Airfare to Taipei, Taiwan
The most compact city on an already compact island, Taipei is home to the world’s tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101. This international destination is also home to fantastic hot springs in the Yangmingshan National Park, impressive memorials for both Chiang Kai-shek and Sun Yat-sen and a must-see collection of Chinese artifacts at the National Palace Museum.
Airfare to Taipei will be the cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday. Mondays are popular with business travellers and weekends are key dates for holidaymakers wanting the longest trips possible – avoid these dates.
Also consider flights into Shanghai, China or Kaohsiung, Taiwan. To get between the cities, you can grab a spot on a train, bus or flight. Look for cheap flights on no frills airlines. Jetstar Asia flies to Taipei. Although it will take longer to reach your destination, a bus or train could save you enough cash to make it worth your while.
Another possible money-saving tip is to look for flights that go through Bangkok, Thailand; Delhi, India; or another major gateway city instead of flying direct. Because there are more flights – and competition – from these cities on low budget airlines, you can save some cash over flying non-stop to your destination. It is very common to layover in one of these main cities.
Finally, consider traveling on a lesser-known carrier. China Airlines is the national airline. However, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines and other airlines also stop in Taipei.
The most expensive air tickets to Taipei are found during peak holiday travel times, such as the New Year. Also be aware of national events or festivals, which can also cause ticket prices to rise.
Summary of Money Saving Tips:
- Fly mid-week
- Book your holiday during the off-peak season
- Consider flying into Shanghai, China or Kaohsiung, Taiwan and traveling overland to Taipei via train or bus
- Look for flights that go through large cities, with many flights
- Check out carriers besides the national airline – they may undercut the monopolistic competition
For more information on Taipei, check out BootsnAll’s Taipei Travel Guide.