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
24-Hour Layover in Taipei: What To Do
By AirConnect Editorial
Photo: Jimmy Liao on Pexels.
Quick answer
Can you leave the airport on a 24-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
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
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.
12 hours in Taipei
6–8 hours exploring
See the 12-hour planPhoto: Dodd, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
You are here24 hours in Taipei
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip
Photo: Pedro Angelini, CC BY 2.0, 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.
24 hours in Taipei
24-Hour Itinerary
1
Day 1 — Arrival
Into Taipei and check in to your hotel
Take Airport MRT Express (to Taipei Main Station). Most hotels hold bags before check-in.
2
Day 1 — Afternoon
Jiufen Old Street
Hillside tea houses and stone steps — the inspiration for Spirited Away. Best on a weekday to avoid crowds.
3
Day 1 — Evening
Dinner like a local
Beef noodle soup (niú ròu miàn) at Lin Dong Fang in Zhongshan — Taipei's most decorated bowl, TWD 280.
4
Day 2 — Morning
Shilin Night Market
Taipei's largest night market, open from 4pm. Oyster vermicelli, stinky tofu, and XXL fried chicken.
5
Day 2 — Late morning
Longshan Temple
Working Taoist temple with elaborate incense rituals — not a tourist show. Free entry, open from 6am.
6
Day 2 — Departure
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 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Your questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for a 24-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 24 hours enough to leave Taiwan Taoyuan Airport?
18–20 hours — treat it as a mini trip.
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 Taipei
Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.
Hotels near Taipei Airport
With 24 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
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 2–3 hours before an international flight.
Ready for Taipei?
Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.