Tainan to Taoyuan Airport: 5 Ways to Get There
Updated 2026-10-01 · 7 min read
Tainan has no major international airport, so departures usually mean Taoyuan or Kaohsiung. This guide first helps you pick the airport, then compares five ways to reach Taoyuan.
First: Taoyuan or Kaohsiung?
Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) is about 60–75 minutes from Tainan — far closer than Taoyuan. If your destination has a direct KHH flight, leaving from Kaohsiung usually saves both time and money.
But KHH has far fewer international routes and frequencies than Taoyuan. Long-haul and most North Asia flights still leave from Taoyuan, so check which airport your destination actually serves before choosing a transfer.
Reaching Taoyuan: the five options
Once you know Taoyuan is your airport, compare time and cost. With two or more people, heavy luggage or a night flight, a direct transfer is easiest; solo in daylight, the HSR is fastest.
- Costs are rough estimates; check each operator for current fares and timetables
- Tainan to Taoyuan is long-haul: book a transfer at least a day ahead, 1–3 days for holidays
| Option | Time | Rough cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | 3–3.5 hrs (door to door) | Fixed zone fare | 2+ people, heavy bags, red-eye flights |
| HSR + airport MRT | 85–95 min + 20 min | NT$1,100–1,300 | Solo, daytime, light luggage |
| Rail + airport MRT | 3–3.5 hrs + 20 min | NT$600–800 | Budget-first, flexible time |
| Intercity bus | 4–4.5 hrs | NT$400–550 | Cheapest, timetable suits you |
| Driving | 3–3.5 hrs | Fuel + tolls + parking | Friends or family driving you |
Private transfer — the least stressful long haul
Tainan City and Yongkang to Taoyuan Airport run about 3–3.5 hours, door to departures hall. For a trip this long, book the 8–9 seat business van for four or more passengers or four large bags, and use the extra-stop option to collect others along the way.
Night and early flights are a transfer’s strong point: no reliance on the last train, and free waiting for 90 minutes after landing on international arrivals.
HSR, rail, bus and driving
The HSR from Tainan to Taoyuan takes 85–95 minutes, then the airport MRT — about 2 hours door to door, but the fare is not cheap and you handle your own bags. Regular rail is 3–3.5 hours before the MRT leg, and intercity buses take 4–4.5 hours; both are cheapest but slow with few late-night services.
Driving is 3–3.5 hours each way — driver fatigue and daily parking charges are the real costs. Asking a friend for a 6-hour round trip is a big favour, especially overnight.
Leaving time from Tainan
Be at the airport 2.5 hours before an international departure (3 hours during holidays). With a 3–3.5 hour drive, leave 6–6.5 hours before takeoff, and add 30–60 minutes for holiday or Sunday-evening traffic.
FAQ
How long does it take from Tainan to Taoyuan Airport?+
About 3–3.5 hours by car or private transfer; roughly 2 hours by HSR plus airport MRT including transfers; 3–4.5 hours by regular rail or intercity bus.
Should I fly from Taoyuan or Kaohsiung when leaving Tainan?+
If your destination has a direct Kaohsiung (KHH) flight, KHH is about 60–75 minutes from Tainan and usually saves time. KHH has fewer international routes, so many long-haul and North Asia flights still require Taoyuan.
Are there late-night transfers from Tainan to Taoyuan?+
Yes, private transfers can be booked 24 hours a day for red-eye and early flights. Trips starting 23:00–05:59 include a night surcharge, shown in your quote. The HSR and MRT are limited by their operating hours.