18 km · 25-40 min · From $35-50
Beitou Hot Springs sits 18 km northwest of Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE), a journey of 25-40 minutes depending on traffic along Provincial Highway 1 and Chengde Road. This historic onsen district has drawn visitors since Japanese colonial times, with over 100 hot spring hotels and public bathhouses clustered around Beitou Park. Direct taxis provide the most convenient option for travelers with luggage heading straight to thermal relaxation.
| Option | Price (est.) | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked transfer | $35-50 | Fixed all-in price · meet & greet · flight tracking · ALL surcharges and tolls included · free cancellation |
| Metered taxi |
⚠ $18-25 meter ONLY + $5-10 surcharges, tolls, tip ≈ $23-35 typical total |
Meter only - airport surcharge, tolls, midnight surcharge and tip added on top. Final cost varies with traffic. |
| Ride-hailing app | N/A | Upfront pricing - pickup may require walking to a designated zone, surge during busy times |
Note: Pre-booked transfer prices are the all-in amount you actually pay. Metered taxi prices shown are the meter only - typical out-of-pocket cost is 20–40% higher once airport surcharges, tolls and tip are added. Compare like-for-like before deciding.
Metered taxis from TPE to Beitou charge NT$550-750 ($18-25) using the freeway route via Wugu and Shilin. Airport taxi stands operate 24/7 with fixed-rate coupons available at NT$700-800 inside Terminal 2. Pre-booked private transfers cost NT$1,100-1,500 ($35-50) with English-speaking drivers and door-to-hotel service. The most economical option combines Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station (NT$160, 35 minutes) then Red Line metro to Beitou (NT$25, 25 minutes), though this 90-minute journey suits budget travelers without heavy bags better than families or late arrivals.
Book a taxi when arriving after 11 PM when MRT frequency drops, traveling with more than two suitcases, or heading directly to specific ryokan-style hotels in Beitou's hillside thermal zone. Groups of three or four split costs effectively, making taxis comparable to combined train fares while saving 45 minutes travel time.
Taiwan's ride-hailing market features TaxiGo and LINE TAXI as primary apps, both accepting international credit cards and offering English interfaces. 55688 Taiwan Taxi operates a dedicated app with airport pickup zones and meter-based fares. Uber discontinued operations in Taiwan in 2017, replaced by Uber Taxi which connects to licensed metered cabs.
With a pre-booked transfer, drivers are generally vetted for basic English. In a metered taxi it is more of a lottery - functional at big airports, limited elsewhere. Keep your hotel name written in the local script or a Google Maps pin ready, particularly if it sits on a small lane.
A pre-booked driver follows your flight status and waits however long it takes - the fixed price does not change. The metered taxi queue at Taipei (TPE) runs around the clock at most major airports, but peak-time lines are long and late-night service can be thin.
There are three price levels: a ride-hailing app at roughly N/A, a metered taxi at $18-25 on the meter (plan for 20-40% more after airport surcharges, tolls and tip), and a pre-booked transfer at $35-50 - the only option where the amount you see is the amount you pay.
The 18 km drive takes 25-40 min in normal conditions. Traffic in Taipei during rush hour can add 20-30 minutes. Pre-booked transfers track your flight automatically, so a delayed arrival does not affect pickup.
Ride-hailing apps usually offer the lowest fare at N/A, but airport pickup can require walking to a designated zone. Taiwan's ride-hailing market features TaxiGo and LINE TAXI as primary apps, both accepting international credit cards and offering English interfaces. 55688 Taiwan Taxi operates a dedicated app with airport pickup zones and meter-based fares. Uber discontinued operations in Taiwan in 2017, replaced by Uber Taxi which connects to licensed metered cabs. For most travelers a pre-booked transfer at $35-50 offers the best balance of price, comfort and reliability - there are no extra fees added on arrival.
For most travelers, pre-booking wins: the fare is locked in, a named driver meets you at arrivals, and the booking is documented if anything goes wrong. The official taxi counters at Taipei (TPE) work fine but usually cost more than the meter alone suggests. Never go with unlicensed drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
See our full Taipei Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport transfer guide for all destinations, local taxi tips, FAQ and booking options. Or browse Taipei airport transfers covering all city neighborhoods. For nationwide context, see our Taiwan transfer guide.