Transiting TPE with BR
 

Flying EU to Tokyo NRT via TPE in BR J as *G. Have 1:30 to switch planes. No checked luggage. Do they have int'l-to-int'l smooth connections or do I still have to go thru passport control and security? I'd love to go shower and have breakfast at the lounge. TIA

There's a no-immigration transit if you're checked through. You'll have to go through a WTMD and have your carry-ons X-Rayed again. It's rather fast, though. They do run the machine readable portion of your passport through a data collection terminal attached to the WTMD, but I never really seen them inspect it other than to compare your picture, so have it and your BP out ready to show. If you're in the front of the plane, and it really is early, I've gone through it in about 30 seconds flat, mainly to discombobulate and recombobulate. (edit: by that, I mean, "pockets and outerwear")

If you think of Terminal 2 as a big letter "H", transfer security is at the cross-bar of the "H" on the Arrivals level/2nd floor. You'll pop out of security in the cross-bar of the H on the 3rd floor. Go up another floor for the EVA lounge. The Infinity lounge for J passengers is on the 4th floor, in the "H" cross-bar, "in the back". Against the wall, not the one in the center.

1:30 is a bit short for a shower, depending on the time of day. Early mornings, it'll be enough. Daytime/late afternoon, you'll need 2-3 hours for the queue to filter through. Early mornings, :30 to 1 hour to get in. (my flights from the US usually show up right at opening of the lounge, or soon after.

You'll get a pager in exchange for your boarding pass. When you're done with the shower, you'll turn in the shower key and get your boarding pass back. If you have to leave before your turn comes around, exchange the pager for your BP.

Anecdote: most recently (October 2023), my first flight arrived TPE at Terminal 1 (at a 'B' gate, vs. the more typical 'C' gate, which are in Terminal 2). Upon disembarkation, as a transit passenger I was simply directed upstairs into the departure area for my onward connection. I did not pass through the transit security check. In countless dozens of BR transits in TPE, this is the only time I've had that experience. (I *have* arrived or departed from a B gate on BR flights in the past, as BR uses those as an overflow area in times of congestion, but I've never skipped the security check.)

(Also: what does "WMTD" mean?)

Walk Through Metal Detector. Mis-ordered the letters in my OP the first time I typed it.... Should have been WTMD like the 2nd time .... fixed.

May I ask where you arrived from? Wondering if certain origins are exempt from transit security, just like US/Canada arrivals at certain EU airports are.

Were you coming from the US? Found this: https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202309010013 dkc192 has the right idea

Well, that might ‘splain it, yes.

Sweet! No more discombobulating.

Hoping I could get some advice on this similar situation next month, I'm booked on EWR-SEA-TPE in J on EVA (BR 25), and TPE-HKG in Y on HKA (HX 253).

Any clues on what I should expect for transiting, US citizen as reference so above article makes it seem straightforward since I'm not checking a bag?

Will be joined by another friend who is doing EWR-MXP-TPE Y on UA and TPE-HKG Y on HKA, however they are checking a bag and also wondering about that process (also US citizen).

Thanks in advance for any advice!

You'll need the onward boarding pass for HX to be allowed up to departures. This sounds like a separate ticket, so you'll have to hope that HX gives you a mobile/self-printed boarding pass (I'm not familiar with that airline). If they don't, or if it isn't accepted by the staff for transfers, then you'd have to head to the transfer desk for the physical BP. From that point on you'd be considered an "unclean" arrival and be subject to the regular transfer security check.

From what I've read, only arrivals from the US are allowed to bypass security for now.

Thanks so much! So far seems hong kong airlines allows online check in, so we'll see. I gave myself a very long layover so fine with re-clearing security either way, was more curious on what to expect.

Certainly Passengers arriving from USA and Canada has to go thru security too. But no laptops on the tray etc shenanigans as at other airports for everyone. Very easy and laid back.

No, I did *not* go through security in TPE when transiting through there, from USA (early October 2023).

I have gone thru security and the last time was in September. Maybe it is a new thing and I always had gone thru security. It could depend on the gate and the terminal too. I go thru Terminal 2 and has always gone thru security.

This new arrangement is for USA arrivals only, not Canada for now. If you flew in from YYZ then it's correct that you had to go through security.