Main airports
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the island's main international gateway and the hub for the biggest Taiwanese airlines. Passenger volume exceeded 25.78 million in the first half of 2026, a record, up 9 percent on the same period of 2025. The same report says the northern concourse of Terminal 3, which opened in 2025, had handled more than 2.3 million passengers by early July 2026.
Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) serves southern Taiwan with domestic flights and regional international routes. It is the practical choice if you are starting or ending a trip in Kaohsiung, Tainan or the south, rather than travelling down from Taipei.
Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), in the city centre, handles domestic flights and a limited number of short international routes. Check the airport operators' own sites for current route lists and annual passenger totals.
Which airport for which airline
The four Taiwanese carriers covered on this site are:
- China Airlines (CI): based at Taoyuan (TPE).
- EVA Air (BR): based at Taoyuan (TPE).
- STARLUX Airlines (JX): based at Taoyuan (TPE).
- Mandarin Airlines (AE): a China Airlines group carrier that flies regional and domestic routes. Check your ticket for the departure airport, as its flights can use Songshan, Taoyuan or Kaohsiung depending on the route.
Traps: Taipei has two airports, Taoyuan (TPE) and Songshan (TSA), and they are not interchangeable. Booking sites that show "Taipei" as a city code can list either. Confirm the airport code and terminal before you pay, and again before you leave for the airport. Taoyuan has several terminals, so check which one your airline uses on the booking confirmation.
Getting between airports and into the city
Taoyuan is outside Taipei and is linked to the city by the Taoyuan Airport MRT, which runs to Taipei Main Station, and by long-distance coach services. Check the Taoyuan Airport MRT site for current timetables, fares and journey times.
Kaohsiung International Airport is connected to the city by the Kaohsiung MRT, so most visitors can reach the city centre without a taxi.
Moving between Taoyuan and Songshan is a cross-city trip. Leave plenty of time and do not plan a tight connection between the two on separate tickets. At Taoyuan, check the airport's information for the free terminal-to-terminal transfer if your flights use different terminals.
Airlines: full-service and low-cost
Full-service Taiwanese carriers are China Airlines (a member of SkyTeam), EVA Air (a member of Star Alliance) and STARLUX Airlines. Mandarin Airlines is a China Airlines subsidiary. Many foreign carriers also fly to Taoyuan.
Low-cost fares typically include only a cabin bag, with checked baggage, seat selection and meals sold as extras. Allowances differ by airline and fare, so read the fare rules on the airline's website before you buy. Fares are also affected by fuel surcharges: Taoyuan's management attributed part of a slowdown in April and May 2026 to higher fuel surcharges. Check the final price, including surcharges and taxes, at the payment step rather than on the search results page.
Lounges
Taoyuan has airline lounges run by China Airlines and EVA Air, as well as independent lounges. Kaohsiung has a smaller number of lounges.
Without status or a premium ticket, you can usually get in by:
- paying for a day pass at the lounge, where the operator offers one;
- using a lounge-access programme such as Priority Pass, or a premium credit or debit card that includes lounge benefits.
Entry rules, prices and opening hours change, and lounges can be full at peak times. Check the lounge operator's or card provider's current terms before relying on access. Terminal 3 is a recent addition at Taoyuan, so check which lounges are in your terminal.
When to fly
Taoyuan expects its busiest period in July and August. In summer 2026 it forecast about 46,000 takeoffs and landings across the two months, averaging over 750 flights a day. For peak periods, the airport advises arriving at least three hours before departure and using online check-in, self-service bag drop and e-Gate immigration.
Lunar New Year and other long public holidays also fill flights. Book early for these dates and check the Central Weather Administration and the Taiwan Tourism Administration for current dates and conditions.
Typhoons can disrupt flights, mainly in the summer and autumn. Follow the Central Weather Administration's warnings and your airline's notices if a typhoon is forecast.
