CKS International Airport in Taoyuan County is Taipei's main gateway and is a 40-minute ride away from the city center.  There are two terminals in the Airport. (Airlines in Terminal One / Terminal Two) Four bus companies, Kuo Guang Bus, Free Go, Air Bus, and Evervoyage, operate a shuttle service every 15 to 30 minutes to and from Taipei from 5:30am to 1:30am.  The shuttle each way costs between NT$120 to 150 per passenger.  (Bus routes to/from CKS International Airport)  The bus usually has two major stops:  Taipei Train Station(in the city center and closer to major city sights) and Songshan Domestic Airport (in the eastern section of the city).  Taxis queue outside the Arrival Halls of both terminals.  The service is also provided 24 hours a day. Airport Taxis charge according to the meter plus a 50% surcharge (highway tolls not included) and typically costs around NT$1,100 to Taipei.  There is a car rental counter, operated by several of rental companies at CKS International Airport. Foreign visitors need an international driver's license to drive in Taiwan.

Travel by airplane is the fastest means of transport between Taipei and other cities in Taiwan.  Songshan Domestic Airport, situated in northeastern Taipei, provides direct flights connecting Taipei with Taizhong, Jiayi, Tainan, Gaoxiong, Pingdong, Hualian, Taidong, Penghu, Jinmen, and Mazu on a regular, daily schedules.

If you prefer traveling by land, then taking a train is also an option.  There is only one train company, Taiwan Railway Administration, operated by the government.  Trains travel to every city and county in the island, except Nantou county in central Taiwan.  There are two major train stations in Taipei. Taipei Train Station, is located in the city center; while Songshan Station, is located in the eastern part of the city.  From Taipei, trains travel in two directions: south to cities in central and southern Taiwan, and east toward Jilong, Yilan, Hualian, and Taidong on the east coast.  Trains operate on a reliable schedule.  However, it is recommended that tickets be booked in advance during holidays because of overcrowding.

Long-haul buses are another means of transport.  Only Taidong can not be directly reached by bus from Taipei.  Most bus companies, including two major bus companies- Kuo Guang Bus and United Highway Bus, have their own hubs near Taipei Train Station.  Due to the heavy traffic on the freeways, it is better to take an airplane or train during holidays.

Driving in Taipei is difficult for drivers unaccustomed to heavily congested city traffic.  An added difficulty is the inconsistency of street sign phoneticizations.  Roadside parking is extremely scarce in the city center.  Taxis are plenty, fast, and the fare rate is reasonable.  Flagfall is NT$70 and is good for the first 1.5km after which the charge is NT$5 for each additional 300m.  At night, there is an additional 20% charge.  Women passengers are advised to call a taxi company for a pick-up at night.  Most taxi drivers cannot speak or read English, so providing the destination in Chinese characters or a map is helpful. Toll Free Taxi Hotline : 0800-055850.

Taipei has a convenient public transportation system. The Taipei MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is very efficient and also the only rapid transit system in the country. There are six different lines operating: the Danshui line starts from NTU Hospital and ends at Danshui, the Muzha line starts from Zhongshan Junior High School and ends at Taipei Zoo, the Nangang /Banqiao line currently operational section from Kunyang to Xinpu, the Xindian line starts from the Xindian and ends at NTU Hospital, the Zhonghe line starts from Dingxi and ends at Nanshijiao, the Xiaonanmen line connections the Hsimen and C.K.S. Memorial Hall. (MRT Route map)
There are four types ticket for passengers: One-day pass ticket, Single-journey ticket, EasyCard, Group ticket. One day pass ticket without limits on journeys, distance and can be used on all routes, fare NT$150. Group ticket when in a group of 10 or more people there is a 20% discount, while in a group of 40 or more people there is a 30 % discount. Easy Card and Single-journey ticket, the fare is calculated by distance and is relatively cheap.

The bus system is also reliable and efficient. There are more than 300 bus lines and the major transfer hub is around Taipei Main Station.  There are more than 50 bus lines going through here.  The bus system is extremely comprehensive, but can be difficult for non-Chinese speakers.  Most of the bus drivers do not speak English and these is no English information on bus stops.  The fare for traveling within one section is NT$15 per section. Buses do not provide change.  Most bus services run until 23:00.

Since 2002 , all local buses and MRT stations accept EasyCard , a stored-valued smart card used for all modes of transit. An EasyCard is sold for NT$500, which includes $400 stored-value and $100 refundable deposit. EasyCard can be bought and added value at MRT stations and convenience stores throughout Taipei City and Taipei County.

Click here for the useful Chinese-English translation table for names of destinations around Taipei.

Expressway/Freeway Network Map--City (178 KB)
Expressway/Freeway Network Map--Metropolitan (428 KB)