How to get from Taipei Songshan Airport to Ximending

Cities & Metropolitan Areas · Taiwan · Urban & Cultural · Taipei · Taipei Songshan Airport · Ximending

Getting from Taipei Songshan Airport to Ximending is quick and simple: you can ride the MRT, hop on a local bus, jump in a taxi or ride-hail, or book a private transfer, and reach this busy shopping district in about 15–30 minutes depending on traffic and the route you choose.

At A Glance (Taipei Songshan Airport to Ximending)

Mode Duration Best For
🚇 MRT (Songshan Airport Station → Ximen) ~15–20 minutes including transfer Fast, cheap, very straightforward
🏷️ Cost: ~NT$35–45 one-way using single-journey ticket or EasyCard; consider a metro day pass from Taipei Metro Unlimited Travel Pass if you will ride a lot the same day.
🚕 Taxi / Ride-hailing ~10–20 minutes (traffic-dependent) Door-to-door comfort, late-night or heavy luggage
🏷️ Cost: ~NT$220–300 per regular city taxi; prebooked private cars run from about US$20–30 via Klook Songshan transfers or other transfer platforms.
🚌 Airport Bus + MRT ~25–40 minutes (traffic + transfer) Budget travelers who do not mind an extra transfer
🏷️ Cost: Bus ~NT$15–30 + MRT ~NT$20–35 (use coins or EasyCard/metro pass).
🚐 Private Transfer / Hotel Pickup ~15–25 minutes door-to-door Groups, families, lots of luggage, maximum convenience
🏷️ Cost: From ~US$20 per car for prebooked Songshan transfers on Klook airport transfers or similar services; prices vary by vehicle size and time of day.

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

  • Fastest / Most Convenient for most people: MRT (metro) from Songshan Airport Station with one quick transfer to reach Ximen Station right beside Ximending.
  • Most Comfortable Door-to-Door: Taxi or ride-hailing, ideal if you are tired after a flight, arriving late at night, or carrying bulky luggage.
  • Cheapest: Airport bus + MRT using EasyCard or small change; best if you are on a strict budget and not in a rush.
  • No-Thought, Prearranged Arrival: Private transfer / hotel pickup booked in advance via platforms like Klook or GetYourGuide, with a driver waiting in the arrivals hall.

How to Book and Practical Tips

🚇 Option #1 — MRT (Metro) via Nanjing Fuxing (Most Popular, Fast & Cheap)

Fast Budget-friendly Traffic-proof

  • Overview: Take the Brown Line (Wenhu Line) from Songshan Airport Station and transfer to either the Green or Blue Line at Nanjing Fuxing or Zhongxiao Fuxing to reach Ximen Station, which opens directly into the Ximending area.
  • How to book (with price): Buy a single-journey token or use an EasyCard/iPASS at the ticket machines or counter in Songshan Airport Station. Expect around NT$35–45 one-way. For unlimited rides in one or more days, consider the Taipei Metro Unlimited Travel Pass or the broader Taipei Transport Fun Pass.
  • Pros: Fast, inexpensive, frequent departures, and easy transfers; avoids road traffic.
  • Cons: Can be crowded at peak hours; you will handle your luggage yourself through station corridors and escalators (elevators are available but sometimes busy).

Step-by-step: MRT from Songshan Airport to Ximending

  1. From arrivals, follow the clearly marked signs for “MRT” or “Metro” to reach Songshan Airport Station on the Brown Line (Wenhu Line) inside the terminal.
  2. Purchase a single-journey ticket or top up/use an EasyCard at the ticket machines. If you plan lots of metro rides during your stay, you could also pre-purchase a pass such as the MRT Unlimited Travel Pass.
  3. Enter the gates at Songshan Airport Station and board the Brown Line train toward Taipei Zoo.
  4. Ride to either Nanjing Fuxing (transfer to the Green Line) or Zhongxiao Fuxing (transfer to the Blue Line). Both options connect onward to Ximen; most visitors simply follow the transfer signs you see on the platform.
  5. Transfer to the Green Line toward Xindian or the Blue Line toward Dingpu, and ride to Ximen Station (BL11/G12), the main metro stop for Ximending.
  6. At Ximen Station, follow signs for Exit 6, which leads directly into the pedestrian shopping streets of Ximending.
  7. For exact fares and first/last train times, you can check the official metro route map and fare table before you travel.

Getting to the main embarking points (Songshan Airport MRT / Ximen Station)

  • Within Songshan Airport: The MRT entrance is well signposted; allow about 5–10 minutes from baggage claim to the station gates via escalators or elevators.
  • From central Taipei back to Songshan Airport: From Ximen Station, ride the Blue or Green Line to Nanjing Fuxing, then transfer to the Brown Line toward Taipei Zoo and alight at Songshan Airport Station. Plan about 20–30 minutes platform-to-platform.
  • From Ximending hotels to Ximen Station: Most hotels in the area are a 3–8 minute walk from the station; staying around Ximen makes the airport return especially easy. You can compare nearby stays on Booking.com (Ximending).
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚕 Option #2 — Taxi / Ride-hailing (Most Comfortable, Door-to-Door)

Direct Luggage-friendly Traffic-dependent

  • Overview: Licensed yellow taxis wait just outside the terminal. They can drop you at any hotel or guesthouse in Ximending in one simple ride, usually in under 20 minutes.
  • How to book (with price): Simply follow airport signs to the taxi stand and join the queue; regular metered fares to Ximending are typically around NT$220–300, depending on traffic and exact address. If you prefer a prearranged driver and fixed price, you can book a private car from Songshan on Klook Songshan Airport transfers or other GetYourGuide transfer services, or use global services such as GetTransfer and Welcome Pickups.
  • Pros: Fastest and most comfortable; true door-to-door; best if you have large suitcases, kids, or arrive late at night.
  • Cons: More expensive than MRT or bus; travel time and fare can increase in rush hour.

Step-by-step: Taxi / Ride-hailing

  1. After exiting customs at Taipei Songshan Airport, follow overhead signs for “Taxi” to reach the official taxi stand outside the arrivals hall.
  2. Join the queue and show the dispatcher or driver your hotel name or “Ximending” in Chinese on your phone; you can also drop a pin to Ximen Station if needed.
  3. Make sure the driver turns on the meter (this is standard in Taipei). If you booked a private transfer on Klook or via GetYourGuide airport transfers, simply meet your driver at the agreed meeting point holding your name sign.
  4. Relax for the 10–20 minute drive into town. Ximending is in the Wanhua District, just west of Taipei Main Station.
  5. For ride-hailing (Uber, LINE Taxi), connect to airport Wi‑Fi or your eSIM, set your pickup point as “Taipei Songshan Airport”, and drop-off as your hotel or Ximen Station. Confirm the car plate number before getting in.

Getting to the main embarking points (Songshan Airport Taxi Stand / Ximending)

  • Taxi stand location: Clearly signed just outside the arrivals level at Songshan Airport; you queue and are assigned the next available cab.
  • Peak-hour timing: In rush hours (roughly 08:00–09:30 and 17:00–19:30), expect slower traffic and slightly higher fares due to time-based charges on the meter.
  • Return trip from Ximending: Ask your hotel to call a taxi, hail one on the street, or use Uber/LINE Taxi to get back to Songshan Airport around 2 hours before a domestic flight and 2.5–3 hours before an international one.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #3 — Airport Bus + MRT (Cheapest, More Local)

Cheapest Frequent Traffic-dependent

  • Overview: Several city buses stop outside Taipei Songshan Airport and run to central Taipei locations such as Taipei Main Station and surrounding districts. From there, it is just one or two MRT stops to Ximen Station and the Ximending area.
  • How to pay (with price): Fares on city buses are usually around NT$15–30 depending on distance. You can tap an EasyCard/iPASS on boarding and (if required) on exit, or pay in exact coins. From Taipei Main Station, the MRT to Ximen is an additional NT$20–25.
  • Pros: Lowest total cost; gives you a glimpse of city streets on the way; EasyCard makes transfers simple.
  • Cons: Slower and more affected by traffic; less space for large suitcases; requires some comfort reading bus stop names or using a map app.

Step-by-step: Airport Bus + MRT

  1. From arrivals, follow signs for “Bus” or “City Bus” to reach the bus stops in front of Songshan Airport.
  2. Check the route information boards for buses heading toward Taipei Main Station or the city center. Use Google Maps or a similar app to double-check which bus gets you closest to Taipei Main Station for an easy MRT transfer.
  3. Board the correct bus, tap your EasyCard/iPASS or pay the fare in coins, and keep an eye on the onboard display or your phone’s map for your stop.
  4. Alight near or at Taipei Main Station. Follow signs to the MRT entrances and enter the Bannan Line (Blue Line) platforms.
  5. Take a westbound Blue Line train one stop to Ximen Station, or walk if your bus stops nearer to Ximending.
  6. Exit at Ximen (Exit 6) to step directly into Ximending’s pedestrian zone.

Getting to the main embarking points (Songshan Airport Bus Stops / Taipei Main Station)

  • Songshan Airport bus stops: Located right outside the terminal; most routes have service roughly between early morning and late evening, with intervals of about 15–30 minutes.
  • Taipei Main Station transfer: Once you arrive by bus, allow 5–10 minutes to find the MRT entrances underground and reach the Blue Line platforms for the short hop to Ximen.
  • Best for budget travelers: If you already have an EasyCard and light luggage, this option is very cost-effective, especially if you are not in a hurry.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚐 Option #4 — Private Transfer / Hotel Pickup (Prebooked, Hassle-free)

Door-to-door Great for groups Most expensive

  • Overview: If you want someone waiting for you at the arrivals hall with your name on a sign, a prebooked private transfer is ideal. Your driver helps with luggage and takes you directly to your hotel in Ximending.
  • How to book (with price): Reserve online in advance via platforms like Klook Songshan Airport transfers or other GetYourGuide Taipei transfers. Expect prices from around US$20–30 for a small car to central Taipei; larger vehicles for 5–6 passengers cost more. You can also compare quotes on GetTransfer or similar ride services.
  • Pros: No need to figure out tickets or navigation after landing; fixed price; excellent for families, groups, mobility issues, or lots of luggage.
  • Cons: Higher cost than standard taxis or public transit; you must book in advance and watch your voucher for the exact meeting point.

Step-by-step: Private Transfer / Hotel Pickup

  1. Before your trip, choose and book your preferred airport transfer on Klook or via GetYourGuide transfers, specifying Taipei Songshan Airport as pickup and your Ximending hotel as drop-off.
  2. Save the confirmation email and note the meeting instructions (for example, driver waiting in the arrivals hall or at a specific exit).
  3. After landing and clearing customs, look for your driver holding a sign with your name or contact them via the app if needed.
  4. Walk together to the car park and load your luggage; confirm your destination in Ximending one more time before departure.
  5. Enjoy a direct 15–25 minute ride to your accommodation. For your return flight, you can usually arrange pickup time and location with the same provider.

Getting to the main embarking points (Songshan Airport Arrivals Hall)

  • Meeting point: Private transfer drivers usually wait inside the arrivals hall with a name board; check your voucher for the exact pillar, exit, or counter number.
  • Hotel pickups in Ximending: Most providers collect you directly from your hotel lobby; clarify your hotel’s name (for example, “amba Taipei Ximending” or “Just Sleep Ximending”) when booking.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Taipei Songshan Airport to Ximending)

How long does it take to get from Taipei Songshan Airport to Ximending?
Most travelers reach Ximending in about 15–20 minutes by MRT (including a simple transfer) or around 10–20 minutes by taxi or private car, depending on traffic.

What is the cheapest way to travel from Songshan Airport to Ximending?
The lowest-cost option is usually a combination of city bus and MRT or a direct MRT journey using an EasyCard, with the total typically under NT$60.

Is there an MRT station directly at Ximending?
Yes. Ximending is served by Ximen Station, an interchange on the Blue (Bannan) and Green (Songshan–Xindian) metro lines, located right beside the main pedestrian shopping area.

Is it safe to arrive in Ximending late at night?
Ximending is generally busy and well-lit into the late evening, and both the MRT and taxis are widely used after dark. As always, keep an eye on your belongings and follow normal city safety precautions.

Do I need an EasyCard for this journey?
You do not need one, but an EasyCard makes using the MRT and buses much more convenient and slightly cheaper per trip. You can also combine it with passes or top it up throughout your stay in Taipei.

Related posts:

  1. How to get from Taipei Taoyuan Airport to Taipei 101
  2. How to get from Taipei to Tainan
  3. How to get from Kaohsiung Airport to Liuhe Night Market
  4. How to get from Dubai Airport to Burj Khalifa