Exploring Taipei Airport: Activities And Amenities

what can you do in taipei airport

Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport is the largest airport in Taiwan and the main airport serving the capital city. The airport offers plenty of things to do for travellers with a layover, such as visiting the outdoor observation deck on the north side of Terminal 2, which offers a view of the Zhuwei Fish Harbor Rainbow Bridge, coastal wind turbines, and the Taiwan Strait. Travellers can also visit the nearby Goat World Ranch, Yakult Factory, and Xpark aquarium. The airport itself has a LEGO Airport, made up of 150,000 LEGO bricks, and Taiwan Temple Avenue, a mini version of a traditional old street with food and activities. Travellers can also take advantage of the airport's lounges, which offer unlimited food and drinks, WiFi, news and TV, and shower facilities. If you have at least 8 hours between flights, you can explore Taipei city centre, which is about a 40-minute train ride away.

Characteristics Values
Location Taipei Taoyuan Airport is not in Taipei but it is Taipei's primary airport.
Transport The airport is connected to the city by the MRT subway and buses. The airport MRT to Taipei Main Station takes 35-50 minutes.
Luggage storage Lockers are available in both terminals.
Food There are a variety of food options available in the airport, including beef noodles, dumplings, and mango smoothies.
Shopping The airport has several pharmacies, travel shops, bookstores, and Duty-Free shops. International brands like Adidas, Puma, Nike, Omega, Coach, Hermes, Saint Laurent, and Polo Ralph Lauren are available.
Attractions The airport has themed waiting areas, a gym, and art exhibits with pieces on loan from the National Museum. Nearby attractions include the Shilin Night Market, Taipei 101 (the former world's tallest building), and the National Concert Hall.
Tours Transit passengers with a 7-24 hour layover can join a free 4-hour tour. The morning tour, "Discover Taipei's 100 Years of Glory," visits Lungshan Temple, the National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Yongkang Street. The afternoon tour, "Beauty of Taiwanese Arts & Nature," includes the Yingge Pottery Street, the New Taipei City Art Museum, and the Sanying Spatial Art District.
Lounge access The airport has several lounges that allow access to any traveler, regardless of airline or flight class. Lounges offer unlimited food and drinks, WiFi, news and TV, and sometimes shower facilities.
SIM cards and WiFi SIM card vendors and WiFi devices are available in the Arrivals Hall. Free WiFi is available throughout the airport.

shunhotel

Visit themed waiting areas, like the Hello Kitty Wonderland lounge, or the Metaverse Waiting Room

Taipei Taoyuan Airport features several themed waiting areas, including the Hello Kitty Wonderland lounge and the Metaverse Waiting Room.

The Hello Kitty Wonderland lounge is located in Terminal 2, Gate C3, and features a pink colour scheme and all things Hello Kitty. There is a play area, kids' lounge chairs and tables, and a Sanrio duty-free shop. Nearby, there is also a nursing room for mothers. A Hello Kitty Sweets Cafe can be found in the city itself. The Hello Kitty-themed gate has been described as "the cutest" of all the airport gates.

The Metaverse Waiting Room, meanwhile, features a Trendy Toy display window showcasing the works of Taiwanese designers. This room is located in Terminal 2, Airside, near Gate D1.

Taipei Taoyuan Airport also offers several other themed waiting areas, including the Smart Green Energy Waiting Room, where passengers can create energy by riding a bike. The airport also features observation decks, art exhibitions, artistic performances, and several airport lounges, which can be accessed by pre-booking or using a lounge membership program. These lounges offer unlimited food and drinks, WiFi, news and TV, and sometimes shower facilities.

shunhotel

Work or relax in an airport lounge, with unlimited food and drinks, WiFi, and shower facilities

Taipei Airport has a range of facilities to keep you entertained, occupied, and relaxed during your time there.

If you want to work or relax in an airport lounge, Taipei Airport has several options. The Plaza Premium Lounge, for example, offers comfortable seating, a range of cuisine, and a variety of complimentary beverages. You can also find hot shower facilities at the Plaza Premium Lounge in Zone A, Terminal 2, and Zone D, Terminal 1. These shower facilities are available at an additional cost. The Plaza Premium Lounges are accessible to all travellers, regardless of airline or class of travel. You can purchase access directly on arrival or pre-book your lounge pass online for instant confirmation. A day pass will cost you from US$47 for a maximum of three hours, and you can book multiple passes if you have a longer layover.

If you're looking for free shower facilities, head to the fourth floor of Terminal 1 Departures, between the Plaza Premium and Starlux Galactic Lounges. There are seven 24-hour free shower facilities located airside. Towels were previously available to rent for $4, but this is unconfirmed.

You can also pay at the door to enter the Plaza Premium Lounge in Zone C, Terminal 1, which is open 24 hours a day and offers showers, or the Zone D lounge in the same terminal, which is also open 24 hours and offers showers. A two-hour pass starts from TWD 1300.

If you're looking for a place to work, the airport offers free WiFi throughout, and there are several public rest lounge areas located near Gates A7, B6, and D. There are also recliner chairs at various gates.

shunhotel

Take a free 4-hour tour of Taipei, visiting landmarks like Lungshan Temple and the National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

If you're looking to explore Taipei and you have a 7-24 hour layover, you can join a free 4-hour tour of the city. The morning tour, 'Discover Taipei's 100 Years of Glory', takes you on a journey through the city's landmarks and vibrant streets. Here's what you can expect on this tour:

Lungshan Temple

Lungshan Temple, built in 1738, is dedicated to Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. The temple also houses other deities such as Yue Lao, the Matchmaker God, and Wenchang Dijun, the God of Literature. Lungshan Temple boasts a rich history and architectural beauty. It was severely damaged during the Taipei Air Raid of 1945, but its statue of Guanyin survived, making it a sacred place for locals to seek blessings and inner peace.

National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

The National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is an impressive monument honouring the late president of the Republic of China, Chang Kai-Shek. The hall stands as a majestic and classic landmark in Taiwan, offering a glimpse into the country's history and architecture.

Yongkang Street

Yongkang Street, named one of the world's coolest streets by Time Out magazine, captures the contemporary flair of Taipei. Here, you can witness the revitalisation of old buildings and experience the nostalgia of the Japanese colonial period. Yongkang Street is also known for its culinary delights, including well-known Taiwanese dishes such as beef noodles, dumplings, and mango smoothies.

To join the tour, you can use the public transit system to reach the city centre. The purple MRT line connects both airport terminals to the central train station, with a travel time of about 40 minutes. Remember to leave plenty of time to return to the airport for your next flight!

shunhotel

Shop at the airport for souvenirs, local teas, and snacks, or browse international brands like Adidas and Nike

Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, also known as Taoyuan Airport, offers a diverse shopping experience with a wide range of retail outlets across its two terminals.

For those interested in local products and souvenirs, the airport offers a variety of options. You can find beautifully packaged local teas, including the famous Taiwanese tea, and pineapple cakes, which are a popular traditional sweet treat in Taiwan. These items are available in the craft and souvenir shops located throughout the airport. If you're looking for other traditional Taiwanese snacks, you can explore the food courts and casual eateries within the airport, serving Taiwanese specialties like dumplings and beef noodles.

In addition to local delicacies, the airport also offers a range of international options. For sportswear enthusiasts, there are stores like Adidas, Puma, and Nike, offering athletic apparel and accessories. These sports-themed brands can be found in Terminal 2, with Adidas specifically located near Gate D1 and Gate D2.

If you're interested in luxury fashion and designer boutiques, Terminal 1 houses brands such as Omega, Coach, Hermes, Saint Laurent, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Terminal 2 also offers international luxury brands, providing travellers with a range of high-end shopping options.

Whether you're looking for local souvenirs, tea, and snacks or seeking international brands like Adidas and Nike, Taipei Taoyuan International Airport offers a variety of shopping opportunities to meet your needs.

shunhotel

Head to Taipei Main Station to visit the National Concert Hall, National Theatre, and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

If you're looking to pass the time during a layover at Taipei Airport, you can take the purple MRT line to Taipei Main Station and visit the National Concert Hall, National Theatre, and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, all within walking distance in Liberty Square.

The National Theatre and National Concert Hall are twin performing arts venues completed in 1987, featuring modern functionality with traditional elements of Chinese palace architecture. The National Concert Hall houses the largest pipe organ in Asia at the time of its installation, and both venues host a variety of performances, including kabuki theatre, Shakespearean drama, Taiwanese opera, Verdi opera, and more. The venues also hold festivals such as the Taipei International Arts Festival and the Chinese Drama Festival.

The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, located to the east of the square, is part of the National Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center. The morning tour offered by the airport includes a visit to this memorial, along with Lungshan Temple and Yongkang Street.

Remember to leave plenty of time to return to the airport, and consider taking the Express Train or MRT back to avoid the potential congestion of taxi or Uber services.

How to Change Your Flight at the Airport

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

Taipei Airport has several themed public waiting areas that offer fun glimpses into Taiwanese culture. These include the Hello Kitty Wonderland lounge, the Smart Green Energy Waiting Room, and the Metaverse Waiting Room. The airport also has a gym, several pharmacies, travel shops, bookstores, and Duty-Free shopping. There are also art exhibits with pieces on loan from the National Museum in Terminal 1 and a small movie theatre in Terminal 1.

Yes, there are food options available at Taipei Airport. There are restaurants and cafes in the Hello Kitty Wonderland lounge and the airport also has several food stalls selling Taiwanese snacks and souvenirs, liquor, etc.

Yes, you can leave the airport during a layover, but it is recommended that you have at least 8 hours between flights. The airport is connected to the city by the MRT subway and buses. It takes about 35 to 50 minutes to reach Taipei Main Station via the Airport MRT.

During a long layover, you can visit Taipei's famous sites such as Martyr's Shrine, Lungshan Temple, the National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Yongkang Street. You can also sample well-known Taiwanese dishes like beef noodles, dumplings, and mango smoothies in Yongkang Street near the Dongmen MRT station.

Yes, transit passengers with a 7-24 hour layover can join a free 4-hour tour. The morning tour, "Discover Taipei's 100 Years of Glory", visits Lungshan Temple, the National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Yongkang Street. The afternoon tour, "Beauty of Taiwanese Arts & Nature", visits the Yingge Pottery Street, the New Taipei City Art Museum or Spot Gallery, and the Sanying Spatial Art District.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment