When planning a trip to Taiwan, budget flights often mean late-night arrivals. Have you ever found yourself landing at Taoyuan International Airport late at night, wondering what to do next? During these hours, regular tourist attractions are closed, and even Taiwan’s famous night markets have shut down. Public transportation is also limited, reducing your mobility options.
But don’t worry! There are actually plenty of ways to enjoy Taiwan’s nighttime charm or refresh yourself for the next day’s sightseeing, even with a late-night arrival. This article introduces 6 recommended ways to spend your time after arriving late at Taoyuan International Airport. Even with limited options, you can fully enjoy Taiwan’s nighttime attractions.
Budget-Friendly but Challenging Late-Night Taoyuan Arrivals
Most budget flights are late-night arrivals. While wallet-friendly, they create headaches for post-arrival planning. Late-night arrivals mean Taipei’s famous tourist destinations are closed, as are most night markets. Additionally, public transportation like the MRT has ended service, limiting your options for getting into the city.
Getting from the airport to the city essentially means taking a taxi. While some late-night buses operate, they run infrequently with long wait times, making them inefficient when you’re tired. Taxis offer door-to-door service but cost more. However, there are enjoyable ways to spend the night even in this situation.
6 Recommended Ways to Spend Your Late Night
1. Shrimp Fishing to Pass the Night
“Shrimp fishing” is a popular aspect of Taiwan’s night culture and an excellent late-night activity. At 24-hour shrimp fishing venues, you can catch live shrimp and have them cooked on the spot for a uniquely Taiwanese experience. Multiple shrimp fishing locations throughout Taipei allow you to have your catch grilled, boiled, or fried on-site. Interacting with locals while holding a beer in one hand and fishing rod in the other – this is the essence of Taiwan’s nighttime charm!
There are shrimp fishing venues in Taoyuan City and New Taipei areas relatively close to the airport, accessible within about 20 minutes by taxi.
2. Late-Night Restaurant Hopping
Taipei has surprisingly many restaurants that operate 24 hours or stay open late into the night. For example, the famous beef noodle shop “Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles” operates until 3 AM, giving you a chance to visit depending on your arrival time. Additionally, Taiwanese breakfast shops open early in the morning, so you can enjoy Taiwanese breakfast items like soy milk and egg pancakes (dan bing) as dawn breaks.
Even without going to Taipei, Taoyuan City near the airport has 24-hour chain stores and late-night restaurants scattered throughout. Taoyuan’s city center, about 15-20 minutes by taxi from the airport, has many late-night beef noodle shops and breakfast establishments.
3. Passing Time at Mahjong Parlors
Taiwan’s mahjong parlors are somewhat different from those in other countries, often integrated with dining facilities to provide more comfortable spaces. Many establishments operate 24 hours, allowing people of all ages to gather around mahjong tables at any time.
Some venues even have rest areas where you can nap, making it possible to recover from late-night fatigue more affordably than hotels. Enjoying mahjong with locals while resting for the next morning ensures a perfect start to your Taiwan trip.
4. Airport Capsule Hotel for Rest
Simply sleeping at an airport hotel until morning to prepare for tomorrow is also a valid strategy. The “Town Place Hotel” at Taoyuan International Airport is a capsule hotel easily accessible from Terminal 2. While similar in concept to capsule hotels elsewhere, it offers slightly more spacious accommodations. Complete with shower facilities, it’s perfect for a few hours of rest and allows you to conserve energy for the next day’s sightseeing.
Additionally, there are several budget accommodations just a few minutes’ drive from Taoyuan Airport, which you can use if capsule hotel reservations aren’t available.
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5. Enjoying Taiwanese Food at 24-Hour Supermarkets and Convenience Stores
Taiwan’s convenience stores and supermarkets are even more comprehensive than those in many other countries, with many operating 24 hours. Particularly, some locations of large supermarkets like “A-Mart” and “Carrefour” operate late into the night, making them perfect for purchasing Taiwan-specific snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. Many convenience stores also have extensive eat-in spaces where you can try Taiwanese local foods on the spot.
Around the airport and in Taoyuan City, there are many 24-hour convenience stores and supermarkets where you can enjoy local foods in eat-in spaces.
6. Enjoying Quiet Hours at Nearby Tourist Spots
Visiting tourist spots relatively close to Taoyuan Airport late at night is also recommended. For example, Taoyuan’s Qingtang Garden or Hutoushan Park can be reached within 20-30 minutes by taxi from the airport. These spots, which are bustling with tourists and locals during the day, are quiet late at night, allowing you to enjoy photography and walks in a peaceful atmosphere. Parks and plazas with nighttime illumination offer magical scenery different from daytime views. We recommend chartering a taxi or using YouBike to save on transportation costs while enjoying night cycling tours.
Conclusion
Late-night arrivals at Taoyuan International Airport may seem disadvantageous at first glance, but they’re actually opportunities to discover different aspects of Taiwan. You can enjoy nighttime culture unavailable elsewhere, such as shrimp fishing and mahjong parlors, or taste local foods, fully experiencing Taiwan’s character from the very beginning of your trip.
Even with late-night arrivals, you can fully enjoy Taiwan’s nights with some creativity. We hope this article helps you start your Taiwan trip wonderfully.
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