If you have a layover at Taipei Airport (Taoyuan International Airport), take advantage of the free Taipei tour (half day) available to transit and transfer passengers.
The free half day tour from Taoyuan International Taipei Airport departs twice daily and lasts around four hours – note there is also an occasional evening tour but it only accepts group reservations.
The daytime tours include locations such as Yongkang Street and Longshan temple in the morning and Daxi Old Street on the afternoon tour.
From the tour itinerary to how to book it, here is our guide to the free Taipei city tour (half day) from Taipei Airport.
You might like – Our guide to getting from Taoyuan Airport to the city (in case the free tour is too short for you) >
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All set for Taiwan? Do one final check with our Taipei first timers guide and our packing list guide. Travelling with kids? Check out our Taipei For Kids eBook >
Who is eligible for the free Taipei city tour from Taoyuan Airport?
The free half day tour is available to any transfer or transit passengers with a layover in Taipei lasting between 7 to 24 hours, before their next flight.
Tour attendees must have valid visas or come from visa exempt countries.
Citizens from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, India, Indonesia and Myanmar can also do the tour with a current R.O.C. “Travel Authorization Certificate.”
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months and have already cleared immigration to go on the tour.
Incidentally, if you have a little over 24 hours or want to do more than a 4 hour tour, check out our 24 hours in Taipei self-guided itinerary >
Also remember to take part in the free Lucky Land prize draw run by Tourism Taiwan that is open to any visitor to Taiwan until June 2025. Read our guide how to register and play here >
If you are only in Taipei on a layover, you are best to choose a cashcard as your potential prize, not the accommodation vouchers.
Taiwanderers Tip – you may want to purchase a 4G SIM Card for Taiwan from Klook and pick it up at the airport so you have data during your tour and brief stay in Taipei.
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Free Taipei half day tour from Taoyuan Airport – times
There are two free tours (both around 4 hours) departing daily from Taoyuan Airport terminal 1 and terminal 2.
The free morning tour from Taoyuan Airport departs Terminal 2 at 8.15am and Terminal 1 at 8.30am – it returns to the airport around 12.30pm depending on traffic.
The free afternoon tour from Taipei Airport / Taoyuan International Airport departs from Terminal 2 at 1.45pm and Terminal 2 at 2pm, returning around 6pm.
Please note morning tour reservations are not accepted for anyone flying out before 3pm.
The same is true of the afternoon tour for anyone flying out before 8.30pm on the same day so as to ensure there is no chance of anyone missing flights.
There is also a third evening tour departing at 6pm returning at 10.30pm but at the time of writing (November 2024), it only accepts group reservations and email requests – it cannot be booked online like the others.
You might like – Our guide to using a Taiwan EasyCard to get around or 30+ cool EasyCard + iCash card designs
First time in Taipei? Check out these helpful guides:
- Taoyuan Airport MRT Train to Taipei city guide >
- How to use / buy a Taiwan EasyCard >
- Taipei 1 day itinerary >
- Taipei 3 day itinerary >
- Best Taipei neighborhoods to stay in >
- Best Taipei shopping malls >
- Unique and unusual Taipei activities >
- Things to do in Taipei with kids >
- 25+ Taipei at night activities >
- Din Tai Fung dumpling restaurant guide >
- Taipei’s highest cafe, Simple Kaffa Sola 101 >
Taipei Airport free tour itinerary
Departing twice daily, the morning route of the free tour is different from the afternoon tour.
Free Morning Tour from Taipei Airport – Discover Taipei’s 100 Years of Glory
Taoyuan International Airport > Longshan Temple > National Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall > Yongkang Street > Taoyuan International Airport
Free Afternoon Tour from Taipei Airport – The Beauty of Taiwanese Traditional Arts & Nature
Taoyuan International Airport > Daxi Old Street & Daxi Bridge > Daxi Puji Temple > Musical Note Wall of Singer Fong Fei-fei > Taoyuan International Airport
There is also an additional evening tour but this isn’t bookable online. This is for groups only and you must request this tour via the official email address – halfdaytour@tad.gov.tw
Free Evening tour
Taoyuan International Airport > Observation Deck of New Taipei City Hall > Jieyun Temple > Nanya Night Market > Taoyuan International Airport
These Taipei Airport free tour itineraries and schedules are correct as of November 2024 and subject to change.
You might like – Taiwanderers guide to Taipei’s best shopping malls and districts
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How to register for the free tour from Taipei Airport
You must register on the official Free Half Day Tour Taiwan site here >
You must book to go on the free half day tours from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport between 5 to 90 days before your arrival – so this isn’t something you can do last minute or on a whim.
Check for availability at the Tourist Service Centers located in the arrival lobbies of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the Taoyuan International Airport.
For these same-day reservations, travelers are required to register online before boarding the tour bus.
That said, if you’ve missed the booking window, you can still ask about availability that day at the tourist information centers in terminal 1 and 2 of Taoyuan Airport.
Be sure to try and book well in advance if possible though as there are only 18 spaces available on each tour.
You might like – Our guide to Ximending, Taipei or things to do in Taipei at night
Other things to know about the free half day tour from Taipei Airport
- No luggage is allowed on the tour bus so you must store it at the airport baggage kiosk for a small fee.
- Passengers who join the free tours are also exempt from airport tax.
- You can only pick one of the free guided tours – you cannot do the morning AND afternoon ones.
- Children can take part in the free Taipei tours from the airport but child safety seats are not available.
- Wheelchair users are welcome to join the free Taipei tours but the request needs to be emailed to halfdaytour@tad.gov.tw
Planning to return to Taipei soon? Check out our 10 best places to stay and visit in Taipei >
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