Spending a lot of hours inside an unfamiliar airport can really take the fun out of travel. Luckily, Taipei Taoyuan Airport, the larger of two Taipei airports, offers plenty of ways to pass the time in a modern, comfortable setting.
Here are our recommendations for 13 things to do on a layover at Taipei Taoyuan Airport:
1. Sample the cuisine
Taipei is a haven for foodies, and the casual but delicious dining experience extends to the airport. Food courts and casual eateries serve up Taiwanese specialties like dumpling soup and beef noodles, and you’ll find plenty of Chinese and Japanese options, too. Other cuisines include Thai and Middle Eastern. Order a milk or bubble tea at one of several to-go kiosks, or go with illy or Starbucks if you’re a coffee person. While most places close by midnight, there are a few options (7) in both Terminals, which stay open 24/7, and three convenience shops.
2. Hang out in a lounge
If you want to get work done or simply relax in an all-inclusive setting, an airport lounge is just the thing! No longer serving only First and Business Class flyers, several lounges here allow any traveller, no matter your airline or flight class. Pre-book your visit or use your lounge membership program to gain entry. Take advantage of unlimited food and drinks, WiFi, news and TV, and maybe even shower facilities — all in a calmer, quieter environment. See our Taipei Taoyuan Airport Guide for locations and details.
3. Go shopping
This airport doesn’t have quite as many shops as some other major Asian airports, but it is well-curated, so you can find gifts or just browse. You’ll find several pharmacies, travel shops, bookstores and Duty-Free areas. International brands like Adidas, Puma, and Nike are available. At the craft and souvenir shops, beautifully packaged local teas and pineapple cakes make great souvenirs.
4. Take a shower
Make your layover much more tolerable by freshening up at the shower facilities. Available in several locations in both terminals, the showers are free and open 24 hours, but you’ll want to bring your own towels and toiletries. Locations:
- Terminal 1, Floor 1, Arrivals
- Terminal 1, Floor 2, Arrivals (2 locations)
- Terminal 2, Floor 1, Arrivals
- Terminal 2, Floor 3, Departures
- Terminal 2, Floor 4, Departures (2 locations)
- Terminal 2, Floor 5 (2 locations)
5. Get a massage
Relax with a good upper-body and back massage, thanks to expert massage therapists at the Visually Impaired Friend Massage Service Center in Terminal 2. Location: T2, airside, 4F. Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Massage chairs are also available in T2, Airside, near Gate D2.
6. Check out the reading rooms
The airport has set up two reading rooms equipped with plenty of books and book exchange shelves. These areas are also home to free calligraphy and rubbing experience zones where you channel your inner creativity. Locations: T1, Airside, near Gate B6 • T2, Airside, near Gate D8.
7. Try out the e-sports simulator
Head to the E-Generation e-Sports Experience Center to try out a variety of video games, including real-life racing simulators. This area also features computer stations to help you catch up on digital content before your flight. Location: T2, Airside, near Gate D3.
8. Explore the themed lounges
Several public waiting areas here are themed, offering fun glimpses into Taiwanese culture. Some of the best ones are the Hello Kitty Wonderland lounge, with a shop and cafe next to the seating area, the Smart Green Energy Waiting Room, where you can create green energy by riding a bike, or the Metaverse Waiting Room, featuring a Trendy Toy display window showcasing works by Taiwanese designers.
9. Check out the airport’s gym
The airport is home to a gym equipped with all the necessary gear for a great training session. Location: T2, Airside, near Gate D1.
10. Take a free transit tour
Transit passengers with a 7-24 hour layover can join a free 4-hour tour. The morning tour, Discover Taipei’s 100 Years of Glory, visits Lungshan Temple, the National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Yongkang Street. The afternoon tour, Beauty of Taiwanese Arts & Nature, gives passengers a chance to visit the Yingge Pottery Street, the New Taipei City Art Museum or Spot Gallery, and the Sanying Spatial Art District. Lastly, the evening tour, Gourmet Guided Tour with Night Markets, leads tourists to Li Jing Ding, Ren Hai Temple, and Zhongli Tourist Night Market. Sign up online or see if there are any seats left at the Tourist Service Center in the Arrivals area of Terminals 1 and 2.
11. Sightseeing
Are you feeling adventurous? Check out Taipei on your own! Public transit makes it easy to reach the city center, but it is a bit far, so we recommend leaving the airport only if you have at least 8 hours between flights.
If you have carry-on luggage you don’t want to haul around all day, store it in the lockers in both terminals. During the day, the purple MRT line runs frequent trains between both Terminals to the central train station, getting you there in about 40 minutes. Buses connect to other city areas, and taxis are available for more direct service.
From the Taipei Main Station, you’re within walking distance of Liberty Square, where the National Concert Hall, National Theatre, and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall are located. Head to Yongkang Street near the Dongmen MRT station to sample well-known Taiwanese dishes like beef noodles, dumplings, and mango smoothies. Farther afield, you can hop on the MRT red line east to Taipei 101, the former world’s tallest building, and nearby modern shopping malls. Or, ride the red line north to the Shilin Night Market.
Whatever you do in Taipei, leave plenty of time to return to the airport for your next flight! Visit Tripadvisor for more things to do in Taipei.
12. WiFi
Need to spend your layover working or catching up? Free WiFi is available throughout the airport.
13. Sleep
The airport’s friendly staff welcomes daytime nappers and overnight sleepers, so there is no need to worry if all you want to do is nod off for a bit. The terminal layouts provide some corners and nooks for privacy, and much of the seating is comfortable. Public rest lounge areas located in the corridors near Gates A7, B6, and D. Recliner chairs are located at various gates, so keep your eyes peeled. Hotels might be more your speed, though, and if that’s the case, you can rent rooms inside the Plaza Premium Lounge in T2. Otherwise, a capsule hotel is located on the southside of Terminal 2 and a nearby hotel provides a shuttle service. See our Taipei Taoyuan Airport Guide for details.
These are just a few things to do on a layover at Taipei Taoyuan Airport. Visit our Taipei Taoyuan Airport Guide for more information about more services and facilities available, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.