Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

The Airport MRT line links Taoyuan to Taipei in 35 minutes by Express train, every 15 minutes, or in about 50 minutes on the one that stops at every station, arriving directly at Taipei Main Station: for those staying more than one night the centre is almost always the better choice, with Ximending, Xinyi and even the Beitou hot springs within reach of the metro. The balance changes with dawn departures, when the first train on the airport line is not yet running and only a taxi remains (40-50 minutes depending on traffic), and with layovers of a few hours, for which the trip into the city makes little sense: in these cases it's best to stay near Taipei Main Station, the only point from which you can depart without changing lines. Those who want to combine the Beitou hot springs with a stay in the city should know it's the area furthest from the airport among those in this guide, requiring at least one MRT change.

Taipei Main Station

Near the airport link · The Airport MRT line connects Taipei Main Station to Taoyuan in 35 minutes by Express train, every 15 minutes, or in about 50 minutes on the one that stops at every station; by taxi the trip takes 40-50 minutes depending on traffic.

Best for: Those who want the direct train to the airport just steps from the room, with no line changes, and those departing in the early morning hours.

Pros

No MRT change between the hotel and the airport, handy with heavy luggage
Shops, restaurants and supermarkets of the Main Station open until late

Cons

An office district with wide thoroughfares, less lively in the evening than Ximending or Xinyi
At rush hour the airport line platform can get very crowded

Recommended hotels in this area

Holiday Inn Express Taipei Train Station: 6 minutes' walk from Taipei Main Station and 9 from the Beimen stop, in the Datong district: handy for those arriving on the airport line who don't want to stray far from the tracks. Built in 2009, simple but clean rooms.
Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel: On the same Zhongxiao East Road, just steps from the Shandao Temple stop on the blue line (the same line as the Main Station, one stop further on); 683 rooms, outdoor pool and 10 restaurants for those arriving tired from a long flight.

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Ximending

Neighbourhood · Airport line to the Main Station (35-50 minutes), then a change onto the blue line for one stop to Ximen; a total of 45-55 minutes. By taxi, about 45 minutes.

Best for: Those looking for nightlife, street food and shops within walking distance, accepting a somewhat longer transfer from the airport.

Pros

Shops, cinemas and street food of the pedestrian district within walking distance
Weekend market and evening life among the liveliest in Taipei

Cons

Crowded, noisy alleys until late, especially on weekends
Still requires an MRT line change to get there from the airport

Recommended hotels in this area

amba Taipei Ximending: Inside the Eslite department store complex on Wuchang Street, 5-7 minutes' walk from Ximen station; playful design and the Buttermilk restaurant for those looking for an American-style brunch.
101-s HOTEL: On Chengdu Road, in the pedestrian heart of Ximending: location and staff among the most praised points in reviews, although some guests note poor soundproofing between rooms.

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Xinyi and Taipei 101

Neighbourhood · Airport line to the Main Station (35-50 minutes), then about 15 minutes on the blue or red MRT line to Taipei 101/World Trade Center or Zhongxiao Dunhua; by taxi, 50-60 minutes depending on traffic — the longest transfer among the central areas in this guide.

Best for: Those who want the Taipei 101 skyscraper, the financial district and the large shopping centres within walking distance, even at the cost of a longer transfer.

Pros

Taipei 101, the World Trade Center and the department stores within walking distance
Upscale restaurants and nightlife, among the most polished in the city

Cons

The transfer from the airport is among the longest of the areas in this guide
An expensive area even for meals, designed more for business than for budget

Recommended hotels in this area

Grand Hyatt Taipei: Next to Taipei 101, between the Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101/World Trade Center stations; reviews give the location top marks, although dining room service is noted as a weak point.
Shangri-La Far Eastern, Taipei: 43 floors on Dunhua South Road, a few minutes from Zhongxiao Dunhua station; panoramic pool and skyline views much appreciated, although some guests find it less central than other hotels in the district.
Le Meridien Taipei: On Songren Road, just steps from Taipei 101 and the World Trade Center; much-photographed design in the common areas, with some reviews noting value for money not matching the cost.

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Beitou

Neighbourhood · Airport line to the Main Station (35-50 minutes), then the red line north to Xinbeitou with a change at Beitou station (another 25-30 minutes); a total of about 70-80 minutes door to door, the area furthest from the airport among those in this guide.

Best for: Those who want to combine the Beitou hot springs with a comfortable stay reachable by train, away from the centre's traffic, and who stay more than one night.

Pros

Public and private hot springs just steps away, useful for relaxing after a long flight
A green residential district, away from the traffic and heat of the centre

Cons

The transfer from the airport always requires at least one MRT line change
The centre's evening life requires a long trip back

Recommended hotels in this area

Aloft by Marriott Taipei Beitou: Design hotel opened in 2016 in the Beitou thermal area, with views over the Guandu plain from the upper floors; worth knowing: the rooms don't have tubs with hot spring water, it's a trendy hotel in the neighbourhood rather than a traditional hot spring resort.
Asia Pacific Hotel Beitou: On Youya Road, a hotel with real hot spring tubs in the rooms: reviews praise the water quality and cleanliness, unlike many merely "design" properties in the area.

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