Taipei Airport Transfer — Taoyuan (TPE) & Songshan (TSA)

Short answer: Taipei is served by Taoyuan (TPE), Songshan (TSA). Taoyuan to central Taipei is 40 km (25 mi), Songshan is 5 km (3 mi). A pre-booked private transfer runs TWD 1,000–1,800 ($30–55) from Taoyuan, TWD 150–300 ($5–9) from Songshan, quoted in TWD (NT$) and current as of July 2026. The sections below compare taxis, public transport and pre-booked cars for each airport.

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Taipei airport transfer at a glance

Airports

Taoyuan (TPE), Songshan (TSA)

Distance to center

Taoyuan to central Taipei is 40 km (25 mi), Songshan is 5 km (3 mi)

Transfer prices

TWD 1,000–1,800 ($30–55) from Taoyuan, TWD 150–300 ($5–9) from Songshan

Currency

TWD (NT$)

Airport overview: Taoyuan International (TPE)

TPE has two terminals connected by a Skytrain. Terminal 1 serves most international airlines; Terminal 2 serves China Airlines and EVA Air. Songshan Airport (TSA) is the downtown airport for domestic and some regional flights.

Songshan Airport (TSA): the downtown option

Taipei's second airport sits inside the city, roughly 5 km from Taipei Main Station, and handles domestic routes plus a short list of regional city-pair services to Tokyo Haneda, Seoul Gimpo and Shanghai Hongqiao. If your flight uses TSA, the transfer problem is a much smaller one than at Taoyuan.

From TSA into the city

The terminal has its own metro station — Songshan Airport (BR13) on the Wenhu (Brown) Line — which makes the MRT a real option here rather than a compromise. Change at Zhongxiao Fuxing for the Blue Line and Taipei Main Station, at Nanjing Fuxing for the Green Line, or at Daan for the Red Line and Taipei 101. Trains run from around 06:00 until just after midnight.

A metered taxi from the rank outside arrivals runs roughly NT$150–400 to most central districts and takes 10–25 minutes depending on traffic. Taipei's meters are honest and the distances are short, so the usual case for pre-booking — a fixed price and no negotiation — carries less weight here than it does in Cairo or Bangkok. Pre-booking still earns its keep with a group, heavy luggage, or an arrival late enough that the MRT has stopped.

Between Songshan and Taoyuan

The two airports are about 35 km apart. Non-stop buses 1840 and 1841 connect them in 55–65 minutes; by MRT the trip runs around 75 minutes with two changes; by car it is 35–50 minutes outside rush hour. If you have a same-day connection between the two, budget three hours rather than two — the road between them is the one that jams every weekday evening.

Getting into Taipei by train or metro

Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station: NT$160 (~$5), 35 min. Express trains run every 15 min, all-stop every 15 min.

Bus and shuttle options in Taipei

Kuo-Kuang bus 1819 to Taipei Main Station: NT$145 (~$4.50), 55 min. Runs 24 hours — the only option after midnight.

Taxi situation in Taipei

Taipei taxis are metered, safe, and affordable. Yellow cabs are regulated. One of Asia's most trustworthy taxi systems.

Best transfer service for Taipei

Kiwitaxi — Fixed pricing for the Taoyuan route. No meter anxiety for the 40 km journey.

Read full Kiwitaxi review →

Cheapest way from Taipei airport to the city

GetTransfer — Bids from $25 for Taoyuan to central Taipei.

Read full GetTransfer review →

Uber & ride-hailing

Uber works in Taiwan but uses licensed taxi drivers. Pricing is similar to metered taxis.

Public transport from Taipei airport

Taoyuan Metro (35 min to Taipei Main Station, TWD 160/$5) is modern and efficient. Express trains run every 15 min.

Practical arrival tips for Taipei

Airport MRT is excellent: The Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station takes 35 minutes (express) for NT$160 (~$5). Clean, modern, with luggage space. It runs from 6am to 11pm.

EasyCard: Taiwan's transit card works on MRT, buses, bikes, and convenience stores. Buy one at the airport MRT station (NT$100 deposit + loaded value). Essential for getting around Taipei.

Night arrivals: After the last MRT (11pm), the Kuo-Kuang bus 1819 runs 24 hours to Taipei Main Station (NT$145, 55 min). For late arrivals, this or a pre-booked transfer are your options.

Songshan vs Taoyuan: If your flight arrives at Songshan Airport (TSA), you're already in central Taipei — the MRT station is right at the airport. Taoyuan (TPE) is the main international airport, 40 km from the city.

When to pre-book vs take the Airport MRT

Airport MRT wins for: Solo travelers to central Taipei (NT$160, 35 min, comfortable and modern), anyone staying near Taipei Main Station, budget travelers.

Pre-booked transfer wins for: Families with children and luggage, late-night arrivals (after 11pm when MRT stops), groups of 3+ (cost splits favorably), hotels in Xinyi/Da'an districts not near MRT stations, and travelers heading directly to Jiufen, Yehliu, or other day-trip destinations.

Taoyuan vs Songshan: the airport choice that changes everything

Taipei has two airports with vastly different transfer experiences. Taoyuan (TPE) is 40 km from the city — a 40–55 minute drive or 35-minute MRT ride. Songshan (TSA) is inside Taipei itself, next to a Metro station — you can be at Taipei 101 in 15 minutes. Songshan handles most Japan, Korea, and China flights. If your airline offers both airports, Songshan saves easily 30–45 minutes of transfer time. Check carefully: some booking sites default to Taoyuan even when Songshan is available.

Transfer service prices from Taipei airport

Service	Price range	Standout feature	Book
Welcome Pickups	$40–60	In-terminal meet-and-greet, free child seats	Check price →
Kiwitaxi	$31–43	Wide vehicle selection, transparent pricing	Check price →
GetTransfer	$28–45	Bidding system — often cheapest	Check price →
intui.travel	$30–48	Shared transfers, budget groups	Check price →

intui.travel is a marketplace: several local carriers quote the same route, and waiting time, night surcharges and the cancellation deadline are set by whichever carrier you book, not by intui. Check the conditions shown beside the offer before paying.

Prices for a sedan (up to 3 passengers). GetTransfer prices are typical winning bids. See our full comparison for Taipei for detailed pricing by route.

Local travel nuances in Taipei

Currency: TWD (NT$). ATMs are available in all airport terminals.

Language: Mandarin (moderate English at airport and MRT) Having your hotel address saved on your phone (screenshot or Google Maps pin) is always helpful for drivers.

Tipping: Not customary in Taiwan. The price is the price.

Safety: Taiwan is very safe. Taoyuan Airport taxis are metered and honest. The Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station is fast and cheap.

SIM / connectivity: Taiwanese SIM cards from Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile, or FarEasTone at Taoyuan. Tourist SIMs from NT$300 (~$9) for 5 days unlimited data.

Tips for Taipei airport transfers

Tip 1: Taoyuan Metro is excellent — $5, 35 min, express trains every 15 min. Best for solo travelers.

Tip 2: Songshan airport is in the city center — taxi for $5-9 or even walk to nearby MRT. No need to pre-book.

Tip 3: Taoyuan is far (40 km) but the highway is fast. Car transfers take 40-50 min outside rush hour.

Tip 4: Taiwan uses TWD, not Chinese Yuan. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Taipei airport transfer FAQ

Pre-booked from $25-40. Taxi TWD 1,000-1,500 ($30-45). Metro TWD 160 ($5, 35 min). Metro is best for solo travelers.

Songshan is in the city center (5 km). Taoyuan is 40 km away. Songshan is much easier but only handles domestic and some regional flights.

About 40–55 minutes by car. The Taoyuan Airport MRT takes 35 minutes to Taipei Main Station, then transfer to the Red Line for Taipei 101 (total ~50 min). Rush hour can push driving to 70+ minutes.

Yes — tap your EasyCard at Taoyuan Airport MRT gates for NT$160 to Taipei Main Station. Buy an EasyCard at convenience stores in the arrivals hall. Pre-booked transfers are better for families or groups with heavy luggage.

Yes — Jiufen is about 60–90 minutes (from NT$1,800–2,500) and Sun Moon Lake is 3.5 hours (from NT$5,000–7,000). GetTransfer covers both routes. Saves time vs public buses, especially from the airport.

Songshan has its own MRT station, Songshan Airport (BR13) on the Wenhu (Brown) Line, right at the terminal — change at Zhongxiao Fuxing for Taipei Main Station or at Daan for Taipei 101. A metered taxi to most central districts is roughly NT$150–400 and takes 10–25 minutes.

The two airports are about 35 km apart. Buses 1840 and 1841 run non-stop between them in 55–65 minutes. The MRT works but takes around 75 minutes with two changes. By car it is 35–50 minutes outside rush hour — allow three hours for a same-day connection.