Located 40 km (25 miles) southwest of Taipei is the largest airport in Taiwan, Taoyuan International Airport. And now that recovery is underway following the lift of restrictions last October, TPE is starting to come alive again. And except for the domestic island hops or regional flights out of one of the smaller airports dotting Taiwan, air traffic flows through Taoyuan. For readers planning a trip from, to, or through TPE, here is a quick guide to one of Asia’s most prominent airports.
Though located outside the city, traveling to and from the airport is relatively straightforward. A metro line beginning at Taipei Main Station stops at TPE’s two terminals on its way to Taoyuan’s High-Speed Rail station and beyond. When taking the metro between Taipei and Taoyuan Int’l, look for an express train, as the commuter cars that use the same tracks are prone to extended stops and don’t have as much space for luggage.
Facilities at Terminal 1
Terminal 1, where you’ll find all A and B gates, is generally home to regional flights around Asia. According to the airport website, you’ll check in at Terminal 1 to airlines such as AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Philippine Airlines, and Taiwan’s latest, Starlux. Carriers from this terminal flying a bit further include Emirates to Dubai, and China Airlines, which uses both terminals.
Quick eats are plenty, as TPE’s Terminal 1 offers several fast food options, various Asian choices, and some cafes. There’s the usual slew of duty-free shops, bookstores, and even a massage station. Taoyuan International’s website also lists shower facilities scattered between the different floors of the terminal.
But for those with access and a bit more time on hand, lounges are located on the fourth floor. China Airlines operates a lounge on both ends of the terminal for maximum convenience, while Starlux’s Galactic Lounge sits towards the center. The Plaza Premium Lounge allows any passenger holding a ticket for a flight within 12 hours to use their lounge for a fee based on the number of hours.
A trip through Terminal 2
Passengers flying with airlines such as EVA, Singapore Airlines, or United should head to Terminal 2. If you need to transfer between the two terminals, a people mover goes back and forth every few minutes.
On the first floor, you’ll find luggage carousels, customs, and a myriad of cellular, transportation, and other services. The floor above is where passengers arrive first for immigration, with a few large tables to write information down on arrival cards. And as you may have guessed, the departure journey begins on floor three.
If your check-in counter is towards the side of the terminal, make your way toward the center for security and a passport check. Immediately on the other side of the departure screenings is the barrage of duty-free shops, though you can find a host of eateries and bars on either end, up and down the gate areas.
Lounges are more plentiful in Terminal 2. China Airlines has two, one on floor three near gate D4 and another on the fourth floor. You can find two non-airline lounges on level 4: another Plaza Premium Lounge and the Oriental Club, which are both pay-to-enter. And then there’s EVA, which operates an astounding four lounges along the 4th-floor mezzanine: The Infinity, Garden, Star, and Club. The former can be accessed with a first or business class Star Alliance ticket, while the others are reserved for BR Infinity MileageLands Diamond, Gold, and Silver members, respectively.
To top off the terminal, on the fifth floor are a few restaurants and a capsule hotel featuring its own tea shop.
Future Developments
Scheduled to be completed in 2026 is a brand new terminal 3 for Taoyuan International Airport. It will be the largest and feature 27 new aircraft stands to service 20 million more passengers. Furthermore, a third runway to the northwest, parallel to TPE’s current runways, is in the works.
Taking center stage between this new runway and 05L/23R will be a satellite concourse, part of the terminal 3 project, which will facilitate the service of an additional 25 million passengers, bringing TPE’s total potential to 87 million travelers per year.
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Sources: Taoyuan International Airport, loungereview