Overview
Taiwan packs mountains, hot springs, temple towns and some of Asia's best street food onto an island roughly the size of the Netherlands. For UK travellers it is an easy, rewarding long-haul choice: two airlines fly nonstop from London, English signage is common in the cities, and a fast, reliable high-speed rail line links the west coast. Whether you are heading to Taipei for the night markets or south to Tainan and Kenting, this hub covers the Taiwanese cities we book flights to.
Best time to fly to Taiwan
Autumn, roughly October to early December, is the sweet spot: warm days, low humidity and little rain. Spring (March to April) is also pleasant, though showers build towards May. Summer is hot, sticky and falls within typhoon season (broadly July to September), which can disrupt flights and mountain travel. Winters stay mild in the south but turn cooler and damp around Taipei. Fares tend to ease outside the UK summer holidays and the Lunar New Year period — check the When to book chart above for current trends.
Main gateway cities & airports
Most UK arrivals land at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), the country's main long-haul gateway, about 40km west of the capital; the Airport MRT reaches Taipei Main Station in around 40 minutes. Taipei Songshan (TSA) sits inside the city and handles mainly domestic and regional flights. In the south, Kaohsiung International (KHH) is a useful entry point for Tainan and Kenting, usually reached via a connection in East Asia. Taichung (RMQ) serves central Taiwan on regional routes.
Airlines and routes
EVA Air flies nonstop from London Heathrow to Taipei, and China Airlines flies nonstop from London Gatwick — both take around 13.5 to 14 hours eastbound. From Manchester, Edinburgh and other UK airports you will connect, either via London or through a hub such as Amsterdam (KLM), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates) or Singapore. Connecting itineraries typically run 15 to 19 hours in total depending on the layover. Compare direct and one-stop options on the price charts on this page.
Popular places to visit in Taiwan
- Taipei: Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum and buzzing night markets such as Shilin and Raohe.
- Taroko Gorge: a dramatic marble canyon near Hualien; check current access before travelling, as trails reopen in stages.
- Sun Moon Lake: Taiwan's largest lake, ringed by cycle paths, temples and tea plantations.
- Tainan: the island's oldest city, known for Qing-era temples, old fortresses and legendary food.
- Jiufen & the northeast coast: lantern-lit hillside lanes, teahouses and sea views a short trip from Taipei.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Taiwan
- Travel in the shoulder months — late spring or autumn — and avoid Lunar New Year, when demand and fares peak.
- Weigh a one-stop flight from your local airport against a nonstop from London plus an onward connection; the price charts on this page make the gap clear.
- Stay flexible by a few days and use the When to book chart above to time your booking.
- Book long-haul roughly two to five months ahead for the best balance of price and choice.
Travel essentials
British passport holders can currently enter Taiwan visa-free for stays of up to 90 days for tourism, with a passport valid for the duration of the visit; always confirm entry rules before you fly. The currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$); cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some cash for markets, rural areas and the ubiquitous convenience stores. For the best fares, book a few months out and keep an eye on the price charts on this page.
