Hello, this is Lux.
I’m traveling around Taiwan.
Let’s take a quick look at Taiwan’s airports. Taiwan’s airports have a layout and history that may feel surprisingly familiar to visitors from Korea.
That is because, according to the story, when Park Chung-hee visited Taiwan, he brought back the airport plans and used them to build Gimpo Airport.
In Taiwan, Gimpo’s counterpart is Songshan Airport.
Most international routes are handled by Taoyuan International Airport. You can think of it as Taiwan’s equivalent of Incheon International Airport.
Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
– Taiwan’s pride: a fully equipped mega hub
Taoyuan Airport is divided into two enormous terminals, with each terminal serving a distinct mix of airlines and facilities.
✈️ Airline assignments by terminal
Terminal 1: Primarily used by low-cost carriers (LCCs) and some China Airlines routes.
Major airlines: Korean Air, Jin Air, Jeju Air, Eastar Jet, T’way Air, Tigerair Taiwan, Cathay Pacific and others
Terminal 2: Primarily serves major national carriers and premium airlines.
Major airlines: Asiana Airlines, Air Busan, EVA Air, STARLUX Airlines, United Airlines and others
Terminal 3 is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2027.
🏢 Key facilities and services
Free showers: Freshen up before or after your flight. They are located on the first and fourth floors of Terminal 1 and the first and fourth floors of Terminal 2. Shampoo and body wash are provided, but you’ll need to bring your own towel.
Lounges: The Plaza Premium Lounge is the most widely used option, and some locations operate 24 hours, making them useful if you have to spend the night at the airport. (Priority Pass accepted.)
Dining: * The basement level of Terminal 1 has a reasonably priced food court, while Chun Shui Tang, famous for its bubble tea, is a popular stop in the Terminal 1 departure hall on the third floor.
The Terminal 2 food court on basement level 2 features McDonald’s and Starbucks, along with a wide selection of popular Taiwanese restaurants.
Capsule hotel: Cho Stay, a capsule hotel on the north and south sides of the fifth floor of Terminal 2, is popular with transit passengers and travelers catching early-morning flights.
Songshan International Airport (TSA)
– A jewel in the city: a fast, practical business airport
Think of Songshan as Taiwan’s equivalent of Gimpo Airport. Its relatively close location to Taipei is also rooted in the fact that Park Chung-hee adopted Taiwan’s airport system.
Songshan is small, but its short walking distances give it one overwhelming advantage: you are practically in the city the moment you step off the plane.
✈️ Routes and airlines
International flights (Terminal 1): Mainly shuttle-style routes to major cities, including Seoul (Gimpo), Tokyo (Haneda) and Shanghai (Hongqiao).
Airlines serving Korea: T’way Air, Eastar Jet, China Airlines and EVA Air, primarily on the Gimpo–Songshan route
Domestic flights (Terminal 2): Routes operate to Taiwan’s offshore islands, including Penghu and Kinmen.
🏢 Key facilities and services
Rooftop observation deck (third floor): This is Songshan Airport’s standout attraction. The outdoor deck offers an up-close view of planes taking off and landing, making it especially popular with families and aviation enthusiasts. Admission is free.
Baggage storage: Smart coin lockers near the China Airlines counters on the first floor let you store your bags before check-in and take a quick trip around nearby Fujin Street, known for its cafés.
Simple amenities: Starbucks, Subway and Taiwanese souvenir shops are clustered together in a compact area.
The duty-free selection is smaller than Taoyuan’s, but major brands such as Hermès and Gucci are represented.
Smart ways to save money at the airport
Tax refunds: If you have done a lot of shopping, remember to claim your tax refund at the airport.
Taoyuan has plenty of kiosks, which is convenient, although lines can be long. Songshan is less crowded, so the process is much quicker.
EasyCard top-ups and refunds: At both airports, you can buy and top up an EasyCard at the MRT station. Any remaining balance can be refunded at the station’s customer service center, so be sure to check before leaving Taiwan.
EasyCard promotion: The Taiwan Tourism Administration’s travel subsidy lottery is available to arriving passengers at both airports. Don’t forget to give it a try!
International airports shape a country’s first impression
Traveling abroad often gives us a fresh perspective on the realities of our own country.
Just as experiencing airports in other countries helps us understand why Incheon International Airport is considered one of the world’s best.
Taiwan was once viewed as one of Asia’s Four Tigers, competing with South Korea. But aside from its semiconductor industry, its international standing has declined somewhat in recent years.
As you know, that is partly the result of China’s intense pressure, diplomatic isolation and coercive tactics, and partly a reflection of South Korea’s relatively stronger position today.
Of course, people in Taiwan probably still see their country as better than South Korea in their own way.
As I walked around Taiwan’s international airports, one very practical thought kept coming to mind:
Since you never know when a meal might be loaded with unfamiliar spices, it is best to fill up at a chain restaurant in advance!
Take care of yourselves and eat properly while you’re traveling~~~~
