Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei is one of the easiest airport transfers in Asia. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), where most international flights land, is about 40 km west of the capital, and the Taoyuan Airport MRT links both terminals to Taipei Main Station, the city’s biggest transport hub. From there the Taipei Metro, regular trains and high-speed rail reach almost everywhere. Airport buses and taxis fill the gaps late at night or when you have a lot of luggage. This guide explains each option and which one suits your hotel area.
Last checked: October 30, 2026. This guide is based on research and comparison of official sources and current travel guides, not a sponsored stay. Transport times and rules change, so check before you go.
Quick answer
- Fastest to the city centre: Airport MRT express train to Taipei Main Station, about 35–37 minutes depending on the terminal.
- How often: Express trains run about every 15 minutes through the day.
- Late arrival: Airport buses to Taipei run late, and some routes run overnight; taxis run 24 hours.
- Family or lots of bags: A taxi or pre-booked transfer to the hotel door.
- How to pay: EasyCard, iPASS, many contactless bank cards, or a single-journey token.
On this page
- How does the Airport MRT work?
- Which tickets and cards can I use?
- When is the airport bus a better choice?
- Is a taxi worth it?
- Taipei hotel areas compared: best way from the airport
- Who should take which option?
- What about Songshan Airport?
- Can I check in for my flight in the city?
- Notes for families and travellers with reduced mobility
- Which option suits a first visit?
- Tips for the return trip
- FAQ
How does the Airport MRT work?
The Taoyuan Airport MRT is a separate line from the Taipei Metro, with its own stations and colours. Two types of train share the track: express trains, which stop only at a handful of stations between the airport and Taipei Main Station, and commuter trains, which stop everywhere and take noticeably longer. Both terminals have their own station in the basement — follow the purple “Airport MRT” signs after customs. On the platform, the screens show which train is next; if you’re in a hurry, wait for the express.
At Taipei Main Station, the Airport MRT station is on the west side of the complex. The walk to the Taipei Metro’s Red and Blue lines, or to the railway and high-speed rail, is long and goes through underground passages, so allow around ten minutes with luggage. The signage is clear and in English.
Which tickets and cards can I use?
The easiest option is a stored-value card such as an EasyCard or iPASS. You can buy and top it up at the airport, and it also works on the Taipei Metro, city buses, YouBike shared bicycles and in convenience stores. Many contactless bank cards can be tapped at the gates as well. If you’d rather not get a card, buy a single-journey token from the machines; you’ll need a new token for every ride in the city. Check the official Airport MRT website for any combined airport-and-metro tickets on offer when you travel.
When is the airport bus a better choice?
Airport buses run from stops outside the arrivals halls to Taipei Main Station and other city stops, and some routes keep running after the trains have stopped for the night. They take longer than the express train, usually around an hour depending on traffic, but they’re a good fallback for late arrivals and can drop you closer to some hotels. Buy tickets at the counters in arrivals or pay on board, and check the route map so you get off at the right stop.
Is a taxi worth it?
Taxis wait at the official rank outside arrivals and use a meter, with an airport surcharge. The journey to central Taipei takes about 45–60 minutes without heavy traffic. A taxi makes sense with small children, several large suitcases, a group sharing the fare, or a very late arrival. Ride-hailing apps also operate in Taipei. Avoid offers from drivers inside the terminal; use the marked rank.
Taipei hotel areas compared: best way from the airport
| Area | Best for | Getting around | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taipei Main Station | Short stays, early flights, day trips | Airport MRT, then walk | Long underground walks to the right exit |
| Ximending | Budget, nightlife, shopping | Airport MRT, then 1 stop on the Blue line | Crowds and late noise |
| Zhongshan | Cafés, couples, calmer nights | Airport MRT, then 1 stop on the Red line | Mostly mid-range prices |
| Xinyi (Taipei 101) | Shopping, views, business | Airport MRT, then Red line; or taxi | Longest ride from the airport |
| Da’an | Families, a local feel | Airport MRT, then Red or Blue line | Fewer big sights within walking distance |
| Beitou | A hot-spring night | Airport MRT + Red line + Xinbeitou branch, or taxi | Not a practical base for a whole trip |
Where are these areas?
Markers show the approximate centre of each area. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Who should take which option?
- Most first-time visitors: Airport MRT express, then the Taipei Metro.
- Very late arrivals: an overnight airport bus or a taxi.
- Families with toddlers and car seats: a pre-booked transfer or taxi.
- Budget travellers: Airport MRT with an EasyCard.
- Hotels near Taipei Main Station: walk from the Airport MRT; see staying near Taipei Main Station.
Still choosing a neighbourhood? Read where to stay in Taipei and Ximending vs Zhongshan.
What about Songshan Airport?
Some short flights from Japan, Korea, mainland China and domestic routes use Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), which is inside the city. Songshan Airport Station on the Brown (Wenhu) line sits next to the terminal, so Zhongshan, Da’an and Xinyi are a short ride away. If you can choose your flight and you’re staying on the east side of the city, Songshan can save a lot of time. Check your ticket carefully, because some routes from the same city use either airport.
Can I check in for my flight in the city?
Some airlines offer in-town check-in at the Airport MRT’s Taipei Main Station on the day of your flight, letting you drop bags before heading to the airport. Not every airline or flight is included, and there are cut-off times, usually several hours before departure. Ask your airline before relying on it, and still allow plenty of time for the trip and security at the airport.
Notes for families and travellers with reduced mobility
The Airport MRT trains have luggage racks, priority seats and space for wheelchairs, and all stations have lifts. The longest distances are inside Taipei Main Station, so check which exit is nearest your hotel and whether it has a lift before you arrive. Young children ride free on the Taipei Metro and older children pay concession fares; check the current age and height rules on the operator’s website. Child car seats are not standard in taxis, so bring a travel seat or book a transfer that provides one.
Which option suits a first visit?
For a first trip, the Airport MRT express is hard to beat: it’s quick, predictable and drops you at the one station where every other line meets. Buy an EasyCard at the airport station, ride to Taipei Main Station, and either walk to your hotel or change to the Red or Blue line. If your flight lands after the last express, don’t worry: the airport buses and taxis are well organised, with clear signs in English, and you can switch to the MRT the next morning for the rest of your stay.
Tips for the return trip
Allow at least two and a half to three hours before an international flight, plus about an hour to reach the airport from most hotels. Confirm your terminal, because the Airport MRT stops at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 separately. Many hotels will store luggage after check-out if your flight is in the evening, and the underground malls at Taipei Main Station are a convenient place to spend a last rainy afternoon.
FAQ
How long is the Airport MRT from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station?
About 35–37 minutes on the express train, depending on the terminal; commuter trains take longer.
Can I pay for the Airport MRT with a card?
Yes: EasyCard, iPASS and many contactless bank cards work, or you can buy a token.
Is there transport from Taoyuan Airport late at night?
Yes: some airport bus routes run overnight, and taxis run 24 hours.
Which Taipei airport is closer to the city?
Songshan Airport, which is inside the city on the MRT Brown line; Taoyuan is about 40 km away.
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We are a small independent team based in Seoul. We compare neighbourhoods using official tourism and transport sources, maps and current guides, and we say clearly when something is research rather than a personal stay. No sponsored placements. About us and how we work.
Sources: Taoyuan City Government – Airport MRT · Taoyuan Metro – official site · Wikipedia – Taoyuan Airport MRT · Taipei Metro – official site · Wikipedia – Songshan Airport · Taipei Travel – official guide