1Jiufen Old Street
Hillside tea houses and stone steps — the inspiration for Spirited Away. Best on a weekday to avoid crowds.
Photo: lumoplank, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) · Taiwan
12-Hour Layover in Taipei: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Jimmy Liao on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 12-hour layover in Taipei?
Entry
Taiwan offers visa-free entry for most Western passports up to 90 days. Visitors from most ASEAN countries also visa-free. Check BOCA Taiwan for current policy.
Into town
Airport MRT Express (to Taipei Main Station).
Time outside
6–8 hours exploring
Times from TPE arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.
Top Taipei: Where to Go
The sights in Taipei worth leaving the airport for.
1
2Shilin Night Market
Taipei's largest night market, open from 4pm. Oyster vermicelli, stinky tofu, and XXL fried chicken.
Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
3Longshan Temple
Working Taoist temple with elaborate incense rituals — not a tourist show. Free entry, open from 6am.
Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images,, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Itinerary ideas for Taipei
Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.
3 hours in Taipei
Stay airside — 3h is too tight
See the 3-hour planPhoto: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.
6 hours in Taipei
4–5 hours in the city (stay close)
See the 6-hour planPhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
You are here12 hours in Taipei
6–8 hours exploring
Photo: Dodd, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Insider tip
Taiwan Taoyuan is 40km from Taipei but the Airport MRT makes it very accessible. iPass card (top-up transport card) works on MRT, buses, and city bikes.
Getting to Taipei City Centre
| Mode | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Airport MRT Express (to Taipei Main Station) | $5 | 35 min |
| Bus (Kuo-Kuang / 1819) | $3 | 60 min |
Photo: KQuhen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Eat Like a Local in Taipei
Beef noodle soup (niú ròu miàn) at Lin Dong Fang in Zhongshan — Taipei's most decorated bowl, TWD 280.
12 hours in Taipei
12-Hour Itinerary
1
0–60 min
Clear passport control and head into Taipei
Take Airport MRT Express (to Taipei Main Station).
2
1–4 hrs
Jiufen Old Street
Hillside tea houses and stone steps — the inspiration for Spirited Away. Best on a weekday to avoid crowds.
3
4–6 hrs
Shilin Night Market
Taipei's largest night market, open from 4pm. Oyster vermicelli, stinky tofu, and XXL fried chicken.
4
6–8 hrs
Eat like a local
Beef noodle soup (niú ròu miàn) at Lin Dong Fang in Zhongshan — Taipei's most decorated bowl, TWD 280.
5
8–10 hrs
Longshan Temple
Working Taoist temple with elaborate incense rituals — not a tourist show. Free entry, open from 6am.
6
10–12 hrs
Back to Taiwan Taoyuan Airport
Head back to Taiwan Taoyuan Airport by Airport MRT Express (to Taipei Main Station). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 12-hour layover in Taipei?
Taiwan offers visa-free entry for most Western passports up to 90 days. Visitors from most ASEAN countries also visa-free. Check BOCA Taiwan for current policy. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.
Is 12 hours enough to leave Taiwan Taoyuan Airport?
6–8 hours exploring.
How do I get from Taiwan Taoyuan Airport to Taipei centre?
Airport MRT Express (to Taipei Main Station). Bus (Kuo-Kuang / 1819).
Getting out of Taiwan Taoyuan Airport
Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.
Pre-book a fixed-price transfer
Our pickDriver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.
Check transfer pricesRenting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.Things to do in Taipei
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Taipei and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse TaipeiJust need timed-entry attraction tickets in Taipei? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Taipei.Trains & buses from Taipei
Compare overland routes — often cheaper, more scenic and skip the airport queue.
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Taipei Airport
With 12 hours, a day-use hotel room is worth it — shower, sleep, and recharge before your next flight.
Find hotels in Taipei
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Search hotels
Planning a longer stay in Taipei?
Read our full destination guide — hotels, attractions, visa tips, and more.
Taipei Destination Guide →Also useful for your Taipei trip
Stay connected abroad — no roaming bills
Buy a travel eSIM before you fly and install it by QR code.
Airlines that fly to Taipei
See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from TPE.
Flights to Taipei from 62 cities: fares and airlines →
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Taipei travel deals
Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.
How a layover in Taipei works
01
Check you can leave
Taiwan offers visa-free entry for most Western passports up to 90 days. Visitors from most ASEAN countries also visa-free. Check BOCA Taiwan for current policy.
03
Back in time for your flight
Head back to Taiwan Taoyuan Airport by Airport MRT Express (to Taipei Main Station). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
Ready for Taipei?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.