Travel Guide

Taoyuan Airport → Taipei Main Station

The Airport MRT is the fastest, cheapest, and most straightforward way into the city. Here's every step, from customs to Taipei Main.

Your options at a glance

Recommended

🚆 Airport MRT

  • Time: ~35 min (Express)
  • Cost: NT$160
  • Hours: ~6am – midnight
  • Runs: Every 15–30 min

🚌 Bus 1819

  • Time: 60–90 min
  • Cost: NT$125–145
  • Hours: 24 hours
  • Runs: Every 15–20 min

🚕 Taxi / Uber

  • Time: 40–60 min
  • Cost: NT$1,200–1,500
  • Hours: 24 hours
  • Book: Official stand or app

Step-by-step: Airport MRT

1

Clear customs and collect your luggage

通關取行李

Airport arrivals area with passengers

Once your flight lands at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, follow the signs for Immigration (入境) and Baggage Claim (行李提領). After clearing customs, you'll exit into the public arrivals hall. Both terminals have the Airport MRT directly below — you don't need to go outside or take a shuttle bus.

Which terminal?: Terminal 2 (T2) handles most international flights. The MRT station entrance is clearly signposted from the arrivals hall — look for the purple MRT logo.
↓
2

Follow signs to the Airport MRT

找機場捷運

Airport MRT station exterior

In the arrivals hall, look for signs reading 機場捷運 (Airport MRT) or the purple diamond-shaped MRT logo. The station entrance is a short walk from the customs exit — take the escalators or elevators down one or two levels. The platform is underground.

Sign to look for: The signs are bilingual (English and Chinese). If you see 捷運 anywhere, you're heading the right way. Station codes: Terminal 1 = A12, Terminal 2 = A13.
↓
3

Buy your ticket at the machines

買票

Commuters at transit station ticket area

At the ticketing area, use the automated machines (they have English language options — tap the flag icon). Select Taipei Main Station (台北車站 / A1) as your destination. The fare is NT$160 for the Express train or NT$150 for the Commuter train. Machines accept cash (coins and NT$100/500/1000 bills) and most credit cards.

Save with EasyCard: If you have an EasyCard (悠遊卡) from a previous visit, you can tap in directly and save a few dollars. EasyCards are also available for purchase at the ticket machines.
↓
4

Choose Express or Commuter — and board

搭直達車或普通車

Airport MRT Express train on the tracks

Two types of trains run on this line. The Express (直達車) goes directly to Taipei Main Station in about 35 minutes with no stops in between — this is what most visitors take. The Commuter (普通車) takes around 50 minutes and stops at intermediate stations. Express trains are purple and marked 直達車 on the platform displays. Trains depart roughly every 15–30 minutes.

Express seats are assigned: The Express train requires you to sit in a reserved seat — your ticket has a seat assignment. The train is quiet, air-conditioned, and has luggage racks by the doors. Arrive 5 minutes before departure.
↓
5

Ride 35 minutes to Taipei

搭車前往台北

Passenger on the MRT train

Sit back. The Express train runs smoothly and the views shift from industrial airport surroundings to the dense Taipei cityscape as you approach the city. There is free WiFi on board (network: TPE-Free). Announcements are made in Mandarin, Hakka, Taiwanese, and English. Your stop is the final one: A1 Taipei Main Station.

Free WiFi on board: The train passes through Taoyuan city and several suburban stations before entering Taipei. Keep an eye on the digital display above the doors — Taipei Main Station is station A1, the end of the line.
↓
6

Arrive at Taipei Main Station

抵達台北車站

Train at Taipei Main Station

You've arrived. Taipei Main Station (台北車站) is the transport hub of the city — from here you can connect to the Taipei Metro (red and green lines), Taiwan Railways (TRA), and the High Speed Rail (HSR/高鐵) to cities further south like Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. Most hotels in central Taipei are a short taxi or one MRT stop away.

Connecting onward: The station is large and can feel overwhelming. For the Taipei Metro, follow signs for 捷運 (MRT). For taxis, exit via the main street-level exits — official taxi stands are marked. Avoid touts offering rides inside the station.

You're in Taipei. Now eat something.

Taipei Main Station is surrounded by food. The underground mall (台北地下街) has everything from beef noodle soup to scallion pancakes. You're 20 minutes from Shilin Night Market and 10 minutes from Raohe.

Best beef noodle soup →Shilin Night Market →Full Taipei guide →

Common questions

Does the Airport MRT run 24 hours?

No — service runs roughly 6:00 AM to midnight from the airport, and slightly earlier to midnight from Taipei. If your flight arrives late at night, take a taxi or the 1819 bus (which runs 24 hours).

Can I bring large luggage on the MRT?

Yes. The Airport MRT has dedicated luggage racks at the ends of each carriage and near the doors. There is no luggage size restriction, and the trains are spacious enough for international-sized suitcases.

Is there free WiFi at the airport and on the train?

Yes to both. The airport has iTaiwan and Airport WiFi. On the train, connect to TPE-Free — no password required, though speed varies.

What's the first food stop near Taipei Main?

The basement food court at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi (新光三越, directly across the street) is excellent and open late. Or walk 10 minutes to Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市) for some of the best lu rou fan in the city.

I'm arriving at Terminal 1 — is it different?

The process is identical. Terminal 1 station is A12 (one stop before Terminal 2 at A13). Both connect to the same Airport MRT line heading to Taipei Main (A1).