Weekend flight from Taiwan to...?
Aug 1, 2019, 5:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 60
Weekend flight from Taiwan to...?
Hi - going to be doing a lot of travel to Taiwan in the future. Was hoping to visit some local countries on the weekend (fly out Friday fly home Sunday). I’m a frequent traveler so I don’t mind being Somewhere for a short time. So far I’ve been recommended Macau and possibly Manila. Any other suggestions? Looking for no more than like a two hour flight.
Aug 1, 2019, 5:41 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Okinawa and Ishigaki have been on my list for a short hop from TPE.
If you're willing to leave for a weekend I really think you can bump the flight time up to 3.5hrs or so, which gives you a lot more options. I'd also focus on cities that have nonstop routes from TPE/TSA but might not be that easy to get to even if you visit the country in question later - e.g., Japanese cities like Fukuoka or Sapporo, or even secondary cities like Takamatsu, Toyama, or Sendai. Same with Korea and cities like Jeju.
If you're not totally set on leaving Taiwan, also consider other Taiwan destinations, like Kinmen/Penghu. Don't forget any of the cities the HSR stops in either.
If you're willing to leave for a weekend I really think you can bump the flight time up to 3.5hrs or so, which gives you a lot more options. I'd also focus on cities that have nonstop routes from TPE/TSA but might not be that easy to get to even if you visit the country in question later - e.g., Japanese cities like Fukuoka or Sapporo, or even secondary cities like Takamatsu, Toyama, or Sendai. Same with Korea and cities like Jeju.
If you're not totally set on leaving Taiwan, also consider other Taiwan destinations, like Kinmen/Penghu. Don't forget any of the cities the HSR stops in either.
Aug 1, 2019, 7:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Most of Southeast Asia will need 3+hrs, to be fair. Even SGN, BKK, etc. are ~1500mi.
Aug 1, 2019, 11:18 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,706
If you're willing to extend the flight time a bit: Vietnam, Malaysia (KL, Penang), Cambodia.
You mentioned Macao. Eh...frankly, for me, Macao is a waste of time. Unless you really want to gamble or shop in over-priced designer shops, or hang out in a Vegas-style hotel, there's not much to do there.
You mentioned Macao. Eh...frankly, for me, Macao is a waste of time. Unless you really want to gamble or shop in over-priced designer shops, or hang out in a Vegas-style hotel, there's not much to do there.
Aug 2, 2019, 7:21 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,706
I went there again last year for a quick weekend getaway with the wife. It had been 20+ years since my last visit, and I was curious to see what had changed. The answer was: everything. It really is about as devoid of character and soul as a place can be. Many of the casino hotels are linked together by interior walkways (shopping malls), so you never really need to go outside. We had some decent food, but that was the only redeeming part of our visit.
Last edited by Skyman65; Aug 2, 2019 at 10:05 am
Aug 2, 2019, 9:37 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 602
Some questions to consider:
Seoul-Gimpo (GMP) from Taipei-Songshan (TSA), no need to go Taoyuan, saves the ~ 1h commute. Also lots of China destinations from there, as well as Tokyo-Haneda (HND) but not really cheap.
Also Osaka-Kansai (KIX), Okinawa-Naha (OKA), lots of other places in Japan but most only on particular days of the week, Macau (MFM), Manila (MNL). There is a direct flight to Puerto Princesa (PPS) if you plan in advance.
Hong Kong (HKG) is always TWD ~5k return. Not the cheapest to stay though, if price is a a factor, and honestly not that interesting either these days.
If it's not supposed to be a visa run, consider Taiwan's outlying islands: the most interesting are Matsu (MFK) and Kinmen (KNH).
Something more exotic? Try Palau (ROR), a direct flight on CI.
- Is price a factor?
- Do you have/need a visa for China?
Seoul-Gimpo (GMP) from Taipei-Songshan (TSA), no need to go Taoyuan, saves the ~ 1h commute. Also lots of China destinations from there, as well as Tokyo-Haneda (HND) but not really cheap.
Also Osaka-Kansai (KIX), Okinawa-Naha (OKA), lots of other places in Japan but most only on particular days of the week, Macau (MFM), Manila (MNL). There is a direct flight to Puerto Princesa (PPS) if you plan in advance.
Hong Kong (HKG) is always TWD ~5k return. Not the cheapest to stay though, if price is a a factor, and honestly not that interesting either these days.
If it's not supposed to be a visa run, consider Taiwan's outlying islands: the most interesting are Matsu (MFK) and Kinmen (KNH).
Something more exotic? Try Palau (ROR), a direct flight on CI.
Aug 2, 2019, 9:56 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 602
I agree Macau has been ruined, it's not really that much worth visiting anymore. However, if you're already there, take a bus to Combustibles Terminal and get off at the Prison stop: the Coloane Village is off the beaten path and reasonably interesting. You might even be able to find some decent food. Farther along the same route there are also some beaches and a trail linking them.
Aug 2, 2019, 11:06 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 60
Thanks all! This is very helpful. Price I’m trying to keep down since this is weekend fun while staying for business. I’ve been to Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Japan already. So looking for something different. But looking at some of those Japanese islands, they look beautiful.