Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - Leaving Airport While In Transit (TPE)

Is this allowed? If I were to, say, land at 0600 with my connecting flight departing at 1455, could I leave the airport between then?

Yes you can but you need to go through Immigration/Custom formalities. If your a citizen of a Cputry that needs a Visa to enter Taiwan, you will be required to have one before your arrival.

FYI, not much around the airport, maybe a mall or two. Depending on traffic, it might take you 45-1hr to get tp TPE City.

There has been a free tour for transit passengers like you which was available last year in Taipei. I did it once and it was quite good. Google will give you further details if you look for "Taipei transit tour".

Yes you can leave. I've done it for an afternoon, and for an overnight.

You won't get charged the Airport tax as some other forums suggest you could.

With 9 hours, I'd go to TPE City to have some breakfast. I dont think the transit tours run that early from what I seem to remember.

There used to be an aviation museum at the airport. I think it's still there - I've never been, but I'm sure a poster here once said it was quite interesting.

Ah, I remember that museum, I went when I was a kid before.

Thanks for the info, guys!

There used to be an aviation museum at the airport. I think it's still there - I've never been, but I'm sure a poster here once said it was quite interesting.

Ah, I remember that museum, I went when I was a kid before.

Thanks for the info, guys!

Is it still there? Doable with a 3 hr layover?

Is it still there? Doable with a 3 hr layover?


Museum is still there.

I am not sure if 3 hours are enough... While Immigration and Customs checks are ultra effective in TPE (dear Thai Immigration - do you hear this:p), there is no pedestrian walkway to the museum - you will probably have to take (not-that-frequent shuttle) to Novotel and walk from there.

I am not sure if 3 hours are enough... While Immigration and Customs checks are ultra effective in TPE (dear Thai Immigration - do you hear this:p), there is no pedestrian walkway to the museum - you will probably have to take (not-that-frequent shuttle) to Novotel and walk from there.

Immigrations and Customs are always hella slow when I go through TPE (they have, like 6-8 counters to process BR and CI's nearly simultaneous LAX and SFO flights, in addition to whatever else lands at 0600 for whatever reason).

It will take max 20 minutes at the immigration and probably 30 minutes for the bus wait. Make sure you check the timetable for the return bus so you don't miss it coming back (cause it's not frequent).

Some years ago I also left the airport during a long stop.
Back at the airport they made some real trouble because...they said it is forbidden to leave the airport while the luggage is still inside. Anyway, I am still alive.
And I would do it again. Foreigners have the 'no-understand'-bonus
Beside...there is a train station near the airport. 30NTD bus ride and there are some food locations. 15 Minutes to Taipei station by high speed train
Taoyuan is also not far away. 10...20 minutes by taxi, Taxis are rather cheap. Taiwanese food and local peaople can be enjoyed there. But never forget to write 'aiport' in Chinese letters for Taxi. And it is worth to try a Taiwanese McD or the other ones. Smoking is not allowed inside buildings. Beer is tasty.

Is this allowed? If I were to, say, land at 0600 with my connecting flight departing at 1455, could I leave the airport between then?

What is your connecting flight or what airline are you taking? I know China Airlines offers a short tour around town. There isn't much to see around Taoyuan so you'll have to hop on a bus (or take a taxi) to Taipei. You should have around 4-5 hours to walk around so just go to the Financial District and snap some shots of Taipei 101 (the most expensive building in the world = it is shorter than the Burj Khalifa but it cost more because it's built on an earthquake fault and Taiwan didn't use indentured servants for cheap labor).

What is your connecting flight or what airline are you taking? I know China Airlines offers a short tour around town. There isn't much to see around Taoyuan so you'll have to hop on a bus (or take a taxi) to Taipei. You should have around 4-5 hours to walk around so just go to the Financial District and snap some shots of Taipei 101 (the most expensive building in the world = it is shorter than the Burj Khalifa but it cost more because it's built on an earthquake fault and Taiwan didn't use indentured servants for cheap labor).

I'd be coming in from SFO and connecting to SZX. I got people to see and food that I miss in Taipei, haha. The idea of waiting in TPE for 8 hours in transit isn't appealing at all. I can barely handle waiting there 2-3 hours for my flight.

We have a six hour layover in TPE this week (5p-11p), and for some reason the kids want to go to the night markets. Would it be feasible to take a taxi to the Shin Lin market and back? I've been looking for a car service to hire for a few hours but the ones I've found only communicate in Chinese. We'd take the bus but I'm worried it would take too long.

We have a six hour layover in TPE this week (5p-11p), and for some reason the kids want to go to the night markets. Would it be feasible to take a taxi to the Shin Lin market and back? I've been looking for a car service to hire for a few hours but the ones I've found only communicate in Chinese. We'd take the bus but I'm worried it would take too long.

You might hit traffic on your way up if it's on a weekday and it will be a rush. Might not work that well. You can try night markets in Chungli.

We have a six hour layover in TPE this week (5p-11p), and for some reason the kids want to go to the night markets. Would it be feasible to take a taxi to the Shin Lin market and back? I've been looking for a car service to hire for a few hours but the ones I've found only communicate in Chinese. We'd take the bus but I'm worried it would take too long.

I wouldn't suggest it. You're not going to have any fun when you're thinking about making your flight + night markets are stressful places as you'll be squeezing through a lot of people and lining up before you could buy anything.

We have a six hour layover in TPE this week (5p-11p), and for some reason the kids want to go to the night markets. Would it be feasible to take a taxi to the Shin Lin market and back? I've been looking for a car service to hire for a few hours but the ones I've found only communicate in Chinese. We'd take the bus but I'm worried it would take too long.

6 hours is a little bit too short to really make the most out of a night market visit. For one thing, they don't get really busy and happening until 9 or 10 pm which is about the time you'd have to leave to go back to the airport.

But if you really want to do it, it is ok. And no need to bother with car service... Have someone write down the Shilin market [士林夜市] and Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1 or 2 [桃園國際機場航廈1] or [桃園國際機場航廈2] in Chinese on a piece of paper for you and just show the taxi driver the paper. Allow 1 hour each way for taxi ride (it should be faster but there may be traffic). You'll need to first withdraw cash from the ATM inside the airport as taxis in Taipei generally do not accept credit cards.

You can also take an express bus to Taipei Main Station (about 1 hour) and then take the MRT to Shilin market (10 minutes). It is very straight forward trip but you may have difficulties navigating Taipei Main Station if you don't read Chinese. The Shilin MRT station is right across the street from the night market.

Info on express buses: http://www.taoyuan-airport.com/english/Publish.jsp?cnid=100150

MRT station info (click on "Shilin" on the map or use the drop down menu for link to a map of local area and you can see where the night market is in relation to the station) http://english.trtc.com.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1056373&CtNode=49780&mp=122032

We have a six hour layover in TPE this week (5p-11p), and for some reason the kids want to go to the night markets. Would it be feasible to take a taxi to the Shin Lin market and back? I've been looking for a car service to hire for a few hours but the ones I've found only communicate in Chinese. We'd take the bus but I'm worried it would take too long.

Taking the bus to Taipei Main Station + MRT to Shilin is very economical (around 180 NTD per person one way) but it takes maybe 1hr to get there, and around 30min between walking thru the station, tickets, waiting for mrt, getting off, walking to the nightmarket.

I think its better to take a cab straight to the night market, (45min, ~1300ntd) and from the night market find a cab to take you back to the airport (cabs are abundant in tpe). To save some cash, goto a 7-11 and ask them to call 55688 for you (~900 NTD airport taxi).

This gives you 1.5-2hrs at the night market before you need to come back to the airport.

6 hours layover to Shin Lin market should be fine. I will also suggest you take cab (taxi) to allow more time if you get into traffic into town.

I dont think I saw anyone replying to it, but no, the museum is gone.

It was demolished and now the site sits the new China Airlines Park.

I do think it'd be more fun to go into downtown Taipei. Some attractions are only available in daytime and some at nights (eg. "night" markets), so it really depends on your schedule.

Hey guys, another question: In this situation, my luggage stays at the airport, right?

Hey guys, another question: In this situation, my luggage stays at the airport, right?

Yes, it stays at the airport.