What is the cheapest way from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei?

The Kuo-Kuang 1819 coach to Taipei Main Station, about NT$140 for a standard four-row seat and roughly 55–65 minutes depending on traffic. The Taoyuan Airport MRT Express is faster at about NT$150 in 35 minutes.

Is the bus or the MRT cheaper from Taoyuan Airport?

The 1819 bus is cheaper at about NT$140 for a standard four-row coach, versus about NT$150 on the Airport MRT. The bus also runs 24 hours, while the MRT stops around midnight.

Where do I catch the 1819 bus at Taoyuan Airport?

At the airport bus waiting area — floor B1 in Terminal 1 and floor 1 in Terminal 2. Look for the green Kuo-Kuang 1819 stand for Taipei Main Station and either buy at the counter or tap an EasyCard.

How long does it take from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station?

About 55–65 minutes on the 1819 bus depending on traffic, or about 35 minutes on the Taoyuan Airport MRT Express.

How much is a taxi from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei?

A metered taxi to central Taipei is roughly NT$1,000–1,200 — about seven times the 1819 bus for a similar 40–60 minute trip, so it's the trap to avoid.

What is the best way from TPE to downtown Taipei?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the Kuo-Kuang 1819 coach to Taipei Main Station, about NT$140 and roughly 55–65 minutes. If speed matters more, the Airport MRT Express is about NT$150 in 35 minutes.

How to get from Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to downtown Taipei — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to central Taipei is the Kuo-Kuang 1819 coach to Taipei Main Station: a standard four-row seat is about NT$140 and the ride takes roughly 55–65 minutes depending on traffic. Just tap an EasyCard to board; the 1819 runs 24 hours, so it also covers red-eye flights. If you'd rather skip traffic, the Taoyuan Airport MRT Express does the same trip for about NT$150 in 35 minutes — but don't grab a taxi, which is about NT$1,000–1,200 to the city centre.

How to find it

AIRPORTTaiwan Taoyuan International Airport
01After immigration and baggage claim, follow the 'Bus' signs to the airport bus waiting area — floor B1 at Terminal 1, or floor 1 at Terminal 2.
02Look for the green Kuo-Kuang 1819 stand marked for Taipei Main Station. Buy a one-way ticket at the counter (about NT$140 for a standard four-row coach) or just tap your EasyCard as you board. A premium three-row coach on the same route costs about NT$160.
03Board the next 1819 — they run 24 hours, roughly every 15–30 minutes — and ride about 55–65 minutes depending on traffic.
04Get off at the last stop, Taipei Bus Station (Q Square), which is directly connected to Taipei Main Station by an indoor walkway for the metro, TRA and high-speed rail.
CITY CENTRETaipei

Ticket

Kuo-Kuang 1819 one-way coach ticket to Taipei Main Station (standard four-row seat)

Where to buy: At the Kuo-Kuang bus counter in the airport bus waiting area (Terminal 1 on floor B1, Terminal 2 on floor 1), or just tap an EasyCard as you board — no ticket queue needed.

How to pay: The counter takes cash and cards; onboard you can tap an EasyCard or iPASS. No advance booking is needed and there is no separate validation step.

Local's trick: The 1819 coach runs 24 hours, so it beats the Taoyuan Airport MRT for red-eye flights — the train stops around midnight. Just tap an EasyCard to board a standard four-row coach for about NT$140 and skip the ticket queue; that undercuts the NT$150 MRT.

Trap to avoid: Don't jump in a taxi at arrivals — a metered cab to central Taipei runs about NT$1,000–1,200, roughly seven times the bus for the same 40–60 minute trip.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	NT$140.00	1 h	Kuo-Kuang 1819 one-way coach ticket to Taipei Main Station (standard four-row seat)
Metro	NT$150.00	40 min	Taoyuan Airport MRT one-way ticket to Taipei Main Station (A1)

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei?: The Kuo-Kuang 1819 coach to Taipei Main Station, about NT$140 for a standard four-row seat and roughly 55–65 minutes depending on traffic. The Taoyuan Airport MRT Express is faster at about NT$150 in 35 minutes.
Is the bus or the MRT cheaper from Taoyuan Airport?: The 1819 bus is cheaper at about NT$140 for a standard four-row coach, versus about NT$150 on the Airport MRT. The bus also runs 24 hours, while the MRT stops around midnight.
Where do I catch the 1819 bus at Taoyuan Airport?: At the airport bus waiting area — floor B1 in Terminal 1 and floor 1 in Terminal 2. Look for the green Kuo-Kuang 1819 stand for Taipei Main Station and either buy at the counter or tap an EasyCard.
How long does it take from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station?: About 55–65 minutes on the 1819 bus depending on traffic, or about 35 minutes on the Taoyuan Airport MRT Express.
How much is a taxi from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei?: A metered taxi to central Taipei is roughly NT$1,000–1,200 — about seven times the 1819 bus for a similar 40–60 minute trip, so it's the trap to avoid.
What is the best way from TPE to downtown Taipei?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the Kuo-Kuang 1819 coach to Taipei Main Station, about NT$140 and roughly 55–65 minutes. If speed matters more, the Airport MRT Express is about NT$150 in 35 minutes.

Last verified: Jul 1, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.