I just came back from TPE. I took the hotel bus both ways- leaving and going back to the airport. The bus counter at the airport was a series of counters run by three or four bus companies. I dont speak the language, so I cant tell you what the difference was between the counter companies. The trip into the city took about an hour and cost about $125 Taiwan dollars. The driver/ porter is there to help load your luggage onto the bus. The TPE airport bus is pretty similar to the airport hotel bus service in Seoul or Hong Kong.
The airport bus counter agents spoke very little or no english. I showed the counter agent the address of where I needed to go and she got me the appropriate bus ticket. Be ready to have your hotel address written out in chinese for them to read. The counter agents did not recognize street names written out in english. A young, english speaking taiwanese guy riding on my bus was able to help/ remind me which stop I needed to get off at. I was really thankful he volunteered himself to help a tourist.
On the return, I took the bus from the Taipei Main Station bus station. The return trip to the airport cost about $125 taiwan dollars also. Know ahead of time which terminal at TPE you need the bus to drop you off at. The counter agents at the Taipei Main Bus Station spoke good english, and buses departed for the airport every 20 mins or so.
My hotel in Taipei actually offered a private sedan to the airport for $950 Taiwan dollars, which is about $35 USD or so. 1-2 people was $950, and I think 4 people was around $1100 taiwan dollars.
Last edited by flyerred; Nov 25, 2011 at 4:54 am