Airport is located 30 kilometres west of Taipei in Taoyuan City, and Songshan Airport is in the Taipei city centre. If you have a layover in Taipei, you may be wondering if you can leave the airport and explore the city. The answer is yes, but it is recommended that you have at least a 6-hour layover to make it worth your while. Here is everything you need to know about navigating a layover in Taipei.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum layover time | 5-6 hours |
| Transport options | MRT, bus, taxi, tour bus |
| Travel time to city centre | 30 minutes-1 hour |
| Return travel time to airport | 1-2 hours |
| Free tours | Yes |
| Visa required | No |
| Luggage storage | Yes |
| Things to do | Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Shilin Night Market, Yangmingshan National Park, Taroko Gorge, Beitou hot springs |
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What You'll Learn
Minimum layover length to leave the airport
Taipei has two airports: Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA). TSA is located in the city centre and mainly handles domestic flights, while TPE is 30 kilometres west of Taipei in Taoyuan City and serves most international flights.
Sources suggest that a layover of at least 6 hours is required to leave TPE and visit Taipei. This minimum time can be affected by several factors, including whether you need to pick up your luggage, immigration lines, and the time of day.
If you have a 6-hour layover, you can take the MRT to Taipei Main Station, which takes 35 minutes on the express line and 50 minutes on the commuter line. From there, you can explore the nearby area for a couple of hours. However, it is recommended to return to the airport by express train to ensure you don't cut it too close.
If you have a 7-hour layover, you can join the free Taipei tour offered by the airport. It usually takes around 1 hour to exit the airport, and you'll want to be back at the airport 1.5 to 2 hours before your flight.
For a layover in the evening, you can visit the Ximending district or the Ningxia Night Market, which runs from around 5 pm to midnight. The walking time from the Airport MRT Station to Ningxia Night Market is only 10 minutes.
If you have a layover at TSA, you can easily explore the city since it has an MRT stop in the city centre with the same name.
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Transport options to Taipei city centre
Taipei has two airports: Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA). TPE is the largest airport in Taiwan, located 30-50 km from Taipei, while TSA is in the Taipei city centre.
If you have a layover at TPE, it is recommended to have at least 6 hours between flights to leave the airport. It usually takes around 1 hour to exit the airport and reach Taipei city centre, and another hour to return. You should also be back at the airport at least 1.5-2 hours before your next flight.
Taxi
Travelling by taxi is the easiest but most expensive option. Airport taxis are available 24/7 outside the arrival hall, with an average ride costing around NT$1200 (approximately €42 or TWD 1,300). Taiwanese taxis are considered safe, and the drivers are reportedly friendly. You can also opt for an Uber if you have a local SIM card.
Bus
The bus is the cheapest option to reach Taipei City Centre. A single ticket costs between €4 (TWD 125) and €4.60 (TWD 145). There are two buses that stop at both terminals: bus number 1819A goes to Taipei Main Station, and bus number 1960 goes to Taipei City Hall Bus Station. Shuttle buses are also available to the Taipei 101 area, with tickets costing between NT$90 and NT$145.
Taoyuan Metro (MRT)
The Taoyuan Airport MRT is the fastest way to reach Taipei city centre. The express train takes 35-36 minutes, while the commuter train takes 50 minutes. A single ticket costs €4.80 (TWD 150) for both trains. The MRT can be very crowded, especially during peak hours.
If you have a layover at TSA, you can easily connect to anywhere in the city via the Taipei MRT.
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Taipei's top sights
If you have a layover in Taipei, you may be able to leave the airport and explore the city, depending on the length of your layover and other factors such as immigration lines and whether you need to pick up luggage. A minimum of 6 hours is recommended to leave the airport, and 7 hours if you want to take the free Taipei tour offered by the airport.
Now, here is some information on Taipei's top sights:
Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is an iconic landmark in Taipei. It is a magnificent tower that dominates the Taipei skyline and can be seen from anywhere in the city. It is especially spectacular at night when it is lit up. It takes around an hour to get to Taipei 101 from the airport by taxi, depending on traffic.
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall
The Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall is close to Taipei 101. It is a grandiose monument to the authoritarian leader Chiang Kai-shek.
Shilin Night Market
The Shilin Night Market is a great place to visit in the evening to enjoy some delicious street food. It takes about 45 minutes to get there from the airport.
Beitou Hot Spring
Beitou Hot Spring is Taipei City's only hot spring resort and one of the best hot springs in Taiwan. It is located in the Beitou district, which is home to historic sights and hot spring spas.
Burma Street
Burma Street, also known as Huaxin Street or Nanyang Sightseeing Food Street, is the center of Taiwan's Burmese-Chinese community, one of the country's largest minorities. The street is lined with dozens of restaurants serving a unique blend of Burmese, southern Chinese, and Chinese cuisine, including round flatbreads, mohinga (a coconut, banana stem, and fish curry), and cold noodles with tamarind vinegar.
Dihua Street
Dihua Street is a popular attraction in Taipei, featuring a mix of historic and modern attractions. It is home to Taipei's oldest residential building, dating back to the late 18th century, as well as the Bao'an Temple, which has received a Unesco Asia-Pacific Heritage Award.
Miramar Entertainment Park
Located in the Dazhi area, north of Songshan Airport, Miramar Entertainment Park is home to a 95-meter Ferris wheel that offers uninterrupted views of the city. The Ferris wheel is lit up at night and can be seen from many places in Taipei.
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Layover tours
Taipei has two airports: Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA). If you have a layover at Taipei Airport, you can leave the airport and explore the city. A layover of 6 hours or more is recommended to leave the airport. However, for the free Taipei tour offered by the airport, there is a minimum requirement of 7 hours.
If you have a layover of 8 hours or more, you can book a layover tour of Taipei. These tours typically include transportation to and from the airport, and a tour of some of the major city sites. The tours are usually customizable, allowing you to choose the attractions that interest you. Some popular attractions in Taipei include:
- Taipei 101
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
- National Palace Museum
- Longshan Temple
- Martyr's Shrine
- Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
- Shilin Night Market
- Dihua Old Street
- Dalongdong Baoan Temple
- Elephant Mountain Trail
If you are feeling adventurous, you can also explore Taipei on your own. The city has a reliable and convenient public transportation system, including the MRT subway and buses, which can take you to various tourist destinations.
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Accommodation options
If you have a long layover in Taipei, you may want to consider leaving the airport and getting some rest, especially if you have an overnight layover. Taipei has two airports, with most international flights landing at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), 30 kilometres west of Taipei in Taoyuan City. The smaller Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) is in the Taipei city centre and mainly handles domestic flights.
If you have a long layover at Taoyuan International Airport, you can take the train to Taipei City centre for under $10 USD. The ride is comfortable and the trains have luggage areas. You can also take the MRT to Taipei Main Station, which takes 35 minutes on the express line and 50 minutes on the commuter line. Taipei Main Station has massive, safe, and affordable lockers where you can store your luggage. There are many hotels and accommodations within walking distance of Taipei Main Station. Click Hotel is a recommended option, at $41 USD per night. Many hostels in Taipei are under $25 USD.
If you have a layover at Taipei Songshan Airport, you can easily explore the city by taking the MRT.
If you don't want to leave the airport, you can book a hotel near Taoyuan International Airport by searching on Agoda, Hotels.com, or Booking.com.
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Frequently asked questions
A minimum of 6 hours is recommended to leave the airport. If you want to take the free Taipei tour offered by the airport, you'll need a minimum of 7 hours.
It takes around 1 hour to reach Taipei city centre from the airport, and the same time to get back. You'll want to be back at the airport 1.5-2 hours before your flight.
Taipei has fantastic transport around the major sights, and its food scene is worth experiencing. Some recommended spots include Taipei 101 for views of the city, Shilin Night Market for street food, and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to learn about Taiwan's history and culture.
Closer to the airport in Taoyuan, there's Gloria Outlets, which has a decent variety of restaurants and stores, as well as an aquarium.
Whether you need a visa will depend on your nationality and the length of your layover. Check with your local Taiwanese embassy or consulate for specific requirements.
