Taipei Airport

Taipei International Airport is divided into two terminals. Both are massive so there are long walking distances. Facilities are good although duty free shopping although extensive is dominated by whisky. Immigration was very slow and not very well organised.

Overnight in Taiwan on transit and a full day on the return. Fantastic terminal found the staff so helpful and friendly used the showers in the terminal wonderful after a long flight did the 1/2 day tour of the city which was also excellent. Definitely one of the best international airports in the world for ease of use plus such wonderful helpful staff at every turn customs baggage passport checkin shops tourist information etc great to travel through such a friendly efficient place especially after the lack of service at US airports.

Flying with China Airlines from BNE to YVR return. On route to Vancouver there was no connecting flight on same day so airline put me up at Miramar Golf Country Club Hotel in Taipei (very nice! also gives you a chance to see a bit of Taipei as it's about 30mins shuttle from airport). Actually thought I'd be put up in the Transit Hotel (located inside Terminal 2) but for some reason was not. Miramar was so lovely that I'm definitely not complaining. Wasn't so lucky on the way back (7 hour stopover in Taipei) Tried to get into the China Airlines lounge but was informed it's only for Business and First Class - and they won't even let you pay to try it. My hopes of getting a shower were quickly diminishing. Was directed to the Transit Hotel up an elevator past this "dragons in the clouds" wall display. Honestly just follow the signs to the transit hotel there are plenty. If you get lost just ask someone their english isn't always good but they understand "transit hotel" and will happily point you in the right direction. The transit hotel charges US$10 for a shower which also gives you the use of their lounge for 2 hours (where you can help yourself to some coffee or tea or jump on the internet for free). The shower facilities are minimal with a small locker made available for your stuff a towel shower cap toothbrush and toothpaste provided. There are about 6 shower cubicles and a sauna (which costs marginally extra) in this one room with shower gel and "conditioning shampoo" (not the best quality by a long shot but it will suffice) provided. For US$36 you can have the use of a hotel room for 3 hours (US$12 for every hour over that). Another thing worth mentioning is that CKS has no ATMs inside the terminal you actually have to go out past security if you want to find one (which isn't really worth it). And Subway doesn't do EFTPOS (nor do they take coins!) So make sure you have at least US$20 cash on you (in notes preferably) and eat first before you spend your last $10 on a shower.

Terminal 2 with EVA. Easy to find where one is going First Business and economy check in areas well seen when entering the building under the airlines signage above doorways. Passport control is also very easy and then you are right in the middle of the main part of the Terminal building. Many shops to visit and plenty of seating everywhere. Go upstairs for more seating and the wonderful lounges offered by EVA (including their many code-share partners) & Singapore airlines. There is also a pay full service lounge with meals showers and business facilities. Gate areas are large but can be crowded when trying to board a 747. Pay attention to announcements and look for signage regarding your cabin (First Business & economy). Don't be shy to move up if you are in one of the premium cabins. You won't get dirty looks from the other passengers!

I was pleasantly surprised by Taipei airport. Sure terminal 1 is old but not too bad and it is clean. I didn't encounter any shouting sales people - everyone seemed very subdued. The check in counters in terminal 1 were chaotic but it was only 1 week before lunar new year - everyone was travelling but most people were friendly. They seemed slow to check in at the China Airlines counter however. We did one of free city tours. Well worth your time - if you have a stopover that fits in with the timetable. See the information desk in the airport for more info. Terminal two has heaps of shops - selling mostly Taiwanese food and goods duty free of course. I found them reasonably priced. The food in the noodle bar near gate D3 was also very tasty as was the bakery beside it. One thing I didn't realise and no web site seemed to mention - you can walk from terminal one to terminal two and vice-versa. Unless you have mobility issues it isn't very hard. In terminal two just keep on walking past gate D1 go down a short ramp turn a corner and you will find yourself in terminal one - you don't even need to go outside. If you have plenty of time during transfer you may as well walk from one terminal to the other - depending on what gate you are at it could take you less than 5 minutes! The toilets in terminal two are great. The baby change rooms are also plentiful. What may also be useful is to parents is the nursery near the children's playground in terminal two. It has a couple of cots in it and where your infant could have a nap while you read a book or something. Beats carrying them on your shoulder while they sleep. They also supply free lotion wipes and nappies if you need them! Frankly this is better baby service facilities than I find in Australia.

If you ever have a chance to stay at TPE Terminal 2 CI-Lounge you will see what a nice lounge is. The way of seating is efficient like you they would have organised an army unit but the noodle kitchen which is operated between 6 am and 11 pm make a stay very comfortable. Nice noodle soups hot dumplings and biscuits. Good variation of drinks. And if you have the time: have a use of the shower facilities. The best was good enough in the personal shower cabins with own personal toilet. A real possible to relax in any way after a long distance flight - even you do not have any toiletries yourself with you - which you will not need as you get a nice basket of towel and other bath supplies.

I have travelled through CKS airport a numerous amount of time. I must admit that terminal 1 is very old and reminds you of the times of the propeller planes. However I would say that it still is allot better than American airports. Terminal 1 is very peaceful and has a reasonably old but decent facilities. Most of the people here wrote negative comments of this airport but I am guessing they haven’t seen terminal 2. Terminal 2 looks allot better than terminal 1. Terminal 2 has good facilities however it is smaller than terminal 1. Never the less CKS airport is not a bad airport. Most people here are exaggerating just because one of its terminals is old.

I have travelled into CKS T1 recently and found it a bit too old. Before arriving at the immigration counters you have to walk a long way before you see some duty free shops. You will be shocked that this is an airport and not a night market as all the sales girls were shouting all the way to promote their products an unusual way for an airport to do so? There were a lot of immigration counters but they only opened 5 of them therefore immigration was slow. The baggage claim was okay just like any other airports in the world nth to complaint. Here comes the real problem once you leave the arrival gate it is very confusing. They have three exits you can turn left right or walk straight. It took us 15 min to find our tour guide. I think that CKS should adopt the same system as Changi by make the baggage claim area visible to the people outside at the meeting point. Overall nth more to complaint as you must understand this airport is 20+ yrs old!

I have used CKS airport several times during my 2.5 year stay in Taiwan. You can keep terminal 2. Terminal 1 is my preference. Arriving at CKS makes you feel very alone. The atmosphere is very sterile. People are not rude but not friendly either. The only sign of being welcome is a few ladies saying "welcome to Taiwan." Departing from CKS is a more pleasent experience. I'm an experienced traveler yet it takes me 5 to 10 minutes to discover which counter I need to visit because they use small paper signs. The counter staff are always friendly and helpful however after check-in you're on your own. I think CKS should be more comfortable and less sterile.

Used Terminal 1 last week for our first trip to Taipei. Arrival and immigration went quite smoothly immigration line for less than thirty minutes. Meeting point was kind of confusing due to dozens of waiting signs. It took us two end-to-end walk before we found our tour operator. Departure was more comfortable. Check in staff at Cathay Pacific was quite friendly and kind they even provided me some vinyl tape to bend my instable cart strongly. Immigration went quite smooth waiting line was as short as four passengers before our turn. Shopping and dining need to be added especially because most passengers know there're quite a number of nice cafe and restaurants in city centre of Taipei. All in all I liked the place and will come again in near future.