24 hours in Taipei: a realistic and doable layover itinerary + Taiwan entry requirements

A Taipei layover is common for North America and Europe flights. If you are wondering how to spend 24 hours in Taipei, I’ve done it a lot from flying from my home in Mexico, and here’s what I usually do during long layovers.

When flying to Asia from the US, Canada, or Europe, Taipei is one of the two direct flights that you may avail. But many travelers from this area don’t really add Taipei to their Asia itinerary but it is a very common stop.

And most of these layovers last more than 12 hours. But worry not! You can go out of the airport during your Taipei layover – I definitely don’t recommend you stay in the airport because it is really efficient to go to the city center.

Here’s a detailed itinerary on how to spend 24 hours in Taipei. All of the activities here have certain time frames I assure you that you can do this itinerary realistically.

✈️ Taipei layover: can I exit the airport?

The airport that serves Taipei is Taoyuan International Aiport which is an easy train ride to Taipei City center. The ride is under US$10 and these trains are super comfortable with luggage areas.

You can definitely leave the airport even with a 5-hour layover since you won’t be experiencing a lot of bumper-to-bumper traffic (unless you are taking the bus to the center).

🗺️ Familiarize yourself with this airport. See this Taipei Airport Map for both terminals 1 & 2

💆🏻‍♀️ What to do in Taipei airport for a layover

For those of you who are not planning to leave the airport for your Taipei layover, below are some things to do at Taoyuan International Airport:

1. Plaza Premium Lounge: If you want to relax or get some work done, consider the Plaza Premium Lounge. It is accessible regardless of your airline or class of travel, but there’s an entry fee if you’re not a participating program member.
2. The e-Library Lounge: Located in Terminal 2, this unique lounge offers a quiet space with comfy seating and a range of multilingual digital books and magazines. It’s free to use.
3. Themed Waiting Areas: Enjoy the themed waiting areas like the “Hello Kitty Gate” for a fun experience. These gates feature unique decor and comfortable seating, making your Taipei layover more enjoyable!
4. Airport Food: Taipei Airport offers an impressive range of food options, with many Taiwanese and international cuisines represented. Enjoy some Taiwanese beef noodle soup or sushi before your flight.
5. Visit the Cultural Experience Area: Found in Terminal 2, this area showcases local handicrafts and occasionally hosts live traditional performances. It’s a great opportunity to experience Taiwanese culture without leaving the airport.
6. Airport Spa: The airport offers spa and massage services to help you relax during your Taiwan layover. Whether you want a quick foot massage or a full body treatment, this can be a nice way to refresh during a long journey.
7. Duty-Free Shopping: Taipei Taoyuan International Airport is known for its duty-free shopping. Beyond the usual luxury goods and electronics, look for Taiwanese specialties like pineapple cakes or high-quality oolong tea.
8. Sleep Pods: If you have a long layover and need some rest, the airport offers sleep pods in both terminals. They come equipped with a bed, power outlets, a reading light, and a small work area.

🛂 Do I need a visa for a layover in Taipei?

Most citizens don’t need a visa to do a Taipei layover. However, since Taipei is not your final destination, the ground staff might direct you to the connection lounges instead of customs.

If this is the case, tell the ground stewards that you are leaving the airport because you have a 24-hour layover. They will direct you to the exit gates instead of the connection gates, and this will not be an issue.

Check the list below to see if you need a visa to enter Taiwan.

✅ Taiwan layover requirements

As of October 2022, Taiwan opened its borders to all nationalities which means there isn’t any requirement nor travel restrictions to Taiwan, except if you are traveling from mainland China.

When I entered Taiwan, I still did a COVID test back home. It is not required but since I was traveling from the United States, I felt that they would ask for a test but they did not.

If you are vaccinated, just bring your vaccine card in any case. Better to be safe than sorry! Additionally, you may be asked if you have a travel insurance so don’t forget this, COVID or not!

I am constantly in touch with the tourism ministry in Taiwan, and I will edit this post should there be any changes!

🧳 Taipei layover: luggage check-in from city center

If you are not checking in a hotel, one of the great services available is the in-town check-in service that allows you to check-in their luggage in the city before getting to the airport.

The in-town check-in service allows you to check in your luggage 3 hours to 1 day before your flight. This is great if you don’t want to carry your bags around Taipei or if you want to avoid the queues at the airport. You can spend your Taipei layover exploring the city without carrying heavy baggage.

You can find the in-town check-in counters on the B1 floor of Taipei Main Station, near the high-speed rail station. They are typically marked with airline logos and are easy to find.

The in-town check-in service is available from 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Ensure you have enough time to check-in your luggage before the service closes.

Make sure your airline participates in the in-town check-in service. Airlines such as China Airlines, Eva Air, and AirAsia are the ones I know that include this in their service, but this may change over time.

✅ To know if your airline includes this service, check this list.

Additionally, some airlines may charge a fee for in-town check-in service. This varies by airline, so check with your airline beforehand.

After checking in your luggage, you can take the Taoyuan Airport MRT from Taipei Main Station straight to the airport. This is the quickest way to get to the airport from the city.

Just like at the airport, your luggage will be subject to specific regulations at the in-town check-in. It will be screened, so make sure not to pack anything prohibited in checked luggage.

🗺️ 24 hours in Taipei: layover itinerary

In any case that you don’t want to stress about your layover in Taipei, you can sign up for a Taipei layover tour that costs US$62. The guide will pick you up and drop you off at the airport and you will be taken care of 100%!

Check in your hotel or store your suitcase

Depending on when you land in Taipei, you have two choices: if you arrive at night, choose the Taipei Main station as your hood. Although there are many great neighborhoods in Taipei, this is the most conducive area to catch your flight the next day.

It is very easy to get to the center via train but if you want more convenience, you can get a private airport taxi service at Taipei Airport for only US$26.

There are many hotels and accommodations within the Taipei Main station and all of them are walkable. This is the reason why I recommend this area because it is also suitcase-friendly – you can walk everywhere with your suitcase with convenience!

There are many hostels in Taipei that are under US$25 and this is the best choice if you are not picky with accommodation and don’t want to pay big bucks just for a one-night stay.

For those who want to stay in for the duration of your Taipei layover and do nothing, there are many resorts and hotels in Taipei with pools, gyms, restaurants, and comfortable beds to relax in. But I still would encourage you to get out and explore the city for 24 hours!

If you don’t need a place to stay the night for your Taipei layover, you can easily store your suitcase at the Taipei Main Station, which is the train station you need to go from the airport.

The lockers are massive, safe, and affordable – you can even leave your luggage for periods of up to 8 hours! The only issue with not checking into a hotel and opting for the lockers is that you won’t be able to bring so many things or clothing. It’s really up to you but know that you have both these options!

Naturally, if Taipei is not your final destination, the airlines will NOT tag your suitcase with Taipei so you won’t really need to do a baggage claim. Just make sure that you have enough clothing to go around Taipei and at least freshen up before your next flight.

Lunch in Taipei

After settling down, start with getting to know the best dishes of Taipei. Since you only have 24 hours in Taipei, I would really recommend you to go to Lan Jia, the best gua bao in the city. It is right next to a train stop so it is very accessible.

Gua baos are pork buns and it is iconic in Taipei. There is always a 15-minute wait at Lan Jia because it’s in demand. After getting your gua bao, cross the street and fall in line again at the most famous bubble tea joint in Taipei.

It doesn’t have an English name but you can easily spot this bubble tea place because of the long lines.

Although there are many restaurants in Taipei, these two are more than enough for you to know the food culture in Taiwan. They speak strongly about Taiwanese food and represent Taiwanese cuisine very well!

😋 Must read: 19 essential Taipei restaurants

Taipei City tour (4 hours)

After lunch, you can walk on your own in the Taipei City center or avail of a 4-hour Taipei tour that will take you to the important landmarks of the city. It only costs US$52, and it will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.

On this guided tour, you will see the top attractions in Taipei, like the Martyr’s Shrine, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, and the National Palace Museum. These are the highlights of Taipei, and this is all you need to see within 24 hours in Taipei.

You can start this tour in the morning or mid-day, but it has two available time slots per day.

🧭 Looking for more? See all Taipei layover tours.

Freshen up and get ready for your flight

After having lunch and doing a 4-hour city tour, you won’t have much time for another activity, so take this time to shower and freshen up for your flight.

If your hotel is in the Taipei Main Station, remember to get on the train at least 3 hours before your flight.