Taoyuan (Taipei) airport question - flying with CX.

[PaulST]

Apologies if this is in the wrong room.


I’m flying into TPE (Taoyuan airport near Taipei) in December with a 5hr layover before flying north to South Korea. I’ll be flying with CX with an awards business class seat.

My question is, will I get access to a priority lane going through customs when I arrive? (I flew EK business last year and was sent to a shorter queue.) Then, on my return to the airport, will I get access to a priority lane? I’ve been told that I won’t have much time to go into Taipei and checkout Taipei 101 so I’m keen to get through security…etc as fast as possible.
It’ll be Saturday 13th December too which will hopefully mean it'll be a quieter day.

Thanks.

 

[yohy?!]

Unfortunately not I think...tpe is an intra asia short haul route, I've never had any indication of any kind of fast pass like CX gives out when flying J to SYD.

Immigration is pretty quick though, if you leg it should be ok..I've never waited more than 20mins even in peak time.

 

[Fantic125]

No such thing as a "quieter day" in Asia

How do you intend to get into Taipei central? IMHO the one time I've attempted the Taiwan rail network it was an absolute shambles, particularly compared to Korea or even mainland China.

I would be inclined to stay around the airport, or take a taxi into Taoyuan and have a walk around there.

 

[get me outta here]

I'm in the same boat and was going to go into the city, walk around a bit and then go back to the a/port - both ways in peak hour weekday. If not, what do you see in Taoyuan?

No such thing as a "quieter day" in Asia

How do you intend to get into Taipei central? IMHO the one time I've attempted the Taiwan rail network it was an absolute shambles, particularly compared to Korea or even mainland China.

I would be inclined to stay around the airport, or take a taxi into Taoyuan and have a walk around there.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm planning on taking a taxi as I figure it'll be faster.
I'll probably just drive into Taipei 101 tower, walk around briefly and then head back to the airport.

 

[eddie 73]

Be wary of this plan.... Taxi to downtown and back can be 3 hours (round trip) in reasonable traffic. There is a new section to the freeway which makes it slightly less congested, but taipei is a long way from the airport. May i suggest cab into New Taipei City, which is a safe 30 mins from the airport and can offer lots of good feed options plus some local charm.

Taipei airport is pretty drab, and not much to do. The gates are more boring than most, and the cx lounge is usually crowded and limited food options.

Best of luck, Taiwan is a wonderful and unique Chinese pitstop.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the comments.
A few others have suggested that time may be an issue too but I am keen to see Taipei 101 and take a few photos (I'm a keen photographer).
I might head towards there and if time becomes an issues I'll just have to abort and head back to the airport.

Others suggested visiting Taoyuan city itself, which is an option, but I must admit that the charm of what I imagine is a fairly standard Asian city will probably have worn off after a month travelling through Asia. Taipei 101, on the other hand, is a landmark and not something I'll see again.

Is the following plan realistic at all?
Walk quickly through security (I'm hoping J passengers should be able to get off faster and I have no baggage to collect), grab a taxi, head into Taipei 101, spend 30mins-1hr (depending on how fast the drive was) there, and then return to the airport. I'll eat at the airport/on the flight.

Thanks again.

Sorry, I should have said at the start that I arrive in Taoyuan at 1200 on Saturday and leave at 1710.

 

[JohnK]

From memory you do not receive any fast track through customs in TPE.

 

[get me outta here]

That is very tight. I arrive at 0800 and dep at 1800. Don't forget to book 101 in adavance and hope that you make it!

should have said at the start that I arrive in Taoyuan at 1200 on Saturday and leave at 1710.

 

[eddie 73]

Yeah, Taipei101 has an awesome view, particularly at night.

Let's work backwards:

* 1710 departure
* 1640 boarding
* 1620 at security gates (they're always quick at TPE outbound)
* 1600 check in, get boarding pass (unless you can digitally so it's straight through to customs)
* 1500 leave 101 in cab (I'd allow 1hr minimum, it's the opposite side of downtown)

That means if you arrive TPE at 1200, you'll disembark & be through customs and at cab rank by 1245, and arrive at 101 1hr later around 1345.

It's ambitious, but possible, Paul, so best of luck, and do keep your finger bear that abort button! I've been to Taipei about 50 times, and always depart the CBD around T-3hrs, so the above doesn't allow much room for major traffic or other unforseen delays.

 

[get me outta here]

Eddieskewes, just looking at yr suggested timing, what type of transport is that, taxi? Which mode should I use just to go into town and wander around, and which place to get off? I clear the a/port at 0900 and arrive back at say 1600, departing the city at 1400-1500. Cheers

 

[eddie 73]

Yes, taxi. 101 is in the financial district and I don't think there's much else there except the world trade centre building, which isn't worth visiting in my opinion. If you've got between 0900 and 1600, that's much better.

Be prepared for the language barrier as taxi drivers generally don't speak a word of English. Prepare with some decent googled printouts of addresses and destinations.

You may want to look into hiring a car and driver for the day. might get one for $150ish, as opposed to lots of taxis everywhere, and private car drivers are likely to have enough English to assist and converse with you.

 

[burrco]

I'd go with the taxi but another option is to catch the airport bus to City Hall Station and then walk/cab the short distance from there. The fastest potential way into town is to catch the shuttle to the High Speed Train Station and the train to the Main Station and then a cab - however to get the time saving you'd need everything to go right in times of waiting for the shuttle, train etc.

I stay at the W Hotel or Le Meridian a few times a year both of which are close to 101, using the hotel car it has taken me between 40 mins and 2 hours to do the airport trip over the years.

If you're getting a cab - get one of the airline crew to write out your destination for you to give to the cab driver.

 

[BensAdventures]

The other issue I see is how long you want to spend at Taipei 101. I was there last month and it took 25-30 mins in a queue to get up and over 45 mins waiting for a lift to come down. The view during the day was nice, but wasn't a highlight for me, at night would be great.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Unfortunately not I think...tpe is an intra asia short haul route, I've never had any indication of any kind of fast pass like CX gives out when flying J to SYD.

Immigration is pretty quick though, if you leg it should be ok..I've never waited more than 20mins even in peak time.

I agree we all huddle togather queues move fast but be first one there is best. J class helps here

5hrs. Catch the shuttle to the Novotel ?? Train it into town ??

 

[ermen]

certainly doable depending on immigration... a few observations:

1. Immigration may not let you out if they find out about your short layover - and there's a high chance of them asking especially if you haven't been to Taipei before
2. 5 hours is tight but within the realm of possibility. ~45 mins to the city. If you get your onward boarding pass, would aim to be at airport only 1 hour before no need to check out lounge
3. Is it possible to get CX to put you onto an earlier flight during the day? this would be ask at the airport sort of thing - or call marco polo / cx reservations...

 

[Sprucegoose]

certainly doable depending on immigration... a few observations:

1. Immigration may not let you out if they find out about your short layover - and there's a high chance of them asking especially if you haven't been to Taipei before
2. 5 hours is tight but within the realm of possibility. ~45 mins to the city. If you get your onward boarding pass, would aim to be at airport only 1 hour before no need to check out lounge
3. Is it possible to get CX to put you onto an earlier flight during the day? this would be ask at the airport sort of thing - or call marco polo / cx reservations...

Immigration won't worry about that. OP will have transit freedom

With BP OP will only need 30 min at the port.

OP never mentioned he/she hasn't visited TPE previously.

OP mentions an award CX ticket
Therefore less flexibility than Full J/C/D

 

[ermen]

Immigration won't worry about that. OP will have transit freedom

With BP OP will only need 30 min at the port.

OP never mentioned he/she hasn't visited TPE previously.

OP mentions an award CX ticket
Therefore less flexibility than Full J/C/D

If too little time for transit, there is a risk they may refuse you access landside.
FWiW, once, I came inbound on 3K then tried to do go landside to get luggage and check through my connecting flight to HKG. Got asked a bunch of questions by immigration around timing and they checked for prior entry stamps into Taipei.

Re award ticket, should have said wait for the ticket to go to airport control - they may be more flexible that way.