Itinerary · Taiwan
Tainan first trip: how do you get from the airport to the city, and how many days do you need?
Bus H31 from Tainan Airport, arriving via Kaohsiung or Taoyuan, a 3-4 day route, getting around a city with no MRT, and October-March weather normals.
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How many days for Tainan? 3 to 4
Tainan is one of Taiwan's oldest cities, full of old forts, temples and humble local dishes in every lane. The walkable old town and the seaside Anping district sit close together, and the guide suggests 3 to 4 days.
A comfortable plan is the old town on day 1, Anping on day 2, the Sicao Green Tunnel and the Chimei Museum on day 3, and a morning walk on day 4 before heading to the airport. Garden Night Market opens mainly on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, and the Chimei Museum is closed on Wednesdays, so plan around the weekday.
- Day 1: arrive → Confucius Temple in the afternoon → Chihkan Tower lit up at night and a stroll on Shennong Street
- Day 2: bus to Anping → Anping Old Fort, Anping Tree House and the old street → sunset by the sea → Garden Night Market (Thursday, Saturday or Sunday)
- Day 3: beef soup for breakfast → boat through the Sicao Green Tunnel → Chimei Museum (closed Wednesdays) → dinner around Haian Road
- Day 4: old-town lanes in the morning → train to Kaohsiung or the HSR station for your flight
Tainan Airport (TNN) to the city: bus H31 and taxis
Tainan Airport is south of the city. It has few international flights, so most trips from abroad involve a connection; check your flight options before you book.
Bus H31 links HSR Tainan station, the airport and Tainan City Hall, running about every 20-30 minutes. Bus 105 heads toward Tainan railway station. Check official information for journey times and bus fares.
Taxis are metered, from about NT$85. They are handy with heavy luggage or when the bus times don't fit.
- Bus H31: HSR Tainan station - airport - Tainan City Hall, about every 20-30 min
- Bus 105: toward Tainan railway station
- Taxi: metered, from about NT$85
- Bus fares and journey times: check official information
Arriving via Kaohsiung or Taoyuan airport
From Kaohsiung Airport (KHH), take the MRT Red Line from Kaohsiung International Airport station to Kaohsiung Main Station, then a Taiwan Railway train to Tainan station. You can also ride the MRT to Zuoying, then the high-speed rail and the Shalun Line train. Allow about 45 minutes to 1 hour in total; check official information for fares. Transit cards work.
From Taoyuan Airport (TPE), take the Airport MRT to HSR Taoyuan station and the high-speed rail to HSR Tainan station. An HSR reserved seat is about NT$1,200, plus Airport MRT and train fares.
HSR Tainan station is outside the center. Continue on the Shalun Line from neighboring Shalun station (about 20-40 minutes) or by bus H31. Allow about 3 hours in total from the airport to Tainan station.
- Kaohsiung Airport: MRT Red Line → Taiwan Railway train, about 45 min to 1 hour to Tainan station
- Taoyuan Airport: Airport MRT → high-speed rail (reserved seat about NT$1,200) → Shalun Line or bus H31, about 3 hours in total
Getting around: no MRT, so buses do the work
Tainan has no MRT, so buses are the main public transport. Many routes run infrequently, so check timetables in a map app and mix in taxis when needed.
The visitor-oriented Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Anping line passes the Confucius Temple and Chihkan Tower on its way to Anping. Tainan station is the hub: the Shalun Line links it to HSR Tainan station, and regular trains run to Kaohsiung.
A transit card (EasyCard or iPASS), sold at convenience stores and stations, covers buses, Taiwan Railway trains, YouBike and small purchases. Taxis and ride-hailing are handy for Anping and Sicao, where buses are infrequent, and YouBike suits the old-town lanes. Avoid long rides in the midday heat.
- Transit card: EasyCard or iPASS (buses, trains, YouBike, convenience stores)
- Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Anping line: Confucius Temple and Chihkan Tower → Anping
- Anping and Sicao: taxis and ride-hailing are handy
- Where to stay on a first visit: West Central District (around Chihkan Tower) or around Tainan railway station
When to go? October to March is best
October-March is the driest and sunniest time, and winters stay mild. January normals are a high of 23°C, a low of 15°C and 21 mm of rain; October is 31°C / 23°C with 31 mm, and December 24°C / 16°C with 16 mm.
May-September is hot with frequent showers, and typhoons are possible from summer into autumn. July averages 33°C / 27°C with 375 mm of rain, and August rain reaches 466 mm. Many shops close and sights are crowded over Lunar New Year.
These normals are from the Central Weather Administration (CWA), Taiwan, Tainan station, 1991–2020. They are long-term averages, so check the official forecast before you go.
- October-March: drier and sunny (January 23°C / 15°C, 21 mm)
- May-September: hot with showers, typhoons possible from summer into autumn (August 466 mm)
- Lunar New Year: many shops closed, sights crowded
Before you go: cash, heat and entry rules
Lane eateries and night markets are often cash only. Carry Taiwan dollars; convenience store ATMs accept foreign cards. Night market snacks cost about NT$50-100 each.
The sun is strong and showers are common: bring a hat, sunscreen and a small umbrella, and plan walks for mornings and evenings. There is no tipping; some restaurants add a 10% service charge.
Entry rules, including visa-free stays, can change. Check official Taiwan government information before you travel.
- Cash: lane eateries and night markets; convenience store ATMs take foreign cards
- Heat and showers: hat, sunscreen, small umbrella
- No tipping; some restaurants add a 10% service charge
- Entry rules: check official information before you go
Plan your Tainan trip
We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.
FAQ
How many days do I need in Tainan?
The guide suggests 3 to 4 days. Spend a day each on the old town and Anping, and add a day for the Sicao Green Tunnel and the Chimei Museum (closed Wednesdays).
How do I get from Tainan Airport to the city?
Bus H31 links HSR Tainan station, the airport and Tainan City Hall about every 20-30 minutes, and bus 105 heads toward Tainan railway station. Metered taxis start from about NT$85. Check official information for bus fares.
Can I fly into Taoyuan instead?
Yes: take the Airport MRT and the high-speed rail (reserved seat about NT$1,200) to HSR Tainan station, then the Shalun Line or bus H31 into the city. Allow about 3 hours in total to Tainan station.
When is the best time to visit Tainan?
October to March is the driest and sunniest time. January normals are a high of 23°C and a low of 15°C (Central Weather Administration (CWA), Taiwan, 1991–2020). May to September is hot with frequent showers.
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