Taoyuan Airport to Taipei: MRT, Bus, Taxi or Transfer?
For most daytime arrivals, the Airport MRT Express is the simplest starting point for getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei: it avoids road traffic and reaches A1 Taipei Main Station in about 35 minutes from Terminal 1 or 38 minutes from Terminal 2. Choose a bus when its actual stop suits your accommodation, or a taxi or private transfer when removing the final connection matters more than the lowest individual fare.
The useful comparison is airport to your hotel door. A fast train followed by a long station walk and another ride can be less convenient than a slower vehicle that leaves you nearby.
Transport information checked October 25, 2026. This is a research-based guide to Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), not Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA). The featured image is an AI-generated editorial illustration.
Affiliate disclosure: Ritaishare may earn a commission if you book through the affiliate link in this article, at no extra cost to you.
Taoyuan Airport to Taipei: choose by your arrival
| Option | Best fit | Cost or time to check |
|---|---|---|
| Airport MRT Express | Daytime arrival, manageable luggage, convenient onward connection | NT$160 adult single journey to A1; roughly 35–38 minutes on the train |
| Airport MRT Commuter | A useful departure is available after the last express, or your stop needs the local service | Check the stopping pattern and timetable; slower than express |
| Airport bus | A listed stop is near your hotel, or a suitable departure runs after rail service | Route, departure, fare and final stop; road traffic affects timing |
| Airport taxi | You want an on-arrival ride directly to the accommodation | Metered fare plus highway tolls; official airport taxi service operates 24 hours |
| Prebooked private transfer | Several travelers, substantial luggage or a planned pickup | Full vehicle quote, waiting allowance, luggage capacity and meeting instructions |
For a solo traveler staying near A1, rail is a strong default. For a group, compare the complete vehicle quote against everyone’s rail fares plus the final connection. Two NT$160 adult rail fares total NT$320; four total NT$640, before any onward travel. A car is not automatically cheaper just because the cost is shared.
Taking the Airport MRT
Follow signs for A12 Airport Terminal 1 or A13 Airport Terminal 2, then check that the train is going toward A1 Taipei Main Station. Do not board solely because the platform says Airport MRT: trains also run away from Taipei.
The city’s Airport MRT guide lists the express journey as 35 minutes from Terminal 1 and 38 minutes from Terminal 2. Those are station-to-station times. Immigration, baggage collection, the walk to rail, waiting and your hotel connection are additional.
The operator’s fare chart lists NT$160 for an adult single journey between A1 and either airport terminal. Treat advertised pass bundles or retailer discounts as separate offers with their own conditions.
Tickets, EasyCard and bank cards
You can buy a single-journey token at the station’s machines or information counter. The operator also accepts stored-value cards including EasyCard. Its listed NT$100 price for an empty regular EasyCard does not include travel credit: load enough value for the journey.
Taoyuan Metro’s bank-card guidance lists contactless Visa, Mastercard, JCB and UnionPay options, including supported mobile wallets. Use the same card or device to enter and exit, and ask station staff if a gate rejects it. Do not assume the Airport MRT’s payment instructions apply unchanged to every connecting bus or city transport service.
Plan the connection at Taipei Main Station
A1 is part of a larger station area. Save the hotel’s exact address and nearest entrance before choosing an exit; the words “near Taipei Main Station” alone do not tell you how far you will roll a suitcase.
If another rail journey adds too much walking, a train-plus-taxi combination may be a useful compromise. Taoyuan Metro’s transfer information identifies a taxi stand on A1’s B1 floor. Compare that onward ride with a direct airport pickup, especially when several people are sharing.
When an airport bus makes more sense
The airport’s bus directory lists route 1819 to Taipei Bus Station via Zhongshan North Road, with a nominal journey of 55 minutes. Route 1819B via Nankan is a different service, listed at 70–80 minutes. These are estimates, not guaranteed arrival times.
Boarding areas are Terminal 1’s B1 arrivals bus area and Terminal 2’s outdoor gallery on the east side of the 1F arrivals hall. Follow current signs for the specific platform; the airport also publishes platform-adjustment notices.
Before buying, open the Highway Bureau’s 1819 route page and select to Taipei Bus Station. Check the departure for your date, your boarding terminal, the fare and the stop you intend to use. The opposite direction is not a substitute: the displayed stop sequence differs.
A bus is useful when it removes an inconvenient onward journey. It is less compelling if you will wait a long time, arrive far from the hotel and then need a taxi anyway. For a late arrival, verify the next actual departure rather than relying on a general claim that airport buses run all night.
Late arrivals: the last express is not the last train
The official terminal-station pages show these last departures toward A1 Taipei Main Station when checked on October 25:
| Boarding station | Last express | Last commuter |
|---|---|---|
| A12 Terminal 1 | 22:58 | 23:37 |
| A13 Terminal 2 | 22:55 | 23:35 |
Recheck the terminal, direction and travel date before departure. A later train displayed for another destination may only connect the terminals or travel away from Taipei. Your scheduled landing time is also not the time you will reach the platform.
If rail is no longer practical, check the next suitable airport bus or use the official taxi service. Also confirm how you will reach the hotel from the bus terminus and whether your accommodation accepts arrival at that hour. An inexpensive first leg is not enough if the last leg has stopped running.
Airport taxi or prebooked private transfer?
The airport’s official taxi information lists year-round, 24-hour service from the west side of both terminals’ arrival lobbies. Fares use the meter, with highway tolls additional. Ask about the expected total and payment method before leaving; this guide does not assume a fixed Taipei fare or universal card acceptance.
A private transfer lets you settle the pickup arrangement in advance. Before booking, check:
- The exact hotel address and whether it is inside the quoted service area.
- The number and size of bags, alongside the passenger count.
- When included waiting time begins and what happens if the flight is delayed.
- Whether tolls, late-night charges and any requested child seat are included.
- The terminal meeting point, driver contact method and cancellation terms.
You can compare Taoyuan Airport private transfers on Klook for your arrival time and address. Compare the final quote and conditions, rather than choosing by the lowest headline price.
Before you leave the terminal
Keep the accommodation name and address available offline, along with any pickup instructions. If you are using a travel eSIM, work through the eSIM setup and connection checklist before depending on mobile data for maps or driver messages.
Choose the route you can comfortably complete with your luggage and at your arrival hour. For many daytime trips that means the MRT; for a well-placed bus stop or an awkward late-night connection, the better choice may be different.
