Taipei Airport Guide: Taoyuan (TPE) & Songshan (TSA) – Terminals, Transfers & Getting to the City

Two Airports, Two Very Different Roles

Most travelers flying into Taipei land at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (IATA code: TPE), the country's main international gateway. It sits roughly 40 km west of central Taipei, in Dayuan District, Taoyuan City. Despite the name, it is effectively Taipei's international hub and handles the vast majority of long-haul and regional international services. If you booked an international flight to Taipei, you are almost certainly arriving here.

Taipei Songshan Airport (IATA code: TSA), by contrast, is a compact city airport located inside Taipei's Songshan District, about 10–15 minutes by car from central districts. It primarily serves domestic routes within Taiwan, plus a handful of cross-strait and regional routes to cities like Tokyo Haneda, Seoul Gimpo, and Shanghai Hongqiao. Its location directly on the MRT Brown Line makes it one of the most convenient airports in Asia for getting into a city centre. If you're connecting from another Taiwanese city or flying in on one of those select regional services, check whether your flight uses TSA before planning your transfer. For a broader overview of getting around Taipei once you've landed, the city's MRT network does most of the heavy lifting.

Getting from Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taipei City

Taoyuan has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 (MRT station A12) and Terminal 2 (MRT station A13), connected by a free automated people mover. The Airport MRT is the fastest, most reliable way into the city and should be your default choice for most arrivals.

• Airport MRT Express (direct to Taipei Main Station) Runs from Terminal 1 (A12) and Terminal 2 (A13) to Taipei Main Station (A1), stopping also at A3 (New Taipei Industrial Park) and A8 (Chang Gung Memorial Hospital). Journey time: 35–39 minutes. Fare: NT$160 (same as the Commuter service). Trains run roughly every 15 minutes. Operating hours: approximately 06:00–23:40, though confirm on the official Taoyuan Airport MRT page before travel.
• Airport MRT Commuter Service Stops at all intermediate stations and takes 50–53 minutes. The fare is identical to the express — fares are distance-based, not service-class-based. Useful if you're heading to a station between the airport and Taipei Main Station.
• Airport Buses Multiple operators run to Taipei Main Bus Station and other city points. Fares are typically NT$100–164 depending on route. Journey time: 50–90 minutes depending on traffic. Buses depart roughly every 20–30 minutes. Useful if your destination is not near an MRT station, but slower than the train in most conditions.
• Taxi 24-hour taxis wait on the west side of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 arrivals halls. Typical fare to central Taipei: NT$1,200–1,500. Best reserved for late-night arrivals when trains have stopped, groups splitting the cost, or when you have heavy luggage and a distant hotel.
• Uber and Private Transfer Uber operates in Taiwan and private airport transfer services are widely available. Pricing is broadly comparable to taxis. Book in advance during peak travel periods.

One common misconception worth clearing up: fares on the Airport MRT are distance-based, but the latest pricing means the commuter service to Taipei Main Station is slightly cheaper (around NT$150) than the express (NT$160). The main differences remain journey time and intermediate stops.

Getting from Songshan Airport (TSA) to the City

Songshan Airport is arguably the most city-friendly airport in Taiwan. The terminal connects directly to Songshan Airport Station on the MRT Brown Line (also called the Wenhu Line), accessed via the terminal basement. From there, central Taipei is a short ride away. Reaching Taipei Main Station requires one transfer — either at Daan Station to the Red Line or at Zhongxiao Fuxing to the Blue Line. Total journey time to Taipei Main Station runs about 15–20 minutes. The MRT operates roughly from 06:00 to midnight, with standard per-ride fares in central Taipei of around NT$20–25. For context on the neighbourhoods you might be heading to, where to stay in Taipei breaks down each district's character and practical location.

Taxis are available outside the terminal if you prefer a direct ride. The short distance to most central districts means fares are far lower than from Taoyuan — expect NT$200–400 to most Taipei city centre hotels depending on traffic and your exact destination.

Transferring Between Taoyuan and Songshan Airports

If your trip involves a connection between the two airports, direct bus services run between them. Lines 1840 and 1841 operate between Songshan Airport and Taoyuan Airport. The example fare on line 1840 is around NT$129. Frequency varies by route and time of day, with some departures roughly every 15–20 minutes and others closer to hourly. An example first departure from Taoyuan is around 04:45 and the last bus from Songshan runs around 23:45, though schedules change and should always be confirmed through the bus operator before you travel.

Allow at least 2–2.5 hours between scheduled flight times if you are making an inter-airport connection. Taipei traffic, particularly on expressways leading to Taoyuan, can be unpredictable during rush hour (roughly 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:30 on weekdays) and on holiday weekends.

Practical Tips for Your Arrival

The EasyCard is the standard contactless payment card for Taipei's MRT, buses, and many convenience stores. You can purchase and top up an EasyCard at MRT station customer service windows and convenience stores (7-Eleven and FamilyMart are inside both airport terminals). Loading NT$500 onto an EasyCard covers most ground transport needs for a short trip. Detailed advice on navigating the city after arrival is in the Taipei transport guide.

• Pick up a local SIM card or pocket Wi-Fi at both Taoyuan terminals and Songshan arrivals — multiple operators offer tourist SIMs at the airport. Having data makes MRT navigation and ride-hailing apps much easier.
• Currency: Taiwan uses the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). ATMs at both airports dispense TWD and accept international cards. Exchange counters are also available at Taoyuan but rates vary, so withdraw only what you need and compare rates before exchanging large amounts.
• Electricity in Taiwan uses Type A and Type B plugs at 110V/60Hz — bring an adapter if your devices require 220–240V.
• Tipping is not customary in Taiwan. Taxi drivers and airport staff do not expect tips.
• In a genuine emergency, police can be reached on 110 and ambulance/fire services on 119.

Taoyuan Airport has significant shopping and dining in both terminals, with options ranging from local Taiwanese fast food to international chains. If you have a long layover, Terminal 2 is generally considered more comfortable for waiting. For those planning their wider trip, the 3-day Taipei itinerary is a good starting point for structuring time in the city once you've cleared arrivals.

Seasonal Considerations and Peak Travel Periods

Both airports and their ground transport links operate year-round without scheduled closures. That said, certain periods create real pressure on airport transport. Chinese New Year (late January or February, date varies annually) is the single busiest travel period in Taiwan — airport trains and buses fill up, taxi queues lengthen, and Uber surge pricing kicks in. Book accommodation and ground transport well in advance if travelling around this period. The Lantern Festival falls shortly after Chinese New Year and draws additional visitor traffic.

Summer (June to September) brings Taipei's hottest and most humid weather, with typhoon season running from roughly July to September. Typhoons occasionally cause flight delays and cancellations at both airports, and can affect surface transport if rainfall is severe. The Taiwan Central Weather Administration issues advisories in advance — check before departure if a typhoon is tracking toward northern Taiwan. October to April is generally the more comfortable window for visiting, with milder temperatures and lower humidity.