Until very recently known as Chiang Kai Shek International Airport.

This airport is a hub for many Asian airlines, particularly the Taiwan-based carriers EVA and China Airlines, two excellent options for travel to/from Southeast Asia. TPE has two terminals, 1 & 2, with most airlines using terminal 2 and China Air pretty much dominating terminal 1. A tram shuttles between terminals every couple of minutes or so, and from what I've seen it's no problem shuttling back and forth between terminals, even if you're not flying from that particular terminal, as boarding pass checks are merely cursory. You may have to go through the metal detectors each way, however.

If you don't have access to your carrier's PIMP class lounge, TPE is not the best place to spend a rather lengthy layover, but it's also not the worst either. The best place to hang out is in the transit lounge in Terminal 2. There is a transit hotel upstairs for truly long layovers, don't know what it costs. There is a small food court upstairs next to the transit hotel and all of the airline VIP lounges located in Terminal two. The food court has a good noodle restaurant, a Starbucks and a Subway. I believe the restaurants only accept Taiwan dollars, so you may have to exchange a few bucks at an exchange kiosk downstairs.

Free wireless internet access is not easy to come by in TPE -- particularly in Terminal 1, but IS available if seated near the "MORE" (Star Alliance) lounge, and outside the Singapore Airlines lounge, both located upstairs near the transit hotel in Terminal 2. Standard US 3-pronged power outlets are literally everywhere, and appear to operate on the same 110 current you're used to in the USA.

There are FREE public showers available in Terminal 1, in the toilet at the "A" gates (where China Air's flights are), and near the toilets in the "B" gates transit lounge. I do not know where there are public showers available in Terminal 2, but there should be something available, I'd think, even though it may not be FREE like in Terminal 1. BTW, if using the free showers in Terminal 1, should bring your own towel and toiletries (if possible), as there are none available besides SOAP.

http://www.cksairport.gov.tw/CKSeng/

I believe the restaurants only accept Taiwan dollars, so you may have to exchange a few bucks at an exchange kiosk downstairs.


very good report on the Taiwan Airport-the shops and food outlets do take dollars or did for me 4 monthes ago-the airport also has a nice mini museum-The EVA business lounge is not bad-the food is not western centered at all but not bad

Gotta disagree about the quality of the food in EVA's lounge. I thought it looked and smelled vile. Most of it is varying types of steamed buns. Then again, maybe it's just me. I'm not a big fan of steamed buns. Unfortunately, the steam wafts throughout the food area.

yeah steamed buns seemed very big there-

The EVA lounge is not bad, you will find good food there if you look.

So, why the change in name from Chiang Kai-Chek?

Chiang Kai Shek was the former President of Taiwan (Republic of China). As a "mainlander" (born in China, fled to Taiwan in 1949), he is admired by other mainlanders, but despised by many local taiwanese. When his political party was finaly ousted, the new party changed the name of the airport. Taoyuan is the name of the city in which the airport is located. About 25 miles outside of Taipei.

I went through the airport in Taiwan last weekend and the sandwich shop took dollars and even gave me change in dollars. I had a tuna sandwich and orange juice. Handed him $10US and got $1US change. It was a good sandwich. The wifi worked good for me. There were 6 wifi sites that came up and the ones with VIP in the name were free and very fast.

All, when in TPE, I use the Evergreen Tranist Hotel.. Great showers and lockers too.. I can usually get a shower room for $17 (at least that's what it was last time in Dec '08) and they give you like 2 hours to get out.. Nice water pressure and I just stood there and took it in like a high pressure sauna.. nice!