Taipei Taoyuan Airport MRT Guide
Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taipei Main — Updated 2026
The Taoyuan Airport MRT (機場捷運) runs from TPE Terminal 1 + Terminal 2 directly to Taipei Main Station for NT$160. Two services share the line: the purple Express (35 min, 7 stops, dedicated luggage cars) and the blue Commuter(53 min, 21 stops). Same fare. From Taipei Main, transfer to MRT Red Line for Xinyi/Taipei 101 or Blue Line for Songshan. The line also stops at Taoyuan HSR (A18) for bullet trains to Taichung and Kaohsiung.
Airport MRT Express — Key Stations
| Station | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taoyuan Airport T1 (A12) | 0 min | TPE — most international airlines |
| Taoyuan Airport T2 (A13) | +2 min | TPE — China Airlines, EVA, Cathay, JAL |
| Taoyuan HSR Station (A18) | ~14 min | High-speed rail to Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung |
| New Taipei Industrial Park (A3) | ~25 min | Suburb express stop |
| Taipei Main Station (A1) | 35 min | Taipei CBD — MRT Red + Blue + HSR + TRA + bus terminal |
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MRT vs Bus vs Taxi
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport MRT (Express) | NT$160 | 35 min | Fastest — fewer stops, dedicated cars, luggage racks |
| Airport MRT (Commuter) | NT$160 | 53 min | Same fare, more stops — board at peak if Express is full |
| Kuo-Kuang Bus 1819 | NT$140 | 60–80 min | To Taipei Main Station — older, with traffic |
| Taiwan HSR (via A18) | NT$330+ | 60+ min | Connect to A18, then HSR to Taichung/Kaohsiung |
| Taxi (metered) | NT$1,200–1,500 | 40–60 min | Door to door — 4 passengers max |
| Uber / 55688 taxi app | NT$1,100–1,400 | 40–60 min | English app — transparent fare |
FAQ
Where is the MRT station inside TPE?+
Both terminals have direct MRT access. From Terminal 1: take the elevator from Arrivals (B2) to the MRT level (B2 also). From Terminal 2: same — descend to B2 and follow purple MRT signs. The two terminal stations (A12 + A13) are 2 minutes apart on the line. Total walk from arrivals gate to MRT platform is 5–8 minutes. Trains run 05:55 to 23:35.
What is the difference between Express and Commuter trains?+
Same NT$160 fare, same route, different carriages and stops. Express (紫線直達車, purple) has 7 stops total (vs Commuter's 21), with luggage racks, USB charging, and a dedicated boarding area. It takes 35 min to Taipei Main. Commuter (藍線普通車, blue) takes 53 min stopping everywhere. Both run every 15 min, alternating — check the platform display. For airport travellers with luggage, always wait the extra 5 min for Express.
Can I check my bags before going to TPE?+
Yes — In-Town Check-In is one of TPE MRT's biggest perks. Available at Taipei Main Station (A1) and New Taipei Industrial Park (A3) for passengers on China Airlines, EVA Air, Starlux, Cathay Pacific, Mandarin Airlines, and Tigerair Taiwan. Drop your bags and get your boarding pass from 3 hours up to 24 hours before your flight. Service runs 06:00–21:30. Free. Then ride the MRT to TPE bag-free — your bags fly separately and meet you at the destination.
How do I get to Taipei 101 / Xinyi from the airport?+
Take the Airport MRT Express to Taipei Main Station (35 min, NT$160), then transfer to MRT Red Line (Tamsui–Xinyi Line) southbound to Taipei 101/World Trade Center (10 min, NT$20). Total: ~50 minutes, NT$180. Alternative: Airport MRT to Songshan Airport (A1+Brown Line), but that adds a transfer. For a quicker premium trip, taxi straight to Xinyi is NT$1,400 and 50 min in traffic.
Can I use EasyCard on the Airport MRT?+
Yes — both EasyCard and iPASS work as fare media on the Taoyuan Airport MRT. Tap in at A12/A13 and tap out at Taipei Main (A1). The NT$160 fare is the same whether you use a card or paper ticket. EasyCard also works on the Taipei Metro, buses, and convenience stores — it is the single best card to buy on arrival (NT$100 deposit, refundable). VisaTouchand contactless credit cards also work at MRT gates.
How do I connect to High-Speed Rail (HSR) for Taichung / Kaohsiung?+
Take the Airport MRT to Taoyuan HSR Station (A18), about 14 minutes from TPE. Walk across the concourse — the HSR station is integrated. HSR to Taichung is 35 minutes (NT$700), to Kaohsiung 90 minutes (NT$1,490). Total TPE → Kaohsiung is about 2 hours by MRT + HSR vs 1 hour by domestic flight from Songshan. The MRT + HSR combo is often cheaper and faster door-to-door than flying domestic.
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