My this Taiwan Trip was the last trip in 2023 to fulfill my purpose that I promise myself to add-up at least one country (or territory) into my traveling profile. Around early October 2023, I realized that I still had no new country in my traveling experience in 2023 yet. When I took a look at my remaining vacation day as well as my balance sheet, I had only 5 days for annual leave with limited budget. After I spent days to find the target, finally, Taiwan was the best place to match with my schedule and my wallet’s health 😂

Even I used to visit China (People’s republic of China) since 2014, but, many online information told me that Taiwan is different. It is autonomous area under China which has unique culture, people, city and environment. It makes visitor feel that visiting Taiwan is like visiting one country. So, I decided to find the affordable air-tickets to make this trip happen and found that Thai Air Asia, the renowned low cost carrier of Thailand can offer me very attractive airfare and flight time in mid-December 2023. I had no hesitation to grab it immediately.

Herewith my flight schedule for this trip.

Route : Bangkok_Don Muang (DMK) – Taipei_Taoyuan (TPE)
Carrier : Thai Air Asia
Flight No. : FD230
ETD : 7.45 AM (GMT+7)
ETA : 12.20 PM (GMT+8)
Duration : 3 hours and 35 minutes
Aircraft : Airbus A320-200
Cabin Class : ECONOMY

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On traveling date, the trip was started when I arrived Bangkok – Don Muang International Airport before 5AM, about 3 hours prior flight time. The check-in counter of Thai Air Asia was at the row-1. But the queue was very long due to high traffic in the morning time. Fortunately, I did online checkin in advance and had no checked-in baggage. I just proceed to print the boarding pass at self-service kiosk. 😆

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After getting the boarding pass, I headed to pass immigration and security check point. As it was crowded in the morning, I took about 30 minutes to pass all processes. I had about 2 hours before flight time to find something to fill my stomach for the 3 hours morning flight. 😊

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Today, the boarding would be at the gate number 24 which is the aerobridge gate. About 45 minutes before flight time, I was at the gate and the passengers were waiting for boarding and the aircraft was ready.

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About 7.10AM, 30 minutes before departure time, the boarding was started. The seats had only one class (Economy) and were arranged as 3-3 as general pattern of Airbus A320.

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As the general format of low-cost carrier, the seat pitch was compact, only 28 inches according to the data from Google Flight. It has one magazine, in-flight menus and safety instruction in front seat pocket.

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After the boarding completed, the flight was pushed back and taken off on-time. As soon as the flight was in cruising speed and the seat belt sign had been switched off, I started to observe the lavatory. It was well clean and equipped with essential things.

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Then, the cabin crew started to sell the food and beverage. I had booked pre-order meal since I bought the ticket which is 20% cheaper and get priority service in flight too. 😇 Today, I did book chicken lasagna and hot coffee.

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After I satisfied my stomach, it was the time to relax as the remaining flight time was 2 hours and 30 minutes.

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20 minutes before landing, the seat belt sign had been switched on and the in-flight service was stopped. Next, the captain had safely landed our flight to Taoyuan International Airport – Taipei, terminal 1.

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Once the aircraft had been parked at aerobridge, I disembarked and followed the arrival sign to pass immigration. It had the trick to skip the filling the arrival form (paper form) to present to immigration officer by complete it up to 3 days before arrival date in online platform as below link.

https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/webacard/

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The immigration queue was long on my arrival date, I sent almost 30 minutes to pass it. Then, the passenger with checked-in baggage can claim it at belt number 5.

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Now, it meant I have arrived Taiwan already ! But it still not completed yet as I must get in the city (Taoyuan airport is 40 km from city center). To get in the city, the most convenient, cost effective and avoid the traffic jam is using rail transport, Taipei MRT – Airport Line. It was very easy to find, just follow the sign to MRT.

At the entrance of MRT station of Taoyuan Airport – terminal 1, it had ticket counter what I could buy the round trip tokens of Taipei MRT – Airport Line (2 tokens) and Easy Card as the package. The cost was just only 570 TWD (18.50 USD). With this package, I could get 2 tokens of MRT – Airport line and Easy Card with 100 TWD loaded. For the tokens (purple token), one token for today to get in the city, another token for travel from the city to the airport what I had to use with in 30 days. For Easy Card, it can be used with MRT (Subway) and The bus around Taiwan. I could top-up the Easy card at automatic vending machine in every MRT station with Bank notes. It was very convenient ! 😎

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The MRT – Airport Line has 2 types, Express (Purple) and Commuter (Blue). I could choose to board any type depended on its schedule. Express would stop only major stations, it took 45 minutes to reach Taipei Main Station. Commuter would stop every station, it took 60 minutes to Taipei Main Station.

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Taipei MRT – Airport Line at Taoyan Airport Terminal 1 Station

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Inside Taipei MRT – Airport Line

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About 2PM, I had arrived Taipei Main Station. This station is the central station of Taipei which is able to connect with Taipei MRT, Taiwan High Speed Railways (HSR) and Taipei bus station.

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For the first and second nights, I stayed at Colormix Hotel & Hostel at Ximen Station which is only one station away by MRT (Bannan Line – Blue Line) from Taipei Main Station. I could use Easy Card what I just bought from the airport to tap-in and tap-out MRT subway in Taipei.

This is all of the review of Thai Air Asia flight from Bangkok to Taipei and how to get in Taipei City from Taoyuan International Airport. In overall, Thai Air Asia is one of the most interesting choice to travel from Thailand to Taiwan as it offered me the affordable cost, nice service and on-time performance. I would recommend you to keep Thai Air Asia as the one of your choice to travel between these 2 cities. Finally, I wish you have a wonderful trip and stay in Taiwan. 😃🇹🇼

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Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

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