Travel

Travel Note

Here are a few things you should know before you go:

Taiwan is not part of mainland China and has its own government, currency, and travel policies. For U.S. passport holders, no visa or vaccination is required for visits under 90 days. Just make sure your passport is valid through the time you are traveling here! If you’re planning to visit Japan or South Korea as part of your trip, check their individual visa and entry policies. Both currently do not require visas for short stays from the U.S., but policies may vary. When traveling around Taipei, most U.S. credit cards are accepted (especially Visa and Mastercard), but it’s still a good idea to carry some New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) in cash, especially for smaller shops or night markets. Getting around the city is easy with the Taipei MRT (subway system), which is clean, affordable, and has English signage - Google Maps is an easy way to navigate the MRT schedule. Similar to Japan, it even gives you the exact train car and street exit to get off to maximize walking efficiency! You can use a rechargeable EasyCard, which works for MRT rides, buses, convenience stores, and even some taxis. Uber is commonly used in Taipei and is a great and convenient option as well! However if you are interested in experiencing hailing a taxi in Taipei, it is pretty easy too! Taxis are safe and affordable, but many drivers don't speak English, so having your destination written in Chinese or using a translation app helps. For any updated government travel advisories, please check out this source.

Flight

Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)

This is the main international airport serving Taipei and the one we recommend you fly into. It's about a 45-minute to 1-hour drive to Xinyi District, depending on traffic. There are direct flights from some U.S. cities (like San Francisco, LA, Seattle, NYC, and Chicago). From TPE, you can either take a taxi or airport transfer directly to your hotel in Xinyi, or hop on the Taoyuan Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station and then transfer to the MRT red or blue line to reach Xinyi. If you're arriving late at night or with lots of luggage, we’d recommend booking a car in advance. In our experience, EVA Air, China Airlines (Taiwan-based), and StarLux often have the smoothest routes to Taipei from the U.S. Since flights to Asia can be long and sometimes pricey, it’s worth checking credit card points, airline rewards, or shopping flight deals early. Check out this comprehensive guide for more details about getting out of the airport :)

Flight

Songshan Airport (TSA)

This is Taipei’s smaller city airport and is just 15–20 minutes by taxi or MRT to Xinyi District. However, it mainly serves short-haul regional flights from cities like Tokyo (Narita or Haneda) or various parts of China. This airport only makes sense if you’re already traveling in Asia beforehand.

Train

Taipei Main Station

If you’re exploring other parts of Taiwan before or after the wedding—such as Tainan, Hualien, or Taichung—you’ll likely pass through Taipei Main Station, which is the city’s central rail hub. From there, it’s about a 10–15 minute MRT ride or 15–20 minute taxi to Xinyi. You can take the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) into Taipei from many cities, with ride times between 1–2 hours depending on your departure point. This is a great option if you want to explore more of Taiwan at a relaxed pace before the wedding.